The excitement of Xi Jinping's Belt and Road, announced in 2013, convinced a developer to build an island and city off the coast of Malaysia. Now China's property sector woes have left investors in unbearable financial straits. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Yusuke Hinata and Reuters)
China up close

Analysis: Xi Jinping's Belt and Road leaves Malaysia with a 'ghost' island

Forest City project in Johor remains in limbo as Beijing prepares for key meeting

13 June 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, center left, walks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as they meet in Putrajaya on June 12. (Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
International relations

Singapore PM Wong 'open' to discussing high-speed rail plan with Malaysia

New leader meets with Anwar in his first overseas trip since May inauguration

12 June 2024
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim gives a keynote address during the 37th Asia Pacific Roundtable on June 6 in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Norman Goh)
International relations

Anwar slams 'misperception' Malaysia tilting to one superpower

Prime minister calls such speculation 'counterproductive'

6 June 2024
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks to Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on May 24. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Interview

Mahathir warns of looming 'third world war' amid rising tensions

Former Malaysian PM blames aggressive U.S. leadership as escalating conflicts

1 June 2024
Malaysian former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks at the Future of Asia forum in Tokyo on May 24, 2024. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
The Future of Asia 2024

Mahathir says Beijing 'can claim' South China Sea, no need for war

Malaysia's ex-leader urges ASEAN to stay neutral, eyes possible Trump return in U.S.

24 May 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks to Nikkei Asia in Tokyo, on May 23. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Interview

Malaysia's Anwar to push ASEAN as 'cohesive force' against regional tensions

Economy will be priority during 2025 chairmanship of the 10-member bloc

23 May 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 23. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
The Future of Asia 2024

Malaysia's Anwar says U.S. 'not using all its might' to stop Gaza crisis

PM says Asia should not be dragged into 'Cold War' between Washington and Beijing

23 May 2024
A worker inspects products at a Top Glove factory in Malaysia: Analysts predict higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese surgical gloves will translate to higher profits for Malaysian competitors.
Business trends

Malaysian rubber glove makers gain on Biden's new China tariffs

Shares surge amid expectations for eased pressure from Chinese rivals

21 May 2024
Protesters in Putrajaya reject the Federal Court of Malaysia's ruling on Kelantan's Shariah laws on Feb. 9: 
Opinion

Truth of Malaysian court ruling on Shariah laws is being twisted

Successful challenge to state legislation could ultimately backfire

6 May 2024
A KFC outlet in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. This store was already reopened on May 2, but chairs and tables were still stacked up. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Business trends

Malaysia's KFC closes over 100 stores amid consumer boycott

Indonesia's Starbucks operator suffers loss as sentiment against U.S. worsens

2 May 2024
The maritime operations helicopter crashed on the steps of a stadium at Malaysia's Lumit naval base and the Fennec helicopter crashed in the swimming pool of a sports complex. (Housing and Local Government Ministry Malaysia)
Defense

Ten killed as two Malaysian military helicopters collide

Navy says midair accident took place in western state of Perak on Tuesday morning

23 April 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, welcomes Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto at his office in Putrajaya on April 4. (Photo courtesy of Malaysia's Prime Minister's Office)
International relations

Indonesia president-elect Prabowo meets Anwar after Xi, Kishida

Neighbors' relations continue to be close and strengthened, Malaysian PM says

4 April 2024
The problems facing global trade were on full display at the WTO Ministerial Conference that concluded in Abu Dhabi last month.
Opinion

It's up to the developed world to save global trade

West must recognize that WTO rules have to be equitable and inclusive

1 April 2024
A Sandakan market vendor in 2020: The town is part of the territory that was previously under the control of the sultan of Sulu. (VWPics via AP Images)
Opinion

Malaysia does not have the law on its side in $15bn Sulu dispute

Government's quandary result of failure to engage in talks or legal process

14 March 2024
The Malaysian ringgit has been buffeted by global financial and economic trends. (Source photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Market Spotlight

Malaysian ringgit's fall puts central bank, government on alert

Country 'ready' to intervene after currency hits lowest level since Asian crisis

11 March 2024
A woman walks past a McDonald's in Jakarta on Feb. 29: The fast food chain's growth has slackened amid a boycott of Western brands amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. (Photo by Nana Shibata) 
Business trends

Indonesia, Malaysia consumer boycotts hit McDonald's, Starbucks and others

Muslims protest Western brands over perceived pro-Israel stance on Gaza

7 March 2024
Malaysia has revived a high-speed rail plan to connect Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Hiroki Endo and Akira Kodaka)
Transportation

Malaysia revives 'ambitious' high-speed rail plan amid hurdles

China Railway Construction, Hyundai unit among companies showing interest

6 March 2024
Michalis Rokas, EU ambassador to Malaysia, center left, and Awang Tengah, deputy premier of Sarawak, center right, stand with officials at the EU-Malaysia Business Day 2024 event in Kuching, Malaysia on Feb. 14. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Energy

EU official praises green energy push by Malaysia's Sarawak

Bloc commits to mobilize $10.8bn for ASEAN sustainable projects

2 March 2024
In June 2023, the Court of Appeal of Paris upheld Malaysia's challenge against an order recognizing a purported award of $14.9 billion to self-proclaimed heirs of the last sultan of Sulu.
Opinion

Malaysia has the law on its side in $15bn Sulu legal case

Outcome of Sabah challenge should lead to scrutiny of litigation funders

29 February 2024
The Malaysian ringgit is among emerging market currencies under pressure from the strong U.S. dollar.
Currencies

Malaysia's Anwar says ringgit is 'concerning' but 'under control'

Currency trades near low hit during Asian Financial Crisis in 1998

23 February 2024
Food prices at Singapore's popular hawker centers climbed 15% between 2019 and 2023. (Photo by Fumika Sato)
Economy

Singapore, Thailand and more hand out cash to ease inflation pain

SE Asia governments focus on public support while critics warn of fiscal strain

17 February 2024
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak waves to photographers as the jailed politician leaves a court hearing in Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 19.
Crime

Malaysia halves former PM Najib's 12-year sentence in 1MDB scandal

Disgraced politician was jailed over links to multi-billion-dollar corruption case

2 February 2024
Sultan Ibrahim of Johor, left, and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attend an oath-taking ceremony on Jan. 31 in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo courtesy of Information Department of Malaysia)
Politics

Malaysia installs 'vocal and pro-business' Johor sultan as new king

Analysts say 65 year-old could be more involved in politics and economy

31 January 2024
Johari Abdul Ghani, chairman of the 1MDB Asset Recovery Task Force, says Malaysia is mulling legal action against some foreign banks. (Source photos by AP and Hiroki Endo)
Finance

Malaysia considers suing foreign banks over 1MDB scandal

Task force eyes institutions it says facilitated 1MDB-related fund transfers

23 January 2024
Malaysian economy minister Rafizi Ramli, center right, and Singaporean trade minister Gan Kim Yong, center left, exchange documents in a signing ceremony in Johor on Jan. 11. (Photo by Norman Goh)
International relations

Singapore and Malaysia to launch QR code border clearance

Neighbors sign agreement on Johor economic zone to boost growth

11 January 2024