Malaysian Politics

The palace and the players
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Malaysia has been rocked by political upheaval since Muhyiddin Yassin became prime minister without a parliamentary vote in March 2020. The country's constitutional monarch has taken a more active role in politics while a power tussle involving veteran politicians Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim continues.

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People
Australian sinologist Wang Gungwu (left), speaking about his new book “In No Borders: Journeys Across Islands and Continents” at its launch in Singapore on Thursday. Photo: Jean Iau
People
In his Singapore book launch, Wang Gungwu recounts own journey through history
Wang says in his book that there are no borders between civilisations and that the past provides the ‘guideposts to the future’.
The Football Association of Malaysia’s logo is displayed at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Lifestyle & Culture
Can Malaysian football ‘reset’? Mass resignations kick off reboot debate
Nothing will change if the same officials are re-elected with no one held accountable for the ‘heritage players’ fiasco, observers say.
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A shopkeeper adjusts gold bracelets at a jewellery mall in Shanghai, China, on January 27. Photo: Reuters
World
China’s ‘gold fever’ sparks scandal, tourist drought in Japan: 7 highlights
From China’s ‘gold fever’ sparking scandal to a tourist drought, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.
Asean foreign ministers pose for a group photo in Cebu City on Thursday where they discussed the bloc’s response to the Myanmar crisis. Photo: Reuters
Politics
How far can Asean engage Myanmar without legitimising military rule?
The bloc’s foreign ministers meet in Cebu amid concerns that diplomacy could slide into tacit acceptance of military rule.
Tantanmen noodles at Szechuan Tantanmen Aun in Tokyo. The noodle dish, which has its roots in China’s Sichuan province, is found on many menus in Japan, but how did it become so popular in a country known for food with light flavours? Photo: Phoebe Amoroso
Chinese Zodiac
Japan’s love for Chinese noodles; ‘unlucky’ chocolate: 7 Lifestyle highlights
From AI’s predictions for the Year of the Horse to an ‘unlucky’ chocolate mahjong set, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaking with the media in Putrajaya in December. Photo: EPA
Politics
‘Patience wearing thin’: Anwar demands updates on anti-corruption fight
The leader says that if top enforcement officials admit they are unable to crack down on corruption and smuggling, they should step aside.
Bukit Bintang is a major shopping hub in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock
Southeast Asia
Malaysia’s ‘free mixing’ water musical festival angers Islamic party
The Islamic party opposes the Bukit Bintang event in May, citing cultural sensitivities, disruption and ‘moral disturbance’.
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Tourists have fun in the Cambugahay Falls on the Philippine island of Siquijor on December 10 last year. Photo: AFP
Lifestyle & Culture
Just 1 visa to rule them all? How European-style pass could help Asean tourism
While Asean members such as Malaysia and Vietnam have shown strong post-pandemic growth, tourist numbers have lagged in the Philippines.
Police in Malaysia arrested a Chinese couple after discovering a drug processing lab in their flat, seizing US$41,867 worth of narcotics. Photo: Shutterstock
Southeast Asia
Couple from China arrested in Malaysia after raid on luxury condo drug lab
Police also seized drugs worth US$41,867 from the residential unit in Kuala Lumpur.
A Malaysian football association (FAM) vehicle leaving the FAM’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Football
Top Malaysian football officials quit over foreign-born players scandal
Entire executive committee of game’s governing body in country resigns to ‘mitigate risk’ of further punishment, acting president says.
Malaysian Minister for Religious Affairs Zulkifli Hasan has linked work stress to “LGBT acts”. Photo: YouTube/Malaysia’s parliament
Politics
Malaysians lampoon minister linking work stress to gay people
Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Hasan has come under fire for claiming in parliament that work stress turns people gay.
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Several people were detained aboard an unregistered boat during an operation conducted by Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency on Monday. Photo: Facebook/maritimmalaysia
Southeast Asia
Malaysian man arrested after secret trip to see second wife in Indonesia
The 46-year-old told officers that he could not travel by air as his passport was held by the first wife.
Illustration: Craig Stephens
World Opinion
Opinion|Why Southeast Asia should not fear Trump’s disruption
Instead of joining Trump’s neocolonial ‘Board of Peace’, Southeast Asian leaders should seize the chance to help rebuild a global order that is just and equitable.
A woman counting several notes of the Malaysian ringgit. The currency has risen against the Singapore dollar in recent trading sessions. Photo: Shutterstock
Economics
As Malaysian ringgit strengthens, Singapore shoppers in Johor reap less savings
The ringgit’s appreciation is also bad news for Malaysian export-oriented sectors, such as gloves and electronics, analysts say.
Kwai Chung Container Terminal. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong Economy
Hong Kong’s exports jump 15.4% in 2025 to ‘historical high’
City’s trade to be supported by sustained global growth, improved ties with new markets and strong demand for AI products, authorities say.
Motorists coming from Malaysia’s state of Johor form a queue as they approach the immigration checkpoint to enter Singapore. Photo: AFP
Politics
Malaysia clarifies cash aid rules for frequent commuters to Singapore
Malaysians who enter and exit Singapore eight times or more each month will be treated as working overseas, but may still appeal, minister says.
1
Untouched jungle in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Malaysia and Indonesia are holding talks to discuss the Sabah-Kalimantan border issue. Photo: Shutterstock
Politics
Malaysia disputes Indonesian media reports on Sabah border, says talks ongoing
To compensate for the transfer of three Indonesian villages to Malaysia, Jakarta would receive some land, according to the media reports.
Malaysia’s players pose before the start of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier Group F football match between Malaysia and Vietnam in Kuala Lumpur last year. Photo: AFP
Southeast Asia
7 Fifa-banned Malaysian footballers cleared to play after court grants stay
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said the foreign-born players linked to forgery scandal can keep competing until a final ruling is made.
