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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
Oil tankers and ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on March 11. Photo: AP
The Philippines

‘Matter of survival’: Philippines seeks safe Hormuz passage for vessels

Philippine and Iranian officials met on Wednesday to discuss ‘key avenues for cooperation’, amid Tehran’s blockade of the strait.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Is the Strait of Hormuz a ticking environmental time bomb?

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Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong drinks guide for Easter weekend

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia denies Anwar delayed release of MACC chief probe, plans legal action

The government says Anwar has committed to releasing the findings once related investigations are completed.

Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki during a press conference on March 4. Photo: AFP
China energy security

Australia and Japan face jet fuel supply crunch as China cuts exports

Both Australia and Japan are heavily reliant on Chinese jet fuel, but shipments have plunged in recent weeks amid the Iran war.

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Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysian anti-corruption body offers to pay for witness’s flight in chips probe

Ex-government aide James Chai, who is in London, said he was a ‘nobody’ who did not influence the US$250 million deal with Arm Holdings.

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Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysian minister warns of ‘very, very serious’ energy crisis

Anthony Loke urges Malaysians to plan their travel and reduce resource wastage, saying energy supply would not be disrupted until May.

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A man fills his car with petrol in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Photo: EPA
Science

As Mandarin dominates Cantonese, this Hong Kong AI firm is pushing back

Hong Kong-based tech firm Votee AI aims to replicate its model for other low-resource languages in Southeast Asia and Africa.

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The Philippines

Philippines to rename disputed South China Sea islands

The features to be renamed belong to the Spratly archipelago, site of repeated confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels.

Najib Razak

Malaysia court orders ex-PM Najib to pay US$1.3 billion to 1MDB unit

Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Najib was liable for losses incurred by ‌SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

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Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak is escorted by prison guards at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex, on the day he attends the verdict of his house arrest bid, at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on December 22, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Iran

Malaysia raises 2026 growth forecast despite Iran war risks

Strong demand for AI semiconductors and an anticipated uptick in tourism are forecast to help the economy defy global volatility.

Tourists pose for photographs near the political slogan ‘Malaysia Madani’ (Civilised Malaysia) outside the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya on Friday. Photo: EPA
Singapore

Fuelling up: the new ‘obsession’ drawing Singaporeans to Johor

Singaporeans flock to Johor for cheaper RON97 amid rising local petrol prices, sparking concerns about potential panic buying.

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SCMP Highlights

Cambodia’s scam industry exodus, Jollibee’s diaspora effect: 7 Asia highlights

From Cambodia’s scam industry exodus to Jollibee’s meaning to overseas Filipinos, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Fame and celebrity

Turn up the ‘Bass’: why Bella, Syed Saddiq’s new chapter has captured Malaysia

Many Malaysians celebrate the singer’s engagement to the lawmaker, seeing it as a triumph over past heartbreak and a challenge to societal norms.

Malaysian lawmaker Syed Saddiq with singer-actress Bella Astillah. Photo: Instagram/syedsaddiq
China’s private sector

Chinese coffee brands need more than low prices to compete globally: analysts

Luckin, Lucky Cup, Cotti and Nowwa are expanding quickly overseas, but analysts warn success depends on consumer experience and quality.

A Luckin Coffee outlet in Manhattan, New York. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
Consumers

Malaysian traders warn of 50% food price surge amid energy shock

Surge in fuel prices threatens to wipe out any narrow margins and push the cost of doing business higher, trade associations say.

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Crime

Drink-driving death exposes Malaysia’s deep racial divisions

The case sparked social media comments about drink-driving and ‘always the same group of people’ when it came to car crashes.

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Malaysia jails ex-babysitter for 1 year over toddler’s death

Khairunnisa Ahmad Damamhuri, 41, was charged with negligence leading to the death of 15-month-old ‘Baby Syifaa’ at a nursery in 2022.

Khairunnisa Ahmad Damamhuri being escorted by police officers. Photo: The Star
Fame and celebrity

Malaysia’s Yong Zheng Xi on the ‘95% hard work’ behind his Bridgerton fame

Yong talks about his journey from law school to starring in Barbie and Bridgerton, revealing the real hustle behind showbiz success.

Artificial intelligence

‘Economic own goal’? Vietnam’s AI law sets a risky pace for Southeast Asia

From Malaysia’s sovereign cloud to Vietnam’s data curbs, critics say the rush to regulate will deter investment.

The Philippines

Malaysian politicians rebuff Sabah oil fix for Philippine energy crisis

Political parties condemn Robin Padilla’s Sabah claim, affirming the oil-rich state’s irreplaceable role in Malaysia’s federation.

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Motorists queue up at a petrol station in Manila, the Philippines, on March 17. Photo: AFP
Asean

Burning daylight: Iran war energy shock revives Asean’s power grid plans

Oil is up, coal is back and so are fuel queues. As the Middle East burns, Southeast Asia dusts off an old plan to rewire its future.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Wellness

His wife died from cancer. Now, he is running 2,200km to honour her memory

Today, Lim Shyang Guey starts a 90-day campaign to fulfil a dream he shared with his wife, Goh Joo Lee, running up to 35km a day.

Defence

Activists push for Cop31 to discuss impact of wars on global climate

Military activities are hampering the transition towards renewable energy, with data transparency lacking among major defence spenders.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran crisis bites into Malaysia’s supply chain as fuel subsidy cap falls

The quota cut for subsidised petrol reflects how the distant war is affecting Malaysia, with the food industry also sounding the alarm.

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A vehicle is fuelled at a petrol station in Negri Sembilan on Wednesday. Surging diesel prices have put Malaysia in “a second-order stress phase”, analysts say. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

As Philippines battles fuel crisis, will Marcos postpone Asean summit?

Lawmakers have urged the president to postpone or scale down the event and redirect funds towards softening the blow of rising energy costs.

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A fuel station worker prepares to refuel a jeepney, or local minibus, in Quezon City, the Philippines, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Singapore

As haze returns to Singapore, is crisis ‘quietly accepted’ by Asean?

Some Singaporeans are resigned to tolerating the annual occurrence despite the health risks and higher electricity bills.

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Iran

Iran to allow Malaysian vessels to pass in Strait of Hormuz: Anwar

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim said he talked with Iran and other countries as part of efforts to ‌facilitate peace in the Middle East.

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