Malaysia

A seller prepares freshly butchered chickens at the Kampung Baru wet market in Kuala Lumpur on May 31, the day before Malaysia stopped exports to protect its domestic supplies.
Economy

'Food nationalism' worries rise after India, Malaysia export bans

Policies stoke fears of further inflation, weaponization of supplies

3 June 2022
Organizers of this year's edition of the Borneo Jazz Festival hope to broaden the event's appeal by inviting such performers as Switzerland-based DJ Estephe, pictured, and local hip-hop artists. (Courtesy of Borneo Jazz Festival) 
Arts

Borneo segues back into international music groove

Sarawak returns to the arts limelight after COVID-19 lockdowns

1 June 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob speaks with Nikkei about the election outlook. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura) 
Interview

Malaysia's Ismail Sabri resists rush to election as inflation bites

PM wants to 'wait for right time' to call polls, eyes GST to ease fiscal strain

31 May 2022
A GS25 store in downtown Ho Chi Minh. (Photo by Tomoya Onishi)
Retail

South Korea convenience stores seek fresh growth in Southeast Asia

Japanese incumbents like FamilyMart face new challenge in Vietnam and Malaysia

28 May 2022
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo addresses Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 27. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
The Future of Asia 2022

Indonesia's Jokowi urges quick rollout of China-backed trade bloc

At Nikkei forum, Hun Sen defends succession plan and denies China 'debt trap'

27 May 2022
Malaysia's Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad critiques the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in an exclusive interview with Nikkei. (Photo by Tetsuya Kitayama) 
The Future of Asia 2022

U.S. should invite China to IPEF if it is sincere, Mahathir says

Malaysia's ex-PM says exclusion of No. 2 economy politicizes Indo-Pacific pact

27 May 2022
Indonesian President Joko Widodo says that "Indonesia wants to make sure that the G-20 will serve as a catalyst for global economic recovery." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
The Future of Asia 2022

Indonesia's Jokowi aims to host successful G-20 despite Russia issue

President urges 'immediate' implementation of China-backed trade bloc

27 May 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob speaks with Nikkei in an exclusive interview on May 26. "Supplying weapons to Ukraine to continue the war will not solve anything," he said. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura) 
International relations

China shouldn't emulate Russia in South China Sea: Malaysia PM

Ismail Sabri says AUKUS alliance sets risky nuclear precedent

26 May 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework initiative is "solid proof of how important and relevant Asia is today." (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Thailand's Prayuth: Open, rules-based Asia key to post-COVID growth

Singapore's Lee warns of arms race, Malaysia PM highlights supply risks at Nikkei forum

26 May 2022
Yi Xiaozhun, China's former vice minister of commerce, warns the Ukraine war could trigger economic problems comparable to the 2008 financial crisis. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

China ex-official warns of Ukraine war's impact on Asian trade

Economic setback may be similar to 2008 financial crisis, says former WTO envoy

26 May 2022
Yun Duk-min, chair-professor at Hankook University of Foreign Studies, is expected to become South Korea's ambassador to Japan. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

South Korea to restore Japan ties 'as soon as possible,' next envoy says

On North Korea, Yun Duk-min says U.N. is 'paralyzed' due to Ukraine issue

26 May 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says Asia must revive growth by "keeping the market open and inclusive." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Thai PM Prayuth says states 'must support' multilateral trading systems

Digitalization, clean energy will be 'key drivers' for economic growth

26 May 2022
Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh says Asia "should strengthen its sense of responsibility in creating and maintaining a peaceful environment." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Vietnam Deputy PM urges world to 'put aside' disagreements

Asia needs stronger 'sense of responsibility' to maintain peace, pursue prosperity

26 May 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob says Southeast Asia is "one of the most vulnerable regions to the effects of climate change." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
26 May 2022
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 26. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Singapore PM Lee warns of nuclear 'arms race' amid Ukraine war

U.S.-China tensions risk splitting supply chains or 'worse unintended consequences'

26 May 2022
Nikkei Asia won prizes for its coverage of Asia's "tech underclass" and for its cover image on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
Announcements

Nikkei Asia wins five prizes at WAN-IFRA Asia awards

Judges recognize coronavirus pandemic coverage, photography and U.S.-China feature

23 May 2022
Singapore Airlines says it will maintain "cost discipline" in the face of inflationary pressure, particularly in regard to fuel prices.
Transportation

Singapore Airlines trims losses as Asia travel slowly rebounds

Japan and South Korea peers also look to ride elusive COVID recovery tailwind

18 May 2022
Malaysia's Petronas Chemicals is buying Swedish chemical maker Perstorp Holding. (Source photos courtesy of Petronas Chemicals and screenshot from Perstorp Group YouTube page) 
Business deals

Malaysia's Petronas in $2.4bn deal to buy Swedish chemical maker

Both companies see acquisition as opening new growth paths

17 May 2022
Foxconn of Taiwan says it plans to build a chip plant in Malaysia as it accelerates it semiconductor ambitions.
Semiconductors

Taiwan's Foxconn plans to build chip facility in Malaysia amid EV push

IPhone assembler joins with local partner to expand semiconductor ambitions

17 May 2022
Taiwan cloud-kitchen operator JustKitchen wants to be the item of choice on the menu of Southeast Asian food delivery rivals. (Photo courtesy of JustKitchen)
Interview

Taiwan's JustKitchen takes on Grab in ASEAN cloud-kitchen race

Startup eyes Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand with mobile app, food delivery

16 May 2022
Malaysia is emerging from a COVID-induced economic slump.
Economy

Malaysia economy grows 5% in Q1 2022

Recovery from COVID pandemic on track

13 May 2022
CEO Mahesh Kumar of Asia Digital Engineering sees growing aircraft maintenance opportunities in Southeast Asia. (Photo by P Prem Kumar)
Interview

Malaysia's ADE bets on Southeast Asia aircraft maintenance demand

Capital A-linked company aims to pounce in market recovering from COVID pandemic

13 May 2022
In Southeast Asia, home to some of the world's most authoritarian and straight-laced societies, heavy metal, punk and hip-hop music still functions as a loudspeaker for protest. (Nikkei montage/Source photos from Defying Decay, Terror, YouTube)
Arts

Rebel music is alive and kicking in Southeast Asia

Musicians are still making risky protests against repressive governments

13 May 2022
Malaysia's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time in nearly two years on May 11, citing the global economic recovery and improving labor market conditions at home.
Economy

Malaysian central bank raises policy rate to 2.00%

First rate hike since July 2020 surprises markets

11 May 2022
Workers handle palm oil fruit at a plantation in Malaysia.
Commodities

Malaysia palm oil output, exports up 30% by year-end, minister says

Production set to climb as return of overseas workers eases labor crunch

10 May 2022