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
Women counts Malaysian ringgit. Malaysia has postponed a sales tax expansion to ease business strain from US tariffs. Photo: Shutterstock
Southeast Asia
Malaysia delays sales tax expansion amid Trump’s tariff pressure
The Malaysian government’s decision to postpone its tax expansion should provide relief for businesses amid trade war uncertainties.
Condominiums at Forest City in Malaysia’s Johor state. Photo: AFP
Economics
Malaysia’s Forest City: will funds from family offices be a lifeline?
The development has been plagued by delays brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and bankruptcy battles.
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Singapore’s Merlion statue. Singapore’s election sees cost of living and foreign interference take centre stage. Photo: Shutterstock
Politics
Singapore election: race, foreign meddling hot topics with seats too close to call
Singapore’s election sees cost of living and foreign interference take centre stage as PM warns against weakened government amid tight races.
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A Malaysian man who was selling a US$4,100 second-hand car was shocked when a woman offered sex to cover a US$1,600 shortfall. SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Facebook
People & Culture
Malaysia man sells US$4,100 car, shocked when woman offers sex for shortfall
Thousands of people engage with story about racy deal to buy second-hand BMW, as woman who made offer says husband agrees with move.
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The InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. The Maldives backs the idea of Palestinian statehood, aligning with Malaysia’s stance against Israeli actions. Photo: Leona Liu
Politics
Maldives joins Malaysia in call for ‘legitimate’ Palestinian state amid Gaza war
The Maldives reiterated call for a Palestinian state comes two weeks after the island nation implemented an entry ban on Israeli passport holders.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaks at a People’s Action Party rally on Saturday ahead of the city state’s general election. Photo: Reuters
Southeast Asia
Lawrence Wong flags Malaysian influence attempt in Singapore election
The city state’s prime minister also warned at an electoral rally against the ‘very dangerous’ mixing of religion and politics.
A “Michael Jackson” refers to a drink made from soya milk with cincau. Photo: Reuters
Southeast Asia
Fancy a Michael Jackson? A ‘tiger bites lion’? Malaysian drinks names, explained
Get the inside scoop on Malaysia’s surprisingly evocative drinks terminology, from a chocolatey dinosaur to a coffee concoction with a kick.
A temple in Malaysia has unveiled what it says is the world’s first “AI Mazu”, a Chinese deity powered by artificial intelligence. Photo: SCMP composite/IG@shinkong0610
People & Culture
Malaysia temple unveils first ‘AI Mazu’ for devotees to worship, address concerns
Temple claims world first as on-screen digital deity that looks like a chubby version of a famous Chinese actress dishes out advice.
Illustration: Craig Stephens
Asia Opinion
Opinion|As Trump rides roughshod over trade, China is ready to pick up the pieces
China’s message of stable cooperation is resonating as Trump accelerates the birth of a post-US world with rising powers independent of US whims.
Staff at a modern agricultural industrial park checking crop growth through an Internet of Things platform in Dingan county in southern China’s Hainan province on February 27. Photo: Xinhua
China Opinion
Opinion|How China’s agricultural modernisation is reshaping global food systems
As sufficiency improves for China and the countries it shares its agriculture+AI strategy with, regional and global trade could be reshaped.
2
Giant Malaysian national flags are seen inside a shopping mall ahead of Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuala Lumpur in September 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE
Politics
Why do people keep getting into trouble over Malaysia’s flag?
Recent inaccuracies in the national flag’s depiction have upset the public, where even small errors are seen as national insults.
1
illustration by Lau Ka-kuen
Climate and energy
Crunch time for China’s solar panels as Trump’s 3,521% tariffs loom
Chinese firms have been exporting from offshore factories to beat US tariffs for a decade, and Washington is determined to shut the loophole.
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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China Opinion
Opinion|China showcases its neighbourhood diplomacy across Southeast Asia
President Xi Jinping’s recent trip to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia highlighted China’s commitment to fostering regional harmony.
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Bill O’Reilly hosts the No Spin News channel on YouTube. Photo: Instagram/Bill O’Reilly
Lifestyle & Culture
Malaysians poor? ‘We have free healthcare, grandpa,’ they tell Bill O’Reilly
The US political commentator drew the ire of Malaysians by suggesting they were too poor to buy a hat or afford a proper meal.
8
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre) speaks to delegates at the 2025 Asean Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Malaysia on April 10. Photo: Reuters
Economics
Malaysia vows to buy more US goods in break from united Asean front on tariffs
Malaysia is looking for ways to reduce its US$25 billion trade surplus with the US in a bid to ease the pain of a proposed 24 per cent levy.
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A worker harvesting a durian that has been secured with rope at a farm in Raub in Malaysia’s Pahang state. Photo: AFP
Economics
AI-generated image of durian farm in Malaysia raises stink over land dispute
Image fuels speculation about more illegal planters in Pahang’s forests, while analysts also warn of lack of safeguards against manipulated content.
The Majlis Sambutan Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025 event by Malaysia’s Health Ministry. Photo: Facebook/Dr Dzulkefly
Southeast Asia
‘Tone-deaf’: Malaysia’s health ministry chided for lush event amid workers’ woes
Critics called the Malaysian Health Ministry’s lavish Hari Raya event “tone-deaf”, as healthcare workers are reportedly underpaid and overworked.
