These cars, trucks and motorbikes are bottlenecked on a Jakarta street. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Southeast Asia taps AI and satellites to tackle traffic jams

Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur turn to technology to ease congestion

31 May 2018
The Petronas Towers stand in Kuala Lumpur. The oil industry must maintain discipline on costs despite rising crude prices, CEO Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin says.
Companies

Petronas to stay 'disciplined' on costs despite 39% Q1 profit gain

Malaysian oil group benefits from rising crude prices

30 May 2018
Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, right, meets with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Putrajaya, Malaysia on May 19.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia to drop high-speed rail link to Singapore

Mahathir seeks to reduce pull-out penalty of up to $125 million

28 May 2018
Chinese and Malaysian national flags on a lamppost
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir seeks 'pragmatic cooperation' with China

Malaysia's new foreign policy will not be as pro-Beijing as Najib's

28 May 2018
Current and former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad back in 1998: Malaysians expect Mahathir to return the country to the high economic growth it enjoyed in the past.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysians look to Mahathir to bring back the good old days

Nostalgia played a role in the country's first-ever change of government

27 May 2018
Stream article image
International relations

Protectionism left out of APEC trade ministers' statement

Members call for 'removal of market-distorting subsidies'

26 May 2018
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gestures as he leaves the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Office in Putrajaya, Malaysia on May 24.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia says state reserves used to pay 1MDB debt

Central bank and Khazanah funds exploited, Finance Minister points out

24 May 2018
Kuala Lumpur's benchmark stock index has fallen as much as 3.7% since the day before the election.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's hidden debt and 'insolvent' state fund raise alarm

Investors flee as US rate hikes compound Mahathir's fiscal challenges

24 May 2018
Japan's Oji Holdings is expanding cardboard box factories in Malaysia in response to the region's growing shipping demand.
Companies

Papermakers look to ride Asian shipping boom

Japan's Oji and China's Nine Dragons invest in new capacity

24 May 2018
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is under investigation, accused of misappropriating money from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad state fund.
Most read in 2018

Malaysia reveals national debt far higher than figure under Najib

Total above $250bn raises speculation that records were altered

24 May 2018
Malaysia's CPI rose 1.4% in April from a year earlier at a slower-than-expected pace.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia April inflation rises at slower-than-expected rate

Analysts expect inflation to edge higher gradually, still stay benign in 2018

23 May 2018
After the first cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, second right, said his government would focus on cutting national debt that is now higher than Malaysia's own threshold. (Minister of Economic Affairs Office via AP)
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir focuses on cutting debt, reconsiders infrastructure plans

Government says debt-to-GDP ratio is 65%, higher than previously claimed

23 May 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad chose five people experienced in business or economics to support his new cabinet.
Malaysia in transition

Meet the 5 brains behind Malaysia's Mahathir-nomics

Council of elders includes Hong Kong-based tycoon Robert Kuok

23 May 2018
Stream article image
Asia Insight

Asia's war on 'fake news' raises real fears for free speech

Governments walk fine line between fighting rumors and stifling dissent

22 May 2018
The scandal at 1MDB, a Malaysia state fund, is a key reason for the downfall of former Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir reins in Najib with 1MDB special investigation team

Experts ousted by ex-PM will lead the team to look into state fund scandal

21 May 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad decided not to take the education ministry, to avoid double portfolios. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's core cabinet to be sworn in Monday

Mahathir names ministers, sets up new ministry for domestic economy

18 May 2018
Malaysia has benefited from rising demand for electronics and electrical items that account for more than a third of monthly shipments.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysian economy slows even as uncertainties build

New government scraps GST, raising concerns about policies

17 May 2018
A Malaysian flag can be seen in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia to stop collecting goods and services tax on June 1

Mahathir had promised to abolish the levy before electoral victory

16 May 2018
Malaysia's adviser Zeti Akhtar Aziz says the country has the potential to raise its credit worthiness if it improves the fiscal health.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia adviser Zeti aims spending cuts to manage finances

Former central bank governor hopes for ratings upgrade on improved fiscal health

15 May 2018
Malaysia's new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has promised to abolish the country's goods and services tax, but it is unclear how his government plans to make up for the shortfall in revenue.
Malaysia in transition

Investors cautious over Mahathir transition period

New Malaysian government strives to ensure stability

15 May 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks at a news conference with new cabinet members in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on May 12. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir names key ministers; provincial leader to head finance

PM sets up 'Group of Eminent Persons' to support inexperienced lawmakers

12 May 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad addresses reporters on Friday.
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir to name a small 'core cabinet' on Saturday

The one-time jailer of Anwar Ibrahim now working for his pardon

11 May 2018