Malaysia

In June 2023, Malaysian authorities detained over 100 Rohingya asylum seekers with valid UNHCR documents outside the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur after they were evicted from a Penang settlement. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered firm action, citing public order. The incident occurs amid escalating public hostility, online hate speech, and a petition with over half a million signatures demanding Rohingya removal. Malaysia, which does not recognize Rohingya as refugees, announced a plan to repatriate 5,000 Rohingya to Myanmar, though Myanmar denied the agreement. At least nine Rohingya schools have closed due to harassment.

7 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 6, 02:37 AM UTC

Malaysia's Democratic Action Party (DAP), the largest party in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, will hold a special national congress on August 16, 2026, to decide whether to remain in the unity government. This follows PH's defeat in the Negeri Sembilan state election, where it won only 11 of 36 seats. DAP has lost support due to perceived mishandling of corruption cases and slow reforms. Secretary-General Anthony Loke, who lost his state seat, said 4,000 delegates will vote. DAP holds 40 of PH's 77 parliamentary seats and five cabinet positions; its potential defection could destabilize Anwar's government amid a growing pan-Malay alliance.

5 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 4, 04:47 AM UTC

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition lost control of Negeri Sembilan state in an August 1, 2026 election, winning only 11 seats. Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) secured a combined 25 seats, forming a two-thirds majority. This marks PH's third consecutive electoral setback, following losses in Johor and Sabah. The defeat is attributed to Malay-Muslim unity, racial rhetoric, and voter disillusionment with PH over corruption scandals, widening the rift in the federal government and potentially prompting an early general election.

7 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 4, 01:44 AM UTC

KC Global Media Asia has announced a new adventure reality competition series titled 'AXN Ultimate Challenge: Sarawak,' produced in partnership with AXN Asia and the Sarawak Tourism Board. The four-episode series, each 15 minutes long, features two content creator teams competing in adrenaline-fueled challenges inspired by Sarawak's landscapes and culture. Hosted by Mark O'Dea, the show explores themes of community, eco-tourism, and tradition, with local notables including Chef Achang Libat and Blowpipe Masters. The series will premiere on the AXN Asia YouTube channel on July 31, 2026, and air on AXN channels across East Asia, Singapore, and China starting August 4. The collaboration highlights the growing trend of screen tourism, aiming to inspire audiences to visit Sarawak, Malaysia.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 02:00 AM UTC

The 12th edition of the Malabar River Festival, Asia's premier white-water kayaking event, will be held from July 30 to August 2, 2026, along the Chalipuzha and Iruvanjipuzha rivers in Kozhikode district, Kerala. Over 100 paddlers from India and six countries (New Zealand, Italy, Russia, Malaysia, Nepal, Czech Republic) will compete in disciplines including Kayak Slalom, Boater Cross, and Downriver Race. The event features the National Kayakers' Ranking Championship in partnership with the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association. Safety operations are managed by Adventure Sports Systems and Timing, supported by Kerala Police, Fire and Rescue Services, and disaster management teams. Local community engagement included pre-events across eight grama panchayats and Mukkom municipality. The festival will be inaugurated by Agriculture Minister T. Siddique and concluded by Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 01:55 PM UTC

Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that the 2026 season will conclude in Europe if the final two scheduled races in Qatar (Nov 27-29) and Abu Dhabi (Dec 4-6) cannot be held due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. The sport had already cancelled April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with Bahrain's Grand Prix relocated to Malaysia in October. Domenicali stated that F1 will wait until mid-September to decide, citing 'Brexit-connected documentation' as a reason Europe is the only viable alternative. Imola is a potential replacement venue, though not confirmed. The calendar has been reduced to 23 races after losing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Domenicali remains hopeful the original schedule can be maintained but acknowledged the risk of cold weather for late-season European races.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 11:00 AM UTC

The article profiles three women from tribal regions of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh—Poonam Kumari, Priyanka Dhanwar, and Shivani Uikey—who, after studying at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and undergoing specialized training in Malaysia, now work as machine operators at CG Semi's Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated commercial production at the plant, praising the women's technical expertise and noting that many were first in their families to obtain passports and travel abroad. The facility is part of India's broader push to expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing. The women described overcoming language barriers through Hindi explanations and practical demonstrations, and expressed pride in their achievements.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 04:26 AM UTC

The unexpected announcement of Formula 1's return to Malaysia has triggered a massive surge in travel bookings. International flight bookings to Malaysia have increased by 106%, and hotels in Sepang, the location of the F1 circuit, are rapidly filling up just days after the news broke. The article, published by The Business Times on July 29, 2026, highlights the immediate economic and tourism impact of the surprise decision, with travelers rushing to secure accommodations and flights for the event.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 11:00 PM UTC

