The logo of a Petronas fuel station is seen with the Petronas Twin Towers in the background in Kuala Lumpur.
Energy

Malaysia's Petronas logs 19% profit fall on lower gas prices

State energy group says geopolitical and macroeconomic factors affect outlook

5 September 2024
Malaysia's central bank says its monetary policy stance continues to support the nation's economy
Finance

Malaysian central bank keeps key rate steady amid modest inflation

Bank expects 2024 economic growth at upper end of its 4% to 5% projection

5 September 2024
IHH Healthcare's flagship Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore. (IHH Healthcare)
Business deals

IHH Healthcare to acquire Malaysia's Island Hospital for $900m

CEO Prem Kumar Nair's first planned acquisition offers gains in medical tourism

4 September 2024
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks during an interview with Nikkei Asia in Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 3. (Photo by Fumika Sato)
Interview

New Zealand aims to double exports to ASEAN, Indo-Pacific

PM Luxon says trade agenda to focus on green economy and renewables

4 September 2024
Kyosuke Nagata, president of the University of Tsukuba (back row, far left), and new students (front row) attend the opening ceremony and entrance ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 2. (Photo by Fumika Sato)
Education

Japan's Tsukuba Univ. opens 1st overseas campus in Malaysia

First Japanese university to establish degree-granting foreign branch welcomes 13 students

2 September 2024
A barista prepares a drink at Tim Hortons' new cafe at Sunway Velocity Mall in Kuala Lumpur. The Canadian coffee chain opened its first two outlets in Malaysia this month, tapping into strong local demand. (Photo by Hakimie Amrie)
Food & Beverage

Tim Hortons' arrival highlights Malaysia's coffee boom

Consumption and number of outlets has surged in recent years

31 August 2024
EVs and hybrids are driving robust auto sales in Malaysia. One dealer said demand for hybrids has been "exceptionally high" this year. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Automobiles

Malaysian auto sales close in on ASEAN leader Indonesia

Gap between region's top two markets narrowed to 8,000 units in Q2

30 August 2024
Container ships at Laem Chabang port in Thailand: The country's exports jumped in July, helped by lower inflation and improved consumer purchasing power. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) 
Trade

Thailand, Malaysia see strong export rebound on tech upcycle

Trade-oriented ASEAN countries logged double-digit growth in July

30 August 2024
Thailand's new prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has yet to make notable mention of the planned land bridge project.
Transportation

Thailand's 'land bridge' ambitions face fresh roadblocks

Environmental and political concerns cloud plan to build new trade artery

28 August 2024
Big tech companies like Meta and Google have raised concerns over Malaysia's social media licensing plan. 
Technology

Malaysia's social media licensing plan draws criticism from Big Tech

Industry group calls for pause, says new rules disrupt nation's digital economy

27 August 2024
Malaysian opposition leader and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin gestures as he arrives at the Gua Musang Sessions Court in Gua Musang, Malaysia, on Aug. 27.
Politics

Former Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin charged with sedition

Opposition head allegedly criticized country's ex-king during election campaign

27 August 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at a rally held on Aug. 4 in Kuala Lumpur.
Middle East crisis

Malaysia steps up pro-Palestinian stance, straining ties with U.S.

PM Anwar redoubles criticism of Israel after killing of Hamas leader in Iran

27 August 2024
With Malaysian equities leading the way, the rally in Southeast Asian stocks has been underpinned by expectations of a September rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Markets

Investors turn to ASEAN markets as inflation's grip loosens

Weakening dollar provides tailwind to region's high-growth economies

26 August 2024
The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency over mpox but stressed that the disease is "not the new COVID."
Society

Asia on alert over mpox as cases detected in Thailand, Philippines

Indonesia and Malaysia tighten surveillance at international entry points

22 August 2024
Malaysian automaker Proton launched the redesigned X70 SUV on Aug. 15. (Proton)
Automobiles

Malaysia's Proton deepens ties with China's Geely ahead of EV debut

Long-struggling automaker aims for growth under Chinese shareholder

22 August 2024
A Batik Air Airbus A320 prepares for takeoff from Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport: The Lion Air Group unit is seeking to position its flights from the airfield as a premium service. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
The Big Story

Southeast Asia's old air hubs are revving back to life

Region's airlines seek business travelers willing to pay more for convenience

21 August 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremonial reception inside India's Presidential Palace Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Aug. 20. (Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
International relations

India and Malaysia to upgrade ties after talks on trade, defense

Leaders Modi and Anwar elevate relations to comprehensive strategic partnership

20 August 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Source photos by Reuters)
International relations

Malaysia's Anwar focuses on BRICS and trade in first India trip

Strong semiconductor partnership possible between the two countries, analysts say

19 August 2024
Kenneth Pereira, the founder and managing director of Malaysia's Hibiscus Petroleum, poses for a photo during an interview with Nikkei Asia in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Hakimie Amrie)
Energy

Malaysia's Hibiscus keen on acquisitions as Big Oil divests in Asia

Founder says company aims to be 'regional consolidator' of established assets

18 August 2024
Canadian cafe chain Tim Hortons has seven shops in Singapore among its roughly 5,700 locations worldwide. (Photo by Hakimie Amrie)
Food & Beverage

Marubeni serves Tim Hortons coffee in Malaysia with local flavors

Canadian chain expands in Southeast Asia after Singapore entry

17 August 2024
Malaysian shoppers, like this woman at a wet market in Kuala Lumpur, consumed at a robust pace to help Malaysia's economy expand in the second quarter of 2024.
Economy

Malaysia GDP growth accelerates to 5.9% in Q2

Robust consumption leads to strongest expansion in six quarters

16 August 2024
The dollar is coming down from a prolonged period of strength, boosting Asian currencies. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Ringgit, baht gain against dollar on speculation of U.S. rate cut

Asian central banks seen weighing own moves as inflationary pressures ease

13 August 2024
Foreign ministers of Southeast Asian countries pose for a photo in Vientiane on July 25. ASEAN now faces significant centrifugal forces amid the reshaping of global orders. 
Comment

OECD or BRICS? Key members' differences might weaken ASEAN unity

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand all pursue different 'diversification' strategies

12 August 2024
Infineon CEO Jochen Hanebeck at the company's chip plant in Kulim, Malaysia. (Photo by Cheng Ting-Fang)
Semiconductors

Infineon CEO says Asia 'critical' for chip production, R&D plans

Economies of scale still matter even as countries rush to onshore supply chains

9 August 2024
 European chipmaker Infineon is expanding its footprint in Malaysia amid expectations of strong demand for power semiconductors. (Photo by Cheng Ting-Fang)
Semiconductors

Infineon opens largest power semiconductor plant in Malaysia

Southeast Asian nation receives record chip, data center investments

8 August 2024