U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak to the White House in Washington on September 12
International relations

Najib meets Trump, promises to buy more Boeing planes, GE engines

Malaysian prime minister hints at $10bn deal for Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia

13 September 2017
Tea plantation workers have become one of India's most vulnerable communities. (Photo by Humphrey Hawksley)
Politics

Labor rights progress under threat across Asia

Trump, China and India pose risk to UN-led protections for workers

13 September 2017
Malaysia's INCEIF has offered instruction in Islamic finance, but the content has been academic in nature. (Photo by Kazuki Kagaya)
Finance

Malaysia to set up professional certifications for Islamic finance

Chartered banker programs will strengthen skills in sector

13 September 2017
The latest round of RCEP negotiations was held in Manila. (Photo courtesy of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry/Kyodo)
Economy

Countries grapple with perplexing RCEP puzzle

Lack of clear incentives clouds outlook for the next big Pacific trade deal

12 September 2017
Prime Minister Najib Razak, left, sings the Malaysian national anthem during the 60th Merdeka Day independence celebrations in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 31.
Politics

Najib's visit to Washington breeds controversy

Malaysian prime minister's invitation from Trump blasted in US media

12 September 2017
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Economy

Malaysia July industrial output up 6.1% on year, beats view

Analysts expect manufacturing to power third quarter economic growth

11 September 2017
ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh walk in front of flags as they attend the opening ceremony of the 49th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers and Related Meetings in Manila on Sept. 7.
Economy

With RCEP deal unlikely this year, ministers settle for 'realistic' goals

Failing to find common ground, countries look to October round

11 September 2017
A restaurant run by North Koreans closed down after Malaysia refused to renew work permits.
Politics

North Korean workers abroad face growing crackdown

New UN sanctions proposal seeks to cut off key source of foreign money

9 September 2017
Opening ceremony of the 49th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers and Related Meetings in Manila, Philippines on Thursday Sept. 7, 2017.
Economy

ASEAN to cut non-tariff measures 10% by 2020

Grouping aims to address investors' concerns on trade barriers

8 September 2017
While strengthening deterrence with U.S. President Donald Trump, right, South Korean President Moon Jae-in is tapping more channels to engage his northern neighbor.
Politics

Seoul looks to ASEAN amid nuclear crisis

Regional grouping could play key role in securing peace on Korean Peninsula

8 September 2017
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Economy

Bank Negara Malaysia holds interest rate at 3% as expected

Economists expect BNM to stand pat amid modest inflation, steady growth

7 September 2017
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks during a meeting on gender equality and women's empowerment at U.N. headquarters in 2015.
Politics

Hwok-Aun Lee: The lessons of Malaysia's push for gender equality

Government must lead by example to elevate women to the upper echelons

7 September 2017
A Rohingya woman and children come ashore after boating across a narrow stretch of the Bay of Bengal that separates Bangladesh and Myanmar on Sept. 5.
Politics

In crisis, Rohingya refugees have Southeast Asia on guard

Malaysia summons Myanmar ambassador to express concern

6 September 2017
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Economy

Malaysia's July exports rise 30.9% on year

Electronics shipments continue to drive growth amid robust Chinese demand

6 September 2017
The flag of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, on the far right, stands with those of the bloc's 10 members.
Economy

ASEAN economic ministers move to accelerate trade talks

Discussions to focus on RCEP as states struggle to find common ground

6 September 2017
North Korean islands and ships sailing under Chinese flags are seen from a heavily fortified beach on Yeonpyeong island.
Politics

North Korea sanctions let $270m slip through cracks

Southeast Asian nations replaced China as buyers of coal from Pyongyang, UN report to say

6 September 2017
Officials from RCEP members meet in the Japanese city of Kobe on Feb. 27. Negotiations, while ongoing, remain fraught.
Economy

RCEP hits snags on continued discord over tariffs

Members to abandon goal of having rival to TPP this year

6 September 2017
Indonesians protest against the violence inflicted on Rohingya at the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta on Sept. 4. (Photo by Bobby Nugroho)
Politics

Asian neighbors add pressure on Suu Kyi to act on Rohingya crisis

Indian prime minister to add to Indonesia's call for violence to stop

5 September 2017
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Economy

Malaysia's retail sales likely to grow 3.7% in 2017

Consultant cuts annual sales growth aim second time on weak consumer sentiment

5 September 2017
The chief TPP negotiator for Japan, Kazuyoshi Umemoto, at left, speaks at a meeting Monday in Australia.
Economy

'TPP 11' to freeze drug data protection demanded by US

Remaining members thrashing out details to revive trade pact

31 August 2017
Maritime officials set ablaze two fishing vessels in Kelantan on Wednesday. (Photo credit: MMEA)
Politics

Malaysia burns illegal fishing boats to send a message

Move will beef up maritime security, deter foreign intrusion

31 August 2017
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai look at a model of the East Coast Rail Line at Kuantan Bahang, Malaysia on Aug. 9.
Politics

Chinese state builder goes global with Belt and Road projects

New regulations imposed to slow public-private partnerships at home

30 August 2017
The Aeon group has roughly 4,000 locations across Asia.
Politics

Japan's Aeon taking prepaid cards across Asia

Retailer sees e-money as accessible alternative to credit

30 August 2017
DRB-Hicom's auto sales increased 19% on the year in the April-June quarter thanks to promotions during the Eid al-Adha Muslim festival.
Politics

DRB-Hicom's Q1 net loss widens slightly

Malaysian auto conglomerate still saddled with high operating costs

25 August 2017
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, left, is joining hands with former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Politics

Malaysia's Mahathir embraces his old foe to challenge Najib

Ex-prime minister's attempt to bury the hatchet with Anwar Ibrahim may be risky

24 August 2017