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
A multi-exposure portrait of Thor Pedersen in Hong Kong. Photo: courtesy Thor Pedersen
Tourism

How one man’s globetrotting tour was waylaid in Hong Kong

Thor Pedersen thought his quest to visit the world’s 203 countries consecutively without flying would take four years. He was wrong.

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Lessons from China's history

Reflections | How Chinese family ties have evolved, from Confucian lines to today

Disease

Mistrust of Malaysian healthcare by Orang Asli minority grows after leprosy death

Donald Trump

Asean firms in limbo as US tariff window ticks and China ‘dumping’ fears grow

Companies brace for drop in demand and profits as they and regional governments struggle to find a way to tackle the punishing duties.

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Shipping containers stacked at Malaysia’s Port Klang on April 18. Photo: AP
Food and Drinks

Nasi lemak, beef rendang prices soar as food inflation bites Malaysians

New data shows prices for popular meals outpacing official inflation and wage growth.

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Corruption in Asia

Malaysia’s anti-graft agency seeks powers to claw back billions in illicit funds

The MACC is seeking new powers to negotiate the return of large sums of money without first having to press charges.

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Icons and Influencers

Style according to … Han Chong, founder of fashion brand Self-Portrait

The designer enjoyed Adrien Brody vehicle The Brutalist, and says he never goes anywhere without the protection of a beloved Bhutanese pendant – but who is his timeless style icon?

Han Chong, founder of Self-Portrait. Photo: Handout
Crime

Malaysian man tells loan sharks to burn mum’s house, kidnap her grandchild

The woman said her gambling-addicted son asked the lenders to scare her into paying his debts after she cut all ties with him.

Asean

Letters | Malaysia’s engagement with Myanmar is a smart move for Asean

Readers discuss Anwar’s leadership on Myanmar’s civil war, and the future of Hong Kong’s dollar peg.

US-China trade war

Japan lawmakers warn US tariffs threaten security as China looms

Donald Trump’s policy called a national security challenge as trade negotiations continue between Tokyo and Washington.

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A woman walks in front of a screen displaying Japan’s Nikkei share average inside a building in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday. US tariffs have hit the country’s economy hard. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

Malaysia delays sales tax expansion amid Trump’s tariff pressure

The Malaysian government’s decision to postpone its tax expansion should provide relief for businesses amid trade war uncertainties.

Women counts Malaysian ringgit. Malaysia has postponed a sales tax expansion to ease business strain from US tariffs. Photo: Shutterstock
Infrastructure

Malaysia’s Forest City: will funds from family offices be a lifeline?

The development has been plagued by delays brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and bankruptcy battles.

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Singapore general election 2025

Singapore election: race, foreign meddling hot topics with seats too close to call

Singapore’s election sees cost of living and foreign interference take centre stage as PM warns against weakened government amid tight races.

Viral stories

Malaysia man sells US$4,100 car, shocked when woman offers sex for shortfall

Thousands of people engage with story about racy deal to buy second-hand BMW, as woman who made offer says husband agrees with move.

A Malaysian man who was selling a US$4,100 second-hand car was shocked when a woman offered sex to cover a US$1,600 shortfall. SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Facebook
Israel

Maldives joins Malaysia in call for ‘legitimate’ Palestinian state amid Gaza war

The Maldives reiterated call for a Palestinian state comes two weeks after the island nation implemented an entry ban on Israeli passport holders.

The InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. The Maldives backs the idea of Palestinian statehood, aligning with Malaysia’s stance against Israeli actions. Photo: Leona Liu
Singapore

Lawrence Wong flags Malaysian influence attempt in Singapore election

The city state’s prime minister also warned at an electoral rally against the ‘very dangerous’ mixing of religion and politics.

Food and Drinks

Fancy a Michael Jackson? A ‘tiger bites lion’? Malaysian drinks names, explained

Get the inside scoop on Malaysia’s surprisingly evocative drinks terminology, from a chocolatey dinosaur to a coffee concoction with a kick.

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Viral stories

Malaysia temple unveils first ‘AI Mazu’ for devotees to worship, address concerns

Temple claims world first as on-screen digital deity that looks like a chubby version of a famous Chinese actress dishes out advice.

A temple in Malaysia has unveiled what it says is the world’s first “AI Mazu”, a Chinese deity powered by artificial intelligence. Photo: SCMP composite/IG@shinkong0610
Diplomacy

Opinion | As Trump rides roughshod over trade, China is ready to pick up the pieces

China’s message of stable cooperation is resonating as Trump accelerates the birth of a post-US world with rising powers independent of US whims.

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China technology

Opinion | How China’s agricultural modernisation is reshaping global food systems

As sufficiency improves for China and the countries it shares its agriculture+AI strategy with, regional and global trade could be reshaped.

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Anwar Ibrahim

Why do people keep getting into trouble over Malaysia’s flag?

Recent inaccuracies in the national flag’s depiction have upset the public, where even small errors are seen as national insults.

Giant Malaysian national flags are seen inside a shopping mall ahead of Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuala Lumpur in September 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE
Asean

Asian Angle | How Asean can turn short-term tariff pain into long-term gain

Intra-bloc trade and diversified supply sources can help reduce dependency on Donald Trump’s United States and expand export options.

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Asean finance ministers and bank governors at the bloc’s meeting in Kuala Lumpur on April 10. Malaysia, as this year’s Asean chair, has called for a coordinated regional response to the US tariffs. Photo: AFP
US-China trade war

Crunch time for China’s solar panels as Trump’s 3,521% tariffs loom

Chinese firms have been exporting from offshore factories to beat US tariffs for a decade, and Washington is determined to shut the loophole.

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China-Philippines relations

Asian Angle | Why ignoring China’s Southeast Asia pivot could cost the Philippines

Beijing’s focus on regional stability and trade openness presents both challenges and opportunities that Manila can’t afford to overlook.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | China showcases its neighbourhood diplomacy across Southeast Asia

President Xi Jinping’s recent trip to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia highlighted China’s commitment to fostering regional harmony.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysians poor? ‘We have free healthcare, grandpa,’ they tell Bill O’Reilly

The US political commentator drew the ire of Malaysians by suggesting they were too poor to buy a hat or afford a proper meal.

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Bill O’Reilly hosts the No Spin News channel on YouTube. Photo: Instagram/Bill O’Reilly
Asean

Malaysia vows to buy more US goods in break from united Asean front on tariffs

Malaysia is looking for ways to reduce its US$25 billion trade surplus with the US in a bid to ease the pain of a proposed 24 per cent levy.

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Donald Trump

My Take | As US tariffs put jobs on the line, can Malaysia afford to cut petrol subsidies?

With US tariff uncertainty jeopardising Malaysian jobs, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must weigh the necessity of slashing subsidies.

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