Economy

26 August 2024
With Malaysian equities leading the way, the rally in Southeast Asian stocks has been underpinned by expectations of a September rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Source photos by Reuters)
International relations

Malaysia's Anwar focuses on BRICS and trade in first India trip

Strong semiconductor partnership possible between the two countries, analysts say

19 August 2024
Malaysian shoppers, like this woman at a wet market in Kuala Lumpur, consumed at a robust pace to help Malaysia's economy expand in the second quarter of 2024.
Economy

Malaysia GDP growth accelerates to 5.9% in Q2

Robust consumption leads to strongest expansion in six quarters

16 August 2024
The dollar is coming down from a prolonged period of strength, boosting Asian currencies. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Ringgit, baht gain against dollar on speculation of U.S. rate cut

Asian central banks seen weighing own moves as inflationary pressures ease

13 August 2024
The Malaysian ringgit had dropped in February to its lowest level against the dollar in data going back to 1971.
Currencies

Malaysian ringgit hits 16-month high against dollar

Country's strong economy fuels rebound amid greenback sell-off

6 August 2024
GDP for the ASEAN six is expected to increase by an average of 5.1% annually until 2034, outpacing China's projected growth of 3.5% to 4.5%. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and Reuters)
Economy

Southeast Asia to outpace China's GDP growth and foreign investment: report

Think tank projects 5.1% average growth next decade in six key economies

1 August 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is likely to stay in power until the next general election, expected in 2027.
Opinion

Malaysia sheds short-termism to become Asia's comeback kid

Investors embrace political stability as alarms sound over Thailand's fragility

24 July 2024
This SRT train in Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station prepares to depart for Vientiane on the newly opened line on July 19. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Transportation

Thailand's new rail links carry hope for expanded Chinese trade

Laos-China railway become a key gateway for Thai and Malaysian exports

23 July 2024
The RTS Link, seen here in an artist rendering, will have the capacity to handle 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. (Singapore Land Transport Authority)
International relations

Singapore and Malaysia bolster ties with rail, special economic zone

Commuter line to ease border congestion while 3,500 sq. km area to promote investment

21 July 2024
Malaysia's central bank held its key policy interest rate steady on July 11, point to the potential for higher inflation due to changes in subsidies and price controls in the country. 
Economy

Malaysia central bank holds key rate steady on inflation risks

Monetary authorities cite likely price rises after change to diesel subsidies

11 July 2024
A container ship sails near a port in Malaysia. The Malacca Strait is a key sea lane for global logistics.
Supply Chain

Malaysia to build port near Kuala Lumpur amid supply chain shift

Developer Tanco teams up with a Chinese company on AI-driven facility

14 June 2024
A Bangkok port: ASEAN has a new No. 1 export market now that the U.S. is increasing its procurement of electronic parts from the bloc and China's economy is stagnating.
Trade

U.S. tops China as ASEAN's largest export destination

Positions flip-flop for 1st time in 6 quarters, following supply chain shift

13 June 2024
The excitement of Xi Jinping's Belt and Road, announced in 2013, convinced a developer to build an island and city off the coast of Malaysia. Now China's property sector woes have left investors in unbearable financial straits. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Yusuke Hinata and Reuters)
China up close

Analysis: Xi Jinping's Belt and Road leaves Malaysia with a 'ghost' island

Forest City project in Johor remains in limbo as Beijing prepares for key meeting

13 June 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at a semiconductor event in Kuala Lumpur on May 28. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Semiconductors

Malaysia to train 60,000 engineers in bid to become chip hub

Government to allocate $5.3bn in new National Semiconductor Strategy

28 May 2024
All Vida items have been halal-certified. The brand is available in more than 20 countries and territories, including the Philippines, Singapore, Ghana and Libya. (Photo by Yusuke Yagi)
Food & Beverage

Japanese firms 'reimport' items originally developed for Asian markets

Sodas, noodles prove popular among domestic consumers too

26 May 2024
A view of Kuala Lumpur's skyline: Malaysia's growth accelerated in the first quarter of 2024, helped by stronger private consumption and a recovery in exports.
Economy

Malaysia's GDP grew 4.2% in Q1, fastest in a year

Robust consumption and export recovery help lift economy

17 May 2024
An oil refinery in Tomakomai, Japan is the site of a key carbon dioxide storage demonstration project: The country's initial CO2 storage plan comprises five domestic and two overseas sites.
Opinion

Japan cannot make CO2 disappear just by exporting it

Plans for overseas storage must involve taking permanent responsibility

14 May 2024
Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli speaks to Nikkei Asia during an interview in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Interview

Malaysia aims to lure overseas venture capital to spur startups

Economy minister says such funding is key to sector's development

11 May 2024
Persistent inflation has led central banks to refrain from cutting interest rates, increasing pressure on borrowers servicing payments and on banks' payouts to depositors.
Finance

ASEAN banks grapple with uncertain U.S. Fed interest rate cuts

From loan stresses to payouts, lenders manage murky financing prospects

10 May 2024
Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia's minister of investment, trade and industry. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Semiconductors

Malaysian trade minister touts 'neutrality' to grow chip industry

Zafrul says 'earthquake-free' location also attractive for multinationals

21 April 2024
SMD Semiconductor CEO Shariman Jamil advocates for the state of Sarawak to take on a bigger role in Malaysia's semiconductor industry. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Semiconductors

Malaysia's Sarawak seeks to turn itself into a chip design hub

SMD Semiconductor CEO says the state has background and experience to succeed

15 April 2024
Oppstar's IPO was a big hit -- it was oversubscribed by 77 times -- but the frenzy also showed how far Malaysia has to go to return to its former tech glory.
Business Spotlight

Malaysian 'Silicon Valley' seeds homegrown chip startups

Former Intel engineers attempt to push Penang to higher end of value chain

12 April 2024
An employee inspects a printed circuit board at a production facility of automated test equipment designer Aemulus Holdings in Penang, Malaysia.
Opinion

Time is ripe for Malaysia to move upstream into designing chips

Penang can build on success in downstream areas of semiconductor production

11 April 2024
Port Klang is the second-busiest port in Southeast Asia, after only Singapore. (Photo by Norman Goh) 
Supply Chain

Malaysia's largest port to double capacity to chase Singapore

Supply chain diversification adds to logistics competition in Southeast Asia

10 April 2024
The problems facing global trade were on full display at the WTO Ministerial Conference that concluded in Abu Dhabi last month.
Opinion

It's up to the developed world to save global trade

West must recognize that WTO rules have to be equitable and inclusive

1 April 2024