Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia's minister of investment, trade and industry. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Semiconductors

Malaysian trade minister touts 'neutrality' to grow chip industry

Zafrul says 'earthquake-free' location also attractive for multinationals

21 April 2024
SMD Semiconductor CEO Shariman Jamil advocates for the state of Sarawak to take on a bigger role in Malaysia's semiconductor industry. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Semiconductors

Malaysia's Sarawak seeks to turn itself into a chip design hub

SMD Semiconductor CEO says the state has background and experience to succeed

15 April 2024
Vietnamese tech group FPT saw its stock hit an all-time high in mid-March, driven by a partnership with AI chipmaker Nvidia.
Technology

Nvidia-led AI boom sends tech stocks soaring in Malaysia, Vietnam

Chip production and supercomputers among fields feeling boost

12 April 2024
Oppstar's IPO was a big hit -- it was oversubscribed by 77 times -- but the frenzy also showed how far Malaysia has to go to return to its former tech glory.
Business Spotlight

Malaysian 'Silicon Valley' seeds homegrown chip startups

Former Intel engineers attempt to push Penang to higher end of value chain

12 April 2024
An employee inspects a printed circuit board at a production facility of automated test equipment designer Aemulus Holdings in Penang, Malaysia.
Opinion

Time is ripe for Malaysia to move upstream into designing chips

Penang can build on success in downstream areas of semiconductor production

11 April 2024
Port Klang is the second-busiest port in Southeast Asia, after only Singapore. (Photo by Norman Goh) 
Supply Chain

Malaysia's largest port to double capacity to chase Singapore

Supply chain diversification adds to logistics competition in Southeast Asia

10 April 2024
Indian, Chinese and Malay dishes share equal billing on the menu at mamak restaurants -- eateries run by Tamil Muslims in Malaysia. (All photos by Joseph Rachman)
Tea Leaves

How food crosses Malaysia's ethno-religious boundaries

Loved by all, 'mamak' restaurants provide comfort food and respite from politics and identity issues

10 April 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, welcomes Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto at his office in Putrajaya on April 4. (Photo courtesy of Malaysia's Prime Minister's Office)
International relations

Indonesia president-elect Prabowo meets Anwar after Xi, Kishida

Neighbors' relations continue to be close and strengthened, Malaysian PM says

4 April 2024
General view of Balikpapan in Indonesia. The proposed Trans-Borneo Railways project connects the western part of the island to the city as well as future Indonesian capital of Nusantara.
Transportation

Brunei firm pitches 1,600 km high-speed rail linking Indonesia, Malaysia

Trans-Borneo project seeks connections to Kota Kinabalu and Nusantara

1 April 2024
The problems facing global trade were on full display at the WTO Ministerial Conference that concluded in Abu Dhabi last month.
Opinion

It's up to the developed world to save global trade

West must recognize that WTO rules have to be equitable and inclusive

1 April 2024
The Jan. 24 launch ceremony for Advantech's ASEAN shared service center in Penang, Malaysia. Vincent Chang, Advantech's managing director for Asia and intercontinental regions, is on the right. (Advantech) 
Supply Chain

Taiwan's Advantech aims to turn Malaysia into Southeast Asia hub

World's largest industrial computer maker to replicate model in Mexico and Turkey

27 March 2024
Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. The Malaysian state is embracing the transition to renewable energy. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Energy

Malaysia's Sarawak targets green energy powerhouse status

InvestSarawak CEO sees renewables as 'cornerstone' of sustainability for state

25 March 2024
Malaysia Airlines benefited from a rise in passenger demand in its premium segments during 2023.
Transportation

Malaysia Airlines parent makes first profit since restructure

Higher passenger traffic and yields help earnings, but fleet shortage a challenge

21 March 2024
The ringgit's fall against the Singapore dollar creates gains for Malaysians working in Singapore.
Currencies

Malaysians working in Singapore gain spending power as ringgit slumps

Migrants eye properties, cars at home as salaries rise in local currency terms

21 March 2024
Japan's NEC is seeing stronger demand for its technology services in Malaysia's southern state of Johor. (Photo by Tsubasa Suruga)
Companies

Japan's NEC opens cybersecurity center in Malaysia's Johor state

Tech group to support Asian clients from facility in region bordering Singapore

20 March 2024
A view of Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia's central bank expects the country's economy to grow 4% to 5% this year. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Economy

Malaysia's central bank projects 4%-5% GDP growth in 2024

IT and semiconductor investments expected to boost Southeast Asian economy

20 March 2024
An artist rendering of YTL's AI Cloud data center facility, which is under construction in the Malaysian state of Johor.
Semiconductors

Malaysia's YTL launches Nvidia-powered AI Cloud supercomputing bid

Prime minister says move to 'accelerate the country's adoption of AI'

19 March 2024
Singapore's new system allows travelers to scan a QR code to clear border checkpoints without showing their passports. (Photo courtesy of Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority)
Economy

Singapore starts QR code clearance at busy crossing to Malaysia

Nikkei reporters traveling by car needed only 20 seconds at immigration counter

19 March 2024
Motorists in Kuala Lumpur line up for natural gas at a Petronas station with company's landmark Twin Towers headquarters in the background.
Energy

Malaysia's Petronas posts 21% annual profit drop on weak energy prices

State energy company recorded $17.2bn in profit and saw 8% drop in revenue

15 March 2024
A Sandakan market vendor in 2020: The town is part of the territory that was previously under the control of the sultan of Sulu. (VWPics via AP Images)
Opinion

Malaysia does not have the law on its side in $15bn Sulu dispute

Government's quandary result of failure to engage in talks or legal process

14 March 2024
The Malaysian ringgit has been buffeted by global financial and economic trends. (Source photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Market Spotlight

Malaysian ringgit's fall puts central bank, government on alert

Country 'ready' to intervene after currency hits lowest level since Asian crisis

11 March 2024
Raja Teh Maimunah, CEO of Aeon Bank (Malaysia), has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry. (Photo by Fumika Sato) 
Finance

Japanese retailer Aeon to open digital bank in Malaysia

Operation to offer greater financial access to small businesses

11 March 2024
The Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei is one of many attractions enticing foreign visitors, including from Indonesia. (Photo by Randy Mulyanto)
Travel & Leisure

Taiwan seeks more tourists from Indonesia

Regional competitors, decline in mainland visitors push more diverse approach

9 March 2024
The Malaysian ringgit has fallen to near-historic lows against the dollar.
Economy

Malaysia maintains key rate at 3.0% amid falling ringgit

Central bank says local currency 'undervalued' as economy expected to improve

7 March 2024
A man unloads fresh palm fruit in Malaysia. Demand for palm oil is expected to slow, according to experts.
Commodities

Indonesian palm oil output pressured by weak global economic growth

China, India, U.S., EU expected to buy less from major producers, experts say

7 March 2024