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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
The Chinese coastguard recovers Philippine fishing nets near a disputed area of the South China Sea. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

South China Sea expert warns 2026 code of conduct is ‘simply not achievable’

The agreement ‘cannot be successfully negotiated’ while rival claimant Philippines holds Asean chair, Chinese analyst Wu Shicun says.

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Social media

Viral clip of Malaysian man clinging to ex-wife’s moving car leads to arrest

Iran

Death of Iran’s Khamenei sparks outrage and calls for restraint in Asia

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Music

‘Time for us’: the Malaysian rapper putting her country on the SXSW map

Zamaera is taking five Malaysian artists to Texas next month after asking herself a simple question: why doesn’t Malaysia have a stage yet?

Zamaera at last year’s South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas. Photo: Handout
Artificial intelligence

Asian Angle | Southeast Asia needs AI sovereignty – the Grok scandal proved it

From Singapore’s SEA-LION to Malaysia’s ILMU, Southeast Asian nations aim to build AI that reflects their own languages, cultures and values.

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia considers royal commission to probe anti-corruption agency allegations

The cabinet said it would decide after reviewing a taskforce report, as pressure mounts for MACC chief Azam Baki to step down.

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Corruption in Asia

Anti-corruption agency seeks Malaysians’ help to find Daim’s 4 children

A source from the agency says the late ex-finance minister’s children are under investigation for failing to declare their assets.

The late ex-finance minister Daim Zainuddin at a court in Kuala Lumpur before being charged with failing to declare assets, on January 29, 2024. He died later that year. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysian politics

Malaysian politician Fahmi Zainol faces jail term for alleged assault on wife

Both Penang’s youngest executive councillor and his wife claimed they acted in self-defence after a squabble turned physical.

Singapore

Singapore jails Malaysian who posed as policeman and raped helper

Sharveen Chetty also issued a threat to blacklist the victim from working in Singapore.

LGBTQ

Malaysia’s ‘ridiculous’ push to curb LGBTQ apps tests limits of digital control

Officials are examining legislative steps to curb apps like Grindr, though removal from global stores is beyond direct state control.

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Malaysia is considering new laws to curb LGBTQ dating apps like Grindr. Photo: Reuters
Thailand

2 arrested after Malaysian commander targeted by gang shooting near Thailand

Authorities have linked the attack on Mohd Nasaruddin Mohd Nasir’s car to the mounting smuggling crackdown along the porous border.

Both Malaysia and Thailand have repeatedly floated the idea of a border wall across their frontier to combat smuggling. Photo: Hadi Azmi
Thailand

US, Thailand lead 30 nations in Southeast Asia’s largest military drill

Cobra Gold is necessary to address emerging threats and improve interoperability in the region, the US ambassador to Thailand says.

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Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s Anwar faces pressure as allies demand new probe into MACC allegations

Democratic Action Party leaders said a task force does not go far enough to examine the alleged misconduct at the anti-corruption agency.

LGBTQ

Malaysia blocks Grindr, Blued for promoting ‘deviant’ relationships

The move signals tightening social climate and civil liberties concerns in the country.

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Malaysia is reviewing laws to curb LGBTQ dating apps like Grindr. Photo: Reuters
Social media

Malaysian police arrest student for desecrating Koran in viral social media post

The post, which reportedly shows a photo of a man stepping on the holy book, has sparked public outrage and concerns over religious harmony.

Students learn to read the Koran as part of Ramadan activities in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
United States

‘They do listen sometimes’: Malaysians cheer US U-turn on controversial envoy

He boasted about eating rare steaks and reading the Bible daily, but the combative US envoy pick proved too tough for Malaysia to swallow.

Tourism

Malaysian resort owners face huge fines, jail over ‘exotic’ pangolin menu

An official said the establishment’s action tarnished Sabah’s image as a responsible, sustainable nature tourism destination.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong firm to test tokenised concert stakes ahead of digital gold trading

Hong Kong firm unveils crypto-based concert funding model, marking the city’s latest step in fintech innovation and gold tokenisation.

Cantopop singer Chris Wong’s concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum is part of the first batch of tokenised shows. Photo: handout
United States

‘Alpha male’ Nick Adams dropped as Trump’s Malaysia envoy nominee

His controversial nomination, opposed by Malaysians, was ‘returned to the president’ last month.

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s biggest state wants its energy wealth back – and it’s going to court

Sarawak state is challenging oil giant Petronas’ dominance in the highest court, in a test for the prime minister’s unity coalition.

China travel

Chinese tourism to Japan plunges 50% over Lunar New Year as Thailand cashes in

Thailand was the top destination for China’s outbound travellers over the extended holiday, with tourists avoiding Japan amid rising tensions.

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A lion dance troupe performs for tourists in Bangkok’s Chinatown during the Lunar New Year holiday. Thailand was the most popular destination for China’s outbound travellers during the holiday. Photo: EPA
Universities in Hong Kong

Boost R&D investment to make Hong Kong a global education hub: CUHK president

Chinese University chief Dennis Lo says Asia has been gaining prominence in the global tertiary education landscape.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi (centre) at the APAIE opening ceremony. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Earthquakes

Sabah quake strongest to hit Malaysia in 11 years: Met Department

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Sabah on Monday is stronger than the one that killed 18 people in Ranau in 2015.

SCMP Highlights

South Korean ex-president sentenced, Buddha’s early life: 7 Asia highlights

From ex-president Yoon’s sentencing to Singapore’s auntie matchmakers, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Lunar New Year

Sharing the luck: inside Southeast Asia’s embrace of Lunar New Year

Malay and Indian households are increasingly embracing the festivities, tossing ‘yusheng’ and giving hongbao to show ‘unity in diversity’.

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The Lourdes family take part in the traditional “yusheng” toss on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Photo: Alyssa Ann Lourdes
Singapore

Cross-border trips to Johor push Singapore checkpoint traffic to new high

About three-quarters of the record 245 million travellers who crossed Singapore’s checkpoints last year went via the land border.

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Vehicles travel across the causeway from Malaysia’s southern state of Johor to the Woodlands immigration checkpoint in Singapore on October 10, 2025. Photo: AFP
Religion

Bikini-clad mermaid sales stunt triggers religious probe in Malaysia

Authorities in conservative Kelantan are investigating the viral cross-dressing video after online critics accused the men of mocking Islam.

Trade

Tariff whiplash throws Asia’s recent US trade deals into doubt

India has already paused trade talks with Washington as other Asian nations are left to question the validity of their recent agreements.

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