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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
February 25, 2024, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 25/02/2024.- A handout photo made available by Malaysia’s Department of Information shows Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar (C) inspecting the guard of honor during the opening of the third session of the 15th Parliament at the Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 26 February 2024. ‘The success or failure of this country doesn’t solely rest on the shoulders of the Prime Minister but on all 222 Members of Parliament entrusted by the people as their government representatives,’ Sultan Ibrahim said. (Malasia) (Credit Image: © Information Department Of Malays/Handout via ZUMA Press Wire)
Corruption in Asia

Video | Malaysia’s king vows to ‘hunt for the corrupt’

A former army chief and dozens of other officers and civilians have been arrested in recent weeks as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) seized 52 million ringgit (US$12.8 million) in cash, gold, cars and luxury watches.

Singapore

US ambassador to Singapore’s much ‘larger gifts’ call to mark July 4 rankles

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SCMP Highlights

Malaysian road rage video goes viral, Pakistan’s arms deals: 7 Asia highlights

Social media

‘Indecent’ aerobics: viral Zumba video triggers police probe in Malaysia

Headscarf-wearing instructors ignited a social media firestorm and religious backlash after being filmed performing in clothing considered skimpy.

The aerobics session, live streamed on Saturday morning, quickly triggered a social media pile-on. Photo: Facebook
Chinese overseas

2 Chinese workers in Malaysia face US$392,000 tax bills after employer fraud

The victims’ employer allegedly inflated their salaries to reduce the company’s tax liability, sparking calls for action.

Crime

King warns of wider corruption ‘hunt’ as military scandal rocks Malaysia

Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar says the army procurement scandal is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’, as he warns against abuse of power in office.

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Commodities

Silver steps out of gold’s shadow as Southeast Asian investors rush in

Soaring prices, tight supply and geopolitical uncertainty are driving a regional rush into the once-overlooked precious metal.

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A jeweller displays gold and silver bars at his Kuwait City shop on January 12. Precious metal prices hit records amid market volatility and US trade tension fears. Photo: AFP
Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar’s reform record questioned after Malaysian reporter’s sedition arrest

Rex Tan’s arrest for asking a ‘sensitive question’ shows how a colonial-era act continues to hold back Malaysian reforms, critics say.

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Saudi Arabia

‘Khalwat’: divorced couple arrested for sharing hotel room in Malaysia

The offence applies to unmarried Muslim couples found in private seclusion and is punishable by fines, jail terms or caning.

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Food and agriculture

How a crop of young farmers is reshaping agriculture in Southeast Asia

Young people across Southeast Asia are using city spaces and new technologies to improve on traditional farming methods to grow produce.

Once seen as an unlikely career path for university graduates, farming is quietly being rebranded across Southeast Asia. Photo: Ushar Daniele
Singapore

Most Singaporeans not upbeat on future of next generation: survey

But the city state also ranks highest in trust among people with differences in society, tied with Saudi Arabia in the Edelman global report.

People walk across the Jubilee Bridge at the Marina Bay waterfront in Singapore on November 21, last year. Photo: AFP
Fame and celebrity

Missing Malaysian actress Nadia Kesuma dies of heart attack in Saudi

Family and friends confirmed the death of the star, who was on a pilgrimage trip to the Gulf kingdom.

Indonesia

Impulse control: Malaysia’s social media ban targets teen minds

The government is threatening to pull the plug on social media for under-16s after a spate of youth violence linked to life online.

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Asean

Asian Angle | To win the future, Southeast Asia must rewrite its industrial rule book

Success relies on five key pillars, including deeper regional coordination and targeted industrial upgrading.

A semiconductor chip with “Made in Malaysia” on it. Electrical and electronics now account for 40 per cent of Malaysia’s exports. Photo: Shutterstock
Israel-Gaza war

Malaysian police arrest reporter following controversial question at Gaza forum

Rex Tan has resigned as a Free Malaysia Today reporter and apologised for his question, which raised an uproar for its racial overtones.

Kuala Lumpur’s skyline is seen on July 31, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Najib Razak

Malaysia’s Umno chief denies he ‘sidelined’ Najib to save himself

Ahmad Zahid, who has been cleared of corruption charges, says the party has ‘never wavered’ from its position of supporting its ex-leader.

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Crime

Malaysia rules 15-year-old fit to stand trial in 2025 murder of Yap Shing Xuen

Following a psychiatric review, a teen faces trial for the stabbing of schoolmate Yap Shing Xuen, who suffered over 200 wounds.

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Crime

Malaysian man arrested for forcing son, 10, to shoplift regularly

The case has sparked widespread outrage on social media and cast the spotlight on causes of child abuse.

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An image of an arrested man in handcuffs. A 34-year-old man in Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan is believed to have been forcing his 10-year-old son to shoplift items from retail outlets. Photo: Shutterstock
SCMP Highlights

Chinese ‘rising star’ leaves MIT, woman prays to Shrek for 4 years: 7 highlights

From Chinese solar makers facing monopoly probe to woman praying to Shrek for four years, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Crime

Horrified Malaysian mum disowns daughter after loan sharks’ mutilation threats

‘I don’t care how she’s raising the money but I expect her to settle the debts,’ the woman says.

Social media

FMT apologises for racial query tying Malaysia’s ‘Chinese problem’ to Palestine

During a George Galloway lecture, a Free Malaysia Today reporter asked if the ‘Palestine problem’ parallels Malaysia’s ‘Chinese problem’.

Free Malaysia Today apologises after a reporter’s question at a Gaza lecture drew criticism for insensitive racial overtones. Photo: Shutterstock
Elon Musk

X marks the bot: Malaysia says Grok ban may be lifted if it is proven to be safe

Though X has deactivated several prompts, more changes need to be made to ensure the site’s safety, Malaysia’s communications minister says.

Screens display the logo of Grok and its founder Elon Musk. Photo: AFP
Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s super-rich get cold feet as Langkawi luxury car tax perks vanish

Supercar dealers report cancellations as the tax exemption removal threatens the local economy, tourism and jobs.

BTS

‘I know I’ll cry’: BTS frenzy grips Malaysia as fans worry about scalpers

The K-pop band is returning to Malaysia for two shows in Kuala Lumpur after over a decade, sparking fan frenzy and ticket battles.

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Artificial intelligence

Musk’s Grok barred from undressing AI images after global backlash

‘Spicy Mode’ feature had allowed users to create sexualised deepfakes of women and children.

Grok has been allowing users to manipulate images of women and children to sexualise them. Photo: dpa
Singapore

Caucasian ‘sugar daddy’ sextortion scam lands Malaysian in Singapore jail

Rajwant Singh Gill Narajan Singh was sentenced to 12 years in jail for pretending to be a rich white man and coercing women into sex.

People take pictures next to the Merlion statue at the Marina Bay waterfront in Singapore. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

73% of Hong Kong, Greater Bay Area firms ramping up expansion into Asean: survey

Survey by Hong Kong Trade Development Council and United Overseas Bank also shows 98 per cent of companies plan to keep or expand Asean operations.

Myanmar

Philippine minister’s ‘premature’ Myanmar visit casts doubts over Asean’s role

Critics say the visit may be viewed as the bloc’s new chair endorsing a controversial junta-led election in Myanmar.

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