Politics

Malaysia's Prime Minister-designate Anwar Ibrahim speaks to the Nikkei Asian Review on Oct. 18 at his office in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by CK Tan)
Interview

Malaysia's Anwar to question China on Muslim detentions

Prime minister-in-waiting says he meets regularly with Mahathir

19 October 2018
Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim celebrates after winning a by-election in Port Dickson, Malaysia, on Oct. 13.
Malaysia in transition

Anwar elected to parliament, paving the way to lead Malaysia

Ex-deputy prime minister meets condition for taking reins from Mahathir

14 October 2018
China keeps a close watch on Uighurs in the Xinjiang region and has reportedly detained hundreds of thousands who it says have been "influenced by extremism."
Politics

China writes Uighur detention centers into law

Change aims to ward off Western criticism of 'anti-extremist' re-education camps

13 October 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, right, holds the hand of his former rival and protege Anwar Ibrahim in a show of support during a political rally in Port Dickson on Oct. 8.
Malaysia in transition

Anwar's comeback will test Mahathir's promise to step down

Malaysia's PM-designate expected to win by-election as new tensions simmer

12 October 2018
Malaysia wants to avoid being targeted in anti-circumvention investigations for trade war related tariffs.
Trade war

Malaysia fears tariff-dodging probes amid US-China trade war

Trade minister counts on FTAs as companies seek to evade tariffs

11 October 2018
Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak, arrives in court in Kuala Lumpur on October 4.
Malaysia in transition

Wife of former Malaysian PM Najib charged with money laundering

Lengthy trial for Rosmah Mansor seen as prolonging Mahathir popularity

4 October 2018
Rosmah Mansor, wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak
Malaysia in transition

Wife of ex-Malaysian PM Najib arrested for embezzlement

Rosmah Mansor set to face money laundering charges over alleged links to 1MDB

3 October 2018
The Sinamale Bridge is often called the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge due to funding provided by Beijing. "We all love a bridge, but please don't push it on us," former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed said.
Belt and Road

China's infrastructure diplomacy takes a beating in Asian elections

Maldives seen as latest example of Beijing's 'shortsighted' strategy

30 September 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad spoke at a number of think tank events during his week in New York. Photo by Don Pollard for Council on Foreign Relations.
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir eyes Japan-style self-defense force

Malaysian leader sees neutrality as only defense against big powers

29 September 2018
As one of the few corporate leaders in Malaysia critical of 1MDB's governance, the resignation of CIMB Chairman Nazir Razak was unexpected.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's CIMB boss becomes latest target of Mahathir shake-up

1MDB scandal claims Chairman Nazir Razak as 'unwarranted casualty'

26 September 2018
Malaysia's Former Prime Minister Najib Razak was arrested for the second time on Sept. 19. 
Malaysia in transition

Najib rearrest hastens meltdown of Malaysia's former ruling party

Ex-prime minister faces over 20 new 1MDB charges as one-time ministers quit

20 September 2018
Malaysia, a leading proponent of Islamic finance, is facing headwinds from past debt and an economic downturn in China, its largest trading partner.
Malaysia in transition

Short-term squeeze forces Malaysia to issue debt and sell assets

Country fights to balance fiscal responsibility with sustained growth

19 September 2018
Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's leader-in-waiting, speaks at the Singapore Summit on Sept. 15. He said he aims to win "the majority of Malay votes, majority of Chinese and majority of Indian votes." (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's Anwar in 'no hurry' to take reins from Mahathir

PM-designate urges 'needs-based, not race-based' affirmative action

15 September 2018
Members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aboard helicopter carrier Kaga. Japan is looking to curb China's presence in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.
International relations

Malaysia joins Japan's list of Indo-Pacific security partners

Tokyo fortifies ties to regional players to counter China's provocations

12 September 2018
A large proportion of Malaysian media are controlled by political parties. (Photo by CK Tan)
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir moves to free Malaysian media from political parties

PM considers limiting party stakes to 10% to ensure freedom of expression

7 September 2018
Malaysia's Minister of Economic Affairs Mohamed Azmin Ali, right, and Singapore's Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan agree to restart the construction of the high-speed rail in May 2020. 
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia and Singapore agree to revive rail project in 2020

Mahathir government to pay $11m for deferring construction, easing tension

5 September 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, right, meets Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Mahathir is keen to discuss the reassessment of large-scale infrastructure projects. 
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia and Singapore agree to defer $27bn rail project

High-speed rail to be delayed indefinitely without penalty

3 September 2018
AirAsia planes sit on the tarmac at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The budget carrier has long wanted to extend its reach in China.
Companies

AirAsia's $100m China hub deal collapses as bilateral relations cool

Henan airport plan was once described as 'final piece of puzzle' for Malaysian carrier

31 August 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad did not mince his words in referring to a new form of colonialism during his recent visit to China.
Opinion

Mahathir, China and neo-colonialism

Beijing will not forget Malaysian premier's barbed attack on Belt and Road

30 August 2018
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow presents plans to improve infrastructure and facilities at a function on Aug. 29. (Photo courtesy of Penang state government)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysian resort Penang to get face-lift under new government

State wants to build undersea tunnel and budget airport terminal

29 August 2018
Malaysia's prime minister-designate Anwar Ibrahim says he supports the review of the Bumiputra policy that previous leaders had used to enrich their cronies. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Interview

Malaysia's PM-designate Anwar backs review of Malay privileges

De facto coalition leader 'trusts' Mahathir to keep promise and hand over power

28 August 2018
Prospective buyers look at a model of the $100 billion Forest City development at a showroom in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, in February 2017. 
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir foreign-ownership ban rattles $100bn China-led project

Developer Country Garden says Forest City development complies with all laws

28 August 2018
Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during a news conference with China's Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Aug. 20. 
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir says Beijing understands his need to halt projects

Malaysia welcomes Chinese tech but does not want to open the door to contractors

21 August 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, left, shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang following their meeting in Beijing on Aug. 20.
Malaysia in transition

China and Malaysia avoid clash but Mahathir wants 'fair trade'

93-year old prime minister rides high-speed train in first visit after comeback

21 August 2018
Daim Zainuddin, head of the Council of Eminent Persons, speaks to the press in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 20. (Photo by Ying Xian Wong)
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir advisers propose review of Malay privileges to spur economy

Long-standing Bumiputra policy favors ethnic majority, from scholarships to contracts

20 August 2018