Malaysia

Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak arrives at the Federal Court in Putrajaya on Aug. 23.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's Najib headed to jail after losing final 1MDB appeal

Former PM complains of 'unfair judicial machinery' before 12-year sentence upheld

23 August 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob speaks with Nikkei Asia and selected media outlets at his office on Aug. 22. (Courtesy of Malaysian Prime Minister's Office)
Interview

Malaysia PM reckons economic risks may spur election this year

Ismail Sabri says waiting until 2023 could 'backfire' on government

22 August 2022
Malaysia last held a general house election in 2018.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's parties jockey for position as election talk ramps up

Members of ruling UMNO pushes for snap vote this year; ex-PM Najib's son could seek seat

20 August 2022
Singapore uses rooftop solar panels, but their generating capacity is limited.
Energy

Singapore opens taps on renewable-energy imports with Laos deal

Far-reaching strategy stretches to Australian desert, but carries risks

18 August 2022
A poster for "The Boys Club," Yihwen Chen's award-winning short documentary about the sexual harassment, bullying and misogyny she faced while making her first feature documentary for a Malaysian media organization. (Courtesy of Yihwen Chen)
Arts

Machismo plays starring role in Malaysian film world

With 'The Boys Club,' director lifts veil on sexual harassment in local moviemaking

17 August 2022
B Medical Systems, purchased by Navis in 2015, is the world’s largest vaccine cold chain provider. (Source photos from company website)
DealStreetAsia

Malaysia's Navis to exit Europe medical cold chain company

Nasdaq-listed Azenta to acquire entire stake in vaccine storage provider B Med

16 August 2022
Stripe’s expansion shows a possible route to growth for digital payment companies trying to keep up with the latest pandemic-induced economic realities. (Source photos by courtesy of Stripe)
Technology

Stripe CEO: U.S. tech companies 'underestimate' Asia's potential

Despite fintech downturn, payment giant doubles down on overseas business

15 August 2022
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak arrives at the Federal Court in Putrajaya on Aug. 15.
Politics

Najib Razak's final appeal of 1MDB case begins in Malaysian court

Former PM accused of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and power abuse

15 August 2022
Students carry a giant Indian national flag during a "Tiranga Yatra" rally as part of celebrations commemorating 75 years of Indian Independence, in Ahmedabad, India, on Aug. 8. 
Your Week in Asia

World War II anniversary, Najib's final appeal, Tencent results

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

14 August 2022
According to Malaysia's central bank, the economy expanded by as much as 16.5% in June.
Economy

Malaysia's economy expanded 8.9% in Q2 as global demand recovers

GDP bounces back after easing of COVID-related restrictions in April

12 August 2022
Japan's Nomura Co. has presented both physical and augmented-reality digital exhibits. (Photo courtesy of the company)
8 August 2022
Fitch Ratings said in a report last month that Singapore banks are poised to benefit from the rise in global interest rates as economic recovery continues across the lenders' key markets.
Finance

DBS, other ASEAN banks ride U.S. rate hikes to stronger earnings

Southeast Asia's largest banks expect higher returns from lending

5 August 2022
Mahathir Mohamad's political clout has waned since he stepped down as Malaysian prime minister in 2020.
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir launches Malay political alliance with election in sights

Counter to ruling UMNO targets 120 candidates, but skeptics question ex-PM's influence

5 August 2022
Southeast Asia's top diplomats shake hands during the opening ceremony of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Phnom Penh on Aug. 3.
International relations

ASEAN struggles to find way forward on Myanmar crisis

Malaysia proposes banning Myanmar's military appointees from bloc meetings

4 August 2022
Industronics will set up a local investment bank in Malaysia, while SDIC will provide access to funding for asset management and capital market services. (Source photos from SDIC and Industronics websites)
DealStreetAsia

Malaysia's Industronics gets $1bn funding access from China's SDIC

Southeast Asian electronics company is diversifying into financial services

3 August 2022
Perusing the shelves at a BookXcess store in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Paulius Staniunas)
Life

Malaysia's bookshop boom: a bricks-and-mortar revival

Unconventional business models, pandemic-changed reading habits fuel upsurge

3 August 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob: Lawmakers have given an anti-party hopping law bipartisan backing after years of political turmoil.
Politics

Malaysia passes party-hopping ban with election on horizon

Law aims to discourage defections by legislators, but expert sees loophole

29 July 2022
Malaysia's liquefied natural gas exports more than doubled by value in June.
Trade

Malaysia, Indonesia exports surge as energy and food prices soar

China slowdown and U.S. rate hikes loom over robust ASEAN trade

28 July 2022
TNG Digital operates Malaysia’s largest e-wallet company, Touch 'n Go. (Screenshot from Touch 'n Go Facebook page)
DealStreetAsia

Malaysia's TNG Digital secures $168m in Lazada-led funding round

Nation's largest e-wallet company is looking to expand

26 July 2022
Boats anchored at a river mouth at Tanjung Labian, one of the nearest points in Sabah, Malaysia to the Philippines: Locals have traveled across the Sulu Sea for years.
Opinion

Sulu claim shows Southeast Asia cannot yet escape colonial legacy

Governments should recognize citizens' cross-border communities

22 July 2022
Navis Capital manages around $5 billion in assets in Southeast Asia and adjacent economies. (Source photo from company website)
22 July 2022
Foodpanda CEO Jakob Angele aims to strengthen the company's engineering and business team as it faces stiffer regional competition. (Source photos by Tsubasa Suruga and Getty Images)
Technology

Foodpanda will not follow 'superapp' rivals in ASEAN: CEO

10 years on, food delivery service to focus on core business for profitability

20 July 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, pictured in May, said his government "will not compromise even an inch in protecting the country's security and sovereignty."
Politics

Malaysia PM vows to defend assets after $2bn seizure by Sulu heirs

Ismail Sabri faces challenge over $15bn award on claims linked to last sultan

19 July 2022
Women clad in traditional Japanese Yukata dance during the Japanese Bon Odori festival in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia on July 16.
International relations

Malaysians enjoy Japan Bon dance, defying Islamists' call to skip

Minister had advised Muslims to avoid the festival due to its 'religious elements'

17 July 2022
TEPCO installs solar panels on the roofs of factories in Southeast Asia through a joint venture. (Photo courtesy of Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings)
Energy

Japan solar businesses vie for Southeast Asian rooftops

TEPCO and Eneos see opportunities in region dependent on fossil fuels

17 July 2022