Economy

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, center, and other officials launch Indonesia's crude palm oil exchange on Oct. 13. The country is the world's largest producer and exporter of the commodity.
Commodities

Indonesia launches palm oil exchange to rival Malaysia benchmark

Regulator says voluntary bourse will provide 'transparent' transactions

13 October 2023
Chicken rendang with white rice served at a restaurant in Selangor: The Malaysian government has taken new initiatives to support restaurants in the face of rising rice prices.
Inflation

Malaysia lets restaurants buy imported rice at wholesale prices

Government seeks to stabilize supply of staple in move against inflation

11 October 2023
The surging rice prices were triggered by India, the world's largest rice exporter, which banned export of its crop amid increasing demand for rice as an alternative to wheat.
Economy

On topic: How do rising rice prices affect Asia?

A collection of stories to catch up on a recent hot topic

8 October 2023
The Malaysian Health Minister will table an amendment to the Tobacco Act, which is part of the Generational End Game policy, aiming to restrict tobacco products to people born after 2007.
Your Week in Asia

Malaysian tobacco ban bill, Singapore GDP, New Zealand election

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

8 October 2023
Bags of white rice in a hypermarket in Malaysia. Some customers have been shocked to find local rice sold out in shops recently. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Economy

Malaysia PM Anwar warns rice hoarders amid price surge

Government will track down offenders and take legal action, he says

3 October 2023
A port along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: Lackluster exports are dragging down Thailand's economic forecast.
Economy

Malaysia and Thailand GDP outlooks cut as China slows: JCER

Economists also warn that El Nino's swelter will impact India and Indonesia

29 September 2023
A customer considers her options as she looks at bags of imported white rice at a supermarket in Malaysia. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Economy

Malaysia grapples with rice shortage amid global price surge

Government rolls out programs to increase local production

28 September 2023
A worker unloads palm oil fruit bunches at a factory in Tanjung Karang, Malaysia. Profits at Malaysian palm oil companies have been plummeting.
Trade

Malaysia to double palm oil exports to China, dodge EU restrictions

The two Asian nations sign infrastructure investment deals worth $4.2bn

18 September 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the Unity Government Convention in Kuala Lumpur in May. Anwar now must worry about a growing conservative bent among voters. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Economy

Malaysia PM Anwar seeks economic boost as headwinds strengthen

Experts say rising conservatism could end up denting investor confidence

15 September 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim addressed parliament on Sept. 11 on optimization of rare earth resources. (Photo courtesy of Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
Trade

Malaysia plans to ban exports of rare earth minerals

Anwar wants 'maximum returns' from critical resources for high-tech sector

11 September 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, center in light blue, unveils the National Industrialization Master Plan 2030 in Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 1. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Economy

Malaysia unveils $20bn master plan to transform industry by 2030

Anwar government to foot 10% of bill to enhance supply chains and jobs

1 September 2023
A port in Butterworth, Malaysia. The country's economy slowed in the second quarter of 2023 as weaker exports weighed on its latest gross domestic product figures.
Economy

Malaysia's GDP growth slows to 2.9% in Q2 on weak exports

Southeast Asia's manufacturing hub faces 'weaker-than-expected' global economy

18 August 2023
Malaysia’s Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, center, and others pose for a photo at a launch event of the National Energy Transition Roadmap in Kuala Lumpur on July 27. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Environment

Malaysia wants to be 'regional renewable powerhouse'

Experts say 'complementary regulations' needed to accelerate energy shift

31 July 2023
Malaysia should seek to attract Japanese retirees with engineering or technical expertise as many played key roles in their country's postwar economic miracle.
Opinion

Japanese retirees can boost Malaysia's industrial advance

Build Look East 2.0 on country's 'soft' advantages over Southeast Asian rivals

19 July 2023
A woman leaves the trading floor of RHB Bank in Kuala Lumpur on July 4. Investors pushed Malaysian stocks 7% lower in the first half of this year. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Markets

Malaysian stocks under pressure after 7% first-half decline

Rising interest rates, weak currency, state elections cast shadows

5 July 2023
Container terminals in Singapore. The city-state's economy is highly sensitive to external economic conditions. 
Economy

Singapore, Indonesia outlook downgraded on weak China: JCER

Political instability emerges as top concern in Thailand post-election

2 July 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim gives the keynote address as party president during the People's Justice Party national congress in March 2023. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Politics

Malaysia PM Anwar faces first test in state elections

Ruling camp fights for votes as opposition plays up ethnic, religious identity

26 June 2023
Weakness in the Malaysian ringgit has become a headache for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his government. (Source photos by Reuters)
Currencies

Malaysian ringgit wobbles in face of political uncertainty, China woes

Currency struggles for traction amid expected state elections, falling exports

23 June 2023
Scorching conditions from the El Nino weather pattern are expected to crimp production at palm oil plantations like this one in Indonesia's East Kalimantan province. 
Economy

From Indonesia to Vietnam, El Nino fans fears of fires and drought

Returning climate pattern set to hit key crops as well as industrial sector

23 June 2023
Kuala Lumpur's skyline. Malaysia is keen to attract digital tech talent from overseas.
Work

Malaysia revamps visa process to draw skilled workers

Processing time for core sector professionals shortened to five days

16 June 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo greets Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya, Malaysia on June 8. (Photo courtesy of Malaysia Prime Minister's Office)
International relations

Malaysia, Indonesia to fight EU palm oil 'discrimination'

Jokowi says collaboration should be 'strengthened' to protect commodities

8 June 2023
Indonesians and Malaysians are being brought closer together by an ASEAN initiative that makes cross-border payments easier and cheaper. (Source photos by Getty Images and logo from ASEAN BAC INDONESIA's website)
Finance

Indonesia-Malaysia QR code payments get started under ASEAN system

Cross border scheme could cut transaction costs by 30%, offer exchange rate buffer

6 June 2023
Muslims shop for food to break their fast at a bazaar during Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur on April 15.
Economy

Malaysia GDP up 5.6% in Q1, topping forecasts as inflation settles

Domestic demand powering growth amid global headwinds, central bank says

12 May 2023
Leaders of ASEAN countries pose for photos during the opening of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia on May 10.
Economy

ASEAN's patchy economic growth suggests long road to recovery

At regional summit, leaders discuss how to push bloc past COVID pains

10 May 2023
A robotic assembly line for Proton cars in Tanjung Malim, Malaysia in 2019: The government needs to put more focus on targeting high value-added manufacturing.
Opinion

Malaysia needs to get smarter about foreign investment

Government should pursue high-end projects to boost upgrading of economy

26 April 2023