https://www.scmp.com/rss/32235/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The jailing of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim a fortnight ago united his supporters in outrage. But the question now is whether a replacement for such an iconic figure can be found to hold together the loose political alliance of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) grouping. Internal bickering over various issues, including Islamic law, threatens to fracture the multi-ethnic coalition Anwar worked to maintain. Anwar's supporters have been holding candlelight vigils outside the Sungai... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1721966/anwar-ibrahim-jail-malaysias-opposition-threatens-fracture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1721966/anwar-ibrahim-jail-malaysias-opposition-threatens-fracture?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2015 19:00:11 +0000 The office of one of Malaysia's leading online news portals, Malaysiakini, was vandalised yesterday as tensions escalate in the multi-ethnic and multi-faith country. Red paint was splashed on the four-storey building in Kuala Lumpur. A critically injured duck was left at the main entrance inside a cardboard box. Taped on the side was a photo of an ethnic Chinese Christian opposition politician, Teresa Kok, who was recently accused of insulting Malay Muslims. It was a provocative act in a country... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1435298/online-news-site-vandalised-kuala-lumpur-amid-rising-ethnic-and-racial?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1435298/online-news-site-vandalised-kuala-lumpur-amid-rising-ethnic-and-racial?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Feb 2014 14:30:15 +0000 An honorary title given by the Malaysian royalty is coveted for gaining access to the country's elite, but now there are concerns the titles are being abused for their clout and connections. In recent weeks, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has detained a "datuk", which is an honorary title equivalent to "sir". They accuse him and another cabinet minister's former political aide of embezzling 1 million ringgit (HK$2.3 million) from three foundations. Days later, an English language... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1426254/alarm-rise-use-fake-datuk-titles-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1426254/alarm-rise-use-fake-datuk-titles-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Feb 2014 15:00:00 +0000 Malaysia prides itself on its racial mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous tribes, something apparent among the 17 finalists competing for the next Miss Universe Malaysia crown. Women from a wide range of races posed for the cameras just outside Kuala Lumpur. "That is what is so great about this competition. Everyone looks so different," said one contestant of Indian origin, Kelsey Rabindran. But when it comes to the ultimate standard of beauty, Malaysia still can't seem to help looking... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1053286/miss-universe-malaysia-pageant-contestants-look-too-western?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1053286/miss-universe-malaysia-pageant-contestants-look-too-western?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Oct 2012 16:00:00 +0000 The crime rate in Malaysia has been steadily declining over the past four years but Malaysians feel less safe. Chin Xin-ci counts herself among the lucky ones. The 24-year-old managed to escape after two men abducted her from a shopping mall car park just outside Kuala Lumpur in May. Chin was shoved into the back seat of her car while one of the men took her keys to drive. His accomplice pressed a meat cleaver to her neck and began making sexual advances towards her. That's when it hit her. 'Oh... https://www.scmp.com/article/1006934/crime-spreads-net-least?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1006934/crime-spreads-net-least?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 As China rises, a knowledge of Putonghua is being seen as an economic necessity, alongside the ability to speak English, in Southeast Asia. Bilingualism, though, isn't easy. Even in the former British colony of Singapore, where over three-quarters of the population is ethnic Chinese, neither English nor Putonghua is the native tongue of many people. Government posters with the tagline 'How you speak matters' hang on the sides of skyscrapers to remind Singaporeans to use proper English. But... https://www.scmp.com/article/994542/chinese-moving-beside-english?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/994542/chinese-moving-beside-english?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000