Politics

Ismail Sabri Yaakob waves to reporters before his inauguration as Malaysia's ninth prime minister on Aug. 21.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's old guard returns as Ismail Sabri is sworn in as PM

COVID and resentment over party's scandal-tainted past to test new leader

21 August 2021
Ismail Sabri Yaakob has been designated Malaysia's next prime minister, succeeding Muhyiddin Yassin.
Malaysia in transition

Ismail Sabri named Malaysia PM, putting scandal-hit party on top

New leader from UMNO to be sworn in on Saturday in reversal of 2018 election

20 August 2021
Demonstrator bring mock corpses to symbolize the high number of daily deaths from COVID-19 in Kuala Lumpur on July 31: the Lawan protest pursues a leaderless strategy. 
Opinion

Malaysia's 'leaderless' protests spark political awakening

Decentralized movements can thwart government efforts to suppress them

20 August 2021
Malaysian prime minister candidate Ismail Sabri Yaakob waves from a bus on his way to an audience with the king on Aug. 19.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's scandal-tarnished UMNO poised to retake PM's office

Ismail Sabri Yaakob appears to have majority, effectively undoing 2018 election

19 August 2021
Hishammuddin Hussein, pictured in Singapore in June 2017: the first cousin of Najib is among the names mentioned as the next prime minister.
Opinion

Ghosts of Malaysia's past imperil its economic future

New leader will have less than a year to govern before the next election

19 August 2021
The National Palace in Kuala Lumpur: Lawmakers have until 4 p.m. local time on Aug. 18 to submit their prime minister picks to the king.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia PM hunt focuses on UMNO's Ismail and opposition's Anwar

Party beaten in 2018 election eyes comeback; king insists on confidence vote

18 August 2021
From left, Hishammuddin Hussein, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Anwar Ibrahim and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah are all considered possible candidates to become Malaysia's prime minister. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's king seeks names for next PM: Candidates to watch

Muhyiddin exit gives Anwar another shot while UMNO urges virus 'war cabinet'

17 August 2021
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin leaves his residence in the morning of Aug. 16.
Malaysia in transition

Muhyiddin quits as Malaysia PM after plea for bipartisanship fails

Country faces uncertain transition from shortest-serving leader amid COVID crisis

16 August 2021
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is looking to the opposition to help shore up his unstable government, before an election he promises will be held by July 2022.
Malaysia in transition

Muhyiddin appeals for opposition backing as confidence vote looms

Malaysian PM vows rewards, and election by next July, in return for stability

13 August 2021
The U.S.-brokered normalization deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates looks to be enduring one year after the announcement on Aug. 13, 2020.
International relations

Year of Israel-UAE ties fails to change minds in Indonesia, Malaysia

Abraham Accords going strong but ASEAN Muslim states focus on Palestinians

13 August 2021
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's tenure in power since March 2020 has been anything but smooth.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia political woes deepen as economy wilts: 5 things to know

How Muhyiddin's government was pushed to the brink -- and how he might survive

9 August 2021
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, pictured in a file photo, continues to fend off attempts to force his resignation.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's embattled Muhyiddin buys time, vows confidence vote

Resisting calls to quit, PM says king will let him test majority in September

4 August 2021
Members of Malaysia's parliament attend a lower house session on July 26.
Malaysia in transition

Muhyiddin cornered as UMNO formally tells king it drops support

Move by Malaysia's largest party adds pressure on prime minister to resign

3 August 2021
Malaysian opposition members including Anwar Ibrahim and Mahathir Mohamad hold a banner that reads "Muhyiddin and cabinet resign" during a protest in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 2.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia parliament lockout amplifies calls for Muhyiddin to quit

Mahathir and Anwar lead march to legislature, closed again in name of COVID

2 August 2021
Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin speaks in parliament on July 26 after the legislature reopened, following a seven-month hiatus.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysian king slams Muhyiddin's sudden COVID emergency reversal

Palace suggests ending decree early and scrapping ordinances was unconstitutional

29 July 2021
Stream article image
Asia Insight

Thailand and Malaysia new parties hope discontent will boost appeal

Youth-led party in Indonesia also takes aim at status quo under establishment

27 July 2021
Malaysia's Leong Mun Yee and Pamg Pandelela will take a shot at the podium in the final of women's synchronized 10m platform diving on July 27.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics

What to watch at the Tokyo Olympics on July 27

We break down key sports and stars worth your time

27 July 2021
A mural depicting Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in Kuala Lumpur. Despite the vast resources of incumbency, Muhyiddin has failed to bolster his paper-thin parliamentary majority.
Opinion

Malaysian politics needs a reset

Absence of new ideas makes country more likely to languish under unstable governments

26 July 2021
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in parliament last year: This week's session is to be limited to "briefings" on the government's COVID-19 response.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia parliament battle resumes with Muhyiddin in hot seat

With focus on COVID, opposition not expected to push no-confidence motion

26 July 2021
Muhyiddin Yassin, pictured in Putrajaya on Feb. 24; the Prime Minister spends more time fighting to keep his job than actually doing it.
Opinion

Malaysia's politicians brawl while the economy burns

Ten years of rudderless leadership is suddenly coming to a head

12 July 2021
Mahathir Mohamad's new political party could enable the former Malaysian prime minister to regain political clout.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's Mahathir registers new party as ruling coalition cracks

Pejuang positioned as potential third force amid UMNO-Muhyiddin rift

9 July 2021
Bangladesh has ample electric power for now but wants to add more renewables to its energy mix of the future.
International relations

Bangladesh scraps plans for 10 coal-fired power plants

Projects involving China, Japan and others axed due to environmental concerns

8 July 2021
Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, right, and Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the prime minister's office. Muhyiddin appointed Ismail as his deputy in a calculated bid to dissuade the party from withdrawing support for his leadership.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's Muhyiddin on brink as key party ready to bolt coalition

Move comes hours after prime minister taps UMNO lawmaker as his deputy

8 July 2021
A man who lost his job amid Malaysia's coronavirus restrictions hangs a white flag outside his Kuala Lumpur home on July 5.
Coronavirus

Malaysians' white flags put COVID economic pain on full display

Cash-strapped citizens cry for help as severe outbreak prolongs lockdown

6 July 2021
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in parliament last year: The legislature is due to sit for five days later this month.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's parliament to reopen July 26 as Muhyiddin gives in

King's pressure sets up political showdown in 'hybrid' online-offline session

5 July 2021