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
Mohd Shukri Ramli resigned as chief minister of Perlis amid party sackings. Photo: Facebook/Mohd Shukri Ramli
Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s Perlis state in turmoil after chief minister’s shock resignation

Mohd Shukri Ramli resigned due to health reasons amid a withdrawal of support from eight PN state assemblymen.

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysia’s Najib sentenced to 15 years in jail for abuse of power in 1MDB saga

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SCMP Highlights

China’s reusable rocket failure, PLA growth leaves US ‘vulnerable’: 7 highlights

Myanmar

Stay or go? Rohingya see no way out of predicament as Myanmar heads to poll

Myanmar’s phased election, set to start on Sunday, is likely to be steered by the same leaders responsible for driving the Rohingya out.

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A boat with Rohingya refugees attempts to enter Malaysia from Langkawi in this photo released on January 4. Photo: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency/AP
Environment

‘Don’t embarrass Malaysia’: minister furious over public littering

Nga Kor Ming stressed that urban cleanliness was crucial for national image ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

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.

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Religion

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

The pair are being investigated for causing religious disharmony and misusing social media.

Malaysian police have arrested two people over a video showing a man in a headscarf drinking alcohol. Photo: Shutterstock
Tourism

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

‘We must clean this up. Tourists must feel safe and happy so they leave with good memories of Malaysia,’ Tourism Minister Tiong says.

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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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.

BYD’s confidence in Brazil was reinforced in October with the opening of the company’s large passenger vehicle factory in Camacari, in the northeastern state of Bahia. Photo: Handout
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’.

Actress Fan Bingbing with Malaysian film director Chong Keat Aun. Photo: Instagram/chongkeataun
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.

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.

Residents inspect the collapsed Maha Myat Muni Pagoda in the city of Mandalay, Myanmar, following a devastating earthquake. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

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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Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan speaks at an Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in July. On Monday, he said the bloc had a responsibility to help find a solution to the Cambodia–Thailand conflict. Photo: AFP
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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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.

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

Pop Mart, the maker of Labubu toys, is valued at US$33.3 billion. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

“Anti-LGBT” and “nation destroyer” stickers are seen plastered outside the entrance of a men’s only spa in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, by a Malay nationalist group after the venue was raided by police in November. Photo: Facebook/pekidamalaysiarasmi
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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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.

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