A technician filling a plane with sustainable aviation fuel. Malaysia has two SAF production plants. Photo: Handout
Economics
Malaysia’s aim for sustainable aviation fuel faces low Asian demand hurdle
Most of the demand still comes from Europe, with Malaysia aiming to produce 1 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel by 2028.
Japanese women in Okinawa show off vegetables freshly picked from their garden. Photo: Getty Images
Asia
Okinawa loses longevity crown, Malaysian athlete threatened: 7 Asia highlights
From longevity in Japan’s Okinawa to proxy wars in Middle East, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.
Chan Zhu Er takes a wefie with her son Low Zi Kang before dropping him off at his preschool in Chaah, Malaysia’s Johor. Photo: Chan/The Star
Southeast Asia
Chinese mum’s Islamic preschool choice wins hearts, stirs debate in Malaysia
‘I didn’t expect this. I simply wanted to celebrate my son’s growth and multiculturalism,’ Low Zi Kang’s mother says.
1
Xpeng’s G7, the longest range SUV in the world at 1,704km, is gaining traction with overseas buyers. Photo: Handout
China Business
Xpeng targets overseas sales surge in 2026 as China EV battle goes global
Guangzhou-based EV maker targets more than 90,000 overseas deliveries this year amid fierce competition at home.
Former Malaysian army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan’s wife, Salwani Anuar, is escorted in a wheelchair by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers at the Kuala Lumpur Court on January 22. She and her husband are facing multiple charges under Malaysia’s anti-money-laundering law. Photo: EPA
People
Corruption suspect’s wheelchair court appearance sparks mockery in Malaysia
The wife of a former army chief was seen walking before later using a wheelchair in court, prompting cynical social media commentary.
Singaporean urban farming company Archisen is expanding its operations in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. Photo: Archisen
Economics
How Johor-Singapore SEZ is delivering for businesses a year on
While the zone has attracted sizeable investment since its launch last year, experts call for better coordination to ensure seamless operations.
The US State Department’s five-year strategic plan makes no mention of Taiwan. Photo: AP
Military
What about Taiwan? Why US foreign policy is now all about the western hemisphere
The State Department skips direct references to the island as it outlines it foreign policy direction for the next five years.
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The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters, where the Tan Sri is arrested on Wednesday. Photo: Shutterstock
Southeast Asia
‘Well-known’ Malaysian Tan Sri arrested in US$75 million investment scam probe
The titled businessman had allegedly used his position and influence to attract and convince about 1,700 people to invest in two companies.
A worker inspects disposable gloves at Top Glove’s factory in Shah Alam, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP
Southeast Asia
Gloves are off as Malaysia’s strong ringgit bites into producers’ profits
The ringgit climbed more than 10 per cent against the dollar last year, squeezing the bottom line of the export-reliant market.
Supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) wave flags during a rally in Kedah in 2012. Photo: AFP
Politics
Malaysia’s Islamists preach ‘racial domination’ to woo young voters
They govern the north, dominate the opposition and claim to soon be the undisputed home of Malay nationalism. Is Putrajaya next for PAS?
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Opinion
Asian Angle|Malaysia’s PM term limits could backfire unless election cycles are set
To secure his legacy, Anwar Ibrahim must ensure his reform doesn’t accidentally encourage the very political instability he seeks to prevent.
Lee Hwok-Aun
1
Reflections|Was Chinese princess sent to marry a Malaysian sultan a real person?
Hang Li Po’s 15th-century marriage allegedly sealed Malacca and China’s friendly relations. Proof of her existence is scant. Does it matter?
Wee Kek Koon
3
Legal Tales|Fine brews: Hong Kong milk tea and the Opening of the Legal Year ceremony
Why we keep a decidedly Western colonial tradition and display it proudly in front of the world.
Martin W H Wong
2
Asian Angle|To win the future, Southeast Asia must rewrite its industrial rule book
Success relies on five key pillars, including deeper regional coordination and targeted industrial upgrading.
Marco Kamiya
The View|3 factors Asia’s real estate investors must watch in 2026
Asia might have sidestepped the worst of Trump’s tariffs, but investors should focus on price growth, Japan’s resilience and the sustainability of the data centre boom.
Nicholas Spiro
Asian Angle|Bangladesh needs ‘structural’ change, but how will it get there?
As Bangladesh heads into elections next year, it must tread the challenge of political transition with more care and thoughtfulness.
Kamal Ahmad
Macroscope|Can AI deliver the economic goods and high returns? Don’t count on it
The dash towards AI might become a rout as the public rebels against the environmental costs while investors worry about the returns.
Anthony Rowley
1
Reflections|Chinese historical myths that are accepted as fact, and why they’ve endured
Like Singapore’s ‘ejection’ from Malaysia, Chinese history contains fallacies, including ones about Sun Yat-sen and Empress Dowager Cixi.
Wee Kek Koon
1
Asian Angle|Sabah’s election proves Malaysians want results, not slogans
Local parties crying ‘Sabah First’ largely flopped as voters rejected empty identity rhetoric for proven service records.
Arnold Puyok
Reflections|Malaysia’s unusual creation still affects it today. China mulled doing similar
Malaysia was born as a federation in 1963, with some states considered ‘special’. China also once toyed with federal ideals.
Wee Kek Koon
5
Editorial|Curbs on children’s social media use and screen time must strike a balance
The digital world is part of young people’s lives; there is a need to limit risks without depriving children of the benefits of being online.
SCMP Editorial
2
Editorial|Asia’s floods a deadly reminder of need to combat growing climate threat
Devastating flooding and landslides have focused attention on disaster preparedness efforts as rising temperatures threaten the region.
SCMP Editorial
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