A Malaysian government lawmaker, Teresa Kok, faced backlash from conservatives after suggesting a review of mandatory halal certification for restaurants. While being questioned by police, Kok maintained that she did not intend to challenge the country’s religious authorities and was simply advocating for small businesses burdened by the proposed regulations. Despite clarifying her stance, Kok expressed frustration over the continued outrage. As a member of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government, Kok’s statements sparked controversy and led to police summoning her for investigation into alleged public alarm and offensive online content sharing. Teresa Kok answers questions during an interview in…

Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, has confirmed that the country will continue its oil exploration in the South China Sea despite China’s objections. This decision comes as Malaysia investigates a leaked protest note from China’s foreign ministry, which accused Malaysia of infringing on Chinese territory with its exploration activities. Anwar reassured that Malaysia has no intention of being confrontational with China but insists that their activities are within their own territory. He emphasized the importance of discussions with China but stated that Malaysia will not halt its operations in the South China Sea. During a press conference in Russia, Anwar…

New Zealand pledged to send its new surveillance aircraft to Malaysia for joint exercises, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday. Both countries are expanding defense ties under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). Additionally, the leaders of New Zealand and Malaysia called for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict. During his first official visit to Malaysia, Luxon announced plans to enhance defense cooperation and deploy P8 Poseidon patrol and surveillance aircraft as part of the FPDA. Specific details regarding the deployment were not disclosed. Luxon highlighted the agreement on new cooperation to combat transnational crime, terrorism, and violent…

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption and promoting a new leadership culture that puts the country’s interests first. Since taking office, Anwar has focused on addressing corruption to gain support from the majority. He highlighted the need to end practices of greed and corruption reminiscent of past colonial rulers. Anwar emphasized the importance of responsible leadership that does not abuse power or steal from the nation. He aims to establish a new era of governance. Anwar’s administration has launched anti-corruption efforts, targeting elites who exploited their positions for personal gain. However, critics accuse Anwar of…

A recent incident in Kuala Lumpur involving a sinkhole swallowing an Indian tourist has sparked fear and anger among Malaysians. The incident has raised questions about the city’s infrastructure and how such a tragedy could have been prevented. Theories suggest that the city’s rapid expansion and construction on unstable limestone bedrock have increased the risk of sinkholes. The government has announced an integrity audit of the sewerage system to determine the cause of the sinkhole. Despite assurances of safety from officials, concerns remain about accountability for the incident. Questions linger about who should be held responsible and why previous warnings…

The BRICS alliance, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with other key nations like Saudi Arabia and Iran, represents nearly half of the world’s population. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visit to India signals a shift in diplomatic relations, seeking to mend strained ties and foster new opportunities for trade and investment. Analysts view Anwar’s visit as a crucial step in re-establishing Malaysia’s engagement with India, particularly after past controversies. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations, address economic dependencies, and explore avenues for mutual cooperation in defense and maritime security. India has been a…

During the recent Praxis 2024 public policy conference, Anuar Fariz Fadzil of TikTok emphasized the importance of self-regulation in the face of Malaysia’s planned regulatory tightening for social media platforms. He expressed willingness to embrace a licensing regime but stressed the need for collaboration in its development. A woman checks her mobile phone in Kuala Lumpur in July 2023. Malaysia’s government is working on a new law to govern the conduct of social media firms and users. Photo: AFP TikTok is the first platform to take a public stance on Malaysia’s regulations, which require social media companies to obtain licenses…

Malaysia has been a hotspot for Chinese investment and tourism, but the true economic impact on the property sector remains unclear. With no concrete data on foreign property ownership, estimates of Chinese demand are speculative at best. Despite this, hopes are high for a resurgence in interest from Chinese buyers. Recent investments from China in Southeast Asia indicate a shift in focus, with Malaysia standing to benefit. However, concerns have been raised about the success of programmes like MM2H due to strict requirements. While the heyday of Chinese demand may be over, the future looks promising with the launch of…

The European Union imposed tariffs on Chinese EV makers BYD, Geely, and SAIC due to unfair subsidization. This shift in Chinese focus is expected to drive higher EV sales in ASEAN, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia. Maybank Investment Bank noted a preference for ASEAN companies partnering with Chinese car makers and those in the battery value chain. Prior to the launch, Proton’s e. MAS7 was rumored to be a rebadge of a Geely model, but Proton executives denied it. Malaysia’s largest domestic carmaker, Perodua, plans to release its own EV car priced under 100,000 ringgit in 2025 after robust EV…

A brewing conflict within Malaysia’s political landscape has emerged between the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition and its partner, Gerakan. The tension escalated as PAS, a key player in PN, criticized Gerakan for supporting fundraising for Chinese education, threatening to jeopardize their partnership. In response, Gerakan asserted its position and willingness to exit the coalition if faced with unreasonable demands. The clash underscores the ideological differences between the more moderate Gerakan and the religiously-driven PAS within PN. Despite their disagreements, PN was formed after a political coup in 2020, led by Bersatu President Muhyiddin Yassin, with the aim of uniting Malay-Muslim…