Malaysia: News & Insights - Nikkei Asia

    Malaysia

    Former Malaysian Prime Minister and Perikatan Nasional Chair Muhyiddin Yassin attends a news conference after Malaysia's 2022 general election. Authorities canceled the opposition coalition's registration on Oct. 20.
    Politics

    Malaysia de-registers main opposition bloc as elections loom

    Malacca state due to hold Nov. 14 vote, in latest test for PM Anwar

    20 October 2026
    Zipair Tokyo aims to build a flight network connecting North America and Asia via Japan's Narita International Airport with its new route between Narita and the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)
    Travel & Leisure

    Japan's Zipair launches Kuala Lumpur flight as first Malaysia route

    Economy starts at $220 one-way with eye also on North America-Asia transfer demand

    20 October 2026
    FICG began mass production earlier this year at its first Malaysian factory under its subsidiary Pro3C, and announced major expansion plans at this week's official opening ceremony. (Photo by Lauly Li)
    Supply Chain

    Optical parts maker to triple Malaysian capacity to tackle AI supply crunch

    Taiwan's FICG pursues China +1 strategy at request of US customers

    16 October 2026
    BYD electric vehicles are seen on display at Sime Darby Motors City in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. The Chinese EV maker is turning to Sime Darby's Inokom unit for local assembly after shelving plans for its own factory. (Photo by Norman Goh)
    Electric vehicles

    China's BYD turns to local assembler in Malaysia after shelving plant plan

    EV maker aims to stay competitive after giving up on own factory over local rules

    16 October 2026
    Malaysia's Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani speaks at the EU–Malaysia Business Day event in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 13. (Photo by Norman Goh)
    Trade

    Malaysia targets June 2027 signing of EU trade deal

    Negotiations are 80% complete, trade minister says; palm oil and auto issues remain

    13 October 2026
    A rally version of the Triton tears through the dirt. (Mitsubishi Motors)
    Automobiles

    Honda to sell Thai-built Mitsubishi pickup under own brand in Southeast Asia

    Rebadged Triton to compete with Chinese automakers in key region for Japanese automakers

    10 October 2026
    The Hands Percussion ensemble performs "24 Festive Drums," a contemporary form that combines Chinese drumming techniques with Malaysian motifs, at a Kuala Lumpur mall on Sept. 20. (Photo by Samsul Said)
    Big in Asia

    Beijing wields pop culture to court Malaysian Chinese

    Image of dynamism reinforces growing sympathy for Asia's leading power

    10 October 2026
    Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim holds the 2027 national budget document at the Finance Ministry building as he departs for parliament to table the budget, in Putrajaya, on Oct. 9.
    Economy

    Malaysia cuts income tax and raises wage floors as election approaches

    Anwar seeks to help households and smaller businesses in 2027 budget

    9 October 2026
    SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son speaks during an event to pitch AI for businesses in Tokyo in June. The Japanese investment group has been betting heavily on the technology. 
    Technology

    SoftBank and Grab to develop AI infrastructure in Malaysia's Sarawak

    Companies also plan talent development with local energy group

    8 October 2026
    Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Oct. 8: The two discussed the repatriation of thousands of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia, as well as economic and broader cooperation. (Photo by Norman Goh)
    Myanmar Crisis

    Malaysia's Anwar backs Myanmar's ASEAN return after repatriation talks

    Min Aung Hlaing pledges support for refugees' return as he seeks broader cooperation

    8 October 2026
    A Top Glove factory in Shah Alam, Malaysia: Top Glove expects global demand to exceed 400 billion gloves in 2026.
    Companies

    Malaysia's Top Glove triples net profit despite high material costs

    World's largest rubber glove maker plans to increase production amid high demand

    6 October 2026
    SkyeChip founder and CEO Fong Swee Kiang poses for a portrait during an interview in Penang. (Photo by Norman Goh)
    Semiconductors

    Malaysia's SkyeChip targets Japan, joins Rapidus ecosystem

    CEO says fragmented supply chains offer opportunities for smaller players

    5 October 2026
    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 17. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
    Your Week in Asia

    Takaichi policy speech, Malaysia budget, Pacific islands climate summit

    Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

    4 October 2026
    A river winds through mangroves and limestone hills in Malaysia's Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark. A boat trip reveals the island's rich wildlife and dramatic scenery. (Courtesy of The St. Regis Langkawi)
    Destinations

    Exploring Langkawi's ancient ecosystem

    A boat safari into the mangroves reveals an unexpected aspect of the Malaysian resort island

