WEATHER ALERT
China defiant over South China Sea skirmishes in ASEAN talks and blames meddling by foreign forces
Read full article: China defiant over South China Sea skirmishes in ASEAN talks and blames meddling by foreign forcesSoutheast Asian leaders have stepped up pressure on China to respect international law following clashes in the disputed South China Sea during annual summit talks, but Chinese Premier Li Qiang remains defiant as he blamed “external forces” for interfering in regional affairs.
Former Malaysian leader Muhyiddin charged with sedition for allegedly mocking former king
Read full article: Former Malaysian leader Muhyiddin charged with sedition for allegedly mocking former kingFormer Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been charged with sedition over a speech he made that allegedly mocked the country’s previous king.
Malaysia honors a new king in coronation marked by pomp and cannon fire
Read full article: Malaysia honors a new king in coronation marked by pomp and cannon fireTraditional pomp and cannon fire marked the coronation of Malaysia’s billionaire King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, who pledged to govern fairly the five-year term he will serve under a unique rotating monarchy system.
Malaysian leader Anwar says China a 'true friend' and not to be feared as Premier Li ends visit
Read full article: Malaysian leader Anwar says China a 'true friend' and not to be feared as Premier Li ends visitMalaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim rejects the notion that China’s dominance is to be feared.
Fresh Malaysian durians will make their way to China as trade deals signed during Premier Li's visit
Read full article: Fresh Malaysian durians will make their way to China as trade deals signed during Premier Li's visitFresh Malaysian durians will soon make their way to China as the two countries signed a slew of trade and economic deals during a visit by Premier Li Qiang to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.
Diesel prices jump 56% as Malaysia revamps decades-old fuel subsidies
Read full article: Diesel prices jump 56% as Malaysia revamps decades-old fuel subsidiesDiesel price in Malaysia have jumped by more than 50%, as part of a revamp of decades-old fuel subsidies to tighten government spending and save billions of ringgit annually.
Google to invest $2 billion in Malaysian data center and cloud hub
Read full article: Google to invest $2 billion in Malaysian data center and cloud hubGoogle plans to invest $2 billion in Malaysia, developing its first data center and a Google Cloud hub in the latest big foray by a U.S. tech giant in the Southeast Asian country.
Malaysia PM says his country keeps good ties with US but not China phobia, wants to engage both
Read full article: Malaysia PM says his country keeps good ties with US but not China phobia, wants to engage bothMalaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said his country does not have a “China-phobia” policy and wants to engage both Beijing and Washington, expressing hopes for both powers to resolve their differences.
Man kills 2 officers at police station in Malaysia in a suspected Jemaah Islamiyah attack
Read full article: Man kills 2 officers at police station in Malaysia in a suspected Jemaah Islamiyah attackPolice say a man has stormed a police station in Malaysia and killed two officers in what's being investigated as a Jemaah Islamiyah terror attack.
Microsoft will invest $2.2 billion in cloud and AI services in Malaysia
Read full article: Microsoft will invest $2.2 billion in cloud and AI services in MalaysiaMicrosoft CEO Satya Nadella says the company will invest $2.2 billion over the next four years in new cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Malaysia.
2 Malaysian military helicopters collide and crash while training, killing all 10 crew
Read full article: 2 Malaysian military helicopters collide and crash while training, killing all 10 crewMalaysia’s navy says two military helicopters collided midair and crashed during a training session, killing all 10 people on board.
China and Myanmar likely to be high on the agenda when Southeast Asian leaders meet in Australia
Read full article: China and Myanmar likely to be high on the agenda when Southeast Asian leaders meet in AustraliaAn increasingly assertive China and a humanitarian crisis in Myanmar are likely to be high on the agenda when Southeast Asian leaders meet in Australia for a rare summit this week.
Malaysia's top court invalidates state's Islam-based laws on incest, sodomy and other offenses
Read full article: Malaysia's top court invalidates state's Islam-based laws on incest, sodomy and other offensesMalaysia’s top court has struck down Shariah-based criminal laws in an opposition-run state, saying they encroached on federal authority.
