Politics

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, and Indonesian President Joko Widodo wave to journalists during their meeting at the presidential palace in Bogor, Indonesia, on Jan. 9.
International relations

Malaysia's Anwar makes diplomacy debut in 1st Indonesia trip

New PM aligns with Jokowi on Myanmar crisis, new Nusantara capital

9 January 2023
Anwar Ibrahim arrives at National Place in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 24: The new prime minister must show resolve, not reticence, on the ethnic preferential policies.
Opinion

'Replacing' Malaysia's race-based policies will get Anwar nowhere

Prime minister should focus on making system more equitable and effective

2 January 2023
Rohingya refugees on a navy vessel headed to the Bangladeshi island of Bhasan Char in 2020.
Myanmar Crisis

At least 180 Rohingya feared dead: U.N. refugee agency

'Unseaworthy' boat that left Bangladesh has likely sunk, UNHCR says

26 December 2022
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Wan Azizah Ismail, are greeted by staff as they arrive at Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 19.
Politics

Malaysian PM Anwar wins confidence vote but faces reform roadblocks

Sudden move against corruption could imperil unity government: experts

19 December 2022
Anwar Ibrahim announces his cabinet in Putrajaya on Dec. 2: He will face a series of obstacles as the Pakatan Harapan coalition returns to power.
Opinion

Anwar must not waste Malaysia's chance for democratic reforms

New government's unusual makeup raises potential for completing unfinished agenda

19 December 2022
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, sits with his deputy, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, following a swearing-in ceremony at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 3.
Malaysia election

Malaysia's new deputy premier Ahmad Zahid feeds off adversity

Will Anwar's coalition partner leader help unify multiethnic nation or rend it?

17 December 2022
Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's longest-serving former prime minister, says Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo "is much stronger" than other recent leaders. (Photo by Hakimie Amrie)
Malaysia election

Malaysia lags Indonesia due to political instability: Mahathir

Jokowi's efficient government has attracted investors, says ex-prime minister

13 December 2022
A factory of Malaysian national automaker Proton. Vietnamese rival VinFast has moved ahead in electric-vehicle production.
Economy

Malaysia's 'middle power' ambition faces rivals in own backyard

New PM Anwar Ibrahim seeks opportunity in U.S.-China rivalry but competition abounds

11 December 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim meets supporters during his first public appearance in Putrajaya on Nov. 25.
Malaysia election

Anwar faces fight to pull Malaysia out of middle-income trap

New government wrestles with old problem of brain drain fueled by Malay preference policy

6 December 2022
Thailand's newly introduced high-skilled worker visa program has drawn more than 1,600 applicants so far. (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)
Economy

Americans, Chinese snap up Thai 'talent visas,' official says

Manufacturing hubs seek industrial upgrade amid supply-chain shift

3 December 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced his lean maiden cabinet in Putrajaya on Dec. 2.
Malaysia election

Malaysia's Anwar names cabinet, returns as finance minister

Smaller slate meant to promote unity as PM seeks investor confidence

2 December 2022
Anwar Ibrahim talks on the phone in Putrajaya on his first work day as prime minister on Nov. 25: He must turn his attention to next year's budget. (Handout photo from Malaysia's Prime Minister Office)
Opinion

Anwar is Malaysia's best bet for navigating its challenges

Commitment to reform will be key for addressing economy's structural problems

29 November 2022
Malaysia's newly appointed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim -- leader of Pakatan Harapan or the Alliance of Hope -- waves to supporters in Selangor on Nov. 24.
Malaysia election

Anwar, at last Malaysia's PM, aims to turn 'hope' into reality

After rising from prison to the top, can he bring stability and prosperity?

25 November 2022
Newly appointed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signs documents during the swearing-in ceremony at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 24. (Photo courtesy of Information Department of Malaysia)
Malaysia election

Malaysia election live: Anwar becomes Malaysia's 10th prime minister

With UMNO's support, longtime hopeful appointed after king meets state rulers

25 November 2022
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks to a gathering in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia election

Malaysia's Anwar sworn in as PM, pledges to fight corruption

Longtime contender will seek vote of confidence on Dec. 19

25 November 2022
Mahathir Mohamad led Malaysia for over 22 years.
Malaysia election

Mahathir to 'write history' of Malaysia after election loss

Former prime minister retreats from political spotlight following decadeslong career

24 November 2022
Hadi Awang, right, president of the burgeoning Malaysian Islamic Party, envisions to govern Malaysia based on Islamic principles by 2051.
Malaysia election

TikTok-mad Malaysian voters push Islamic politics to the fore

Emergence of Malaysian Islamic Party set to shake up country's secular democracy

21 November 2022
Muhyiddin Yassin, a former Malaysian prime minister, at a news conference in Shah Alam after Malaysia's 15th general election on Nov. 19, appeared on Sunday night to be on course to return to the premiership.
Malaysia election

Malaysia's Muhyiddin gains Sarawak support in PM tussle

Palace sets Monday notification deadline amid contradictory coalition claims

20 November 2022
A ballot box sits on a table during Malaysia's general election on Nov. 19. The boxes will now be sent to counting centers.
Malaysia election

Muhyiddin, Anwar both claim victory in tight Malaysia election

Each side will need partners to achieve simple majority of 112 seats

20 November 2022
From left: Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's opposition chief; Muhyiddin Yassin, head of the National Alliance coalition; Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the incumbent prime minister; and Mahathir Mohamad, the former and longest-serving leader. (Source photos by Reuters)
Malaysia election

Malaysia's general election: 4 things to know

Some 1.4m new voters aged 18-21 will be key to choosing next government

19 November 2022
Anwar Ibrahim delivers a speech on bringing Malaysians together during a campaign rally ahead of general elections in Selangor, Malaysia, on Nov. 16. (Photo by NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Interview

Malaysia PM hopeful Anwar optimistic on eve of election

At age 75, longtime runner-up takes fourth stab at his dream job

18 November 2022
Mahathir Mohamad tells Nikkei Asia on Nov. 17 that even after Malaysia's elections, "no party will be strong enough to govern the country." (Photo by Hakimie Amrie)
Interview

Malaysia's Mahathir sees more political instability ahead

97-year-old will 'just retire' if he loses his race on the island of Langkawi

18 November 2022
Anwar Ibrahim adjusts his cap during a campaign rally in Ulu Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, on Nov. 16. For the fourth time, Anwar appears close to realizing his greatest political ambition.
Malaysia election

Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim wages final battle to be prime minister

Mahathir's protege and enemy wins big crowds but still searches for votes

17 November 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister, center, has pledged to create a deputy prime minister post to be helmed by a leader from Sarawak State in a bid to woo voters from Borneo. (Photo by Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Malaysia election

Malaysia politicians ramp up promises ahead of tight weekend poll

Coalitions led by Ismail Sabri and Anwar fear losing seats in upcoming vote

16 November 2022
Supporters of the UMNO-led Barisan National coalition wave flags on Langkawi Island on Nov. 5: The party remains popular in the rural Malay heartland.
Opinion

UMNO intends to return as Malaysia's natural governing party

Marcos' success in the Philippines inspires heavy investment in social media

15 November 2022