A woman browses biscuits and sweets in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP
Health & Environment
1 in 3 Malaysian children are overweight as nation’s sugar addiction worsens
A new health ministry survey shows that one third of Malaysians aged 5 to 19 are overweight, with high-sugar diets blamed.
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks on “reciprocal tariffs” on April 2, 2025. Photo: TNS
Southeast Asia
Despite Trump’s tariffs, Philippines ‘strategically positioned to benefit’
The study found that low tariffs and exemptions may boost trade opportunities despite the Philippines’ infrastructure challenges.
An aerial view of Uganda’s Kingfisher Oil Field run by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation in Kikube. Photo: Xinhua
Economics
Malaysia urged to invest in Uganda’s untapped oilfields as its reserves dwindle
Uganda has an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of petroleum reserves. Malaysia’s reserves stood at 2.7 billion barrels as of 2023.
Shipping containers stacked at a port in Klang, Malaysia. Photo: AP
Southeast Asia
Made in Malaysia? Sellers get brazen offers to dodge tariffs on Chinese goods
Logistics firms tempt online merchants with illegal undervaluation schemes via social media.
Illustration: Craig Stephens
China Opinion
Opinion|Beijing’s approach to South China Sea tensions: reduce now, resolve later
While focusing on economic links, China is open to negotiating with rival claimants as long as actors outside the region aren’t involved.
Fans watch a Malaysia Super League match. The country’s football ecosystem faces a crucial overhaul as unpaid player salaries spark calls for systemic reform. Photo: AFP
Southeast Asia
‘Going home without money’: Malaysia football urged to fix unpaid salaries crisis
The need for reforms arises amid growing grievances from players and coaches, with one footballer claiming he has not been paid for nine months.
Malaysiakini journalist B. Nantha Kumar has returned to work. Photo: Facebook/Nantha Kumar Balachandram
People
Malaysian journalist in bribe scandal returns, vows to report ‘without fear’
B. Nantha Kumar has been allowed back to Malaysiakini after an internal inquiry cleared him, although he still faces a criminal trial.
Malaysian students seen with their bags during the first day of schooling for the 2020 session at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail National School. Photo: DPA
Lifestyle & Culture
Malaysia’s plan to teach Asean languages in schools sparks parental backlash
Critics argue that the languages of other Asean countries have less relevance than Mandarin or Tamil to Malaysian students.
Malaysia’s Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz will be holding key trade talks with his US counterpart in Washington this week. Photo: AFP
Economics
Will Malaysia face pressure from US to lean less on China during trade talks?
A high-level trade delegation from Malaysia is visiting Washington to discuss the country’s ‘neutral’ role in global supply chains.
Illustration: Craig Stephens
China Opinion
Opinion|How to find a face-saving way out of the US-China trade war
Beijing has no interest in being seen to be begging for a deal. It’s in regional players’ interest to help avert a full-blown trade war.
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Opinion
Asian Angle|How Asean can turn short-term tariff pain into long-term gain
Intra-bloc trade and diversified supply sources can help reduce dependency on Donald Trump’s United States and expand export options.
Paul Teng
Asian Angle|Why ignoring China’s Southeast Asia pivot could cost the Philippines
Beijing’s focus on regional stability and trade openness presents both challenges and opportunities that Manila can’t afford to overlook.
Enrico Gloria
1
My Take|As US tariffs put jobs on the line, can Malaysia afford to cut petrol subsidies?
With US tariff uncertainty jeopardising Malaysian jobs, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must weigh the necessity of slashing subsidies.
Joseph Sipalan
Editorial|Xi’s charm offensive in Southeast Asia is perfect foil to Trump
If trade war results in stronger relations between China and neighbours, it will be an outcome that Trump may have failed to anticipate.
SCMP Editorial
6
Reflections|How ancient China’s standardised vehicle ‘specs’ transformed the country
Besides the Qin dynasty’s standardisations pertaining to Chinese writing and currency, equally significant was that of carriages’ axle width.
Wee Kek Koon
My Take|The United States, not China, turns out to be the real bogeyman
The significance of Trump’s tariffs is that they have destroyed the credibility of America on which its global alliances have long depended.
SCMP ColumnistAlex Lo
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Asian Angle|Can Indonesia’s Batam hold its own against Johor-Singapore SEZ?
Batam has struggled to attract investment, stymied by local-level dysfunctions and a lack of connections to major Indonesian cities.
Francis E. Hutchinson
Asian Angle|Data centres are booming in Johor. Now comes the hard part – job creation
Talent creation, retention and lucrative pay offered by firms in neighbouring Singapore pose challenges to the state’s thriving sector.
Sara Loo
My Take|Flags on Malaysian school uniforms a badge of honour or a burden to parents?
The onus to keep flags ‘clean and not faded’ falls on the parents, some of whom are already struggling with day-to-day expenses.
Joseph Sipalan
The View|Why Asia property investors won’t stray from data centres and Japan playing
Fierce demand for digital infrastructure and Japan’s stability will remain highly attractive to investors looking towards Asia.
Nicholas Spiro
My Take|Here we go again: Ismail Sabri is third Malaysian ex-PM on corruption carousel
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim still has to make good 2018 election promise to push for clean political funding.
Joseph Sipalan
3
Being Chinese|I look Chinese but don’t speak the language. Is that so bad?
I may be missing out on a deeper appreciation of the culture, but I’ve learned to live with it – thank goodness for translation apps.
Christina Pantin
23
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