Malaysia

The eruption of Mount Semeru in the east of Java island killed at least 51 and displaced over 9,000 after it began on Dec. 4.
Natural disasters

Disaster mitigation under scrutiny in ASEAN hot spots

Volcanoes, typhoons decimate lives as climate change increases threats

27 December 2021
A man and his child stand in flood water in Shah Alam, Selangor state after exceptionally heavy rains caused flash flooding over the weekend.
Natural disasters

Panasonic, Daihatsu halt Malaysian plants after flash floods

Production at Panasonic plant will cease for a week, Daihatsu uncertain

22 December 2021
Xi Jinping on screen at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, pictured on Nov. 12: the future price China's 1.4 billion people will pay for Xi's myth-building campaign rose exponentially in 2021.
Opinion

Asia's 2021 bull market in emperor-has-no-clothes moments

Xi Jinping happier than most to see this year stagger to a close

22 December 2021
Volunteers rescue stranded flood victims in Shah Alam, in Malaysia's state of Selangor, on Dec. 19.
Natural disasters

As flood water rises, Malaysian leader faces storm of criticism

Ismail Sabri blasted for 'delayed' action after 3 die and 40,000 are displaced

20 December 2021
A file photo of a port in Bangkok. Thailand detected its first omicron case in December but it has not suspended its border reopening policy for tourists, prompting economists to revise upward the kingdom's economic growth forecast.
Economy

Philippines, Thailand poised for faster growth in 2022: survey

Economists upgrade ASEAN GDP forecast but lockdowns weigh on Malaysia

20 December 2021
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad remains an active figure in politics at age 96. (Photo by Wong Ying Xian)
17 December 2021
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger says a capacity expansion in Malaysia is part of the company's strategy to help overcome a global chip shortage. (Nikkei montage/Reuters/AP)
Supply Chain

Intel CEO warns chip shortage to last until 2023 as demand soars

Company announces $7bn Malaysia expansion in push to boost output

16 December 2021
Grab's delivery segment grew more than 60% on the year last quarter, far outpacing its ride-hailing business.
Business deals

Grab expands reach into retail with purchase of Malaysian supermarket

Deal for Jaya Grocer puts focus on thriving delivery business after rocky Nasdaq debut

16 December 2021
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, is hosted by Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah on Dec. 15. (Photo courtesy of Malaysia's Foreign Ministry)
International relations

U.S. weighing more action on Myanmar, 'genocide' label: Blinken

In Malaysia, top diplomat lays groundwork for special Biden summit with ASEAN

15 December 2021
India’s used-vehicle marketplace CARS24 is establishing its Southeast Asian foothold in Thailand and Indonesia. (Photo courtesy of CARS24) 
Startups

India used-car unicorn takes on ASEAN's Carro and Carsome

SoftBank-backed CARS24 eyes Thailand and Indonesia as 3-way battle heats up

14 December 2021
A vendor preparing to open his stall ahead of a day of business at a wet market in downtown Kuala Lumpur. 
Economy

ADB slashes Malaysia and Vietnam annual growth forecasts

Bank trims emerging Asia's 2022 projections on omicron's emergence

14 December 2021
Intel is among global manufacturers trying to meet surging demand for semiconductors. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Supply Chain

Malaysia says Intel to invest $7.1bn in local chip facility

Semiconductor manufacturers increasing output amid global supply chain woes

13 December 2021
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta on Dec. 13.
International relations

Blinken kicks off ASEAN tour with China and Myanmar in focus

U.S. secretary of state visits Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand through Thursday

13 December 2021
Southeast Asian central banks are forecasting subdued inflation. (Source photos by AP and Akira Kodaka)
Economy

Subdued inflation in ASEAN countries augurs central bank inaction

Indonesia and Thailand experience weak price rises amid slow recovery from COVID

9 December 2021
Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak during an earlier court appearance: The judge presiding over his appeal called his actions "a national embarrassment."
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's Najib loses appeal of 1MDB-linked convictions

Facing 12 years behind bars, former PM set to take case to apex court

8 December 2021
Pandemic lockdowns, energy restrictions and chip shortages across Asia have led to an ongoing supply chain crisis, causing delivery delays for many electronic gifts this festive season.
The Big Story

Apple's nightmare before Christmas: Supply chain crisis delays gift deliveries

Two years of lockdowns, chip shortages, and energy cuts have finally caught up with the iPhone maker

8 December 2021
Secretary of State Antony Blinken makes his first tour of Southeast Asia next week since becoming the top U.S. diplomat.
International relations

Blinken visits Indonesia, Malaysia next week in maiden ASEAN tour

U.S. secretary of state to discuss China and Myanmar during visits

8 December 2021
Travelers from Singapore arrive in Kuala Lumpur under the new vaccinated travel lane on Nov. 29. This lane remains open, but Malaysia is pausing plans for other similar arrangements.
Coronavirus

Malaysia tightens border as omicron stalls shift to 'endemic COVID'

Travelers from eight African countries barred, with list to be updated daily

1 December 2021
A bus operator speaks to a passenger at a station in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Nov. 29, as the country's land border with Singapore reopens under a vaccinated travel lane program. 
Coronavirus

Singapore-Malaysia land, air lanes open amid omicron COVID fears

City-state orders tests on arrival; PM Lee says variant may require 'steps back'

29 November 2021
Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, will tour the region through December 4, a U.S. State Department statement said.
Indo-Pacific

Top U.S. diplomat for Asia to visit four ASEAN countries

Daniel Kritenbrink to stress support for 'rules-based order in Indo-Pacific'

27 November 2021
Universal Robina now owns Munchy’s, a leading snack brand in Malaysia. (Source photos from Universal Robina and Munchy's websites)
Business deals

Universal Robina buys Malaysia biscuit brand for $453m

Deal by Philippine food company follows exit from New Zealand and Australia

26 November 2021
The George Town Festival returns for its 12th edition this year on the Malaysian island of Penang. (Courtesy of George Town Festival)
Arts

Malaysian art festivals spring back to life

Live performances return for the first time since pandemic lockdowns

26 November 2021
Various party flags in downtown Melaka, pictured on Nov. 20: Barisan's victory in the state government elections is not necessarily a vote against political reform.
Opinion

Malaysian voters still determined to uproot corruption

Youth and emerging leaders need to help reset country's moral compass

25 November 2021
AirAsia has launched a parcel delivery service called AirAsia Express, with Teleport as the last-mile delivery partner.
Companies

AirAsia debuts parcel delivery in Malaysia with Thailand to follow

Budget carrier pursues super app strategy as COVID hits main business

23 November 2021
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, poses with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Rome on Oct. 30.
Comment

AUKUS raises questions about Australia as an 'Asian' nation

Canberra's narrative about regional role leaves ASEAN members wary

22 November 2021