Malaysia: Latest News and Updates | South China Morning Post (2025)

Malaysia

Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Malaysia, covering politics, economy, society and the Asean member-nation’s relationships with China, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian countries.

Capital

Kuala Lumpur

Head of State

Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar

Head of Government

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

China-Japan relations

China protests over reports Japan urged other countries to skip WWII paradeForeign ministry says Tokyo should face up to its history after claims it urged other countries not to attend the ‘anti-Japanese’ event.

26 Aug 2025 - 9:31PM

Malaysian heiress to Top Glove fortune seeks US$200 million for private markets

26 Aug 2025 - 9:11PM

Wheel of death: 5 motorcycle festivalgoers killed on Malaysian roads

26 Aug 2025 - 5:30PM

Fan Bingbing

Malaysian designer says Fan Bingbing’s ceremony look reflects her ‘elegance’The Chinese star’s mint-green outfit by Melinda Looi blends Malaysian tradition with modern flair, celebrating women’s empowerment.

26 Aug 2025 - 2:03PM

SCMP Highlights

Singapore’s struggling hawker trade, Seoul’s smart policing: 7 Asia highlightsFrom North Korea’s Ukraine war deaths to Singapore’s hawker trade struggles, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

26 Aug 2025 - 1:21PM

Asia travel

Malaysia’s new electric train service set to bring travel boomThe service could open remote towns to tourism but more trains and bigger publicity needed to unlock true potential, industry experts say.

26 Aug 2025 - 3:15PM

Israel-Gaza war

‘A lot of debt’: who will pay for Malaysia’s US$24 million Gaza aid pledge?Anwar Ibrahim’s aid pledge is causing unease at a time when Malaysians are grappling with tax increases, subsidy cuts and stagnant wages.

25 Aug 2025 - 5:00PM

SCMP Highlights

PLA makes strides, Chinese man sold to Myanmar scam hub freed: 5 weekend readsFrom the PLA’s advancements to Japan expanding its defence ties, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

25 Aug 2025 - 1:13PM

Crime

From Ferraris to felonies: son of ex-PM arrested with heroin in MalaysiaThe arrest of the son of a former prime minister with heroin in his car is drawing comparisons to past cases of the elite escaping justice.

26 Aug 2025 - 9:31AM

Sri Lanka

Straight outta Brickfields: how Malaysia gave the world Tamil rapA new sound for a new generation, Tamil rap has gone from Kuala Lumpur subculture to global phenomenon.

24 Aug 2025 - 5:05PMvideocam

Tourism

‘Precious gift’: Malaysian state honours Fan Bingbing for boosting tourismThe Chinese actress said she deeply treasured the recognition, calling it a ‘precious gift’.

24 Aug 2025 - 3:24PM

Asean

Asian Angle | What can East Timor bring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations?The newest member of the Asean bloc could be its most optimistic, bringing a renewed focus on international law and unity.

24 Aug 2025 - 12:00PM

Defence

Malaysia’s king fires off a royal rebuke to ‘nonsensical’ defence dealsA controversial Black Hawk deal has been scrapped after Sultan Ibrahim intervened, calling out ‘flying coffins’ and high procurement costs.

24 Aug 2025 - 8:02AMvideocam

Vietnam

Vietnam’s island-building on disputed Spratlys to surpass China’s efforts: reportSatellite images show Vietnam has begun reclamation on eight reefs and upgraded military infrastructure in disputed waters.

23 Aug 2025 - 4:20PM

Royalty

Malaysia’s king takes the controls on inaugural electric train journeyThe long-delayed southern stretch of Malaysia’s electric train service will start operating at the end of the month.

24 Aug 2025 - 8:29AM

Education

Letters | Let’s not agree to disagree. Productive disagreement is what world needsReaders discuss how to better develop shared solutions to global challenges, content creation ethics, and Anti-Asian discrimination.

23 Aug 2025 - 11:30AM

China trade

Malaysia flexes rare earth muscle as mineral-hungry US seeks non-Chinese sourcesKuala Lumpur’s new ban on exports of unprocessed rare earth metals reflects how Malaysia is carving out its own path in the rare earth supply chain.

23 Aug 2025 - 10:00AM

Music

Meet the man on a mission to revive Malaysia’s indie music spiritAhmad Faris, founder of TapauFest music festival, has spent the past 15 years promoting Malaysia’s indie scene and regional musical talents.

23 Aug 2025 - 9:30AM

South China Sea

Malaysia’s oil and gas future finds itself adrift in the South China SeaDecades of underinvestment have left Malaysia’s armed forces ill-prepared to protect its vital oil and gas reserves.

25 Aug 2025 - 9:35AM

SCO

How will China assert its diplomatic clout at SCO summit amid global challenges?With political heavyweights set to attend landmark gathering, many are watching to see how China will position itself as a world power.

22 Aug 2025 - 9:10PMvideocam

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

JPMorgan settles 1MDB scandal claims with Malaysia for US$330 millionThe settlement resolves Malaysia’s civil lawsuit, while Swiss prosecutors found the bank negligent in preventing aggravated money laundering.

22 Aug 2025 - 8:05PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Apple joins RedNote, plane software mastermind leaves US for China: 7 highlightsFrom Apple joining RedNote to top engineer leaving US for China, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

22 Aug 2025 - 12:54PM

Anwar Ibrahim

How Malaysia’s bid to prevent a ‘corrupt-minded society’ is taking a comic turnAnti-corruption chief Azam Baki turns to comics, films and live-streams to stop Malaysia from becoming a ‘corrupt-minded society’.

22 Aug 2025 - 2:05PM

Defence

Malaysia jet explosion reignites debate over ageing air force arsenalViral footage of the fiery crash has raised alarms over military readiness and old equipment.

22 Aug 2025 - 3:44PM

Insurance

AIA profit rises 12% in first half on mainland visitors’ buying spreeThe insurer’s value of new business, a key indicator of sales and future growth, rises 14 per cent to beat market estimates.

21 Aug 2025 - 6:42PM

Crime

Zara’s death: 5 teenagers plead not guilty to bullying Malaysian studentThe suspects were charged with ‘making threatening or insulting communications’ towards 13-year-old Zara, who died on July 17.

20 Aug 2025 - 3:09PM

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysian employers warn cutting number of foreign workers may backfireWhile the government says the move will raise the wages of citizens and productivity, employers argue it will lead to higher business costs.

20 Aug 2025 - 3:02PM

Crime

12-year-old girl’s online porn business exposes legal dilemma in MalaysiaThe girl made money selling her nude photos, the home minister said, using the case to show the legal pitfalls in dealing with minors.

20 Aug 2025 - 1:31PM

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