Politics

Still friends? Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad meets Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Putrajaya, Malaysia on May 19, 2018
Opinion

'New Malaysia' makes Singapore look outdated

Mahathir's triumph exposes shortcomings of city-state's one-party rule

10 July 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad needs to show a game plan for growth.
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir's economic vision a hard sell for investors

Malaysia's currency and stocks fall as market fears rising debt

10 July 2018
“Bumiputra” policies have given ethnic Malays preferential admission to public universities, but have left them less prepared for the academic challenges there.
Opinion

Mahathir should seize chance to take on Malay privileges

Reform can enable phase out of ethnic preference system

6 July 2018
Construction on the East Coast Rail Link project. Malaysia has halted this and two other Chinese-led infrastructure projects. (Photo by CK Tan)
5 July 2018
Women walk past a portrait of Najib Razak during the United Malays National Organization general assembly in December 2017.
Malaysia in transition

Najib's corruption charges taint Malaysian political dynasty

Former leader's family faces 1MDB fallout as arrest lifts hope for transparency

4 July 2018
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak arrives in court in Kuala Lumpur on July 4.
Malaysia in transition

Najib charged with four criminal offenses in 1MDB case

Malaysia's previous prime minister pleads not guilty

4 July 2018
Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak arrives to give a statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Putrajaya, Malaysia on May 24.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's Najib arrested on 1MDB allegations

Scandal helped spur Mahathir to come out of retirement

3 July 2018
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, right, the newly elected leader of Malaysia's opposition party UMNO, was previously deputy prime minister under Najib Razak, left.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's opposition to seek coalition with Islamic party

UMNO likely to take a more conservative path as allies jump ship

3 July 2018
The new administration led by Mahathir Mohamad has also vowed to rein in debt and liabilities by scrapping costly capital projects.
Nikkei Markets

World Bank urges Malaysia to hasten fiscal reforms

Asks new government to broaden revenue base, rationalize spending

2 July 2018
Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad chose to shift some of the authority from his office to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysian reforms give economy ministry new powers

Some prime ministerial authority transferred to parliament for better balance

2 July 2018
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, gestures while talking about a test drive during a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in Bogor, West Java, on June 29.
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir recruits Widodo to fight EU's palm oil plan

Southeast Asian leaders also discuss prospects of producing a regional car

29 June 2018
It is not the time for Malaysia's well-wishers to sit out but to tap the new premier's reform moves.
Opinion

Mahathir needs help

Malaysia's allies must overcome old concerns about prickly premier and support reform

27 June 2018
Singapore has reduced its dependence on Malaysian water but cannot yet keep the taps flowing on its own.
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir picks a new water fight with Singapore

Malaysia's review of bilateral deals risks discord between neighbors

27 June 2018
1MDB's auditor says that in light of newly declassified information, past audits of the state fund were flawed.
Malaysia in transition

1MDB's board raises red flag over previous audit reports

KPMG says past audited results do not show 'true and fair assessment'

26 June 2018
Hadi Awang, president of the Malaysian Islamic Party. (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's conservative Islamic party will not oppress other faiths

PAS wants Muslim 'spirit' in government, but does not advocate radicalism

21 June 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad visits Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia asks Japan for yen loan to solve financial woes

Prime Minister Mahathir seeks Tokyo's help in developing railways and education

12 June 2018
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks about his diplomatic strategy and domestic reforms to the Nikkei Asian Review in Tokyo on June 11. (Photo by Keiichiro Sato)
Malaysia in transition

In his own words: Mahathir Mohamad speaks to the Nikkei Asian Review

Malaysia's leader discusses China deal, TPP, North Korea and succession plan

11 June 2018
China "is a big country and we have to deal with them whether we like it or not," Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said at a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Monday. (Photo by Yukako Ono)
11 June 2018
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks about his vision for Malaysia's auto industry to the Nikkei Asian Review in Tokyo on June 11. (Photo by Keiichiro Sato)
The Future of Asia 2018

Malaysia weighs new national carmaker with global reach

Mahathir also says reopening North Korean embassy is a possibility

11 June 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir criticized the current trade agreement as being unfair to countries with weaker economies. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir calls for changes to TPP-11

Embattled trade deal once again on shaky ground

9 June 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks with the Nikkei Asian Review in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on June 8. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir vows in interview to review TPP and China deals

Government-linked funds and companies also to be scrutinized

8 June 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is set to revisit infrastructure deals signed by the previous government with Beijing. (Getty Images)
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir builds new order and fresh boundaries a month after victory

Malaysia's relationship with China comes into focus as leader tackles corruption

8 June 2018
Rohana Rozhan, CEO of  Astro Malaysia Holdings, becomes the latest executive to resign following Mahathir's return to power. 
Malaysia in transition

Heads continue to roll at Malaysia's state-linked corporations

Pay TV group Astro announces CEO's resignation, following Telekom Malaysia

7 June 2018
Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng will negotiate with Beijing over infrastructure projects deemed to have unfavorable terms for Malaysia. 
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia to send envoy to China to renegotiate contracts

Kuala Lumpur deemed project terms unfavorable and may seek to cancel some

6 June 2018
The announcement of Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Muhammad Ibrahim's resignation is expected on Wednesday.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysian central bank governor resigns

Muhammad Ibrahim under pressure after allegations of 1MDB related transactions

6 June 2018