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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
Black smoke rises following explosions near a military base hosting US forces in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, on Friday. Photo: AP
Asean

Can Southeast Asia survive more Iran war fuel shocks?

Analysts warn the region cannot fully insulate itself from an extended conflict if the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.

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Rohingya Muslims

Malaysia’s refugee registration halt risks ‘ultimate disaster’ for new arrivals

Israel

US summons Malaysian envoy over ban on Israeli citizens

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Food and Drinks

The best guest shifts in Hong Kong and Macau amid Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026

As the top 50 list is unveiled in Macau next Tuesday, rare guest shifts bring the region’s finest mixologists to the Four Seasons’ Argo, Green Room at Upper House and more.

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 is set to unveil the top 50 list on July 28. Photo: Handout
Social media

‘Privacy lost so easily’: influencer’s bill leak rattles Malaysia’s telcos

Screenshots of an overdue bill have stirred outrage over how easily authorised staff can expose personal data.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong exchange clears path for listings by Malaysian firms

Malaysia’s Capital A Berhad, which runs travel app AirAsia Move and food brand Santan, is eyeing a dual listing in the city, government says.

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China trade

China’s durian imports from Thailand, Malaysia soar as glut stresses growers

Chinese imports of the pungent fruit have increased by 47 per cent in the first half of 2026, prompting a sharp decline in prices.

Workers process durians for export to China in Lam Dong, Vietnam, as Southeast Asian exporters offloaded a glut of the pungent, spiky fruit, sparking a drop in prices. Photo: Xinhua
Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s Anwar rejects ‘totally absurd’ US military aid threat over Israel ban

Eight lawmakers have sent a letter to Marco Rubio accusing Anwar of singling out Israelis solely because of their nationality.

Banking & finance

What are ‘climate black swan’ events, and why are global investors so worried?

As the threat of a super El Nino disrupts Asia’s food market, global banks warn investors to prepare for sudden, unexpected climate shifts.

US-China trade war

China braces as new US global tariffs loom: fresh trade war or managed friction?

With US expected to pivot to more durable tariffs under Section 301, analysts expect bilateral guard rails to keep tensions from spiralling.

An American flag flies near a container ship at the Port of Los Angeles in California on May 28. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia won’t be intimidated over Israelis’ entry ban, Anwar tells US lawmakers

The lawmakers have criticised Anwar’s remarks to deport Israeli nationals in Malaysia holding dual citizenship.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers a speech at the Nikkei Forum in Tokyo in June. Photo: AFP
Donald Trump

Trump proposes seasoned diplomat as Malaysia envoy instead of ‘alpha male’

Joshua Harris has been chosen for the post after Trump’s previous pick, Nick Adams, rankled Malaysians for his hardline support of Israel.

US-China relations

Wang and Rubio at Asean discuss Xi’s planned US visit, South China Sea clash

America’s top diplomat describes dispute between Beijing and Manila over Second Thomas Shoal as very negative and benefiting no one.

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China energy security

China broke oil and gas output records in 2025 – but Beijing is staying cautious

Beijing’s energy regulator has set more modest production targets this year after a record 2025 as mature fields deplete and extraction challenges mount.

An aerial drone photo shows a view of Daqing oilfield in Daqing, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, on December 4, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Indonesia

Indonesia restarts South China Sea gas project Beijing opposed

A low profile restart of the US$3 billion Tuna field with a Russian partner looks set to test Jakarta’s sovereign resolve.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel sails through the North Natuna Sea in this photo released by Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency in 2024. Photo: Bakamla/EPA-EFE
Indonesia

Indonesia’s AI ambitions test US-China balancing act

Analysts warn joining the new body could limit Indonesia’s access to US-made AI models and proprietary technology.

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Cybersecurity

Malaysia set for ‘timely’ overhaul of old law to fight new cyber threats

The Cybercrimes Bill will close critical legal gaps and give authorities greater reach against criminals operating overseas, analysts say.

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Anwar Ibrahim

Fall in line or resign: Malaysia’s Anwar reins in partners ahead of state poll

The prime minister has threatened to remove ministers and senior officers attacking fellow federal partners during the Negeri Sembilan poll.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a press conference at the federal government office in Putrajaya on July 9. Photo: AFP
Crime

In Malaysia, robber flees empty-handed after guard locks cash inside van

Police set up roadblocks in Klang after a man threatens security guards transferring cash into a van with what appears to be a gun.

SCMP Highlights

Malaysia’s US$500m warship, Philippines’ Pax Silica AI hub: 7 Asia highlights

From Bali’s bid to become a financial hub to Japan’s bind over US’ ICC campaign, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

China energy security

China’s June Gulf crude imports plunge amid slump in demand, higher prices

Chinese imports of liquefied natural gas rose 8.3 per cent year on year in June, while the country purchased nearly 30 per cent more coal in the month.

This aerial photo shows a tanker unloading imported crude oil at a port in Qingdao, in China’s eastern Shandong province on June 25, 2026. Photo: CN-STR/AFP
South China Sea

Malaysia adds South China Sea eyes in the sky amid Sabah row with Philippines

Long-range radar at Swallow Reef and new drones in Labuan aim to give Malaysia better oversight of its eastern waters.

A still from a video shared by Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin showing one of Malaysia’s newly acquired Turkish-built Anka drones. Photo: Facebook/MohamedKhaledNordin
Malaysian politics

Malaysian court acquits BN politician’s widow Zizie Izette after 7-year legal battle

The former actress had been accused of abetting her late husband, BN politician Bung Moktar Radin, in an alleged US$685,000 bribery case.

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Weather

Malaysia braces for record high temperatures under ‘super’ El Nino

Malaysia’s Meteorological Department says it expects maximum temperatures to exceed the local record set nearly 30 years ago.

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Tourism

Durians, hidden gems form Malaysia’s new pitch to South Koreans

Last year, about 558,000 South Koreans visited Malaysia, making it the country’s eighth-largest source market for international visitors.

Customers eat Musang King durian desserts in Karak, Pahang, on June 27. Photo: AFP
India

How India’s ‘practical’ alliances could reshape Indo-Pacific security

New Delhi’s ‘proactive new playbook’ aims to fill the vacuum left by fluctuating US commitments in the region, analysts say.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese pose for a picture in the stands at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 10. Photo: Reuters
Asean

Why investors are upbeat on the long-delayed Asean power grid

Investors and policymakers at the Nusa Dua Forum say that AI-driven demand is boosting optimism for cross-border power trade.

The Philippines

‘Something beyond science’: Philippine school for exorcists draws Asia’s priests

A priest from the Michael Centre for Spiritual Liberation and Exorcism says he can tell if cases are possessed by ‘a change in behaviour’.

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