Malaysia halves prison term for ex-Prime Minister who oversaw multibillion-dollar 1MDB thefts
Read full article: Malaysia halves prison term for ex-Prime Minister who oversaw multibillion-dollar 1MDB theftsMalaysia’s Pardons Board said Friday it has reduced ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak’s 12-year jail sentence by half and sharply cut a fine, less than two years into his sentence from a corruption case linked to the theft of billions of dollars from state coffers.
Malaysia's new king is an outspoken billionaire in a role with growing political influence
Read full article: Malaysia's new king is an outspoken billionaire in a role with growing political influenceThe billionaire sultan who rules Malaysia's Johor state has been sworn in as the nation's new king under a unique rotating monarchy system.
As his son faces a graft probe, a Malaysian ex-PM says the government wants to prosecute its rivals
Read full article: As his son faces a graft probe, a Malaysian ex-PM says the government wants to prosecute its rivalsFormer Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad attacked a graft probe into his associates as politically motivated, a week after his eldest son was ordered to hand over information to investigators.
Two Malaysian filmmakers are charged with offending the religious feelings of others in banned film
Read full article: Two Malaysian filmmakers are charged with offending the religious feelings of others in banned filmTwo Malaysian filmmakers have been charged with offending the religious feelings of others in a rare criminal prosecution that has been slammed by critics as an attack on freedom of expression.
Coldplay concert in Malaysia can be stopped by organizers if the band misbehaves, government says
Read full article: Coldplay concert in Malaysia can be stopped by organizers if the band misbehaves, government saysA Malaysian minister said organizers of a Coldplay concert are able to stop Wednesday's show if the British rock band misbehaves.
Malaysia picks powerful ruler of Johor state as country's new king under rotation system
Read full article: Malaysia picks powerful ruler of Johor state as country's new king under rotation systemMalaysia’s royal families have elected the powerful and wealthy ruler of southern Johor state as the country’s new king under a unique rotating monarchy system.
Malaysia will cut subsidies and tax luxury goods as it unveils a 2024 budget narrowing the deficit
Read full article: Malaysia will cut subsidies and tax luxury goods as it unveils a 2024 budget narrowing the deficitMalaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says subsidies will be progressively cut and new taxes launched next year as part of the 2024 federal budget.
Hundreds protest against the Malaysian government after deputy premier's graft charges were dropped
Read full article: Hundreds protest against the Malaysian government after deputy premier's graft charges were droppedHundreds of people have rallied in the Malaysian capital accusing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of helping his key ally to escape prosecution in exchange for political support.
Malaysian court dismisses dozens of graft charges against deputy prime minister
Read full article: Malaysian court dismisses dozens of graft charges against deputy prime ministerA Malaysian court has dismissed 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after prosecutors unexpectedly dropped the charges at an advanced stage of his trial.
After checkered results in state polls, Malaysian leader Anwar needs to unite polarized nation
Read full article: After checkered results in state polls, Malaysian leader Anwar needs to unite polarized nationAnalysts say Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces a daunting task in uniting an increasingly polarized nation and strengthening his nascent unity government.
Relief for Malaysian leader Anwar, as the opposition fails to alter status quo in state elections
Read full article: Relief for Malaysian leader Anwar, as the opposition fails to alter status quo in state electionsMalaysian state elections have ended in a return to the status quo, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government and the Islamist opposition each retaining control of three states as expected.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar faces crucial test of support in state polls next month
Read full article: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar faces crucial test of support in state polls next monthLess than a year after taking office, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces a critical first test in state elections next month that pits his government against a powerful Islamic opposition.
Malaysia says it will take legal action against Meta over harmful content on Facebook
Read full article: Malaysia says it will take legal action against Meta over harmful content on FacebookMalaysia’s government says it will take legal action against Facebook's parent company, Meta Platforms, for failing to remove undesirable and harmful content from its social media platform.
ASEAN leader: No progress in ending Myanmar's deadly civil strife
Read full article: ASEAN leader: No progress in ending Myanmar's deadly civil strifeIndonesian President Joko Widodo has somberly acknowledged to fellow Southeast Asian leaders that no progress has been made to end the civil strife gripping Myanmar.
Malaysia ex-PM Muhyiddin charged with corruption, laundering
Read full article: Malaysia ex-PM Muhyiddin charged with corruption, launderingFormer Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been charged with corruption and money laundering, making him Malaysia’s second ex-leader to be indicted after leaving office.
