Latest Malaysia government News

Jailed former Malaysian leader apologizes for fund embezzlement scandal, reiterates his innocence

Oct. 24, 2024 20:39 PM EDT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Imprisoned former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak issued a rare apology Thursday over the looting of a state investment fund worth billions of dollars "under my watch" while reiterating his innocence. Najib set up the 1Malaysia Development Berhad...

Malaysia to revamp gasoline subsidies and raise taxes in a bid to narrow deficit

Oct. 18, 2024 08:43 AM EDT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia will introduce new taxes and revamp gasoline, education and healthcare subsidies next year as part of aggressive reforms to narrow the country's fiscal deficit, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Friday as he unveiled a national budget for 2025. ...

Bangladesh's interim leader seeks Malaysia's support for repatriation of Rohingya refugees

Oct. 04, 2024 10:50 AM EDT

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, on Friday sought Malaysia's help in engaging a regional Southeast Asia bloc on raising the issue of repatriating Rohingya refugees home to Myanmar. Malaysia takes over the chair of the Association...

Cambodian maid is arrested and deported by Malaysia for criticizing Cambodia leaders on social media

Oct. 03, 2024 10:39 AM EDT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A Cambodian woman who worked as a maid in Malaysia has been deported to her homeland for comments she posted on social media criticizing Cambodian government leaders, in the latest example of a Southeast Asian government helping another arrest a dissident. ...

Malaysian and Pakistani prime ministers agree to boost trade and economic ties

Oct. 03, 2024 10:30 AM EDT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The prime ministers of Malaysia and Pakistan agreed in talks Thursday to increase bilateral trade and boost economic ties between their nations. The announcement by Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif, followed talks in Islamabad on how to...

Malaysian prime minister arrives in Pakistan on a 3-day visit to discuss bilateral ties

Oct. 02, 2024 14:28 PM EDT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Malaysia’s prime minister arrived in Pakistan's capital Wednesday on his first official visit which authorities say is aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries and boosting bilateral economic and trade ties. Anwar Ibrahim was received by Pakistani...

Sexual abuse at Islamic welfare homes exposes weaknesses in child protection in Malaysia

Sep. 13, 2024 06:50 AM EDT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — A police swoop on 20 child welfare homes in Malaysia where hundreds of children were allegedly sexually abused has exposed weaknesses in child protection in the country and cast a spotlight on the Islamic business group that ran the homes. Malaysian...

Malaysia says it won't bow to China's demands to halt oil exploration in the South China Sea

Sep. 05, 2024 05:33 AM EDT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Thursday that Malaysia will not bow to demands by China to stop its oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea as the activities are within the country's waters. Anwar said Malaysia would continue to explain its...

Malaysia to investigate leak of Chinese diplomatic note over South China Sea row

Sep. 04, 2024 11:51 AM EDT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's Foreign Ministry called Wednesday for a police investigation into a leaked diplomatic note from China over the South China Sea dispute. The ministry said details of a Feb. 18 diplomatic note from China's Foreign Ministry to the Malaysian...

Former Malaysian leader Muhyiddin charged with sedition for allegedly mocking former king

Aug. 27, 2024 04:28 AM EDT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was charged Tuesday with sedition over a speech he made that allegedly questioned the integrity of the country's previous king. Muhyiddin, who led Malaysia from March 2020 until August 2021, pleaded not...