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
The relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple in Kuala Lumpur has sparked a heated debate among Hindus and Muslims in Malaysia. Photo: Facebook/yuefo amulets
Anwar Ibrahim

Relocation of Hindu temple in Malaysia fuels accusations of special privileges

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to lay the foundation stone for a new mosque on the current site of the Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur.

Hong Kong transport

Explainer | Power banks on flights: which airlines and regions have tightened rules?

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Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s PM says ‘no way’ to US$10 million ransom after airport cyberattack

Thailand

Malaysia’s Perlis port vows faster halal deliveries to China, but Thai support key

Malaysia’s Perlis mega-port aims to revolutionise halal cargo delivery to China, contingent on Thai rail agreements and regional stability.

A container truck leaves the Padang Besar Container Terminal in Perlis, Malaysia. The northern state bordering Thailand is a key transit point for exports from the kingdom’s southern provinces. Photo: Joseph Sipalan
Disease

Malaysian minister’s claim of ‘Yolo’ mindset driving HIV cases draws ridicule

Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni says the ‘you only live once’ mindset encourages individuals ‘to try something new’.

SCMP Highlights

Thais reject ‘dark skin’ stigma, Singapore payouts: 7 Asia highlights

From Singapore offering unemployment payouts to a slap heard around Malaysia, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

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Religion

Bid to relocate Hindu temple for mosque in Malaysia’s capital stirs debate

The government land on which the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple sat was sold to Jakel in 2014.

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Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman devotees are hoping to save the temple in central Kuala Lumpur from eviction. Photo: Facebook/Tang Ah Chai
Artificial intelligence

Malaysia’s police urged to undergo robust AI training to combat crime

The call comes after Malaysia reported a sharp rise in commercial crime cases, especially online fraud.

Thailand

Thailand’s trillion-baht plan to bypass the Malacca Strait moves ahead

Thailand aims to complete a 100km project bisecting the country’s southern peninsula with a new highway and rail line by 2030.

Artificial intelligence

AI boom drives record loans for data centres in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has become a data-centre hotspot as tech multinationals diversify beyond China amid geopolitical tensions.

A view of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline in Malaysia. Photo: Reuters
Food and Drinks

In Malaysia, one chef’s daily grind preserves Melaka Peranakan food traditions

Sharon Ann De Souza’s mission is to preserve Malacca Peranakan cuisine, by embracing traditional methods in a modern world.

The ubiquitous Peranakan style udang masak lemak nenas, or prawn and pineapple stewed in a delectable coconut curry, paired with a flavour-packed nasi ulam or rice mixed with raw herbs. Photo: Joseph Sipalan
Thailand

Chinese couple linked to cryptocurrency scam, kidnapping arrested in Thailand

Thai police arrested a Chinese woman in connection to the scam, while discovering her fugitive boyfriend was wanted for kidnapping in China.

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Ramadan

Slap heard around Malaysia: viral Ramadan altercation sparks memes, debate

Social media users are poking fun at the absurdity of the viral video of an elderly Malay man confronting a non-Muslim for not fasting.

Social media

Malaysian ‘budgie smuggler’ caught on camera stuffing Labubu toys down his shorts

A Malaysian shoplifter, dubbed the “blind box bandit”, was filmed smuggling Labubu toys down his trousers at a Kuala Lumpur megamall.

A Labubu key-chain collection from Pop Mart. Photo: Shutterstock
Ramadan

Fast fashion: food waste from Malaysian Ramadan bazaars hits the runway

A food waste-reduction group collected over 46,000kg of unsold food over the first two weeks of Ramadan this year, but said the actual wastage was likely to be much higher.

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Volunteer models wearing suits filled with discarded food hold up placards urging the public to reduce food wastage during the launch of MySaveFood’s #BazirRamadan campaign in Kuala Lumpur last week. Photo: MySaveFood
Anwar Ibrahim

Call by Malaysia’s DAP for 2-term limit for prime minister draws PAS’ rebuke

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered the cabinet to study the Democratic Action Party’s proposal for a two-term limit.

Crime

Malaysian man beaten, robbed of US$15,000 after dating app meet-up goes wrong

Police arrested five students behind multiple similar incidents in the country.

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Malaysia Airlines flight 370

Malaysia agrees ‘no find, no fee’ terms to restart flight MH370 search

Exploration company Ocean Infinity will receive US$70 million if the wreckage is successfully located.

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Crew members on a Malaysian Air Force aircraft during a search and rescue operation to find the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 plane over the Strait of Malacca on March 14, 2014. Photo: AFP
Religion

Malaysian retiree claims trial to slapping non-Muslim for not fasting in Ramadan

The 65-year-old initially pleaded guilty but contested some of facts so the judge rejected his plea.

South China Sea

Backlash brews in Malaysia over tea chain Chagee app’s South China Sea map

Irate consumers spur boycott calls after Chinese tea chain’s app prominently displayed the controversial nine-dash line.

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Semiconductors

‘We lack sufficient talent’: Malaysia’s big chip ambitions spotlight brain drain

Malaysians who have the right skill set and experience with semiconductors often choose to work abroad for better pay, analysts say.

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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) speaks to Rene Haas, CEO of Arm Holdings, at an event in Kuala Lumpur on March 5. Photo: Reuters
Malaysian politics

Smart play or ticking time bomb? Malaysia’s DAP sidelines strongman Lim Guan Eng

Lim is known for being very vocal against corruption in Malay-majority Umno, with which his party is now trying to build ties.

DAP members (from left) Gobind Singh Deo, Lim Guan Eng and Anthony Loke. Photo: Facebook/ Lim Guan Eng
Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Explainer | Why is Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal still casting a long shadow over its economy?

About 70 per cent of the US$10 billion funds pilfered from the sovereign wealth fund have been recovered, Malaysia’s MACC says.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong rolls out smoother entry policy for invited Asean professionals

Scheme allows event attendees and those who can contribute to local economy to make multiple trips to Hong Kong over three-year period.

Insurance

Manulife picks chief actuary Finch as Asia CEO to lead biggest profit centre

Steve Finch will take over as Asia CEO from May 9, replacing Phil Witherington who is heading back to Toronto to become global CEO.

Steve Finch, the incoming president and CEO of Asia at Manulife Tower in Kwun Tong on 18 March 2025. Photo: Sun Yeung
Ramadan

‘Provocation’: Malaysians angry after non-Muslim assaulted for eating during Ramadan

The victim claimed the assailant slapped him several times after he refused to show his identity card to prove he was not a Muslim.

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Screengrab from Elijah’s social-media video showing his encounter with an elderly man in a black robe. Photo: X/bingbing656
Anwar Ibrahim

Anger mounts in Malaysia over Anwar’s US$230 million ‘bailout’ of Sapura Energy

The Malaysian prime minister says the funds will be used to prevent disruptions to the oil and gas sector, but many are unconvinced.

Ramadan

Sugar highs and waistline woes: in Malaysia, a Ramadan reality check

Sugar-laden delights have become an integral part of many diets in one of Asia’s most obese nations, despite the growing health risks.

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