Malaysia

Ninja Van's network spans Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of Ninja Van) 
Business deals

Alibaba backs Singapore's Ninja Van in $578 million fundraising

Logistics startup to invest in Southeast Asia infrastructure, technology systems

27 September 2021
A construction site in Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 27: The government has unveiled a $95.5 billion plan to accelerate growth and achieve developed country status.
Economy

Malaysia development plan moves up high-income nation goal to 2025

New government looks beyond COVID, targets 4.5-5.5% average GDP growth

27 September 2021
The ADB confirms Myanmar's industrial output and employment have fallen since an inconclusive military takeover in February.
Economy

ASEAN's delta battle mows nearly 1% off ADB growth forecast

Myanmar in line to contract 18.4% in 2021 as military rule and COVID take toll

22 September 2021
People outside a shopping mall in Jakarta in August. The Indonesian government that month entered into a debt-financing scheme with the central bank to keep the economy afloat.
Economy

ASEAN finances eroded by pandemic, stoking risk of currency slump

Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia resort to drastic measures to fund COVID relief

22 September 2021
A U.S. nuclear-powered submarine: A pact that will hand Australia the technology for such vessels has raised concerns in Southeast Asia.
Indo-Pacific

Australia seeks to calm ASEAN nerves over AUKUS, nuclear weapons

Ambassador vows pact won't affect bloc's 'centrality' in regional architecture

21 September 2021
Some Southeast Asian countries have set ambitious targets for EV adoption, but they still have a ways to go to convince consumers.
Asia Insight

Slow charge: ASEAN aims to bring lofty EV goals within range

Uneven policies leave drivers wary as COP26 turns spotlight on green transport

21 September 2021
Red flags flutter outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. China officially applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership last Thursday.
Trade

Malaysia welcomes China's bid to join CPTPP

Singapore also backs entry while Japan, Australia and Mexico remain cool

21 September 2021
A seaside restaurant prepares to reopen to domestic tourists in Langkawi, Malaysia, on Sept. 16.
Coronavirus

Malaysia's island paradise reopening stirs hope for tourism revival

Langkawi hotels cheer return of domestic visitors but COVID fears linger

19 September 2021
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is attempting to put a stop to perpetual political upheaval.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's PM seals political cease-fire to focus on COVID battle

Ismail Sabri says deal with Anwar and others will pave way for stabilizing reforms

13 September 2021
A Toyota plant in Japan's Aichi Prefecture. The automaker has announced a 3% cut in production for this fiscal year.
Automobiles

Japan automakers slash production plans by over 1 million units

Resurgent pandemic in Southeast Asia wreaks havoc on chip supplies

12 September 2021
Top Glove has regained access to the U.S. market for its latex medical gloves.
Companies

Malaysia's Top Glove free to export to US after ban lifted

Shares get boost after company takes steps to address forced labor findings

10 September 2021
Petronas of Malaysia and Japan's Eneos have both set carbon neutrality goals. (Source photos by Reuters) 
Energy

Malaysia's Petronas announces hydrogen project with Japan's Eneos

Plan comes amid global push for more environmentally friendly energy sources

10 September 2021
City skyline in Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's system of heavy state intervention coupled with its adherence to the Malay privilege has created distorted markets primed to serve the needs of a small Malay elite.
Opinion

Not yet a failed state, Malaysia is decaying rapidly

Affirmative action policies have entrenched a crony capitalist system

10 September 2021
King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah's role in supporting Malaysia's evolving democracy has moved beyond the purely ceremonial since his early accession in 2019. 
Comment

Malaysia politics reflects growing influence of King Abdullah

Observers ask if the monarchy's reemergence can foster true democracy

7 September 2021
Malaysia's new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob speaks during a National Day address at his office in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Aug. 30. (Prime Minister's Office via AP)
Politics

Malaysia's Ismail Sabri faces battle to curb COVID and spur growth

New prime minister tasked with rebuilding public trust in government

6 September 2021
Vietnam's Insmart provides services to patients as well as to insurers as an intermediary. (Photo courtesy of Sumitomo Corp.)
Health Care

Vietnam draws health care investment from Japan's Sumitomo

Trading houses make inroads into Southeast Asia's mostly private medical sector

5 September 2021
AirAsia is stepping up investment in digital operations to diversify from its core budget airline business. (Photo by Yumi Kotani) 
Transportation

Debt-ridden AirAsia's super app ambitions fly into murky skies

Shaky finances shackle investment in food delivery and ride-hailing service

2 September 2021
People walk through Singapore's Orchard Road shopping district. (Sipa via AP Images)
Coronavirus

ASEAN economies embrace proof of vaccine to contain delta risk

Singapore leads way with proof of COVID-19 jabs for restaurant dining and gym workouts

31 August 2021
Indonesian police in December 2020 escort suspected militant Zulkarnaen, who is alleged to have been involved in the making of bombs used in a series of attacks, including the 2002 Bali bombings.
Terrorism

Southeast Asia on alert for al-Qaida and ISIS links after Kabul attack

Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia face risk of emboldened extremist groups at home

31 August 2021
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, seen during his inauguration on Aug. 21, says his new cabinet will work to rebuild public confidence in the government.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia PM's new cabinet excludes scandal-tainted UMNO colleagues

Ismail Sabri vows 'results-oriented' team that looks much like his predecessor's

27 August 2021
The Singapore Exchange cut the required market cap for SPACs by half after consultation revealed that stakeholders found the previous level prohibitively high.
Companies

SGX joins Hong Kong exchange in moving to tighten climate rules

Sustainability reporting to be made stricter as bourses prod listed companies

26 August 2021
Razer Pay will be shut down at the end of September as e-wallet competition heats up in Southeast Asia.
Startups

Singapore's Razer gives up costly ASEAN e-wallet battle

More consolidation expected as big players invest heavily in user acquisition

26 August 2021
Ismail Sabri Yaakob sits at his desk on his first day of work as prime minister, in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Aug. 23.
The Nikkei View

Malaysia must quickly stabilize its political situation

Once pandemic is under control, government should determine people's will through election

25 August 2021
Western tourists cut conspicuous figures while strolling through a village on Mabul Island in the east Malaysian state of Sabah. (Photo by Kit Yeng Chan)
Tea Leaves

Developing Asia can do without Western 'influencers'

Tough line needed on ill-informed social media and antisocial tourists

25 August 2021
AirAsia is increasingly betting on growth opportunities outside its core airline business. 
Transportation

AirAsia's Fernandes says company seeks more non-air acquisitions

COVID-hit budget carrier increasingly pins hopes on 'superapp' to diversify

24 August 2021