Outbound Chinese foreign direct investment has rebounded but remains far below prepandemic highs.
Business trends

Chinese deal activity shifts toward emerging markets and into greenfields

New database shows Chinese outbound investment behavior has changed postpandemic

16 September 2024
Malaysia plans to introduce a heavier 'sugar tax' as the government tackles diabetes and other non-communicable diseases in the country.
Politics

Malaysia prepares heavier 'sugar tax' in bid to combat diabetes

Government to propose new levy on sweetened drinks in 2025 budget

14 September 2024
Malaysian police are investigating Global Ikhwan Services and Business based in Rawang, Selangor. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
Crime

Malaysia probes Islamic business group over child sex allegations

Police rescue 400 abused children from 20 charity premises in two states

12 September 2024
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, is shown the way by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 31.
Opinion

Malaysia and China won't be going to war over South China Sea drilling

Protest letter from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur points to cooperation on issue

11 September 2024
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks during an interview with Nikkei Asia in Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 3. (Photo by Fumika Sato)
Interview

New Zealand aims to double exports to ASEAN, Indo-Pacific

PM Luxon says trade agenda to focus on green economy and renewables

4 September 2024
Thailand's new prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has yet to make notable mention of the planned land bridge project.
Transportation

Thailand's 'land bridge' ambitions face fresh roadblocks

Environmental and political concerns cloud plan to build new trade artery

28 August 2024
Big tech companies like Meta and Google have raised concerns over Malaysia's social media licensing plan. 
Technology

Malaysia's social media licensing plan draws criticism from Big Tech

Industry group calls for pause, says new rules disrupt nation's digital economy

27 August 2024
Malaysian opposition leader and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin gestures as he arrives at the Gua Musang Sessions Court in Gua Musang, Malaysia, on Aug. 27.
Politics

Former Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin charged with sedition

Opposition head allegedly criticized country's ex-king during election campaign

27 August 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at a rally held on Aug. 4 in Kuala Lumpur.
Middle East crisis

Malaysia steps up pro-Palestinian stance, straining ties with U.S.

PM Anwar redoubles criticism of Israel after killing of Hamas leader in Iran

27 August 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremonial reception inside India's Presidential Palace Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Aug. 20. (Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
International relations

India and Malaysia to upgrade ties after talks on trade, defense

Leaders Modi and Anwar elevate relations to comprehensive strategic partnership

20 August 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Source photos by Reuters)
International relations

Malaysia's Anwar focuses on BRICS and trade in first India trip

Strong semiconductor partnership possible between the two countries, analysts say

19 August 2024
Foreign ministers of Southeast Asian countries pose for a photo in Vientiane on July 25. ASEAN now faces significant centrifugal forces amid the reshaping of global orders. 
Comment

OECD or BRICS? Key members' differences might weaken ASEAN unity

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand all pursue different 'diversification' strategies

12 August 2024
China's ACM Research is among the chipmaking equipment companies considering participating in the joint Malaysian-Chinese expo. (Photo by Shunsuke Tabeta)
Semiconductors

Malaysia and China deepen chip cooperation with joint expo

Kuala Lumpur seeks foreign investment to upgrade its 'Silicon Valley'

8 August 2024
Traffic in Kuala Lumpur. Subsidies made up 25% of Malaysia's 2023 budget, with about three-quarters devoted to fuel subsidies. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Politics

Malaysia to reduce fuel subsidies as inflation weakens

Government turns to tackling deficit after pandemic spending

7 August 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim later posts to Facebook, "Let this serve as a clear and unequivocal message to Meta: Cease this display of cowardice."
Cybersecurity

Malaysia PM calls Facebook cowardly for removing his condolence post

Anwar Ibrahim's recording of a phone call with a Hamas official is taken down

1 August 2024
Workers hang Malaysian flags in Kuala Lumpur.
Media & Entertainment

Malaysia to ask social media platforms with over 8m users to get licenses

Legal action will be taken if service providers fail to apply by January 2025

28 July 2024
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi last month.
Opinion

New coalition governments in Asia must embrace compromise

Thailand, Malaysia, and India have to balance policy and voter expectations

26 July 2024
Man using a smartphone in Kuala Lumpur -- Malaysia has some of the world's most engaged social media users. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Cybersecurity

Cybercrime rising on social media in Malaysia, minister says

Tighter regulations and licensing to be required for online platforms

24 July 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is likely to stay in power until the next general election, expected in 2027.
Opinion

Malaysia sheds short-termism to become Asia's comeback kid

Investors embrace political stability as alarms sound over Thailand's fragility

24 July 2024
The RTS Link, seen here in an artist rendering, will have the capacity to handle 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. (Singapore Land Transport Authority)
International relations

Singapore and Malaysia bolster ties with rail, special economic zone

Commuter line to ease border congestion while 3,500 sq. km area to promote investment

21 July 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, welcomes Chinese Premier Li Qiang for a bilateral meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on June 19. (Photo courtesy of Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
International relations

Malaysia and Thailand keen to join BRICS: 5 things to know

Middle power nations hedge to mitigate effects of major power rivalry, analysts say

24 June 2024
Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel in the South China Sea in May. 
South China Sea

South China Sea situation deeply concerning, U.S. East Asia envoy says

In Hanoi, Daniel Kritenbrink calls Beijing's actions in disputed waterway 'destabilizing'

22 June 2024
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, center left, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim make their way to a business luncheon in Kuala Lumpur on June 20. (Photo by Malaysian prime minister's office) 
International relations

Malaysia reaffirms One China policy, rejects Taiwan independence

Anwar and Li agree to use bilateral dialogue in South China Sea disputes

20 June 2024
Chinese premier Li Qiang, left, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim walk in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on June 19. (Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
International relations

Malaysia asks China to support its bid to join BRICS

Prime Minister Anwar meets Premier Li to discuss economic cooperation

19 June 2024