5th body found in Malaysia floods; over 40,000 displaced
Read full article: 5th body found in Malaysia floods; over 40,000 displacedMalaysian police have found the body of a young woman trapped in a car that was swept away by rushing waters, the fifth death of seasonal floods that have also forced more than 43,000 people to flee their homes.
Malaysia's election uncertainty drags out as party dithers
Read full article: Malaysia's election uncertainty drags out as party dithersMalaysia’s longest-ruling coalition says it has not decided which bloc to support after weekend elections left neither with enough seats to form a government on its own.
Malaysia's nationalist block closer to forming government
Read full article: Malaysia's nationalist block closer to forming governmentMalaysia’s next government appears to be leaning to the religious right as a coalition of Malay nationalists won support of an influential bloc after tightly fought general elections failed to produce a clear winner.
Malaysia faces new crisis as poll delivers hung Parliament
Read full article: Malaysia faces new crisis as poll delivers hung ParliamentMalaysia has tumbled into fresh political turmoil after Saturday's tightly-contested general election delivered a hung Parliament with no clear winner and a surprising surge of support for an Islamist party.
Malaysian PM's party wins landslide victory in state polls
Read full article: Malaysian PM's party wins landslide victory in state pollsMalaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s Malay party has won a landslide victory in a state election, defeating its allies in the ruling coalition as well as the opposition ahead of national polls.
Malaysian state poll tests ruling alliance as allies split
Read full article: Malaysian state poll tests ruling alliance as allies splitA Malaysian southern state will hold elections Saturday in a test for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s Malay party as it faces off against allies in the government for the first time amid a widening rift.
Pandora Papers leak prompts calls for action in Asia
Read full article: Pandora Papers leak prompts calls for action in AsiaMalaysia’s main opposition leader is calling for information found in the Pandora Papers data leak to be discussed in Parliament, after learning the country’s former finance minister and several current officials might have been involved with offshore firms set up in tax havens.
Malaysian PM resigns after failing to get majority support
Read full article: Malaysian PM resigns after failing to get majority supportMalaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has resigned less than 18 months in power, apologizing for his shortcomings but blaming those he said were “hungry for power.”.
Malaysia PM under pressure to quit after stern royal rebuke
Read full article: Malaysia PM under pressure to quit after stern royal rebukeMalaysia’s king has rebuked Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s government for misleading Parliament over the status of coronavirus emergency measures, sparking renewed calls for the embattled leader to resign.
Embattled Malaysian PM gets respite but survival in balance
Read full article: Embattled Malaysian PM gets respite but survival in balanceA man walks in front of a poster of UMNO ( United Malays National Organisation) President Ahmad Zahid at UMNO headquarter in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. A key ally has reaffirmed support for Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's government, offering him a respite after his failed bid to declare a coronavirus emergency, but his political survival still hangs in the balance. The UMNO, the biggest party in the unelected governing coalition was angry at being sidelined amid rivalry with Muhyiddin's own Malay party. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Embattled Malaysian PM gets respite but survival in balance
Read full article: Embattled Malaysian PM gets respite but survival in balanceA key ally has reaffirmed support for Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's government, offering him a respite after his failed bid to declare a coronavirus emergency, but his political survival still hangs in the balance. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)KUALA LUMPUR – A key ally's reaffirmed support for Malaysia's prime minister offers him a respite after his failed bid to declare a coronavirus emergency, but his political survival still hangs in the balance. Muhyiddin sought to checkmate his rivals with a proposed coronavirus emergency that would have suspended Parliament and given him uncontested powers — but he miscalculated. The king has postponed meetings with party leaders to verify Anwar’s claim of a majority support. said Muhyiddin’s emergency plan was really an admission of defeat but he received “an indirect slap on the face” from the king.
