Politics

China continues to import oil from Iran despite the expiry of U.S. waivers that allowed it do so without threat of penalty by Washington.
27 June 2019
From left, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali and ruling coalition leader Anwar Ibrahim. (Reuters, AP)
Politics

Malaysia sex video scandal fuels Mahathir succession rumor mill

PM blames 'gutter politics' as favorite minister is caught in power struggle

26 June 2019
Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha gestures during a press conference following the Association of Southeast Asian Nations opening ceremony in Bangkok on June 23.
International relations

ASEAN seeks to steer middle path between US and China

Southeast Asian leaders come up with their own Indo-Pacific strategy

23 June 2019
Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, left, and Anwar Ibrahim. (Photo by Manami Yamada /Akira Kodaka)
Politics

Mahathir's pick of anti-graft chief sparks doubts on succession

Opposition leader hints Latheefa pick is 'conspiracy' to keep Anwar from PM post

7 June 2019
Mahathir said the U.S. is threatening China during the 25th Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 30. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Opinion

What next for Mahathir's pivot to China?

Malaysian leader's U-turn will test ties with South East Asian partners and US

6 June 2019
A cargo ship in Qingdao, China: Weaker exports stemming from the trade war are weighing on Asian economies.
The Nikkei View

US-China trade tensions threaten the global growth engine

It's time to engineer a soft landing before the damage spreads

5 June 2019
Malaysia's economy will likely grow 4.3%-4.8% this year compared to 4.7% in 2018, according to official forecasts.
Opinion

Malaysia -- a trade war safe haven?

Country can compete for more investment but only with more structural reform

3 June 2019
From left: Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad, Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina and Cambodia's Hun Sen speak at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 30.
The Future of Asia 2019

Cambodia's Hun Sen quashes Chinese 'debt trap' fears

Political and business luminaries discuss Asia's future at Nikkei forum

30 May 2019
Singapore was singled out in the U.S. Treasury Department report on May 28 for persistent intervention in foreign exchange markets.
International relations

Vietnam and Singapore face pressure from US currency watchlist

Along with Malaysia, Southeast Asian nations newly flagged for monitoring

30 May 2019
Malaysia's Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Yeo Bee Yin shows a sample of a plastic waste shipment in Port Klang, Malaysia on May 28.
Environment

Malaysia orders plastic waste to be returned to origin country

Kuala Lumpur will send back imports illegally smuggled in after China's ban

28 May 2019
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, right, and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at a meeting last month in Malaysia. The deferment of the cross-border rail link is the latest in a series of major projects placed under review by Mahathir.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia and Singapore suspend cross-border rail project

Move is part of Mahathir's review of major infrastructure deals

21 May 2019
© Illustration by Michael Tsang
Asia Insight

Islamic State sneaks into Asia through family terror cells

Sri Lanka bombers' wealth and choice of explosives raise red flags

21 May 2019
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, left, meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in April. Malaysia last month revived the 640 km East Coast Rail Link deal with China, a multibillion dollar project that will help contribute to investment growth.
Trade war

Malaysia's economy slows as US-China trade war hits exports

GDP expanded 4.5% in first quarter, while growing tensions darken outlook

16 May 2019
Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, is thought to be hiding in China to avoid facing charges connected to Malaysia's 1MDB scandal.
Politics

US charges 1MDB financier Jho Low over Obama donations

Malaysian fugitive allegedly funneled money illegally in 2012 campaign

11 May 2019
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks to media in Kuala Lumpur on May 9. (Photo by Ying Xian Wong)
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir to stay PM for 'at least' another year before succession

Malaysian leader stresses anti-corruption as 'most successful achievement'

9 May 2019
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's approval rating is falling fast. (Nikkei Montage)
Malaysia in transition

A year after stunning victory, Mahathir bites bitter economy

Najib slams government for slowing growth as experts say Malaysia needs major reform

8 May 2019
Indonesian refinery projects have a revolving door that regularly sees the arrival and departure of potential partners.
Opinion

Pulling Indonesian oil refining out of decline

End fuel subsidies and develop a positive approach to foreign investment

2 May 2019
According to a Monday report from Malaysian financial service provider MIDF Research, foreign investors last week were net sellers of Malaysian stocks for a fourth consecutive week.
Malaysia in transition

Foreign money leaves Malaysia as economy slows

Mahathir suffers fresh blow as index provider signals market liquidity concern

25 April 2019
Stream article image
Economy

Malaysia tip toes out of deflationary patch in March

Retail prices rise after two straight months of decline, rate cut looms

24 April 2019
Mahathir, right, should immediately name Anwar to help restore coalition stability.
Opinion

Mahathir and the rise of political Islam

One year after landslide victory , only rapid reform can stop dangerous radicalisation

19 April 2019
The agreement signals Malaysia's foreign policy direction vis-a-vis a major power under Mahathir, who is seeking direct investment to sustain economic growth from slowing further. (Nikkei Montage)
Belt and Road

China and Malaysia avoid embarrassment with rail project revival

Mahathir hopeful for more investment after bilateral confidence restored

15 April 2019
A water fountain near Marina Bay in Singapore. Under a 1962 agreement, the city-state draws water from Malaysia's Johore River at less than a penny per 1,000 gallons.
10 April 2019
Vendors await customers at a Hanoi market. Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are ramping up efforts to finalize a regional trade pact.
International relations

Southeast Asian ministers seek RCEP trade pact by year-end

ASEAN pushes ahead with greater customs and banking integration

5 April 2019
Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur on April 3. 
Malaysia in transition

Najib pleads not guilty as 1MDB trial begins

Legal drama in Malaysia gives possible boost to Mahathir

3 April 2019
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits a monastery in Moscow in 2017. The Russian Orthodox Church has close links with the government.
International relations

Orthodox church schism extends Putin's reach in Asia

Russian church creates own Southeast Asian dioceses after split over Ukraine

31 March 2019