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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
Property’s share of Chinese household assets dropped to 52 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 from 67 per cent in mid-2021, according to a Goldman Sachs report. Photo: Getty
SCMP Highlights

Chinese rethink investments, Malaysian PM’s political strategy: 5 weekend reads

From Chinese families retreating from real estate to shifts in Malaysian politics, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Asean

What Turkey’s upgrade to Asean dialogue partner status means

Anwar Ibrahim

Three strikes, DAP’s out? Loss in Malaysia’s third state poll rattles coalition

2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Asian Angle | Cambodia and Thailand must define the border to achieve lasting peace

Without boundary demarcation, all Cambodia-Thailand ceasefires are on borrowed time.

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Thai soldiers stand guard near the Thailand-Cambodia border in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province, on July 22. Photo: Reuters
Anwar Ibrahim

What Negeri Sembilan loss means for Malaysian PM Anwar’s political strategy

PH must now reconsider its efforts to appeal to conservative Malay voters and rebuild its long-standing reform narrative, analysts say.

Commonwealth Games

Tearful Azizulhasni’s golden display makes Commonwealth Games history for Malaysia

Track cyclist wins keirin title at the age of 38. Officials hope to persuade him to race at 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

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Banking & finance

Swift bypass: China completes first Malaysia payment in digital yuan

Deal advances Beijing’s push to expand the digital yuan through alternative cross-border clearing channels beyond Swift system.

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The deal completes a bilateral digital-currency loop following an inbound trial in January. Photo: VCG
Malaysian politics

Malaysia’s Anwar suffers another election loss to BN in Negeri Sembilan

BN and partner PN secure a supermajority of 25 state assembly seats, out of a total of 36, versus PH’s 11.

Amir Hamzah

Malaysia’s baby bust accelerates shift towards greying society

Seniors now account for 8.4 per cent of the population, with Malaysia projected to be classified as an aged nation by 2048.

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Indonesia

Sky high: drug-fuelled Malaysian pilot arrested with 70,000 pills in Indonesia

The pilot tested positive for meth, MDMA and cocaine after his arrest at the airport, meaning he was under the influence when he was flying.

Malaysia Airlines ground staff walk on the tarmac next to a Malaysia Airlines plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Photo: AFP
Malaysian politics

Malaysian police probe vote-buying claims ahead of Negeri Sembilan state poll

One man told police a group of men handed him US$74 in cash to vote for a particular candidate in Saturday’s election.

Pakatan Harapan supporters listen to a Negeri Sembilan candidate's speech on July 23. Photo: Facebook/pakatanharapan.my
China trade

Opinion | China’s exports feed the Global South’s industrial engines

Far from stifling development, China’s export portfolio indicates a positive-sum diffusion of industrial growth.

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Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s Anwar seizes on haj fund report ahead of Negeri Sembilan election

The prime minister’s reiteration of his anti-corruption message is seen as a move to put Umno on the back foot.

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Rohingya Muslims

‘Incomprehensible’: Malaysia’s Rohingya return deal sparks refoulement fears

Rights groups warn returnees to Myanmar could face forced conscription, arbitrary detention, torture and forced labour.

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Rohingya refugees sit inside a truck as they are taken by police, in front of the office of the UN Refugee Agency, after being evicted from their homes, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Anwar Ibrahim

Happy buyers, sad sellers: Malaysia’s trade dilemma as cheap goods pour in

Investment authority chairman Tengku Zafrul Aziz says Putrajaya has to strike a balance between an open economy and helping local firms.

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Workers produce stuffed toys for export at a toy factory in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province on July 18. Photo: Getty Images
Social media

Malaysia clamps down on social media-fuelled hiking risks

The rescue burden of searching for hikers in remote terrain often requires specialist teams, aircraft and days of searching.

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Hong Kong economy

80% of mainland Chinese firms eye Hong Kong as launch pad for Asean expansion

Trade Development Council research indicates that mainland firms are actively pursuing diversified footprints across Asean markets.

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US-Asean relations

Inside America’s US$1.5 billion play for Southeast Asian energy

Gas exports and mini reactors serve US interests as much as Asia’s – provided promised projects actually lead anywhere.

A power plant and transmission lines in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam. The International Development Finance Corporation has reportedly held talks with Vietnam on grid modernisation. Photo: AP
US-China trade war

‘Take sides’? Malaysia insists on conditional neutrality in US-China tech ties

To keep US chips and Chinese capital flowing, Malaysia is working overtime to reassure both Washington and Beijing.

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US-China relations

Pentagon official hails ‘stronger’ military ties with PLA at anniversary event

Speaking at the Chinese embassy, US deputy assistant defence secretary Alvaro Smith says ‘clear, steady progress’ is being made.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Oman offers Iran Gulf-backed plan for voluntary fees to use Hormuz

Under the proposal, Iran will not exercise sole control and fees would be voluntary, a system analogous to ‌one in place on Asia’s Strait of Malacca.

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A vessel at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Scams and swindles

Malaysian police raid online scam centres in Johor, arrest 335 people

Those arrested include 309 Chinese nationals, 19 Indonesians and ⁠three Malaysians, with assets worth about US$245,000 also seized.

An aerial view of the Forest City development in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, in December 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Shopping Festival eyes Asean expansion, with Singapore, Malaysia first

Third edition of annual e-commerce event has attracted a record number of local brands across mainland and Asean editions, organiser says.

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Blockchain

Malaysia crypto event drops Ms Pui Yi after backlash over adult-content past

The influencer and DJ was removed from the line-up after questions were raised over government branding associated with the event.

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Asia elections

How Malaysia’s ‘mobile electorate’ could swing a key state poll

Increasingly urbanised and immune to local patronage, young voters lured away by better pay could decide the vote’s outcome.

An aerial view of Port Dickson in Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan state. Just shy of 890,000 voters are registered to cast their ballots in the state election on Saturday. Photo: Shutterstock
Bonds

Hong Kong’s Asean charm offensive bags US$1.5 billion Malaysian bond listing

Dual listing on Bursa Malaysia and HKEX comes as Hong Kong officials further expand financial ties beyond mainland China.

Bursa Malaysia, a Malaysian stock exchange and one of the largest in Asean, in Bukit Kewangan, Kuala Lumpur. Shutterstock
SCMP Highlights

Indonesia’s Singapore rival, Philippines’ economic woes: 7 Asia highlights

From India’s orbital rocket launch to Japanese voters souring on Takaichi, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

South Korea

Thousands raised to bring home newlywed Malaysian killed in South Korea

Ahmad Shah Ahmad Ros, 26, had planned to return to Malaysia in December. He reportedly died trying to break up a fight.

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