https://www.scmp.com/rss/524392/feed The latest news and top stories on Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia. A prominent Kuala Lumpur based independent think tank, the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia is dedicated to objective and independent policy research. Established in 1983 as Malaysia’s first think tank, its main areas of focus include defence security and foreign affairs, national and international economic affairs, nation-building, technology innovation environment and... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Kolette Lim,Aidan Jones Kolette Lim,Aidan Jones Southeast Asian countries invited to join Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” should think carefully before entering what looks like a “more exclusive version” of the United Nations Security Council with the US president in ultimate control, analysts caution. Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam are among about 60 countries that have reportedly received invitations, alongside South Korea and India. The initiative, presented by Trump as a new international body to promote global... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340651/why-southeast-asia-wary-trumps-pay-play-global-peace-board?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340651/why-southeast-asia-wary-trumps-pay-play-global-peace-board?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:30:10 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim on Monday said his government would seek parliament’s nod to impose a term limit on the country’s prime minister tenure, in a move seen as an attempt to regain the support of his core voter base ahead of the national polls in two years. Anwar’s ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition has been battered politically since he took power in 2022, as supporters censured his administration for failing to live up to its reform pledges by accommodating corruption-tainted former... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3338795/anwar-limit-malaysia-pm-term-reform-push-re-energise-supporters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3338795/anwar-limit-malaysia-pm-term-reform-push-re-energise-supporters?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:55:39 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Malaysia on Thursday moved to bring some of the world’s biggest social media and messaging platforms under its licensing regime, closing a year-long gap in which several tech giants had operated without formal approval. From January 1, platforms with more than eight million users in Malaysia are automatically treated as licensed under local law, even if they had not applied, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The shift coincides with the Online Safety Act... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3338411/malaysia-tightens-grip-major-social-media-platforms-will-it-make-internet-safer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3338411/malaysia-tightens-grip-major-social-media-platforms-will-it-make-internet-safer?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:50:05 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Malaysia’s plan to bar children aged 16 and under from having social media accounts from next year has sparked a public backlash, as experts warn that enforcement gaps, privacy risks and vague guidelines could blunt the policy’s impact. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Sunday that social media platforms would be required to implement electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) identity checks in 2026 under the Online Safety Act, which comes into force on January 1. Users will have to verify... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3333904/malaysias-bid-bar-under-16s-social-media-using-id-checks-stokes-privacy-fears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3333904/malaysias-bid-bar-under-16s-social-media-using-id-checks-stokes-privacy-fears?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Nov 2025 06:02:51 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan Southeast Asia’s economic future remains entwined with China despite the attention lavished on the region this week by United States President Donald Trump, experts say, as Asean upgraded trade ties with Asia’s superpower and its largest commercial partner. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Tuesday agreed to expand its existing trade deal with Beijing to include future industries such as the digital economy and green technology, as well as boost integration of supply chains. The... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3330648/asean-seeks-future-proof-economies-its-fate-closely-entwined-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3330648/asean-seeks-future-proof-economies-its-fate-closely-entwined-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:46:31 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof,Aidan Jones,Joseph Sipalan,Hai Dang Iman Muttaqin Yusof,Aidan Jones,Joseph Sipalan,Hai Dang When US tariffs slammed shut the doors to one of Malaysia’s most important export markets, menswear designer Bon Zainal Harun didn’t flinch. His answer to Washington’s volley of levies was as sharp as the suits he makes: “Hustle.” Until recently, Zainal exported his bespoke suits and formalwear to the United States, but the 19 per cent tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump this summer has now largely walled off that market. “The price increase may disrupt business,” he told This Week in... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3330249/long-goodbye-southeast-asia-adjusts-post-america-trade-future?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3330249/long-goodbye-southeast-asia-adjusts-post-america-trade-future?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Oct 2025 05:30:08 +0000 Hadi Azmi Hadi Azmi When two helicopters collided in Malaysia last year, killing 10 naval officers, it served as a wake-up call for a military that for too long has been dependent on ageing equipment. Though the aircraft involved in that crash were relatively new, many others are not. Now, the king himself has intervened, calling out “nonsensical and unacceptable” procurement practices and forcing the cancellation of a deal for a fleet of 35-year-old Black Hawks. At an event last Sunday, Sultan Ibrahim, Malaysia’s... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322860/malaysias-king-blasts-nonsensical-defence-deals-military-reform-next?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322860/malaysias-king-blasts-nonsensical-defence-deals-military-reform-next?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:00:09 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan Members of Malaysia’s ruling coalition gave their strongest warning yet against the nomination of “alpha male” social media provocateur Nick Adams as America’s new envoy to the Southeast Asian nation, promising on Friday to stage weekly protests should he be sent to Kuala Lumpur as ambassador. Analysts warn the appointment could test Malaysia’s diplomatic pragmatism, as it races to finalise a trade deal with Washington ahead of looming tariff deadlines. The country has been in an uproar after... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3318774/malaysian-protesters-warn-nick-adams-will-face-us-every-week-if-made-us-envoy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3318774/malaysian-protesters-warn-nick-adams-will-face-us-every-week-if-made-us-envoy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:01:06 +0000