Malaysia
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Malaysia

Malaysia
Malaysia
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Malaysia, covering politics, economy, society and the Asean member-nation’s relationships with China, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian countries.
Capital
Kuala Lumpur
Head of State
Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar
Head of Government
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar Ibrahim
last updated:
29 November, 2024
A Chinese tourist’s body was found near a diving spot in Semporna, Malaysia’s Sabah state. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese tourists

Missing Chinese tourist’s body retrieved from Malaysia diving spot

The body of Zhang Cao, who reportedly travelled alone, was found off Mabul Island in Semporna.

Syrian conflict

‘Now we know’: Malaysia’s Syrian refugees find Assad’s fall bittersweet

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Chinese culture

Being Chinese | How my Malaysian Chinese education is paying off

9
Asean

Asian Angle | Why Asean’s neutrality is our greatest asset in a divided world

As Malaysia prepares to assume the 2025 Asean chair, its trade minister argues for a unified approach to navigate the US-China rivalry.

Malaysia’s Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin receives an Asean emblem at the handover of Asean chairmanship in Laos on November 21. Photo: AP
Space

‘Unbelievable’: Malaysia’s space defence plan sparks outrage in flood aftermath

The system would eventually also incorporate rocket and missile capabilities operated out of space for defence.

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Hong Kong Squash Open

‘Greatest stage’: US star Olivia Weaver backs squash to thrive at LA Olympics

World No 4, one of several academically inclined players at the world team championships, set to return from injury for Malaysia semi-final.

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Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar urges ‘extraordinary speed’ in AI adoption to drive digital economy

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has made artificial intelligence a key focus of his administration to support billion-dollar tech investments.

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An artificial intelligence robot using machine learning and AI to analyse a person’s health and give advice. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

‘Everything Malaysia has, Singapore does better’: neighbours spar over migration

Social media banter between neighbours sparks debate about gentrification and rising inflation fuelled by influx of Western expats.

15
Najib Razak

Najib’s house arrest at ‘discretion’ of Malaysia’s king, Anwar says

Sultan Ibrahim of Johor will make the decision on Najib Razak’s fate, Malaysia’s current prime minister told parliament.

Mahathir Mohamad

Call for Singapore island probe a bid to smear me as ‘treacherous’: Mahathir

The ex-PM is also facing a corruption crackdown that he and his associates say is targeted at opponents of his former protégé Anwar Ibrahim.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad holds a press conference at Putrajaya on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Law

‘Freedom of speech does exist’: Malaysia’s new internet law passes first hurdle

The bill imposes stricter penalties on content violations and grants sweeping powers such as the right to search and seize without a warrant.

A man checks his phone near the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE
South China Sea

South China Sea: Vietnam reef projects may set scene for conflict with Beijing

Satellite images show potential military structures on Vietnamese features in Spratly Islands, which experts say could curb China’s advantage.

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27
Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysia’s Najib accuses US of sabotaging his 1MDB defence

In a bombshell courtroom revelation, the ex-PM claims US collusion with Malaysia’s political opposition to undermine his defence.

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Asean

Opinion | Why Russia is finding favour in Southeast Asia once again

As Russia seeks Global South partners and the war in Ukraine drags on, Southeast Asian states are rekindling ties with the Kremlin.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Russian President Vladimir Putin sit next to each other at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 5. Photo: Roscongress Foundation via Reuters
Asean

Opinion | Why cybersecurity could be Malaysia’s key to effective Asean leadership

Even modest success under Malaysia’s leadership could bolster the grouping’s unity and credibility, but failure will only deepen fractures in the bloc.

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Asean leaders and top ministers pose with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, sixth from the left, at the Asean-UN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, on October 11. Photo: Reuters
Chinese tourists

‘I trust it more’: Chinese app Xiaohongshu offers unexpected window on Malaysia

With over 2.5 million users in Malaysia, Xiaohongshu not only attracts tourists but helps Malaysian Chinese connect with their heritage.

Australia

Australia faces seismic shift over social media ban – and it’s felt across Asia

As Thailand’s youth advocate for similar bans on under-16s, Malaysia and Singapore ramp up their own efforts to combat online dangers.

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MMA

Malaysian MMA fans hail UFC legend Khabib’s plan to launch gym in Johor

Khabib Gym is set to draw combat sports fans from Malaysia and across the region and become a platform to groom professional fighters.

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia raises his champions belt in the city of Makhachkala in 2018. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Insult of tea seller by Indonesian cleric unites Malaysians in outcry

The saga prompted Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim to warn against high-handed attitudes from those supposedly well-versed in religion.

Facebook

Minister slams Meta for ‘no remorse’ as Malaysians lose US$100 million to scams

Communications chief Fahmi Fadzil calls Meta’s licensing concerns ‘facetious’, says regulation is needed to stamp out scams.

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Mahathir Mohamad

Will Malaysia’s Mahathir face criminal probe over island lost to Singapore?

A commission claims Mahathir misled the government about a disputed island awarded to Singapore, risking up to seven years in prison if convicted.

Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during the Nikkei Forum “Future of Asia” in Tokyo on May 24. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese carmaker GAC doubles down on Hong Kong appetite for EVs

The state-owned carmaker is ‘very optimistic’ about sales growth in the city as it introduces an SUV model with gull-wing doors.

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GAC Motor’s Hyptec HT is available in a premium model with vertically opening rear doors. Photo: Yi Luo
Singapore

Chinese man accused of kidnapping girl could face up to 7 years in Malaysia jail

Huang Xiaonan, a university student studying in Singapore, was charged with kidnapping the 15-year-old in Johor.

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysian celebrity couple deny embezzlement over failed e-commerce venture

The case involving Vivy Yusof and Fadzarudin has stirred outrage over beneficiaries of state funding in a country still reeling from the 1MDB scandal.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | No global plastic treaty yet, but Hong Kong has work to do

Readers discuss the imperative of passing local legislation to curb plastic use, the authority vested in Malaysia’s Conference of Rulers, and the danger of narrow pavements.

A South Korean activist calls for a strong global plastics treaty outside the venue for the meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution in Busan, South Korea, on December 1. Photo: AP
Millionaires and billionaires

Billionaire Ananda Krishnan’s monk son returns to Malaysia for last goodbye

Educated in the UK, Ven AJahn Sripanyo renounced his share of a US$5 billion inheritance more than 20 years ago.

Ananda Krishnan is credited with bringing satellite television into millions of Malaysian homes. Photo: Reuters
Asean

Will Trump’s tariff threat push Southeast Asian nations away from China-led Brics?

Analysts warn nations to consider the risks of joining Brics, which could bring economic gains but may alienate the US and lead to trade barriers.

10
Singapore

Malaysia arrests Singaporeans in US$51 million fraud case

The couple were handed to Singapore on the same day of their arrest, and each given one holding charge in the State Courts.

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