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
Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak attends the verdict of his house arrest bid at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in Malaysia on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Najib Razak

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

The High Court will rule on abuse of power and money laundering charges, with Najib facing the prospect of lengthy prison terms if found guilty.

Religion

Hair-raising: Malaysia arrests 2 over video of man in headscarf drinking alcohol

Tourism

‘Nothing has changed’: safety gaps, old facilities hobble Malaysian tourism

Najib Razak

Najib’s children lament Malaysian court ruling – ‘we thought he was coming home’

The ex-prime minister has lost his case to have his imprisonment commuted to house arrest based on a supposed royal decree.

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A supporter of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak wears a t-shirt displaying Razak’s face at the Federal Court in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in August. Photo: EPA
SCMP Highlights

BYD’s big plans in Brazil, Xpeng tries to go global: 7 EV reads

From EV battery giants in China venturing into shipbuilding to BYD’s ambitious plans in Brazil, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

Fan Bingbing

How Fan Bingbing mastered ancient black magic for Malaysian film role

Director Chong Keat Aun’s father trained the actress to create a talisman to ward off curses in ‘Mother Bhumi’.

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Malaysian politics

Why Malaysian court ruling against Najib is dividing Anwar’s coalition

A comment by a DAP member that is perceived as celebrating Najib’s legal setback has been slammed by Umno’s leaders.

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Complex on Monday. Photo: AP
Year in Review

SCMP Plus Year in Review 2025: China

As the year comes to a close, SCMP Plus highlights the biggest China-related stories of the year.

Extreme weather

Asia’s year in extreme weather and natural disasters, from earthquakes to floods

From the deadly earthquake in Myanmar to tropical cyclones in the Philippines, Asia went through its share of natural disasters in 2025.

SCMP Highlights

Philippines’ Chinese tourism woes, police officer goes viral: 7 Asia highlights

From India’s anxiety over US-Pakistan deals to South Korea’s visa policy debate, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Chinese tourists from Beijing enjoying Cambugahay waterfalls in Siquijor, Central Visaya, Philippines. Photo: SCMP / James Wendlinger
China economy

Opinion | Why China has moved to curb steel exports

China’s pivot to emerging markets has kept its export machine running. But frictions are growing and steel is the most visible flashpoint.

A worker stacks steel products meant for the export market at a factory in Binzhou, Shandong province, China on April 15. Photo: AFP
Education

Opinion | As UK universities lose prestige, Asian institutions stand to benefit

The decline of Britain’s universities and the challenges facing Western academia in general stem from education no longer being treated as a national investment.

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2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Malaysia: Cambodia, Thailand set for Christmas Eve truce talks after Asean push

The breakthrough was quickly threatened as Cambodia accused Thailand of bombing border provinces with F-16s just hours later.

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Law

Malaysian rapper Namewee acquitted of drug use charge after negative test

The 42-year-old still faces a drug possession charge and remains under investigation following the death of a Taiwanese influencer.

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Malaysian rapper Namewee has been under investigation for drug-related charges and over the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Handout
Singapore

Malaysia’s Chingay parade dazzles George Town as Unesco bid gains steam

Once tied to Taoist deity processions, the parade has grown into one of Penang’s largest and most multicultural street festivals.

Participants carry a pink dragon prop through the streets of George Town during the Chingay parade on Sunday. Photo: Ushar Daniele
Najib Razak

Malaysian court blocks Najib’s bid for house arrest

Monday’s decision keeps the former prime minister behind bars as he awaits the outcome of the far larger 1MDB case on Friday.

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Pop Mart

Chinese toymaker Pop Mart targets wider audience with magazine, grow IP

The magazine, which is available for US$5.7 online and at select offline locations, features Michelle Yeoh on the cover.

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Cambodia

Cambodia: Thai border clashes displace half a million ahead of peace talks

The renewed fighting this month, including with tanks, drones and artillery, has killed at least 22 people in Thailand and 19 in Cambodia.

People inspect a damaged bridge after Thailand carried out air strikes in an area between Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Thailand strikes Cambodia casino, bridge as Asean pushes for peace

Bangkok is expected to urge Phnom Penh to declare a ceasefire at Monday’s Asean talks and join an effort in clearing mine fields.

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LGBTQ

‘We just want to live’: fear grips Malaysia’s LGBTQ community

With drag clubs closed and spas raided, the shrinking space for queer life in Malaysia leaves a community with nowhere left to turn.

Anwar Ibrahim

Asian Angle | Sabah’s election proves Malaysians want results, not slogans

Local parties crying ‘Sabah First’ largely flopped as voters rejected empty identity rhetoric for proven service records.

Officials from the Sabah People’s Coalition, or Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), hold a launch event on October 20 in preparation for the 17th Sabah state election. Photo: Facebook/grs.sabah
Thailand

31 Malaysians repatriated from Myanmar job scam syndicate

The job scam victims rescued from a Myawaddy job syndicate return home safely after intensive diplomatic negotiations and a 26-hour land journey.

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People from China, Vietnam, and Ethiopia – believed trafficked and forced to work in scam centers – sit masked in detention after their February release in Myawaddy, eastern Myanmar. Photo: AP
Drugs

‘One of the biggest ever’: Malaysia busts US$375 million drug ring

Six arrested in raids on a syndicate that could have supplied drugs to 68.5 million users according to narcotics officials.

Food and Drinks

Malaysia allows halal hotels, eateries to deck halls with boughs of holly

The multiracial country’s religious affairs minister says festive decorations or images are allowed where halal food is served.

SCMP Highlights

US singer marries sultan, paraglider’s 28,000ft stunt: 8 viral stories in 2025

From US singer marrying Malaysian sultan to Chinese paraglider cheating death, here are our stories that have gone viral in 2025.

Brittany Porter poses with Sultan Muhammad V. Photo: Instagram/its.brook.lynn
Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Malaysia’s unusual creation still affects it today. China mulled doing similar

Malaysia was born as a federation in 1963, with some states considered ‘special’. China also once toyed with federal ideals.

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A view of the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, including the Petronas Twin Towers. Today, the states of Sabah and Sarawak want to regain the special status they were granted during the formation of Malaysia in 1963. Photo: Reuters
Thailand

Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount

Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.

Singapore

Anwar’s coalition revives Chinese school certification debate, sparking row

The sensitive issue in the Malay-Muslim majority country has caused a row between Umno and DAP, an insider says.

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