The surprise announcement of Formula 1's return to Malaysia has triggered a massive surge in travel bookings. International flight bookings to Malaysia have increased by 106%, and hotels in Sepang, the location of the F1 circuit, are rapidly filling up just days after the news broke. The article, published by The Business Times on July 29, 2026, highlights the immediate economic and tourism impact of the unexpected decision, with travelers rushing to secure accommodations and flights for the event.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 11:00 PM UTC

At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Indian weightlifter Ajaya Babu won the silver medal in the men's 79kg event, improving on his father Valluri Srinivasa Rao's bronze medal from the 2010 Games. The 21-year-old from Andhra Pradesh achieved a Games record of 149kg in the snatch and a total lift of 330kg, finishing just 1kg behind Malaysia's Muhammad Erry Hidayat, who set Games records in clean and jerk (184kg) and total (331kg). Ajaya expressed disappointment at missing gold but dedicated his medal to the Indian Weightlifting Federation, his coaches, support staff, and his father, who inspired him to take up the sport. He vowed to aim for gold in future competitions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 02:45 PM UTC

The article recaps three international professional pickleball tournaments held over the July 26th weekend. In Singapore, the PPA Asia 500 event saw Collin Johns & Len Yang win men's doubles gold, Hong Kit Wong claim his third men's singles gold in four events, and Yufie Long win both women's singles and doubles. A notable upset occurred in mixed doubles where 16-year-old Jaeda Minniefield partnered with Luc Pham for the title. In Malaysia, the APP Penang Open featured Quang Duong winning men's singles and doubles, while Roos van Reek achieved a triple crown (singles, doubles, mixed doubles). In Slovenia (hosting the PPA's inaugural Italian series event), Louis Laville & Tom Protzek won men's doubles, and Katie Morris secured both women's doubles and mixed doubles titles.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 01:27 PM UTC

Malaysian property developer Sime Darby Property has launched a US$640 million sukuk (Islamic bond) to finance the construction of data centres and logistics assets. The move marks a strategic diversification beyond the company's traditional property development business, reflecting the growing demand for digital infrastructure financing in Southeast Asia. The sukuk issuance, reported by The Business Times on July 28, 2026, is part of a broader trend where real estate firms are pivoting to capitalize on the booming data centre and logistics sectors driven by cloud computing, e-commerce, and digitalization. The funding will support the group's expansion into high-growth asset classes, aligning with Malaysia's push to become a regional digital hub.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 06:30 AM UTC

Malaysian property developer Sime Darby Property has launched a US$640 million green sukuk, described as a world-first for data centre financing. The Islamic bond issuance aims to fund the company's expansion into data centres and logistics assets, highlighting the growing demand for digital infrastructure financing. The sukuk, which is Shariah-compliant, underscores the intersection of sustainable finance and the booming digital economy in Southeast Asia. The move reflects broader trends in the region where real estate developers are diversifying into high-growth digital infrastructure sectors to capture demand from cloud computing, AI, and e-commerce. The article was published by The Business Times on July 28, 2026.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 06:30 AM UTC

The Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan, known for the resort town of Port Dickson, faces a critical test on August 1 as it heads to the polls while managing a record investment pipeline worth approximately US$4.7 billion in approved projects. The state government must translate these approved investments into tangible economic growth, a challenge that will be scrutinized during the upcoming election. The article highlights the execution risk associated with converting large-scale project approvals into actual economic benefits for the state, which is a key issue for voters and investors alike. The outcome of the August 1 poll could influence the pace and direction of these investments, making it a pivotal moment for Negeri Sembilan's economic trajectory.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 03:00 AM UTC

Lando Norris secured pole position for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, edging Lewis Hamilton by 0.012 seconds. However, Hamilton received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri, dropping him to fifth. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was also penalized for yellow-flag violations. The reshuffled grid places Charles Leclerc second, Piastri third, and Max Verstappen fourth. Norris’s pole marks McLaren’s first of the season after a major upgrade. The race is set for Sunday, July 26.

