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Malaysian politics

Malaysian politics
Latest news, analysis and opinion on Malaysia’s parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy, political economy, political dynamics and affirmative action policies in a multi-ethnic country
Supporters of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak gather outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya on December 26, 2025, ahead of a High Court verdict in his 1MDB-linked corruption and money laundering case. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Najib’s new 1MDB verdict deepens Umno rifts, testing Malaysia’s unity government

The jail term for the former prime minister has reignited grass roots anger and raised questions over Umno’s future inside Anwar’s coalition.

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Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Chinese historical myths that are accepted as fact, and why they’ve endured

Najib Razak

Video | Disgraced ex-Malaysian PM Najib guilty in final 1MDB case

Malaysia

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.

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

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

The ruling comes after a years-long trial in the financial fraud that saw more than US$4.5 billion plundered from the state fund.

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Malaysia

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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Malaysia

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
Malaysia

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.

Malaysia

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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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
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.

Students create a long scroll in Kelang, Selangor state. A proposal for the Malaysian government’s recognition of school leaving certificates issued by private Chinese high schools has sparked a row in the ruling coalition. Photo: Xinhua
Indonesia

Video | Indonesian minister dismisses Malaysian flood aid, sparking outrage

Tito Karnavian dismissed a US$60,000 aid package as ‘not much’ compared with Jakarta’s own disaster response, sparking online criticism.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar reshuffles cabinet to focus on ‘stronger growth’

The changes come after months of pressure on his government, sparked by several key resignations and rising inflation.

Malaysia

Najib’s wife cleared as Malaysia drops money laundering, tax evasion appeal

The prosecution said it could not definitively prove that Rosmah Mansor committed the offences.

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Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak with his wife Rosmah Mansor in 2018. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysian ex-minister Rafizi challenges PM Anwar’s anti-corruption credentials

He alleged that anti-corruption officers targeted PKR candidates who challenged the prime minister’s daughter in party polls.

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Left: Former Malaysian economy minister Rafizi Ramli on his Yang Berhenti Menteri (The Minister Who Quit) podcast. Right: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Photos: Facebook / Rafizi Ramli and AFP
Malaysia

Anwar’s ex-aide to stand trial on corruption charges linked to Sabah businessman

The aide is accused of receiving cash and gifts as inducement to help the businessman secure mineral exploration projects.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar vows ‘no protection’ for close aides in corruption probes

The prime minister has been accused of launching investigations targeting his political rivals while going soft on scandals closer to home.

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Malaysia

‘Unconstitutional’: Mahathir reports PM Anwar to police over Trump trade deal

Ex-PM claims the deal lacks constitutional approval and undermines bumiputra privileges, which benefit ethnic Malays and indigenous groups.

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during a news conference at his office in Putrajaya, Malaysia in January 2024. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Why Anwar faces uphill task to win back voters after Sabah election trouncing

Sabah voters don’t trust Anwar, and this will complicate his plan for the next general election, analysts say.

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Malaysia

Malaysia promises millions of gig workers a safety net, but critics see holes

A new law would mandate written contracts and dispute resolution, but labour groups argue it still leaves workers at the mercy of algorithms.

Malaysia

Sabah polls: blow for Anwar as partner party shines, but key ally is wiped out

Local partner Gagasan Rakyat Sabah secured 29 seats, but the PM’s Democratic Action Party allies lost all eight seats they contested.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

PM Anwar’s ex-aide detained by Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency

The agency seeks to extend custody for Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin and businessman Albert Tei, who has accused Shamsul Iskandar of bribery.

Former senior political secretary Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin (left) was detained shortly after resigning from his post under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) amid bribery allegations. Photo: Handout
Malaysia

Malaysian PM’s war on corruption hits snag as top political secretary quits

The senior aide allegedly demanded bribes in the form of home renovations, a massage chair and washing machines.

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Malaysia

Malaysian PM’s aide quits over hospital contractor letter row

Shamsul Iskandar resigns over controversial hospital contractor letter sparking debate and ethical concerns in Anwar’s administration.

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Fugitive Jho Low’s sister and associate ordered to pay US$2.8 billion to 1MDB

The judge noted that May Lin and associate Eric Tan failed to appear in court, resulting in a massive default judgment in the ongoing 1MDB suit.

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Jho Low, CEO of Jynwel Capitial Limited, is interviewed at his office in Hong Kong in 2015. Photo: SCMP
Malaysia

Anger mounts over missing Malaysian girl linked to religious conversion

The long-standing custody row has reignited after her mother staged a march demanding that police enforce a court order to find the girl.

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In this 2014 photo, M. Indira Gandhi shows photos of her youngest daughter Prasana Diksa at her house in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. Photo: AP
Malaysia

In Malaysia’s Sabah state election, it’s Gen Z vs the old guard

More than half of Sabah’s registered voters are under the age of 40 – and they’re done waiting for undelivered promises.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s poorest state prepares a poll shock for the prime minister

Decades of neglect and withheld resource revenue have left short-changed Sabah seething and primed for a political fight.

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