Malaysia News

Discover the latest news from Malaysia with The Thaiger, your premier destination for regional information. Stay informed on local events, business developments, and lifestyle stories across popular locations such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru.

Our extensive coverage keeps you well-informed, featuring up-to-date articles and expert insights. The Thaiger’s Malaysia News page serves as your essential guide to navigating this diverse and vibrant country, whether you’re a resident or a visitor. Engage with the dynamic community and rich culture through our expertly curated content, designed to keep you connected and well-informed.

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  • 21-year-old arrested in Sibu with RM402,052 worth of drugs and vehicle

    In a recent raid at an apartment in Jalan Wong King Huo, Sibu, a 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking. The Sibu IPD Narcotics CID team conducted the operation, which resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of illegal drugs, including 71 packets of powder believed to be a mixture of ecstasy weighing 2.294 grams, 1,511…

  • PSD scholars to receive RM100 monthly allowance boost from July

    An additional RM100 monthly allowance will be granted to students on Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships starting in July, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The announcement was made during a dialogue session with scholars from around Malaysia at University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in Bangi. The event aimed to identify public issues and explore ways the government could help address…

  • Malaysia mulls medical fee revision for higher-income groups at public facilities

    The Malaysian Health Ministry (MoH) has proposed a review of the low medical fees currently imposed on Malaysians at government health facilities, aiming to match the fees with patients’ affordability levels, according to its recently published White Paper. The document highlights that the low fees charged at public healthcare facilities are greatly appreciated by Malaysians, as they can access healthcare…

  • MIC removes Senator Sivaraajh from central working committee

    Senator Datuk C. Sivaraajh was removed from the central working committee (CWC) of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) on Sunday. The former MIC vice-president was informed of his dismissal from the CWC through a letter dated June 10, which was signed by MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran. Although the letter did not provide a reason for Sivaraajh’s removal, it…

  • Malaysia proposes progressive contribution scheme for public healthcare funding

    The Malaysian Health Ministry has released a Health White Paper proposing a progressive contribution scheme to diversify funding for public healthcare services and implement much-needed reforms over the next 15 years. The paper highlights that the current allocations for healthcare are insufficient to meet the growing demands of the system and that relying on a single source for public healthcare…

  • Malaysia to blacklist entities manipulating subsidised sugar prices

    The Malaysian government has announced plans to blacklist any entities, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, found to be manipulating the price of subsidised regular sugar. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub emphasised that the government will not tolerate any party taking advantage of its efforts and will take stern actions to protect the public interest. Salahuddin warned…

  • Malaysia consolidates IT systems, aims to save RM7bn annually

    The Malaysian government is working to consolidate its information technology systems, including government databases and websites, according to Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli. The current system costs approximately RM7 billion (US$1.7 billion) annually to maintain. The centralised database initiative aims to bring together 297 separate databases, with government ministries and agencies expressing support for the approach. Rafizi also mentioned plans to…

  • Malaysia urged to ratify ICERD and end LGBT persecution in post-pandemic recovery

    The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) has called on the Malaysian government to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). In collaboration with Malaysian civil society organisations (CSOs), Forum-Asia also recommended that the government put an end to the persecution of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. These…

  • Malaysia’s river pollution hits 4% in 2021, government tackles causes

    A recent report revealed that four per cent of Malaysia’s 672 rivers were polluted in 2021, according to Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC). The data was gathered by the Department of Environment (DOE) through monitoring the Water Quality Index (IKA) of these rivers during that period. The primary causes of river…

  • Malaysia seeks Interpol help to locate comedian over controversial remarks

    Malaysian authorities are seeking assistance from Interpol to locate Singapore-born comedian Jocelyn Chia, who is believed to be based in New York, following her controversial remarks about Malaysia during a recent comedy performance. Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani announced that the application to obtain Chia’s identity and location will be made as soon as possible to commence investigations.…

  • Malaysia’s King appoints 16 judges in ceremony at Istana Negara

    In a recent ceremony at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, granted an audience and presented the instruments of appointment to 16 judges. Queen Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah was also in attendance. The ceremony commenced with the presentation of the instruments of appointment to Federal Court judges…

  • Malaysia identifies 190 election hotspots, launches Op PRN 6N for security

    Authorities in Malaysia have identified 190 hotspots in six states ahead of the upcoming state elections, with the highest number found in Selangor, according to Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani. Terengganu follows with 66 hotspots, while Kedah has 20, Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan each have 16, and Penang has two. These areas are considered hotspots due to their…

  • Online scam syndicate members deny abusing teen employee, face prison and fines

    Four individuals, including two minors aged 15 and 17, have pleaded not guilty to charges of ill-treatment, voluntarily causing harm to a 15-year-old teenager, and possession of pornographic materials. Soh Sun Hung, 20 years old, and Yap Kah Seng, 22 years old, along with the two minors, are believed to be part of an online scam syndicate and were the…

  • Malaysia to review health workforce needs amid oversupply concerns

    The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Malaysia is set to conduct a study this year to review the country’s actual needs for different categories of human resources for health, according to Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. The study will consider the impact of new policies introduced after 2016 and the health needs of the population, enabling the distribution and requirement…

  • Malaysia aims for digital investment hub status with startup ecosystem revamp

    The Malaysian government seeks to reform the country’s startup ecosystem by focusing on funding and investment opportunities at the seed and angel investor stages, according to Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli. In a recent talk, Ramli highlighted Malaysia’s potential to become a regional hub for digital investors, on par with neighbouring Singapore and Indonesia. Plans are also underway to integrate back-end…

