Malaysia's central bank expects a rebound in growth in 2021.
Economy

Malaysia GDP to rebound up to 7.5% in 2021, central bank predicts

Economy to regain pre-pandemic level by midyear as vaccines accelerate

31 March 2021
A poster of United Malays National Organisation President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi: He declared UMNO will not work with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's party "because of their dishonesty and trickery."
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's UMNO dumps Muhyiddin-led coalition ahead of polls

President of largest party blasts PM's Bersatu as 'dishonest'

28 March 2021
The United Malays National Organisation emblem: Malaysia's largest party is shaking the foundations of the current government and gearing up for an election fight.
Malaysia in transition

Knives out for Muhyiddin as Malaysia's largest party UMNO gathers

After grudgingly propping up PM, top political force braces for election fight

27 March 2021
Loading up a coronavirus vaccine dose in Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia and Singapore intend to work toward accepting each other's immunization certificates.
COVID vaccines

Malaysia and Singapore push mutual vaccine certificate recognition

Foreign ministers discuss Myanmar but leave it out of COVID-focused statement

23 March 2021
Police officers patrol outside the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on March 19.
International relations

Malaysia gives North Korea's embassy staff 48 hours to leave

Kuala Lumpur blasts Pyongyang for cutting ties after support 'during difficult times'

19 March 2021
Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, right, speaks during a news conference in Kuala Lumpur last August as his son, Mukhriz Mahathir, looks on.
Interview

Mahathir keeps Malaysia, rivals and family guessing on next election

Son Mukhriz admits 95-year-old's decision on whether to run is a worry

10 March 2021
A 1MDB billboard in 2015: The scandal surrounding the Malaysian fund is still making waves.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia settles old 1MDB scores as scandal dragnet widens

Ex-central banker's family faces probe on heels of Deloitte and AmBank deals

8 March 2021
As Malaysia aspires to join the club of high-income nations, some experts argue closing the gap between rich and poor is more important. 
Economy

Malaysia to renew push for high-income goal by 2030 despite COVID

Minister talks up development target as Muhyiddin borrows from Mahathir playbook

26 February 2021
China's Huawei Technologies will work with Malaysia on cybersecurity governance, talent development, standards and certification.
Huawei crackdown

Malaysia and Huawei to deepen ties with cybersecurity lab

Kuala Lumpur continues to embrace Chinese giant shunned by West

22 February 2021
Stream article image
International relations

Myanmar ships arrive for Malaysia deportees as US raises concern

Rights groups say nearly 100 asylum-seekers among 1,200 detainees to be picked up

21 February 2021
Malaysia had intended to focus on maximizing 4G technology but now the government is betting on a faster 5G rollout.
5G networks

Malaysia fast-forwards 5G rollout to end of this year

Muhyiddin aims to leave spectrum controversy behind and boost digital economy

19 February 2021
Many countries have declared a state of national emergency to galvanize resources to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Malaysia is no exception. (Photo courtesy of Department of Information Malaysia)
Opinion

Malaysia: Emergency necessary to curb COVID-19 pandemic

Country's ambassador to Japan responds to Nikkei Asia editorial

19 February 2021
Malaysian immigration officers usher detainees into a truck after a raid in 2018. The country's strict approach has drawn scrutiny amid Myanmar's coup. 
International relations

Malaysia sticks to deporting Myanmar detainees despite UN pressure

Kuala Lumpur insists no refugees involved as move spotlights immigration system

17 February 2021
A United Malays National Organisation rally in 2017, before the party fell from power: Malaysia's largest single political force is confident its grassroots support will pay off next time.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's UMNO bets on itself before election clash with Muhyiddin

In unusual move, party VP says no coalition talks until after COVID-stalled polls

14 February 2021
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday.
International relations

Indonesia and Malaysia call for ASEAN meeting on Myanmar coup

Jokowi and Muhyiddin also discuss travel corridor and palm oil in summit

5 February 2021
Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, right, is traveling to Jakarta to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (Source photos by Kyodo and Reuters) 
International relations

Malaysia's Muhyiddin to meet Jokowi on inaugural foreign trip

Leaders expected to discuss green lane travel plans and palm oil issues

4 February 2021
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, pictured in September 2019: Malaysia will be enticed by what China can offer.
Opinion

Malaysia a case study in how China wins friends and influences Asia

US simply cannot match what Beijing is able to offer its neighbors

29 January 2021
Muhyiddin Yassin, pictured at the parliament on Nov. 26, 2020: the king's consent to an emergency can be seen as a royal rebuke.
Opinion

Malaysia's king works to restore public trust in the monarchy

Royal sensibilities offended by UMNO's ruthless attempts to depose government

21 January 2021
A soldier wearing a face mask enforces coronavirus restrictions in Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 13.
Economy

Malaysia holds key interest rate steady despite COVID lockdown

Some economists expected a cut to ease economic pressure as infections surge

20 January 2021
A local vendor prepares food in downtown Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 11: the real transgression may be against an ailing economy.
Opinion

Malaysians are aghast at Muhyiddin's craven 'not a coup' moment

Decision to delay elections augurs poorly for nation's economy

14 January 2021
A medical worker collects a coronavirus test sample from a police officer in Shah Alam, Malaysia, on Jan. 7.
Coronavirus

Malaysia COVID emergency measures 'not a coup,' Muhyiddin says

Parliament suspension gives PM respite from pressure to call election

12 January 2021
A medical worker holds a swab sample at a coronavirus testing station in Klang, Malaysia.
Coronavirus

Malaysia doubles Pfizer COVID vaccine order as it locks down anew

Extra 12.2m doses in bag but Kuala Lumpur and 5 states face rule tightening

11 January 2021
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, left, is looking to confidant and Trade Minister Azmin Ali, right, for help in plotting his election strategy, according to a source.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's Muhyiddin braces for election with COVID shots in sight

PM negotiates over seat distribution but coalition partners want his job

6 January 2021
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, shakes hands with then Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Putrajaya, Malaysia, after the two countries signed an agreement on the now-terminated Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project in December 2016.
International relations

Singapore and Malaysia terminate high-speed rail project

Governments fail to agree proposed changes to the suspended plan

1 January 2021
TOKYO -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga are losing public support due to criticism of their handling of the pandemic among other factors. (Source photos by Uichiro Kasai, Akira Kodaka and Reuters) 
Politics

Suga and Moon slump in polls as COVID surge spurs criticism

Across Asia, pandemic performance impacts governments' popularity

28 December 2020