18 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 27, 08:29 PM UTC

In a major upset at the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in New Delhi, underdog Malaysia defeated top-seeded India 3-1 in their opening league match. Despite four Indian players ranked in the world's top 100, Malaysia's Wong Qi Shen, ranked 202nd, delivered a captain's performance by beating both Harmeet Desai and world No. 38 Manav Thakkar. Manav had given India a strong start by defeating Choong Javen, but Harmeet lost to Wong, and Tey Hong Yu edged Manush Shah in five games. With India trailing, Manav fought back from 6-10 down in the fifth game against Wong, saving three match points before losing. India coach Sourav Chakraborty called it a wake-up call but downplayed concerns, noting the top two teams from each group still advance to the quarterfinals. India later beat Zimbabwe 3-0, while the women's team defeated Maldives 3-0.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 04:59 PM UTC

The Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FIT-P), a flexible trade arrangement launched in September 2025 with 14 founding members, is gaining momentum. On July 17, ministers from 21 countries met in New Zealand to advance the initiative, which now has 19 members representing nearly 20% of global goods trade. Spearheaded by Singapore, Switzerland, New Zealand, and the UAE, FIT-P focuses on practical collaboration to strengthen supply chains, remove non-tariff barriers, integrate digital technologies, and facilitate investment. Unlike traditional free trade agreements, FIT-P has no legally binding obligations; members can choose which initiatives to join. The Auckland meeting produced three separate declarations on non-tariff barriers, digital trade facilitation, and economic resilience. The initiative reflects a growing trend among smaller economies to diversify trade partnerships and pursue agile, adaptable cooperation outside major power blocs.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 01:36 PM UTC

Indian weightlifter Raja Muthupandi won a silver medal in the men's 65kg event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, finishing with a total of 286kg. The 26-year-old from Tamil Nadu, returning to the Games after an eight-year gap, fell 13kg short of gold medalist Muhamad Aznil Bin Bidin of Malaysia, who claimed his third consecutive Commonwealth gold with a Games record of 299kg. Raja, who had been tipped as a gold medal prospect by Indian head coach Vijay Sharma, completed only two of six attempts and expressed disappointment. Despite the setback, the silver represents Raja's first Commonwealth medal, coming after a sixth-place finish in 2018 and missing the 2022 Games due to injury. His performance followed a national record of 302kg at the Senior Nationals earlier in 2026.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 12:33 PM UTC

On July 24, 2026, the Trump Administration announced new tariffs on imports from 60 economies, following a USTR investigation into failures to enforce bans on forced labor goods. The National Council of Textile Organisations (NCTO) criticized a 'textile mechanism' clause that offers Section 301 duty relief for textile and apparel imports from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia based on their imports of US cotton and textiles. NCTO argues this will harm US domestic manufacturers, who have lost 41 plants and employ 453,000 workers. The group warns that Asia's US market share has grown from 77% to 79% since 2019, while the Western Hemisphere's share shrank from 16% to 12%. NCTO claims the mechanism will not boost US yarn/fabric exports due to Asia's reliance on subsidized inputs, and urges stronger enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act instead.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 12:10 PM UTC

Vietnam is drafting new rules to restrict social media access for children under 16, barring them from posting, commenting, sharing, or reacting on platforms. Accounts for minors must be registered using a parent's or guardian's information, who will supervise content and screen time. Social media companies will be required to identify child users and ensure age-appropriate content exposure. The move stops short of a full ban, unlike Australia's recent law, and aims to protect children from cyberbullying, fraud, and pornography. The draft decree also proposes limiting online gaming for children to 60 minutes per day. Vietnam has large social media user bases, with 89 million Facebook accounts and 80 million TikTok users. The policy follows similar actions in Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Meta has noted technical challenges in enforcing passive-only usage, as behavioral signals needed to identify child users would diminish.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 02:42 AM UTC

Vietnam is drafting new rules to restrict social media access for children under 16, barring them from posting, commenting, sharing, or reacting on platforms. Accounts for minors must be registered using a parent's or guardian's information, who will supervise content and screen time. Social media companies will be required to identify child users and ensure age-appropriate content. The move stops short of a full ban, unlike Australia's recent law, and aims to protect children from cyberbullying, fraud, and pornography. The draft decree also proposes limiting online gaming for children to 60 minutes per day. Vietnam has large social media user bases, with 89 million Facebook accounts and 80 million TikTok users. The policy follows similar actions in Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Meta has warned that passive-only use by children could reduce behavioral signals needed to identify and protect them online.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 02:42 AM UTC

Formula 1 has moved the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit due to security concerns from the Iran war, which forced cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The race, still branded as the Bahrain Grand Prix and funded by Bahrain, will take place October 2-4, marking F1’s return to Malaysia since 2017. The calendar remains at 23 races, but future rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are uncertain, with European tracks like Portimão and Imola as potential replacements.

