Malaysian Politics

The palace and the players
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Malaysia has been rocked by political upheaval since Muhyiddin Yassin became prime minister without a parliamentary vote in March 2020. The country's constitutional monarch has taken a more active role in politics while a power tussle involving veteran politicians Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim continues.

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Southeast Asia
Malaysian air force personnel start the cloud seeding process during a flight over Kedah state in 2019. Photo: AFP
Southeast Asia
Malaysia resorts to cloud seeding to save rice crop from drought
With farmers facing arid brown fields that should be flooded, Malaysia’s prime minister announced cloud-seeding operations to trigger rain.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr addresses a press conference on the sidelines of the 48th Asean summit in Cebu province on Friday. Photo: EPA
Politics
Asean to step up push for South China Sea code, energy security
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says the code of conduct is key to unlocking deeper China-Asean economic cooperation.
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A Leapmotor Lafa5 Ultra is on display at the Beijing Auto Show on April 24. Photo: AFP
China Business
Chinese EV maker Leapmotor taps Stellantis’ Spanish plant for EU production
Hangzhou carmaker’s overseas strategy highlights how Chinese brands are leveraging idle plants to scale globally while easing trade barriers.
Hong Kong’s economic and trade office in London. Photo: Google Maps
Politics
Why the UK won’t shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict
Analysts say British authorities will prioritise stable ties with Beijing given current geopolitical uncertainties.
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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim touches the first locally made electric vehicle, Proton’s e.MAS 7, at its launch in Kuala Lumpur on December 16, 2024. Photo: AFP
Economics
Malaysia’s EV import curbs to protect local sector criticised for inconsistency
The move contradicts the country’s aim to grow the EV sector and use more renewable energy sources, analysts say.
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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
Politics
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’.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr delivers an opening speech at the Asean summit in Cebu on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Politics
Asean’s pivot to energy security leaves long-standing issues on summit sidelines
Southeast Asia is one of the worst affected by the global fuel crisis due to its high imports of oil and gas coming from the Gulf.
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The Hua Khao fishing village is populated by Muslims believed to be descended from Javanese settlers. Photo: Oliver Raw
Travel
Songkhla’s hidden charm: the town poised to put southern Thailand on the tourist map
In southern Thailand, the erstwhile Sultanate of Singora existed as a melting pot of Thai, Malay and Hokkien cultures. Its successor carries this idiosyncratic fusion into the present day.
Russian service members rehearsing for Saturday’s parade. Photo: Reuters
Europe
Russia and Ukraine trade attacks ahead of Moscow war parade
Russia has threatened a massive strike on the heart of Kyiv if Ukraine disrupts the Victory Day parade on Saturday.
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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Asia Opinion
Opinion|Why China’s warning over military blocs is finding listeners in Asia
For regional governments, strategy is about preserving options. China has read this instinct carefully and given it a diplomatic vocabulary.
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AirAsia planes stand on the tarmac at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. Photo: Reuters
Southeast Asia
‘Why waste a crisis?’: AirAsia to launch new airline, defying high oil costs
‘We can’t control what happens in the Middle East, but we have to take a view that it’s not going to last for two years,’ CEO Tony Fernandes says.
Evening view of Bangkok from the King Power Mahanakhon building. Photo: Harvey Kong
Tech
TikTok invests record US$25b to expand digital infrastructure in Thailand
The Chinese firm will install additional servers and expand data storage infrastructure to support rising demand for digital services.
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on August 6, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Economics
Well-oiled diplomacy: Malaysian king visits Moscow as Anwar eyes Russian energy
Though Sultan Ibrahim’s visit is officially ceremonial, its timing coincides with the energy squeeze plaguing Malaysia and much of Asia.
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Despite politeness in public, there are fears that the future looks rocky for US-China trade. Illustration: Shutterstock
Diplomacy
Trump-Xi summit hides simmering trade tensions under the surface, experts say
Despite declarations of cooperation, friendship and respect from both sides, major trade conflict is brewing between the two superpowers.
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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Rene Haas, CEO of chip tech provider Arm attend an event where Anwar announced the multi-million deal with Arm in Kuala Lumpur in March last year. Photo: Reuters
Economics
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.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki (second from right) inspects Joan Miro’s “Composition” (1953) at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Wednesday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Lifestyle & Culture
Art of the steal: Malaysia unveils recovered 1MDB masterpieces
A Picasso and a Miro are among four works on show, representing a fraction of the US$4.5 billion looted from Malaysia’s 1MDB fund.
Vessels are seen at anchor in the Singapore Strait as a drone flies on April 21. Photo: AFP
Health & Environment
Knives out: sea robbery fears stalk Southeast Asia’s busiest straits
Opportunistic nighttime raids in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are testing security in a vital maritime chokepoint.
