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Ram Anand
People visit the BYD booth at the Beijing Auto Show on April 30.
BUSINESS
May 7, 2026
Malaysia moves to curb EV imports in blow to Chinese automakers
The nation’s new regulations effectively increase the minimum retail price of fully imported EVs and also increase the minimum power output for such models
Residential towers beyond the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link under construction in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Sept. 23, 2024. The state of Johor where Johor Bahru is located is Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing data center hub.
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 8, 2026
Malaysia draws first data center protest over pollution and water
The country is emblematic of growing social unease with data centers worldwide, despite their crucial role in powering the internet and ChatGPT searches.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as he walks from Air Force One upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Sunday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 28, 2025
Anwar turns Malaysia into stage for dealmaking with Trump’s help
Local media largely portrayed Anwar’s hosting of the ASEAN summit as a showcase of Malaysia’s diplomatic resurgence, calling it a moment of renewed regional leadership.
Protesters gather near Merdeka Square during a protest against Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 28, 2025
Thousands rally in Malaysia demanding Anwar’s resignation
Saturday event was the first major rally targeting Anwar since he took office in 2022, and the only mass protest since 2018.
Effective immediately, individuals and companies must notify Kuala Lumpur at least 30 days prior to exporting or shipping high-performance U.S. artificial intelligence chips.
BUSINESS / Tech
Jul 14, 2025
Malaysia controls AI chip exports as U.S. targets China smuggling
Kuala Lumpur has come under increasing pressure from Washington to halt the suspected flow of AI chips to China via intermediaries in Malaysia.
It was reported that Malaysia would deploy 3,000 units of Huawei’s primary AI offering by 2026.
BUSINESS / Tech
May 21, 2025
Malaysia downplays Huawei deal as U.S. checks China’s AI reach
The move underscores the Asian nation’s delicate position in the U.S.-Chinese AI race.
The downtown Johor Bahru skyline from Singapore
BUSINESS
May 13, 2024
Malaysia’s Johor eyes Shenzhen-style hub with Singapore, report says
If approved, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone would be nearly twice the size of China’s Shenzhen at 3,505 square kilometers.
The Malaysian state of Sarawak is blessed with the rivers and heavy rainfall needed to create hydropower that can generate clean electricity needed for emissions-free hydrogen.
ENVIRONMENT / Energy
Apr 20, 2024
Clean hydrogen’s best bet may be a rainforest state in Borneo
The state is hoping an abundance of hydropower can help it defy challenges that are clouding the fuel’s prospects elsewhere.

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The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival