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 sign outlining Sunway Square Mall’s pet-friendly house rules, and a dog-themed installation at the Selangor shopping complex. The mall has since barred pets from enclosed indoor areas following a backlash online. Photos: Facebook/Sunway Square Mall
Pets

Paws for thought: Malaysian mall reverses pet-friendly policy after uproar

The reversal comes after videos of a dog being wheeled through the mall in a trolley stirred anger in the Muslim-majority country.

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Cambodia

Thai-Cambodia border dispute reignites with bombing claims of casino hub

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Australia

Why Southeast Asia’s move to protect children online may fuel state surveillance

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Thailand

Malaysian martial art coach accused of striking SEA Games judge

The pencak silat coach has been accused of attacking a Filipino official after a tied match was awarded to his fighter’s Thai opponent.

Members of the Malaysia pencak silat team attacked a referee following a controversial quarter-final loss to host nation Thailand at the SEA Games on Tuesday. Photo: Handout
Indonesia

Video | Indonesian minister dismisses Malaysian flood aid, sparking outrage

Tito Karnavian dismissed a US$60,000 aid package as ‘not much’ compared with Jakarta’s own disaster response, sparking online criticism.

Fifa

Fifa overturns three Malaysia matches amid player eligibility scandal

Fifa changes results of three friendlies, handing down 3-0 defeats for games against Cape Verde, Singapore and Palestine.

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Religion

Malaysian religious authorities clear woman of ‘2 husbands’ allegations

A Kelantan official said the woman divorced her first husband in 2022 before remarrying in Thailand.

Images shared online purporting to show a couple seated before religious officials, which were cited in a social media post alleging a woman had married a second man in Thailand. Malaysia’s religious authorities have confirmed that the woman was not a bigamist. Photo: Facebook/Ekin Derahim
Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s Anwar reshuffles cabinet to focus on ‘stronger growth’

The changes come after months of pressure on his government, sparked by several key resignations and rising inflation.

Abandoned baby reveals incest case involving teen siblings in Malaysia

Police said a 14-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident in Terengganu state.

Indonesia

‘Just say thank you’: Malaysians fume as Indonesian minister belittles flood aid

Tito Karnavian dismissed the US$60,000 aid package as ‘not much’ compared to Jakarta’s own disaster response, touching a raw nerve online.

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Indonesian Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian as he appeared on the Suara Lokal Mengglobal podcast. Photo: YouTube/HelmyYahyaBicara
SCMP Highlights

Malaysia’s dress code row, South Korea falls out with K-pop: 7 Asia highlights

From ex-NBA player’s cancer treatment to backlash against Malaysia’s ‘moral police’, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Lawyers say Melaka police have overstepped the mark after officers barred two women wearing skirts from entering a police station to report a car accident. Photo: Handout
Scams and swindles

Malaysian woman loses US$293,000 after hiring ‘anti-scam’ firm to recoup US$366

Malaysian scam victims are being targeted again by fraudsters posing as legal experts who promise high recovery rates.

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysia to get back US$30 million worth of fine art linked to 1MDB scandal

The 12 artworks, including pieces by Picasso and Matisse, were bought by a former lawyer for the state investment fund.

Viral stories

Malaysian religious authorities probe viral claim of woman having ‘2 husbands’

The allegation has renewed focus on cross-border marriages between Malaysia and southern Thailand that are used to bypass domestic approvals.

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Images shared on social media purporting to show a couple seated before religious officials, which were cited in a Facebook post alleging a woman had married a second man in Thailand. The claims are under investigation by Malaysian religious authorities. Photo: Facebook / Ekin Derahim
Electric & new energy vehicles

Xpeng steps up ‘go global’ drive with Malaysian assembly hub for Southeast Asia

The Guangzhou-based company said it would partner with Malaysia’s EP Manufacturing to locally assemble intelligent EVs.

Workers conduct final checks on an Xpeng new energy car at the firm’s plant in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province, on October 9, 2023. Photo: Xinhua
US-ally trade wars

Trump’s tariffs on Southeast Asia put US Christmas gifts at risk

From Hot Wheels to headphones, new levies are squeezing the supply of Americans’ festive favourites.

Thailand

Thailand considers blocking fuel exports to Cambodia as conflict escalates

Thailand last year exported 2.2 billion litres of fuel to Cambodia, according to the energy ministry’s data.

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Hong Kong

Cold spots are hot tickets as southern Chinese head north to ski

Ski resorts record big visitor increases as high-speed rail and flight expansions bring in those who have tried the sport in indoor venues.

Children learn snowboarding at Jiangjunshan International Ski Resort in Altay, in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on December 1, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Singapore

Southeast Asia’s rich buy sky garages while the middle class lose their homes

As wealthy buyers seek penthouses with living-room supercar parking, struggling families battle banks to keep a roof overhead.

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Religion

Malaysian religious leaders urged to provide evidence of South Korean ‘cult’

Perlis state’s senior Islamic scholar alleged Muslim political elites were linked to the ‘deviant’ cult movement.

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Najib Razak

Najib’s wife cleared as Malaysia drops money laundering, tax evasion appeal

The prosecution said it could not definitively prove that Rosmah Mansor committed the offences.

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Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak with his wife Rosmah Mansor in 2018. Photo: AP
Food and Drinks

Kuala Lumpur restaurant brings Palestine’s rich flavours to Malaysia

Yafa Restaurant was set up to showcase Palestinian food and hospitality, with a little extra spice to cater to Malaysian tastes.

Maqluba chicken from Yafa Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which showcases Palestinian cuisine and flavours. Photo: Yafa Restaurant
South China Sea

Why are South China Sea disputes hard to settle? Expert cites power asymmetry

Chinese analysts say Beijing supports Asean’s ‘quiet diplomacy’ too, so long as sovereignty claims are resolved bilaterally.

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Banking & finance

‘We’re just trying to survive’: young Malaysians buckle under rising debt

The country has seen a nearly 60 per cent increase in bankruptcies among those under 30 amid rising living costs and access to easy credit.

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Asean

‘Credible mediation’: Asean urged to help halt deadly Thailand-Cambodia clashes

Analysts urge Asean to take ‘urgent, coordinated action’ if it hopes to mediate an end to the Thailand-Cambodia conflict.

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A Thai villager inspects his house damaged during clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops, at a village in Surin province, Thailand, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
North Korea

North Korea promotes new beach resort to Chinese tourists in 2026 plan

The Wonsan beach resort and the Pyongyang Marathon highlight plans for Chinese visitors in a post-pandemic tourism push.

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Domestic tourists visit the beach at Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in Wonsan, North Korea on July 1. Photo: AFP
Law

Malaysia’s ‘moral police’ slammed over dress code dispute

The skirt-wearing women were barred from entering a police station to report a car accident, which lawyers say is a ‘violation’ of constitutional rights.

China technology

Opinion | Why the Global South is embracing Chinese AI

The US champions AI as an autonomous agent, a content creator. China exports a vision of AI as a digital nervous system for the real economy.

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