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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
Voters wait in line at a polling station during Malaysia’s 15th general election on November 19, 2022, in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: TNS
Anwar Ibrahim

Will young Malaysians play a key role in next election through swing votes?

Gen Z voters are more concerned about practical policies than party ideology, analysts say.

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Fashion

Letters | Don’t be too quick to call brands out on cultural appropriation

Asean

Asian Angle | ‘Old order is not coming back’: Trump’s US, not China, threatens status quo

Singapore

In his Singapore book launch, Wang Gungwu recounts own journey through history

Wang says in his book that there are no borders between civilisations and that the past provides the ‘guideposts to the future’.

Australian sinologist Wang Gungwu (left), speaking about his new book “In No Borders: Journeys Across Islands and Continents” at its launch in Singapore on Thursday. Photo: Jean Iau
Fifa

Can Malaysian football ‘reset’? Mass resignations kick off reboot debate

Nothing will change if the same officials are re-elected with no one held accountable for the ‘heritage players’ fiasco, observers say.

SCMP Highlights

China’s ‘gold fever’ sparks scandal, tourist drought in Japan: 7 highlights

From China’s ‘gold fever’ sparking scandal to a tourist drought, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

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Asean

How far can Asean engage Myanmar without legitimising military rule?

The bloc’s foreign ministers meet in Cebu amid concerns that diplomacy could slide into tacit acceptance of military rule.

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Asean foreign ministers pose for a group photo in Cebu City on Thursday where they discussed the bloc’s response to the Myanmar crisis. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Highlights

Japan’s love for Chinese noodles; ‘unlucky’ chocolate: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From AI’s predictions for the Year of the Horse to an ‘unlucky’ chocolate mahjong set, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Anwar Ibrahim

‘Patience wearing thin’: Anwar demands updates on anti-corruption fight

The leader says that if top enforcement officials admit they are unable to crack down on corruption and smuggling, they should step aside.

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Tourism

Malaysia’s ‘free mixing’ water musical festival angers Islamic party

The Islamic party opposes the Bukit Bintang event in May, citing cultural sensitivities, disruption and ‘moral disturbance’.

Bukit Bintang is a major shopping hub in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock
Asean

Just 1 visa to rule them all? How European-style pass could help Asean tourism

While Asean members such as Malaysia and Vietnam have shown strong post-pandemic growth, tourist numbers have lagged in the Philippines.

Tourists have fun in the Cambugahay Falls on the Philippine island of Siquijor on December 10 last year. Photo: AFP
Crime

Couple from China arrested in Malaysia after raid on luxury condo drug lab

Police also seized drugs worth US$41,867 from the residential unit in Kuala Lumpur.

Fifa

Top Malaysian football officials quit over foreign-born players scandal

Entire executive committee of game’s governing body in country resigns to ‘mitigate risk’ of further punishment, acting president says.

LGBTQ

Malaysians lampoon minister linking work stress to gay people

Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Hasan has come under fire for claiming in parliament that work stress turns people gay.

Malaysian Minister for Religious Affairs Zulkifli Hasan has linked work stress to “LGBT acts”. Photo: YouTube/Malaysia’s parliament
Indonesia

Malaysian man arrested after secret trip to see second wife in Indonesia

The 46-year-old told officers that he could not travel by air as his passport was held by the first wife.

Several people were detained aboard an unregistered boat during an operation conducted by Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency on Monday. Photo: Facebook/maritimmalaysia
Asean

Opinion | Why Southeast Asia should not fear Trump’s disruption

Instead of joining Trump’s neocolonial ‘Board of Peace’, Southeast Asian leaders should seize the chance to help rebuild a global order that is just and equitable.

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Currencies

As Malaysian ringgit strengthens, Singapore shoppers in Johor reap less savings

The ringgit’s appreciation is also bad news for Malaysian export-oriented sectors, such as gloves and electronics, analysts say.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s exports jump 15.4% in 2025 to ‘historical high’

City’s trade to be supported by sustained global growth, improved ties with new markets and strong demand for AI products, authorities say.

Kwai Chung Container Terminal. Photo: Sam Tsang
Singapore

Malaysia clarifies cash aid rules for frequent commuters to Singapore

Malaysians who enter and exit Singapore eight times or more each month will be treated as working overseas, but may still appeal, minister says.

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia disputes Indonesian media reports on Sabah border, says talks ongoing

To compensate for the transfer of three Indonesian villages to Malaysia, Jakarta would receive some land, according to the media reports.

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Fifa

7 Fifa-banned Malaysian footballers cleared to play after court grants stay

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said the foreign-born players linked to forgery scandal can keep competing until a final ruling is made.

Malaysia’s players pose before the start of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier Group F football match between Malaysia and Vietnam in Kuala Lumpur last year. Photo: AFP
Aviation

Malaysia’s aim for sustainable aviation fuel faces low Asian demand hurdle

Most of the demand still comes from Europe, with Malaysia aiming to produce 1 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel by 2028.

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A technician filling a plane with sustainable aviation fuel. Malaysia has two SAF production plants. Photo: Handout
SCMP Highlights

Okinawa loses longevity crown, Malaysian athlete threatened: 7 Asia highlights

From longevity in Japan’s Okinawa to proxy wars in Middle East, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Education

Chinese mum’s Islamic preschool choice wins hearts, stirs debate in Malaysia

‘I didn’t expect this. I simply wanted to celebrate my son’s growth and multiculturalism,’ Low Zi Kang’s mother says.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Xpeng targets overseas sales surge in 2026 as China EV battle goes global

Guangzhou-based EV maker targets more than 90,000 overseas deliveries this year amid fierce competition at home.

Xpeng’s G7, the longest range SUV in the world at 1,704km, is gaining traction with overseas buyers. Photo: Handout
Corruption in Asia

Corruption suspect’s wheelchair court appearance sparks mockery in Malaysia

The wife of a former army chief was seen walking before later using a wheelchair in court, prompting cynical social media commentary.

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Former Malaysian army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan’s wife, Salwani Anuar, is escorted in a wheelchair by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers at the Kuala Lumpur Court on January 22. She and her husband are facing multiple charges under Malaysia’s anti-money-laundering law. Photo: EPA
Singapore

How Johor-Singapore SEZ is delivering for businesses a year on

While the zone has attracted sizeable investment since its launch last year, experts call for better coordination to ensure seamless operations.

Anwar Ibrahim

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s PM term limits could backfire unless election cycles are set

To secure his legacy, Anwar Ibrahim must ensure his reform doesn’t accidentally encourage the very political instability he seeks to prevent.

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