Malaysian PM acknowledges king's rebuff of virus emergency
Read full article: Malaysian PM acknowledges king's rebuff of virus emergencyMalaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin attends a parliament session at lower house in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 13, 2020. Muhyiddin said Monday, Oct. 26, 2020 his government was prioritizing protecting people from COVID-19 amid a new outbreak after the king rejected an emergency proposal that critics saw as an undemocratic attempt to hold onto power. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Malaysian PM faces calls to resign after emergency rebuffed
Read full article: Malaysian PM faces calls to resign after emergency rebuffedMalaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin attends a parliament session at lower house in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia's prime minister faced calls to resign from both sides of the political aisle Monday after the king rebuffed his proposal for a coronavirus emergency that critics saw as an undemocratic attempt to hold onto power. If he is unable to pass the bill, pressure will build for him to resign or call new elections. Calls for Muhyiddin to resign were being made on both sides. He wrote on Facebook that “Muhyiddin should step down.”Opposition lawmaker Wong Chen called for the premier to resign or fire ministers who proposed the emergency.
Malaysia's king rejects PM's proposal to declare emergency
Read full article: Malaysia's king rejects PM's proposal to declare emergencyMalaysia's King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah waves as he leaves National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. National Palace statement says Malay rulers has decided not to accede to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's request to declare a state of emergency. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Malaysia's king rejects PM's proposal to declare emergency
Read full article: Malaysia's king rejects PM's proposal to declare emergencyMalaysia's King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah waves as he leaves National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. National Palace statement says Malay rulers has decided not to accede to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's request to declare a state of emergency. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia's king on Sunday rejected a proposal by embattled Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to declare a state of emergency to fight a new outbreak of the coronavirus. The king can declare a state of emergency that allows the country to be governed through ordinances that cannot be challenged in court. Some media outlets have cited sources as saying that Muhyiddin wanted an “economic emergency” to merely suspend Parliament, without any curfew.
Malaysia's Anwar meets king in bid to form new government
Read full article: Malaysia's Anwar meets king in bid to form new governmentAnwar met the king Tuesday in a bid to form a new government after claiming he had secured a majority in Parliament. Anwar said he showed he has the support of over 120 lawmakers, which would allow him to unseat Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. It said the king advised Anwar “to abide by and respect the legal process" based on the constitution. Allies in his Malay-centric coalition also denied supporting Anwar, and branded Anwar a “desperado” for seeking to wrest power during the pandemic. Mahathir became prime minister a second time.
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar plans new government
Read full article: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar plans new governmentMalaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim gestures as he leaves after a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Anwar said he has secured a majority in parliament to form a new government that is strong, stable and formidable." (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar plans new government
Read full article: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar plans new governmentMalaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim gestures as he leaves after a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Anwar said he has secured a majority in parliament to form a new government that is strong, stable and formidable." (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Wednesday he has secured a majority in Parliament to form a new government, but parties in the ruling coalition called it a “cheap publicity" stunt. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said Anwar must provide evidence, and “until proven otherwise, my National Alliance government still stands firm and I am still prime minister.” He urged Malaysians to stay calm. Once a high flyer in the ruling party, Anwar was convicted of homosexual sodomy and corruption after a power struggle with Mahathir in 1998.
Malaysia denies media harassment in row over Al-Jazeera film
Read full article: Malaysia denies media harassment in row over Al-Jazeera filmKUALA LUMPUR Malaysia has denied it was clamping down on social media after an outcry over an announcement that all video production must be licensed amid a row with news broadcaster Al-Jazeera. Communications Minister Saifuddin Abdullah sparked confusion Thursday after saying every film and video, including those produced by media groups and social media users, must comply with a 1981 Film Act that requires licensing. Many Malaysians and opposition lawmakers criticized Saifuddins announcement that could potentially affect videos produced on popular social media platforms such as Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram. Over 80% of Malaysias 32 million population are social media users. Police also questioned an activist about a social media post alleging mistreatment of refugees at immigration detention centers.
Malaysia PM wins tests of support, ousts house speaker
Read full article: Malaysia PM wins tests of support, ousts house speakerKUALA LUMPUR Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin narrowly won a motion to boot the parliament speaker Monday, scraping through the first test of his support nearly five months after taking power. Its success could thwart the opposition's bid of a no-confidence vote against Muhyiddin, analysts said. Lawmakers engaged in heated debates over Muhyiddins unprecedented proposal to replace the house speaker with his own candidate. Then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned in protest of the plan, and filed a motion of no-confidence against his former party ally. Chin said the speaker replacement suggested parliament cannot act as an effective check and balance against Muhyiddin.