10 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 26, 02:21 PM UTC

Indian weightlifter Rishikanta Singh won the silver medal in the men's 60kg category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 26. Singh lifted a total of 264kg (121kg snatch + 143kg clean and jerk), matching the Commonwealth Games record in the snatch with his opening attempt. However, he failed his last two clean and jerk attempts, allowing Malaysia's Mohamad Aniq Kasdan to take gold. Kasdan also lifted 121kg in the snatch and set a new Games record of 152kg in the clean and jerk for a winning total of 273kg. Kenya's Joshua Amunga Mboya won bronze with 260kg. This was India's first medal in an able-bodied event at the ongoing Games.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 11:22 AM UTC

Malaysian authorities revoked the licence of Balaji Srinivasan’s Network School in Johor’s Forest City on July 21, 2026, following an immigration probe triggered by allegations that Israeli nationals attended the program using secondary passports. Malaysia, which bars Israeli passport holders, found licensing and premises-use violations but no travel document fraud. The next day, Srinivasan signed an MOU with Kazakhstan to establish a new campus. The incident has escalated into a diplomatic issue, with the U.S. summoning Malaysia’s ambassador.

5 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 26, 04:30 AM UTC

India's Commerce Ministry announced that 45% of Indian exports to the U.S. will not face the new 10% 'forced labour' tariffs imposed by Washington, including generic pharmaceuticals, smartphones, and products already covered by Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminium, and auto parts. The remaining 55% of exports will attract the 10% duty, but this rate is lower than the initially proposed 12.5% and lower than tariffs imposed on 38 other countries investigated by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). India was not included in a textile tariff-rate quota mechanism established for Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, but said it continues engaging with the U.S. on textile exports as part of ongoing negotiations for the India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The Ministry credited sustained diplomatic engagement for India's relatively favorable tariff treatment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 12:08 PM UTC

Elche played their second preseason friendly match, drawing 0-0 against Malaysian side Johor. The match, held at the Estadio Camilo Cano in front of 1,000 spectators, saw Elche dominate possession but fail to convert chances into goals. Key absence was goalkeeper Matías Dituro due to injury, while Josan was present after his recent contract renewal but not included in the squad. The first clear chance came from Ali Houary, but Johor also had opportunities, including a shot off the crossbar and a disallowed goal for offside. In the second half, Elche regained control but lacked depth in the final third. The most notable chance was a shot from Cepeda in the 58th minute that was saved by the goalkeeper. Elche's next preseason fixture is against Al-Ain on Tuesday at 8:00 PM.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 07:29 PM UTC

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has issued its seventh crude tender since June, offering millions of barrels for loading between August and October from UAE ports inside and outside the Persian Gulf, including Zirku, Das Island, and Fujairah, as well as via ship-to-ship transfers offshore Fujairah or Malaysia. This comes despite renewed threats to supply from the Strait of Hormuz and new shipping risks in the Red Sea from Iran-aligned Houthis. ADNOC has sold over 74 million barrels in previous tenders since June, using shuttle services and dark-mode tankers to bypass the Strait of Hormuz blockade. The UAE's crude production surged to a record 4.1 million barrels per day in June after leaving OPEC effective May 1, up from 3.3 million bpd in May. ADNOC will automatically reject discounted bids in the current tender.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 02:30 PM UTC

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has issued its seventh crude oil tender since early June, offering millions of barrels for loading between August and October from UAE ports including Zirku, Das Island, and Fujairah, as well as via ship-to-ship transfers offshore Fujairah or Malaysia. The tender proceeds despite renewed threats to supply from the Strait of Hormuz and new shipping risks in the Red Sea from Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen. ADNOC has sold over 74 million barrels in previous tenders since June, utilizing shuttle services and dark-mode tanker operations to bypass the Strait of Hormuz blockade. The UAE's crude production surged to a record 4.1 million barrels per day in June after leaving OPEC effective May 1, up from 3.3 million bpd in May. ADNOC will automatically reject discounted bids in this tender.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 02:30 PM UTC

India and Pakistan have been granted direct entry into the quarterfinals of both the men's and women's cricket competitions at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi, Japan. The Indian women's team will begin their campaign against Japan, while the men's opponents will be determined after the preliminary stage. The women's event runs from September 17 to 22, and the men's competition from September 24 to October 1. Both tournaments will be played in T20 format at Korogi Athletic Park. Shreyas Iyer will captain the Indian men's team, and Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the women's side. Cricket is featured in the Asian Games for the fourth time, having previously appeared in 2010, 2014, and 2023.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 11:23 AM UTC

The Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has issued a Letter of Acceptance (SST) to MBDA France for the procurement of the VL MICA surface-to-air missile system, finalized during the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2026. The document was signed by MINDEF Secretary-General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali. The procurement is a complementary contract for the Royal Malaysian Navy's Maharaja Lela-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, providing point-defence air defence capabilities. A formal contract is still pending. MBDA confirmed the letter of agreement and stressed the need for a signed contract to secure manufacturing timelines. The VL MICA system offers 360-degree, all-weather point defence against anti-ship missiles, aircraft, and UAVs, with a range of up to 20 km. The LCS program has faced delays, with the first ship starting sea trials in April 2026 and the third vessel launched in February 2026.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 09:57 AM UTC