Around 200 protesters march through central Kuala Lumpur to rally against MACC chief Azam Baki on April 25. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Southeast Asia
What’s happening with Malaysia’s ‘corporate mafia’ probe? Minister wants updates
The government has ordered authorities to look into claims that a group of businessmen was colluding with MACC officials to oust executives.
The sun sets behind the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Temperatures in Malaysia have soared to the mid-30s degrees Celsius. Photo: AP
Health & Environment
Malaysia warns of health risks from heatwave, 2 deaths recorded this year
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered cloud-seeding operations to be carried out in the worst-affected states.
RJ Perkins during his viral appearance in the swimsuit round of the Mister Pampanga pageant. Photo: Facebook / Mister Pampanga
Asia
Filipino contestant’s viral swimsuit moment, UAE’s Opec exit: 7 Asia highlights
From Malaysian Indians frustrating scammers to Japan sharing warship design, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.
A British visitor attends a tour of the Old Protestant Cemetery in Penang, Malaysia. Photo: Ushar Daniele
Lifestyle & Culture
Penang’s cemetery tours spur interest in pioneers, colonial history
While the state receives millions in conservation funding, it faces challenges in preserving the Protestant cemetery due to its climate.
A United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) flag waves outside the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE
Politics
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.
Alipay QR code in Jakarta, Indonesia, after the launch of the China-Indonesia cross-border payment system. Photo: Xinhua
Global Economy
How China is quietly reshaping Southeast Asia’s payments beyond the US dollar
New initiative lets consumers use home-grown apps like Alipay for cross-border payments – supporting Beijing’s push to expand regional financial links.
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FamilyMart executives launch boxes to collect used clothing and goods at a convenience store in Tokyo on April 13. Photo: Kyodo
East Asia
Japan’s FamilyMart gives old clothes new lease of life to reduce textile waste
Some 560,000 tonnes of clothes are estimated to be thrown away in Japan each year – about 70 per cent of new clothing supplied to the market.
Rafizi Ramli (centre) speaks to reporters during a protest on April 25. Photo: Facebook/Rafizi Ramli
People
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.
Revellers at the Rain Rave Water Music Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Facebook/ngakormingofficial
Southeast Asia
Crowd disarms knife-wielding woman at Malaysia water festival
The suspect was later arrested at the Rain Rave Water Music Festival in Kuala Lumpur.
Interest from mainland groups and their affiliates has increased bidding activity for land sales in Singapore. Photo: Shutterstock
Business
Singapore’s safe-haven status draws more Chinese property investment
Mainland firms’ investments in Singapore fixed assets zoomed to 21 per cent of the total in 2025 from 2.5 per cent a year earlier.
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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
Politics
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.
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People walk on the boardwalk in front of Singapore’s financial centre. Photo: AFP
Economics
Why Singapore, Thailand are among the world’s ‘happiest’ economies
Southeast Asian countries outdid larger economies in the 178-nation Hanke’s Annual Misery Index for 2025.
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Opinion
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.
Wee Kek Koon
Editorial|Malaysia bourse pact extends Hong Kong’s outreach to Southeast Asia
As a centre for international and mainland Chinese capital, Hong Kong is well positioned to help firms across Asia attract investment.
SCMP Editorial
Editorial|Local schools’ outreach to overseas students a boost for education hub goal
Allowing semi-private schools to offer places to fee-paying non-local students will help Hong Kong grow as a market for overseas education.
SCMP Editorial
Asian Angle|Malaysia’s LGBTQ crackdowns aren’t hypocrisy, they’re politics
Anwar’s government isn’t failing its ideals. It’s navigating a reality where Malay-Muslim legitimacy dictates the limits of social change.
Syaza Shukri
Reflections|How the Hakka spread in China and beyond, their cuisine reflecting hard lives
A people shaped by centuries of migration, Hakka communities are found across China and are prevalent in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Wee Kek Koon
Asian Angle|Southeast Asia needs AI sovereignty – the Grok scandal proved it
From Singapore’s SEA-LION to Malaysia’s ILMU, Southeast Asian nations aim to build AI that reflects their own languages, cultures and values.
David Lam
Editorial|Strong export numbers underscore Hong Kong’s strengths as a trade hub
In an uncertain global economic environment, the strategy of exploring new overseas markets has paid off. But there is no room for complacency.
SCMP Editorial
Asian Angle|‘Old order is not coming back’: Trump’s US, not China, threatens status quo
American unpredictability is pushing countries to hedge more proactively – and, ironically, soften existing tensions with China.
Sophie Wushuang Yi
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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.
Lee Hwok-Aun
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Reflections|Was Chinese princess sent to marry a Malaysian sultan a real person?
Hang Li Po’s 15th-century marriage allegedly sealed Malacca and China’s friendly relations. Proof of her existence is scant. Does it matter?
Wee Kek Koon
2
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.
Martin W H Wong
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Asian Angle|To win the future, Southeast Asia must rewrite its industrial rule book
Success relies on five key pillars, including deeper regional coordination and targeted industrial upgrading.
Marco Kamiya
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