Economy

The new administration led by Mahathir Mohamad has also vowed to rein in debt and liabilities by scrapping costly capital projects.
Nikkei Markets

World Bank urges Malaysia to hasten fiscal reforms

Asks new government to broaden revenue base, rationalize spending

2 July 2018
Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad chose to shift some of the authority from his office to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysian reforms give economy ministry new powers

Some prime ministerial authority transferred to parliament for better balance

2 July 2018
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2 July 2018
Mahathir Mohamad led the opposition coalition to a shock election victory last month on the back of several populist pledges.
Nikkei Markets

S&P keeps Malaysia's rating at A-, Outlook stable

Economic growth, fiscal performance of new government to guide rating revision

29 June 2018
Newly appointed governor of Bank Negara Malaysia Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus, arrives for a news conference at the Finance Ministry in Putrajaya, Malaysia on June 22.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia names a former deputy governor to head central bank

Nor Shamsiah had probed 1MDB money trail when she left Bank Negara Malaysia in 2016

22 June 2018
Analysts expect 2018’s fuel-related inflation in Malaysia to moderate amid higher base effects, re-subsidization of domestic fuel price and high likelihood of a downward adjustment of global commodity prices.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's May inflation rises on costlier fuel, lags view

Analysts expect inflation to moderate in months ahead on zero GST rate

20 June 2018
People view a Proton model at a showroom in Kuala Lumpur. Prime Minister Mahathir once had a plan to boost Malaysia’s manufacturing sector, symbolized by national automaker Proton.
12 June 2018
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks about his diplomatic strategy and domestic reforms to the Nikkei Asian Review in Tokyo on June 11. (Photo by Keiichiro Sato)
Malaysia in transition

In his own words: Mahathir Mohamad speaks to the Nikkei Asian Review

Malaysia's leader discusses China deal, TPP, North Korea and succession plan

11 June 2018
China "is a big country and we have to deal with them whether we like it or not," Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said at a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Monday. (Photo by Yukako Ono)
11 June 2018
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks about his vision for Malaysia's auto industry to the Nikkei Asian Review in Tokyo on June 11. (Photo by Keiichiro Sato)
The Future of Asia 2018

Malaysia weighs new national carmaker with global reach

Mahathir also says reopening North Korean embassy is a possibility

11 June 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks with the Nikkei Asian Review in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on June 8. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir vows in interview to review TPP and China deals

Government-linked funds and companies also to be scrutinized

8 June 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is set to revisit infrastructure deals signed by the previous government with Beijing. (Getty Images)
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir builds new order and fresh boundaries a month after victory

Malaysia's relationship with China comes into focus as leader tackles corruption

8 June 2018
A U.S. worker strips insulation from copper wire in Kansas City.
Economy

China's curbs on imported waste sow turmoil in the market

Beijing's ban on used paper is seen as a poke at the US as trade tensions fester

8 June 2018
In Thursday's announcement, the government fixed RON95-grade gasoline price at 2.20 ringgit a liter and diesel price at 2.18 ringgit per liter.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia brings back fuel subsidy to cushion consumers

Analysts said additional expenditure won't threaten missing budget gap aim

7 June 2018
Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng will negotiate with Beijing over infrastructure projects deemed to have unfavorable terms for Malaysia. 
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia to send envoy to China to renegotiate contracts

Kuala Lumpur deemed project terms unfavorable and may seek to cancel some

6 June 2018
The announcement of Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Muhammad Ibrahim's resignation is expected on Wednesday.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysian central bank governor resigns

Muhammad Ibrahim under pressure after allegations of 1MDB related transactions

6 June 2018
Malaysia’s exports will likely remain robust in the months ahead thanks to resilient global economy but flagged risks from protracted policy uncertainty due to the change in government that could weigh on private investments.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's April exports rise 14% on year

Strong electronics shipments, robust China demand power growth

5 June 2018
(© Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images)
Asia Insight

China emerges as wild card in elections across Asia

Incumbents draw on Beijing's support as opponents tap resentment of its influence

5 June 2018
Daim Zainuddin, Malaysia's former finance minister, is reviewing big-ticket contracts as head of the Council of Eminent Persons. 
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia warns foreign contractors as Chinese deals draw scrutiny

Mahathir adviser welcomes foreign investment but hits out at inflated bids

4 June 2018
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4 June 2018
Najib Razak, Malaysia's prime minister at the time, and other Malaysian and Chinese officials attend the groundbreaking for the East Coast Rail Link in August 2017.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia spares $14bn China-led rail project from budget ax

Mahathir's finance minister says big chunk of money already paid by Najib government

1 June 2018
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, second from left, studies a model of the East Coast Rail Link at Kuantan Bahang, Malaysia in August 2017.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia rethinks projects linked to railway, Chinese cash and 1MDB

Scrapped high-speed train suggests looming changes for costly infrastructure plans

1 June 2018
Robert Kuok Hock Nien, an ethnic Chinese-Malaysian tycoon, has built a multinational business empire, including his hospitality arm, Shangri-La Hotels. (Photos from Getty Images and Reuters)
Asian Family Conglomerates

Mahathir's 94-year-old top adviser rekindles China connections

Robert Kuok, Malaysian 'sugar king,' takes on new role seen as rebooting empire

1 June 2018
A view of Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia's newly installed government will establish a trust fund to let the public contribute to easing the country's huge national debt.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia to review and renegotiate projects to slash debt

Aggressive measures aimed to achieve 2.8% deficit-to-GDP target

31 May 2018
Wednesday, Bank Indonesia raised interest rates again, the second time in two weeks, in an off-cycle meeting.
Nikkei Markets

Risks expand for debt-heavy Southeast Asian markets

Domestic currencies weaken as capital flows out

31 May 2018