The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency over mpox but stressed that the disease is "not the new COVID."
Society

Asia on alert over mpox as cases detected in Thailand, Philippines

Indonesia and Malaysia tighten surveillance at international entry points

22 August 2024
Malaysian automaker Proton launched the redesigned X70 SUV on Aug. 15. (Proton)
Automobiles

Malaysia's Proton deepens ties with China's Geely ahead of EV debut

Long-struggling automaker aims for growth under Chinese shareholder

22 August 2024
A Batik Air Airbus A320 prepares for takeoff from Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport: The Lion Air Group unit is seeking to position its flights from the airfield as a premium service. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
The Big Story

Southeast Asia's old air hubs are revving back to life

Region's airlines seek business travelers willing to pay more for convenience

21 August 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremonial reception inside India's Presidential Palace Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Aug. 20. (Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
International relations

India and Malaysia to upgrade ties after talks on trade, defense

Leaders Modi and Anwar elevate relations to comprehensive strategic partnership

20 August 2024
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
Kenneth Pereira, the founder and managing director of Malaysia's Hibiscus Petroleum, poses for a photo during an interview with Nikkei Asia in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Hakimie Amrie)
Energy

Malaysia's Hibiscus keen on acquisitions as Big Oil divests in Asia

Founder says company aims to be 'regional consolidator' of established assets

18 August 2024
Canadian cafe chain Tim Hortons has seven shops in Singapore among its roughly 5,700 locations worldwide. (Photo by Hakimie Amrie)
Food & Beverage

Marubeni serves Tim Hortons coffee in Malaysia with local flavors

Canadian chain expands in Southeast Asia after Singapore entry

17 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
Foreign ministers of Southeast Asian countries pose for a photo in Vientiane on July 25. ASEAN now faces significant centrifugal forces amid the reshaping of global orders. 
Comment

OECD or BRICS? Key members' differences might weaken ASEAN unity

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand all pursue different 'diversification' strategies

12 August 2024
Infineon CEO Jochen Hanebeck at the company's chip plant in Kulim, Malaysia. (Photo by Cheng Ting-Fang)
Semiconductors

Infineon CEO says Asia 'critical' for chip production, R&D plans

Economies of scale still matter even as countries rush to onshore supply chains

9 August 2024
 European chipmaker Infineon is expanding its footprint in Malaysia amid expectations of strong demand for power semiconductors. (Photo by Cheng Ting-Fang)
Semiconductors

Infineon opens largest power semiconductor plant in Malaysia

Southeast Asian nation receives record chip, data center investments

8 August 2024
China's ACM Research is among the chipmaking equipment companies considering participating in the joint Malaysian-Chinese expo. (Photo by Shunsuke Tabeta)
Semiconductors

Malaysia and China deepen chip cooperation with joint expo

Kuala Lumpur seeks foreign investment to upgrade its 'Silicon Valley'

8 August 2024
Traffic in Kuala Lumpur. Subsidies made up 25% of Malaysia's 2023 budget, with about three-quarters devoted to fuel subsidies. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Politics

Malaysia to reduce fuel subsidies as inflation weakens

Government turns to tackling deficit after pandemic spending

7 August 2024
Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, fourth from right, at the opening of Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park in Selangor on Aug. 6. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Semiconductors

Malaysia moves up value chain with first semiconductor park

'Once in a generation' chance to become chip champion, minister says

6 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
Stream article image
Podcast: News Roundup

Malaysia and Singapore crack down on social media

Tune in to Nikkei Asia's podcast, bringing the region's key news to global listeners

2 August 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim later posts to Facebook, "Let this serve as a clear and unequivocal message to Meta: Cease this display of cowardice."
Cybersecurity

Malaysia PM calls Facebook cowardly for removing his condolence post

Anwar Ibrahim's recording of a phone call with a Hamas official is taken down

1 August 2024
Malaysian ministers say the new licensing system for social media and messaging services is a necessary step to safeguard the online space. Civil society groups have strongly criticized it as a move toward increased censorship and authoritarianism. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Cybersecurity

Malaysia's new social media rules draw mixed reactions

Opposition concerns over curbs on freedoms contrast with calls to tackle cybercrime

1 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
Workers hang Malaysian flags in Kuala Lumpur.
Media & Entertainment

Malaysia to ask social media platforms with over 8m users to get licenses

Legal action will be taken if service providers fail to apply by January 2025

28 July 2024
This 19th-century gold-plated buckle is one of the many extraordinary items featured in Michael Backman's new book, "Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand." (All photos courtesy of River Books (London))
Books

Books: Gold and silver artworks highlight Malay royal splendor

Lavishly illustrated volume breaks fresh ground in study of courtly regalia and fine craftsmanship

27 July 2024
Half the top 10 listings in Southeast Asia in terms of amount raised were from Malaysia. (Photo by Norman Goh)
IPO

Southeast Asia IPO fundraising down 60% in first half as Indonesia slumps

Higher interest rates dampen listings in region with fewer big-ticket debuts

27 July 2024
The new venture will solidify state energy company Petronas's standing in the biofuels value chain beyond trading and offer sustainable solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
Energy

Petronas, Enilive and Euglena to jointly develop biorefinery in Malaysia

The plant at Pengerang Integrated Complex in Johor state is expected to be operational by 2028

26 July 2024