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Malaysian politics

Malaysian politics
Latest news, analysis and opinion on Malaysia’s parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy, political economy, political dynamics and affirmative action policies in a multi-ethnic country
A motorcycle passes campaign flags of Malaysia’s Barisan Nasional (blue) and Pakatan Harapan (red) coalitions displayed in Kuala Lumpur in 2022. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Opinion | Can Malaysia’s unity government survive a state poll fight?

Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional might find it easier to compete locally and maintain a lukewarm federal alliance.

Malaysia

How a pig farm dispute exposed fault lines in Malaysia’s multiracial politics

Malaysia

Second snap state poll in Malaysia signals cracks in Anwar’s coalition

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s new university rules rekindle multilingualism debate

The decision to allow new admission pathways to public universities has triggered concern about the future of Malay-medium education.

Students sit the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) examination. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Umno banks on Johor state election to lure Malay votes in stronghold

The Umno-led BN coalition defends its decision not to partner with PH in Johor, saying the election is to win the voters’ mandate again.

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Malaysia

Snap polls in Malaysia’s Johor set up clash between Anwar’s ruling allies

The state contest is set to pit federal partners PH and BN against each other despite their power-sharing pact in Putrajaya.

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Malaysia

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s 3R catch-all risks turning every grievance into a threat

Conflating local governance concerns with racial and religious slights threatens pluralism and stifles legitimate public policy debate.

Thousands of protesters rally near a mosque in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate the Malaysian government’s withdrawal of plans to ratify a UN anti-discrimination convention in 2018. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Beyond bans: why fringe Islamic movements still find followers in Malaysia

Observers say the appeal of alternative religious communities cannot be addressed by bans and rehabilitation classes alone.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s ruling coalition faces test over Selangor non-Muslim worship rules

The dispute began after an MP flagged state planning guidelines stating that non-Islamic places of worship cannot be in commercial zones.

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Malaysia

Spoiler alert: why Malaysia’s Anwar should be wary of Rafizi’s Bersama party

Bersama may not have political clout to bring down the prime minister but may chip away support among his reformist base, analysts say.

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Rafizi Ramli greets attendees after announcing a takeover of Bersama on Sunday. Photo: X/Rafizi Ramli
Malaysia

Can Malaysia’s PM afford a snap poll as the fuel bill burns?

With his coalition crumbling and former allies defecting, Malaysia’s prime minister has a fast-narrowing window to secure a fresh mandate.

A worker repairs a signboard at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 12. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

Why Malaysia’s election ‘war drums’ could be the end for Anwar’s coalition

Rival-turned-ally Umno – and allies-turned-rivals Rafizi and Nik Nazmi – may force the prime minister to call an early election.

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Malaysia

Malaysian ex-ministers resign from Anwar’s party, snap election rumoured

Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned from cabinet last year after losing leadership posts in internal party elections.

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysian police probe reports of Jho Low’s secret 1MDB meetings in Kuala Lumpur

An online portal news portal quoted sources as claiming that Low attended the meetings under the protection of the Chinese delegation.

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A protester holds a poster of Jho Low as a pirate during a rally in Kuala Lumpur on April 14, 2018. Photo: AP
Malaysia

In Malaysia, ex-ministers challenge Anwar’s attempt to project strength

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi are holding an event to announce a new ‘political direction’ on the same day as Anwar’s party meets.

Rafizi Ramli accompanies Anwar Ibrahim as he speaks during a news conference on October 26, 2022. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Mahathir ‘doesn’t care’ about ‘dictator’ label as he reflects on his legacy

In an interview, the former prime minister reveals that he and his ex-protege, Anwar Ibrahim, clashed over their views on corruption.

Malaysia

High stakes, low odds: why Trump pardon is unlikely for 1MDB’s Jho Low

The request appears unlikely to succeed because Low has never appeared in a US court, stood trial or accepted responsibility, analysts say.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Umno marks 80th anniversary with show of Malay political power

The party held its celebrations in the Johor palace where it was founded, signalling it is back on track ahead of coming state polls.

Malaysia’s Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar (centre) and Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Idris (centre, left) with Umno’s leaders at the Johor palace on Monday. Photo: Threads / ahmadzahidhamidi
Malaysia

Malaysia’s fuel subsidy headache leaves Anwar ‘scrambling for solution’

The government will review fuel subsidies for higher-income Malaysians but has yet to decide how the cut-off should be applied, Anwar says.

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Malaysia

‘Spare us’: Malaysians sneer at ex-Proton CEO’s self-reliance sermon

The man who once presided over one of Malaysia’s most heavily protected companies has told Malays to stop relying on the state.

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Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Succession struggles in China’s past echoed in Malaysia’s 2026 royal crisis

Disputes over Negeri Sembilan’s next royal ruler recall how succession in China often fused dynastic legitimacy with aristocratic elections.

Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, the royal ruler of Negeri Sembilan, speaks during the opening of the Negeri Sembilan state assembly in Seremban, Malaysia, on April 23, 2026. Photo: YouTube
Malaysia

New database tracks shifting outcomes of Malaysia’s political corruption cases

The Prosecutorial Accountability Watch database is an attempt to make sense of a justice system clouded by ‘double standards’.

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Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak is escorted by prison guards at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in December 2025. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysia seeks to charge 2 over US$278 million Arm semiconductor deal

Ex-economy minister Rafizi Ramli, who is questioned by the MACC, previously pitched the deal as key to the Malaysian chip sector’s future.

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Malaysia

Between hope and reality – Umno’s plan to go solo a test of political waters

The party says a solo bid can help it win up to 60 seats in the next election and give it leverage to decide on coalition partners.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, Anwar’s former ally Rafizi Ramli grilled over Arm chip deal

The MACC is investigating power abuse claims and irregularities linked to the alliance between the economy ministry and the UK chip designer.

Rafizi Ramli (centre) speaks to reporters during a protest on April 25. Photo: Facebook/Rafizi Ramli
Malaysia

From Malaysia’s book bans to Iran war, Anwar’s reform agenda faces sternest test

Anwar’s government has tilted to the right in recent years in a move to win the support of Malay voters, analysts say.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Putrajaya earlier in April. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP/dpa
Malaysia

State-level rebellion in Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan tests Anwar’s coalition

Umno-led Barisan Nasional claims to have a simple majority after teaming up with opposition lawmakers amid an attempt to overthrow the ruler.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Najib ends house-arrest appeal over 1MDB-linked prison sentence

The withdrawal ends the former prime minister’s attempt to serve out his SRC sentence at home after his jail term was halved in 2024.

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