Malaysia

Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during a news conference in Putrajaya earlier in May.
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir rejects termination by party led by Malaysia's Muhyiddin

Former leader vows to push motion to remove current PM as Bersatu president

29 May 2020
Slow lane: Auto sales in Kuala Lumpur and other parts of Malaysia remain sluggish even after coronavirus-related restrictions have been lifted.
Automobiles

Malaysia auto sales drop 99% on coronavirus lockdown

Car buyers slow to return after country sold just 141 vehicles last month

28 May 2020
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has been ousted from the party he co-founded and led to victory in the 2018 election. 
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir axed from party he founded with Malaysian PM Muhyiddin

Former leader's son, Mukhriz Mahathir, and three others also ousted from Bersatu

28 May 2020
An imam, joined by just two mosque employees, leads the prayer at Kuala Lumpur’s National Mosque on April 24.
Life

What I learned from spending Ramadan under coronavirus lockdown

The pandemic taught me to look at Islam's holy month anew

26 May 2020
Many private eye clinics in Malaysia are struggling to continue their operations amid the coronavirus pandemic. 
Startups

Malaysia's Vista Eye to raise $30m to finance expansion

Eyecare chain to acquire local clinics struggling amid coronavirus pandemic

25 May 2020
Children wearing protective face masks play near the entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing on May 22. 
Coronavirus: Free to read

Coronavirus: Week of May 17 to May 23, China reports zero new cases

Malaysian PM under self-quarantine; Singapore case count exceeds 30,000

23 May 2020
Japan's state of emergency to combat the coronavirus, initially scheduled to be lifted on May 31, will be maintained in metropolitan Tokyo for now. (Photo by Masayuki Terazawa)
Coronavirus

Japan weighs lifting Tokyo's coronavirus emergency May 25

Restrictions scrapped in Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures as outbreak eases

21 May 2020
Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is the chairman of sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd.
Startups

Malaysia's Khazanah sells shares of genetics screening MGRC

Sovereign wealth fund lets go of 11% stake in ACE Market-listed company

21 May 2020
Thailand is one of a number of Southeast Asian countries that will be looking at a "new normal" as the country reopens amid the ebbing coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Coronavirus

Video: Bangkok, Hanoi and Yangon are up after coronavirus shutdown

Restaurants and shopping malls reopen, but with a 'new normal' in place

21 May 2020
Muhyiddin Yassin gestures after his cabinet announcement on Mar. 9: during the jockeying, the opportunity costs add up.
Opinion

Malaysia must stop political squabbling and boost economic stimulus

Muhyiddin Yassin is wasting valuable time because he does not want to be ousted

21 May 2020
Stream article image
International relations

Vietnam city fines Bayer chief for South China Sea 'nine-dash' map

Ho Chi Minh authorities say local CEO spread 'illegal images'

21 May 2020
Credit rating agencies have their eyes trained on the fiscal health of economies in developing Asia.
Asia Insight

Asia faces financial health check after going big on stimulus

Countries must spend wisely or leave future generations under piles of debt

19 May 2020
Allies-turned-rivals Muhyiddin Yassin, left, and Mahathir Mohamad in 2018: The former toppled the latter to become prime minister earlier this year.
Malaysia in transition

Muhyiddin and Mahathir rekindle feud as Malaysia looks beyond virus

First no-confidence vote in parliament's history looms over PM

17 May 2020
Countries around the world are racing to create a vaccine for COVID-19.
Coronavirus: Free to read

Coronavirus: Week of May 10 to May 16, Trump calls 14 vaccines promising

Indonesia fell into trade deficit in April; global deaths top 300,000

16 May 2020
Jets belonging to Singapore Airlines and its Scoot budget carrier are pictured on the tarmac at Changi Airport in Singapore on March 11. Asian airlines are reeling as passenger numbers have sharply declined this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Transportation

Historic loss at Singapore Airlines showcases Asian aviation woes

Lacking hopeful signs, Cathay Pacific reviewing 'all aspects of business'

15 May 2020
People shop for groceries at a Malaysian market after the government eased its coronavirus lockdown on May 4. Some restricitons remain in place until June 9.
Economy

Malaysia's GDP growth slumps to 0.7% as relaxed lockdown drags on

Coronavirus and oil price plunge raise specter of recession in 2020

13 May 2020
The streets of Kuala Lumpur on May 4, when Malaysia allowed a majority of businesses to reopen.
Coronavirus

Malaysia extends limits on travel until June 9

Businesses reopen, but interstate movement still restricted amid new infections

11 May 2020
Malaysia remains a major foothold for Japanese companies looking to penetrate international markets.
Electronics

Malaysia factories spring back to life for Japanese electronics

Sharp, Sony and Panasonic reboot production in key export hub

9 May 2020
Gautham Dev entered this uncertain world late on April 17. (Photo by P Prem Kumar)
Coronavirus

Becoming a father amid the pandemic: A Malaysian experience

A Nikkei reporter and his wife welcome a son in the days of social distancing

9 May 2020
Banks in Southeast Asia are wary of business closures and bankruptcies as the spread of the coronavirus causes economies to stagnate.
Finance

ASEAN banks prepare for flood of bad loans amid coronavirus havoc

DBS and Siam Commercial ramp up provisions as economic outlook deteriorates

8 May 2020
Red palm oil extract bottles are displayed at Sime Darby Palm Oil Experience Centre in Pulau Carey, Malaysia. The country is the world's second biggest producer of palm oil. 
Commodities

Malaysia slams WHO for advising against palm oil use

World's No. 2 producer says agency should come up with new ideas for COVID-19

5 May 2020
Members of a Thai Airways crew disinfect the cabin of an aircraft. The coronavirus has made greater health and safety measures a necessity for airilnes. (Photo byAkira Kodaka)
Transportation

Asia's airlines navigate new safety norms after coronavirus

Carriers introduce social distancing and health checks as lockdowns end

2 May 2020
Filipinos, seen here at a remittance counter in Makati City in Manila, are expected to suffer the most from a fall in remittances from overseas as the coronavirus pandemic leads to job losses and pay cuts. 
Economy

Philippines and Indonesia face risk of record remittance fall

Inflows from US and Middle East may plunge, hitting vital source of income

1 May 2020
Grab cofounders, Anthony Tan (right) and Tan Hooi Ling, have grown their company into social infrastructure in Southeast Asia.    
Nikkei Asia Prizes

Grab: From business-school project to game-changer in Southeast Asia

Ride-hailing app brings financial security to drivers and new technology to region

30 April 2020
Buddhist monks at Bangkok's Wat Matchantikaram Temple wear face masks to shield themselves from the coronavirus. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Coronavirus

Thailand and Malaysia keep guard up after Vietnam lifts lockdown

Bangkok weighs careful easing but extends emergency and curfew for now

28 April 2020