Politics: News & Insights

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

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

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

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

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo meets Malaysian Trade Minister Azmin Ali on the final leg of her Asia tour on Nov. 18. (Photo courtesy of Malaysian Ministry of International Trade and Industry)

Biden's Asia policy

U.S. aims for 'flexible and inclusive' Indo-Pacific framework

Commerce chief Gina Raimondo in Asia to reset economic ties to counter China

18 November 2021

A Malaysia Airlines crew member directs the first batch of tourists upon their arrival at the airport as Malaysia's Langkawi reopens to domestic tourists in September.

Coronavirus

Indonesia, Malaysia to reopen borders for vaccinated travelers

Ismail Sabri expresses interest in Widodo's new capital city plan

10 November 2021

Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines planes at Singapore's Changi Airport in 2019: The international route between the city-state and Kuala Lumpur was one of the world's busiest before the pandemic.

Coronavirus

Singapore, Malaysia to restart quarantine-free air travel link

Vaccinated passengers can fly between Kuala Lumpur and city-state from Nov. 29

8 November 2021

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah in late October: He wants ASEAN to call a meeting to discuss next steps on Myanmar.

International relations

Malaysia urges ASEAN talks on Myanmar, 'non-indifference' policy

Foreign minister says fresh meeting needed to reconfirm Brunei special envoy

1 November 2021

A construction site in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 15: Malaysia's government hopes its hefty budget will help bring down unemployment.

Economy

Malaysia unveils record $80bn budget to kick-start COVID recovery

Ismail Sabri government turns on taps to restore jobs under 'endemic' virus

29 October 2021

Malaysia's Finance Ministry says the 2022 budget will emphasize strengthening the health system, enhancing digital infrastructure and promoting high-productivity industries with job creation.

Economy

Malaysia's Ismail Sabri readies 1st budget of 'endemic COVID' era

Pact with opposition expected to smooth passage as job creation turns crucial

27 October 2021

Four of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' members -- Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei -- belong to the CPTPP trade pact.

International relations

China courts Vietnam and Malaysia for support on CPTPP bid

Outreach to ASEAN members key to groundwork for trade negotiations

27 October 2021

South China Sea

Malaysia summons Chinese ambassador over South China Sea vessels

Ismail Sabri government wades into dispute, vowing to defend sovereignty

5 October 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

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

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

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