Malaysia

YouTrip is seeking to expand its footprint in Southeast Asia following a fresh $50 million in funding from investors. (Photo by Tsubasa Suruga)
Startups

Singapore's multicurrency wallet YouTrip to enter Malaysia, CEO says

Startup secures $50m in funding to tap regional travel and business demand

26 October 2023
Malaysia's trade minister, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, says the Southeast Asian nation is pushing to expand its market access and build a resilient supply chain for manufacturing sectors.
Supply Chain

Malaysia plans to accelerate its EV and chip sectors as supply chains shift

Officials and business leaders call for resilient trade during Kuala Lumpur forum

25 October 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The country in September said it would ban exports of rare earths, but the policy now appears to be changing to allow the export of minerals that have been processed in Malaysia. (Pool via Reuters)
Trade

Malaysia to allow exports of processed rare earths: minister

Shipments of raw materials will still be banned as country aims to grow industry

24 October 2023
AirAsia plans to consolidate some of its carriers as part of a restructuring plan. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Transportation

AirAsia owner Capital A pivots from competition to collaboration

Tie-ups with Garuda, Chinese cargo carrier show Tony Fernandes changing course

23 October 2023
MYAirline's board of directors announced an abrupt suspension of services on Oct. 12 due to "significant financial pressure."
Transportation

MYAirline founder arrested amid money-laundering probe

Wife and son also detained after Malaysian budget carrier suspended service

19 October 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has big ambitions for his country's startups.
DealStreetAsia

Malaysia seeks to put state-run VCs under sovereign wealth fund

Goal is to make country a top global startup ecosystem, Anwar Ibrahim says

16 October 2023
Currencies in Southeast Asia have trended lower against the dollar in recent months due to tepid regional economic growth and interest rate gaps with the U.S. (Source photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Market Spotlight

Malaysian, Thai economies suffer as currencies slide vs. dollar

ASEAN depreciations bring higher import costs and increase inflation risks

16 October 2023
GDS Holdings last month began operating in Malaysia its first data center outside its home country China. (Photo courtesy of GDS)
Technology

Malaysia courts new data centers in bid to be next Southeast Asia hub

Cheap prices, tax breaks aid push to replicate neighboring Singapore's success

14 October 2023
Malaysia Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim holds up the 2024 budget document as he departs for parliament on Oct. 13. (Courtesy of Malaysia's Department of Information via Reuters) 
Economy

Malaysia to raise taxes and trim subsidies, with eye on 5% growth

Government sets record $83.4 billion budget for 2024

13 October 2023
Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, center, and other officials launch Indonesia's crude palm oil exchange on Oct. 13. The country is the world's largest producer and exporter of the commodity.
Commodities

Indonesia launches palm oil exchange to rival Malaysia benchmark

Regulator says voluntary bourse will provide 'transparent' transactions

13 October 2023
Goldman Sachs and Malaysia's government are locked in a legal wrangle over a financial settlement related to the massive 1MDB sovereign wealth fund scandal. (NIKKEI montage/Source photos by AP and Getty)
Crime

Malaysia's 1MDB task force calls Goldman arbitration move 'premature'

Government, investment bank at odds over promised $500m repayment

12 October 2023
Malaysia's MYAirline has suspended operations amid financial problems and executive resignations. (Photo courtesy of MYAirline)
Transportation

Malaysia's MYAirline suspends service over financial issues

Announcement comes after CEO and managers step down

12 October 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, left, holds a news conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 11. (Photo courtesy of Malaysian prime minister's office)
Automobiles

Malaysian automaker Proton eyes EV plant in Thailand

Thai PM Srettha announces plans during visit to Malaysia

12 October 2023
Chicken rendang with white rice served at a restaurant in Selangor: The Malaysian government has taken new initiatives to support restaurants in the face of rising rice prices.
Inflation

Malaysia lets restaurants buy imported rice at wholesale prices

Government seeks to stabilize supply of staple in move against inflation

11 October 2023
Razarudin Husain, Malaysia's inspector general of police, held a press conference at the Royal Malaysian Police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 10 to reveal the latest developments in the 1MDB financial scandal. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Crime

Malaysia vows to keep pursuing 1MDB case with aid of a key figure

Ex-Goldman Sachs banker in safe custody after being returned from U.S.

10 October 2023
Ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng exits the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse in 2022. Ng is a key figure in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB, sovereign wealth fund corruption scandal.
Crime

Ex-Goldman banker reportedly returns to Malaysia for 1MDB probe

Roger Ng was sentenced to 10 years in U.S. prison for involvement in scandal

9 October 2023
The surging rice prices were triggered by India, the world's largest rice exporter, which banned export of its crop amid increasing demand for rice as an alternative to wheat.
Economy

On topic: How do rising rice prices affect Asia?

A collection of stories to catch up on a recent hot topic

8 October 2023
The Malaysian Health Minister will table an amendment to the Tobacco Act, which is part of the Generational End Game policy, aiming to restrict tobacco products to people born after 2007.
Your Week in Asia

Malaysian tobacco ban bill, Singapore GDP, New Zealand election

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

8 October 2023
A Chinese-backed alumina refinery complex on Indonesia's Bintan Island is fouling the surrounding waters. It is just one of a growing number of "green tech" investments by China in the region. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
The Big Story

China's green tech giants link supply chains to Southeast Asia

From Indonesia to Vietnam, 'clean energy' ties ASEAN more closely to Beijing despite South China Sea tensions

4 October 2023
AirAsia signed its first interlining agreement with Garuda Indonesia.
Transportation

Malaysia's AirAsia links with Garuda Indonesia

Southeast Asia carriers plan to offer each other's fleet for connections

4 October 2023
Bags of white rice in a hypermarket in Malaysia. Some customers have been shocked to find local rice sold out in shops recently. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Economy

Malaysia PM Anwar warns rice hoarders amid price surge

Government will track down offenders and take legal action, he says

3 October 2023
A port along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: Lackluster exports are dragging down Thailand's economic forecast.
Economy

Malaysia and Thailand GDP outlooks cut as China slows: JCER

Economists also warn that El Nino's swelter will impact India and Indonesia

29 September 2023
Malaysia relies heavily on foreign players like Intel to sustain its chip industry. (Photo courtesy of Intel)
Business Spotlight

Malaysia aims for chip comeback as Intel, Infineon and more pile in

Country aims to regain semiconductor edge as companies seek supply chain stability

29 September 2023
A customer considers her options as she looks at bags of imported white rice at a supermarket in Malaysia. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Economy

Malaysia grapples with rice shortage amid global price surge

Government rolls out programs to increase local production

28 September 2023
Perodua, backed by conglomerate UMW Holdings, is Malaysia's top automaker.
Automobiles

Malaysia creates national auto champion, targeting EV pivot

Sime Darby purchase of UMW unites brands from Toyota to Perodua under its banner

27 September 2023