    4 October 2026
    AMCHAM CEO Siobhan Das, center, MIDA CEO Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, second from the right, and former U.S. ambassador to Malaysia Paul Jones, second from the left, attend the release event of the economic impact survey in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 2. (AMCHAM)
    Electronics

    Three fourths of electronics firms in Malaysia to lift investment: AmCham

    Survey underscores Southeast Asian country's growth as technology hub

    2 October 2026
    Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, pictured in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in November 2022.
    Politics

    Malaysia's former PM Mahathir, 101, hospitalized after wife's death

    Country's longest-serving leader admitted for observation, spokesperson says

    30 September 2026
    AirAsia Group CEO Bo Lingam spoke exclusively with Nikkei Asia on Sept. 29. (Photo by Norman Goh)
    Interview

    AirAsia CEO says plane deliveries on track despite financial strain

    Bo Lingam told Nikkei Asia 'business as usual,' no government help needed

    29 September 2026
    Myanmar nationals to be repatriated from Malaysia sit inside a bus, at Lumut, Malaysia, on Sept. 29.
    29 September 2026
    Stream article image
    Podcast: Tech Latest

    Asia's data centers face growing opposition

    Tech Latest: Tune in to Nikkei Asia's podcast for the freshest updates on the tech sector

    29 September 2026
    Koh Eng Keat arranges paper effigies, including a life-size replica of a Honda EX5 motorcycle, in the back of a truck in Penang, Malaysia, for delivery to a client. The traditional funeral offerings are finding new audiences in contemporary art and live performance. (Photo by Chan Kit Yeng)
    Arts

    Built to burn: Penang's paper effigies enter the art world

    Malaysian funeral offerings head to biennale and rock performances

    26 September 2026
    A parched rice field in Candaba, Pampanga province, Philippines, in 2024. The Asian Development Bank said in its latest economic outlook published Sept. 23 that "likely very strong" El Nino effects this year could pose serious risks to agricultural production in the region. 
    Economy

    El Nino, AI to widen economic growth gap in developing Asia: ADB

    India, Malaysia, Vietnam ride on tech exports despite climate and energy shocks

    23 September 2026
    An AirAsia jet sits on the tarmac at Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, in December 2025: The budget carrier is seeking new funds to refinance its debts. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
    Transportation

    AirAsia expects $1bn financing by January amid fuel cost pressure

    Budget carrier denies receiving government bailout after massive share sell-off

    18 September 2026
    Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak had been jailed for corruption in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal.
    Society

    Malaysia king lets ex-PM Najib serve out term under house arrest

    Former leader previously jailed for corruption over 1MDB scandal

    18 September 2026
    Attendees walk through Gastech Bangkok 2026 on Sept. 15. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
    Energy

    Petronas, Woodside tout alternatives to Mideast LNG for Asian buyers

    Malaysian energy group to ramp up output 38% by 2035

    18 September 2026
    Shares in Malaysia's budget AirAsia Group have plunged dramatically this week amid "heightened uncertainty" over its funding position and execution risks. 
    Transportation

    Malaysia's AirAsia shares tumble 21% as funding fears mount

    Budget carrier seeks $1bn in debt financing amid fuel cost pressures

    17 September 2026
    Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, center, and members of his United Malays National Organization (UMNO) call for solidarity during the party's annual assembly in Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 12. (Photo by Norman Goh)
    Politics

    Malaysia's UMNO rattles Anwar but lacks path out of coalition

    Former dominant ruling group seeks comeback ahead of general election

    17 September 2026
    Cannabis displayed inside a shop on Sukhumvit Road, one of the most popular tourist spots in Bangkok. The U.K. Border Force says around 6.5 metric tons of cannabis from Thailand was detected entering Britain on planes over June and July this year.
    Crime

    Thai-linked drug gangs target Brits, as youths arrested abroad surge

    6.5 tons of cannabis from Thailand flown into UK in June and July, government says

    15 September 2026
    Davis Chong, Solarvest's co-founder and CEO, has set ambitious growth targets for Malaysia's largest listed clean energy company as it seeks to ride demand from data centers for green power. (Photo by Norman Goh)
    ASEAN Money

    Malaysia's Solarvest goes beyond panels to batteries and power trading

    Country's largest listed clean energy group targets $1.2bn annual order book on data centers demand

    15 September 2026
    BYD did not disclose the exact reason for abandoning plans to build its own assembly plant in Malaysia. 
    Automobiles

    China's BYD shelves plan for own Malaysian plant, looks to local partner

    EV maker says talks with domestic player over assembly are at an 'advanced stage'

    11 September 2026