Young Malaysians, ready to act for a united country, are emerging as an important political constituency.
Opinion

Young Malaysians hold keys to election success

Old guard's grip on power faces an emerging challenge

2 May 2018
One of the reasons that FTCR believes Najib and his coalition will return to power is the recent redrawing of electoral boundaries.
FT Confidential Research

Malaysian election may spring a surprise, says FTCR survey

Ruling bloc favorite to win but support for the opposition could surge

30 April 2018
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks to media on April 28. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
Politics

ASEAN 'deeply concerned' over protectionism: summit statement

Bloc to advance RCEP as 'sign' of commitment to trade liberalization, Singapore PM says

28 April 2018
General Electric's Jeffrey Immelt began reorganizing his company's supply chains, sensing a coming protectionist era as early as two years ago.
Opinion

US-China trade war threatens Asian supply chains

Rising protectionism endangers region's global manufacturing role

27 April 2018
In their election manifestos, main political parties dangled populist policies, promising to lift the financial burden of the lower income groups and spur developments in the countryside.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia election campaign to kick off with uncertain outcome

Mahathir's party set back by gerrymandering and lack of rural support

27 April 2018
Uninhabited island in the Spratlys in the disputed South China Sea.
International relations

ASEAN to air fears over China's reclamation in South China Sea

Former chair, Manila, sidestepped those concerns last year

26 April 2018
Drivers for ride-hailing services wait for customers in Jakarta. The expansion of such businesses is pushing ASEAN member states to harmonize their rules.
Politics

Rise of digital economy pushes ASEAN toward policy coordination

Grab-Uber merger highlights need for integrated competition rules

26 April 2018
Ministers from the 16 negotiating members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership meet in Manila, Philippines in September 2017. The path to an agreement remains fraught.
Economy

Clashing visions keep sweeping trade pact elusive for Southeast Asia

Countries advocate alternatives as protectionist and free-trade camps remain deadlocked

26 April 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, shown here at an election rally in Kuala Lumpur on April 7, has been dogged by allegations of corruption.
Politics

Pork-barrel election pledges are a step back for Malaysian democracy

Ruling and opposition blocs must focus on economic reform, not promises of cash handouts

26 April 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, shown here at an election rally in Kuala Lumpur on April 7, has been dogged by allegations of corruption.
Opinion

Pork-barrel election pledges are a step back for Malaysian democracy

Ruling and opposition blocs must focus on economic reform, not promises of cash handouts

25 April 2018
Malaysia's ruling coalition is leading in number of followers on social media, but a think tank believes many followers may be bots. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's politicians take election battle to cyberspace

'Bots' seen trying to rouse anti-opposition sentiment on Facebook and Twitter

25 April 2018
Getting U.S. President Donald Trump to listen is the right step toward averting fallouts from his trade war with China.
Opinion

Asia must start talking trade with Trump

Other countries cannot just sit out a US-China economic war

24 April 2018
An anti-terror police officer stands guard during Chinese New Year celebrations in Jakarta.
International relations

Southeast Asia lays groundwork for terrorism extradition treaties

ASEAN members to discuss model agreement at this week's summit

24 April 2018
Delegates from the remaining members of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) attend the TPP meeting in Tokyo on Nov. 21 in 2017. (Photo by Masayuki Terazawa)
Economy

TPP members eager to proceed without Trump, says APEC boss

Bollard warns U.S. re-entry could slow momentum of trade pact

20 April 2018
Alstom's TGV and Siemens' ICE high-speed trains at Munich railway station. The companies have formed a consortium with Malaysia's George Kent.
Economy

KL-Singapore high-speed rail bidders granted more time

Extension given due to complexity of project, start date unchanged

19 April 2018
A drilling rig in the South China Sea: The Philippines' plan to work with China is becoming a concern for some neighbors.
International relations

South China Sea claimants vexed over Manila-Beijing exploration plan

Philippine minister says the project with China won't complicate dispute

18 April 2018
Many Malaysian businesses would like to see the ruling party prevail in the upcoming elections so that planned and ongoing infrastructure projects stay on track.
17 April 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, left, meets Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing last May.
International relations

Malaysian leader's strongman impulses trace back to China

Growing Chinese economic influence threatens to erode Southeast Asian democracy

15 April 2018
China's aircraft carrier Liaoning at sea. ASEAN leaders grapple with managing Beijing's influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Opinion

With China or without?

ASEAN leaders wary about Indo-Pacific cooperation plans

11 April 2018
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hold a press conference at the White House on Feb. 23.
The Big Story

Identity crisis: Australia seeks new allies amid US-China rivalry

Trade and security links make Southeast Asia a natural choice

11 April 2018
Malaysia's Prime Minister and president of the ruling National Front party, Najib Razak, speaks during the launch of the party platform for the upcoming general elections.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia heads to the polls on May 9

Ruling coalition set to retain majority but sees challenges in provincial states

10 April 2018
A duel that the country cannot afford to have
Opinion

An election campaign Malaysia cannot afford

Najib and Mahathir ignore the future for the sake of fighting over the past

10 April 2018
Trade tensions with the U.S. will hurt exports that are crucial for economic growth of ASEAN member states. (Photo by Keiichiro Aasahara)
Trade war

Southeast Asia feared next on list for US trade sanctions

Thailand's exchange rate policy comes under Washington scrutiny

9 April 2018