  • Anwar Ibrahim defends U-turns on healthcare scholarships, egg and chicken subsidies

    Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his willingness to reconsider previous decisions if it would alleviate the public’s burden. He argued that there is no reason to avoid changing a decision if it initially caused inconvenience. “The old decision was to stop, our decision is to continue. What is the flip-flop? If the decision burdens the people Tanjong Karang should raise…

  • Malaysia’s Covid restrictions slammed for political control, rights violations

    Restrictions implemented by the former Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration to combat Covid-19 have been criticised by human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) for helping the government maintain control of Putrajaya. Ilaiya Barathi Panneerselvam, from the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), presented the report’s findings and accused Muhyiddin and his Cabinet of using the state of emergency…

  • Malaysia comedy club owner awaits decision on improper network use charges

    The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) in Malaysia is still considering the third representation submitted by Crackhouse comedy club owner Mohamad Rizal Van Geyzel, who is facing three charges of improper use of network facilities. Deputy public prosecutor Noor Haslinda Che Seman informed Sessions Court Judge Priscilla Hemamalini Nadarajan that the AGC had received the representation on June 7, but a…

  • Malaysia targets quality investments, complex products to boost trade growth

    Malaysia is focusing on attracting quality investments and manufacturing more complex products to manage risks to trade growth, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He emphasised the importance of creating an environment that attracts the right kind of investments, fostering industrial development, and producing products with higher complexity scores. Tengku Zafrul said, “It is only…

  • Pure Life Society appoints human rights advocate Ambiga Sreenevasan president

    The Pure Life Society has announced the appointment of Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan as its new president, following the recent death of Datin Paduka Dr A. Mangalam. The news was shared by Hindu Sevai Sangam in a congratulatory Facebook post, which wished Ambiga strength and determination in her new role. Ambiga, 67 years old, has an impressive background as a lawyer…

  • Sarawak launches major offshore carbon capture project, eyes 3.3m tonne reduction

    The Sarawak government in Malaysia has announced the launch of a carbon capture storage (CCS) project in the Kasawari fields, off the coast of Sarawak, through the state-owned Sarawak Petroleum Berhad (Petros). Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg stated that the project is expected to reduce up to 3.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, making it one of…

  • Malaysia thwarts buffalo meat import with misleading halal certificate

    An attempt to import approximately 740 kilograms of buffalo meat valued at US$2,800 was thwarted by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Service Department (Maqis) at Pasir Gudang Port. The meat, originating from India, was discovered in 37 boxes during an inspection. Upon further examination, Maqis officers found discrepancies between the information on the halal certificate and the actual details of…

  • Malaysia-Indonesia maritime border deal safeguards sovereignty

    The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has reassured the public that the newly signed Malaysia-Indonesia maritime border agreement does not compromise the nation’s sovereignty or interests. He emphasised that Malaysia would never sacrifice its sovereignty, and the agreement was carefully considered, involving input from relevant parties and only covering areas agreed upon by both countries. Anwar Ibrahim…

  • Malaysia greenlights AI ChatGPT in universities with strict guidelines

    Malaysia has decided not to ban the use of AI-driven ChatGPT in higher education institutions, as long as its usage complies with the established guidelines. Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that a set of guidelines has been issued and distributed to local universities, outlining the appropriate and inappropriate situations for ChatGPT usage. The minister acknowledged that the use…

  • Selangor considers banning pet shop sales to promote animal shelter adoptions

    A potential ban on the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops across Selangor is being considered, as authorities aim to encourage adoption from animal shelters and reduce the number of abandoned pets. State executive councillor Ng Sze Han has suggested that pet stores focus on selling pet food instead, citing the success of a weekly pet adoption programme…

  • Umno deputy denies 2 million member exodus, questions Annuar’s claims

    Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has denied claims made by former Umno information chief Annuar Musa that two million members have left the party. Mohamad, who is also the Barisan Nasional deputy chairman, urged Annuar to be cautious when making statements about Umno, even though he has the right to do so. “I don’t know where he got the numbers…

  • Malaysia disburses US$2 billion Rahmah Cash Aid for B40 group

    Ahead of the Aidiladha celebration, the Malaysian government has announced the disbursement of the third phase of the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) for the B40 group recipients. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that this payment will involve an allocation of over US$2 billion, benefiting eight million beneficiaries across the nation. Additionally, Anwar mentioned that the e-Tunai Belia Rahmah, a cash…

  • PN coalition may seize control in Malaysia with ex-Umno members’ support

    Perikatan Nasional (PN), a Malaysian political coalition, may seize control of Negeri Sembilan and Selangor from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition in the upcoming state elections, according to PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Hashim Jasin. He suggests that this could be achieved if former Umno members Khairy Jamaluddin and Tan Sri Noh Omar join PN. Hashim also claimed that another suspended…

  • Malaysian groom burries mum, marries same day: TikTok video goes viral

    A Malaysian groom faced a heart-wrenching day as he lost his mother and got married on the same day. Ikmal and his bride, Ianna Bahari, held his mother’s funeral in the morning and then proceeded with their wedding ceremony in the evening. Ianna shared the gut-wrenching experience on TikTok, explaining that she and Ikmal had initially planned their wedding for…

  • Anwar Ibrahim addresses maritime border deal, hydrogen economy in Parliament

    Today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to address the Malaysian Parliament regarding the recently signed maritime border agreement between Malaysia and Indonesia. The Prime Minister will be responding to questions from Takiyuddin Hassan, who is seeking assurance that the agreement will not negatively affect Malaysia’s sovereignty or long-term maritime economic activities. In addition, Noraini Ahmad will be questioning the…