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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
A worker inspects disposable gloves at Top Glove’s factory in Shah Alam, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP
Currencies

Gloves are off as Malaysia’s strong ringgit bites into producers’ profits

The ringgit climbed more than 10 per cent against the dollar last year, squeezing the bottom line of the export-reliant market.

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Was Chinese princess sent to marry a Malaysian sultan a real person?

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s Islamists preach ‘racial domination’ to woo young voters

Music

Welcome to the black parade: how Southeast Asia’s Gen Z is reviving 2000s music

From My Chemical Romance to Blue, early-2000s acts are selling out venues across the region as younger fans seek raw, emotional music.

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Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance performs during the opening night of the band’s “Long Live the Black Parade” tour on July 11 in Seattle. Photo: AP
Indonesia

Indonesian litterbug weeps after first conviction under new Malaysian law

Anita Lukman was fined US$125 and ordered to serve six hours of community service for discarding rubbish on a pavement in Johor Bahru.

Regulation

‘Lame excuse’: Malaysia’s parliament tightens access rules for media interviews

One lawmaker slammed the move for curbing the right of MPs to express their views freely.

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Malaysia 1MDB scandal

1MDB convict and ex-Goldman banker Leissner seeks pardon from Trump

The German citizen is scheduled to begin serving his two-year jail term at a facility in Southern California early next month.

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Former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner arrives at a court in New York last year. Photo: AFP
Academy Awards

Malaysia’s Michelle Yeoh nominated for worst actress Razzie

Three years after her historic Oscar win, Michelle Yeoh faces competition from Natalie Portman and Ariana DeBose for the dubious honour.

Rohingya Muslims

Rohingya refugees at risk of removal as Malaysia begins biometric documentation

Rohingya are often undocumented as Myanmar’s authorities refuse to recognise them as a legitimate community.

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Social media

Malaysian badminton player threatened with knife attack online over performance

Several shuttlers in Malaysia have faced online abuse after their early exits in major tournaments.

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Malaysian badminton doubles players Teo Ee Yi (left) and Ong Yew Sin (right) playing in the 2024 German Open. Photo: YouTube/German Open Official
Corruption in Asia

Malaysian ex-army head, wife deny laundering US$544,000 in procurement scandal

Prosecutors say ‘proceeds from unlawful activity’ were banked into accounts of Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife from 2024 to 2025.

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Former Malaysian army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan is escorted to court on Thursday. Photo: EPA
Australia

Australia deports Malaysian man caught with child sexual abuse material

The 26-year-old was among 17 travellers intercepted by border officials in various parts of Australia earlier this month.

Singapore

Johor businesses prepare for Singaporeans’ Lunar New Year shopping spree

Hampers and plants are in demand ahead of the holidays, with hotels hoping for a late booking surge.

Law

Legal Tales | Fine brews: Hong Kong milk tea and the Opening of the Legal Year ceremony

Why we keep a decidedly Western colonial tradition and display it proudly in front of the world.

The ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year is an occasion filled with tradition. Photo: Sam Tsang
Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for January 22-24

It’s guest shifts galore as The Aubrey and Lobster Bar – and Macau’s Wing Lei Bar – host top mixologists from across Asia.

A cosy corner at The Aubrey in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Singapore

Malaysia’s Johor books 5 Singaporeans for littering under new enforcement regime

The cases come as the country enforces new rules sending littering offences to court as the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign rolls out.

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Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s primary school changes spur fears of ‘herd effect’ competition

From 2027, children can enter Year One of primary school at age six instead of seven, fuelling fears of limited teaching staff and space.

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Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar

Malaysia media groups urge action after reporter allegedly assaulted at event

The incident follows the detention of another journalist under the Sedition Act, sharpening concerns about intimidation and press freedom.

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A journalist takes notes during a news conference. Media groups in Malaysia have raised concerns over the treatment of reporters following recent incidents. Photo: Shutterstock
US-Asean relations

Foot in the door or trap? Risks of Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Southeast Asia

Nations are likely to try to avoid early commitment while steering clear of outright rejection to minimise US retaliation, analysts say.

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Asean

As more nations block Grok for obscene content, calls for Asean-wide curbs mount

The Philippines should push the fight against deepfakes high on the Asean agenda as the bloc’s chair, analysts say.

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s expat salary rules dubbed ‘ridiculous’, stoking talent drain fears

The pay threshold for expatriate visas will be doubled to boost local hiring, sparking concern over reduced foreign talent and rising costs.

Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Malaysia will double the minimum pay threshold for expatriate visas in June. Photo: Reuters
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.

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)
Singapore

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

In light of recent US actions, Anjani Sinha’s call could be deemed as the embassy trying to ‘shake down businesses’, an analyst says.

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SCMP Highlights

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

From visa suspensions to Pakistan’s arms deal, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

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.

An employer fraud has left two Chinese nationals in Malaysia with hefty income tax bills due to inflated salary declarations. Photo: Shutterstock
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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