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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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is proud to announce a significant step forward in advancing Thai health and wellness tourism through the Amazing Thailand Health and Wellness New Chapters New Experience Exclusive Trade Meet 2023. This prestigious event, hosted...
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Malaysia to replace nearly expired Covid vaccines with 2.7m new doses
Malaysia is set to receive 2.7 million doses of the new generation bivalent Covid-19 vaccines to replace the nearly expired stock held by the Ministry of Health (MoH). Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni revealed that, based on current data, only 2.5% of the population have received the second booster shot, leading to the possibility of having to dispose of…
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Malaysia targets 200 firms for 20,000 school leavers’ skills programme
The Malaysian government is targeting the participation of 200 companies in its Academy in Industry programme by the end of this year. The initiative aims to train 20,000 school leavers and equip them with the necessary skills to become skilled workers. Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli explained that the programme will provide Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school-leavers with 18 months of…
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Personal assistant charged with salesgirl murder in Kota Kinabalu
A personal assistant working for an international company has been charged with the murder of a salesgirl in Kota Kinabalu last month. Chung King Fung, 30, appeared before magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles, but no plea was recorded. He is accused of murdering Nurul Ain Silien, 21, at a shop within a shopping complex between noon and 12:20pm on May 29.…
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Sarawak deputy minister proposes film academy to boost local talent
The possibility of establishing a film academy in Sarawak has been proposed by the deputy minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Sebastian Ting. The idea aims to encourage skilled Sarawakians to venture into the film industry and provide them with diplomas or certificates upon graduation. During a press conference on the Sixth Asean International Film Festival and…
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Malaysia ranks second worst globally for transgender rights, study reveals
A recent Global Trans Rights Index revealed that Malaysia is ranked as the second worst country in the world for transgender rights. The study, conducted by researchers Asher and Lyric Fergusson, gave Malaysia a score of -105 and a danger rating of F, highlighting that transgender individuals face significant obstacles and are often targeted by the police. The report stated,…
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MMA urges debate on anti-smoking bill or reinstating nicotine control
The Malaysia Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to either debate the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 in the current parliamentary session or reinstate nicotine as a controlled substance under the Poisons Act 1952. MMA president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai expressed concerns over the government’s decision to refer the Bill to the Parliamentary Special Select…
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Malaysia’s Parliament debates Human Rights Commission report for first time
For the first time, the Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) was debated by Members of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Law and Institutional Reform, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, stated that the purpose of the debate was to enable a mature discussion to strengthen human rights protection. Azalina…
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Malaysia deputy minister stresses media literacy amid citizen journalism surge
Media literacy is an essential skill for today’s news consumers, according to Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Teo Nie Ching. As information is now widely accessible, and individuals can easily become citizen journalists or content creators on social media platforms, the ability to discern accurate information is crucial. Teo Nie Ching emphasised the importance of the public learning how…
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Malaysia police seek key witnesses in high-profile drug case
Johor police in Malaysia are currently searching for three local men who are considered crucial witnesses in a drug-related case at the High Court in Muar. The individuals in question are Muhammad Najib Somadin, 32 years old; Muhamad Zaki Johari, 40 years old; and Muhammad Diah Abas, 42 years old. Muhammad Najib’s last known residence was in Taman Cempaka 2,…
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Sabah set to control electricity supply with PM Anwar’s approval
Sabah’s Chief Minister Hajiji Noor announced that a special state assembly sitting is set to take place on January 3 next year, paving the way for Sabah to assume regulatory control of its electricity supply. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given the green light for the transfer of regulatory power, which is expected to occur on January 1, 2024. To…
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Malaysia urged to end child detention, adopt alternatives for refugee welfare
In the Dewan Rakyat, the debate on the 2022 Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) brought forward concerns regarding child welfare and the empowerment of children’s rights. Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman urged the government to put an end to the detention of refugee children and families by implementing initiatives such as the Alternative to Detention (ATD) pilot…
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Kuala Lumpur police seek key witness in anti-human trafficking trial
In Kuala Lumpur, police are seeking a crucial witness for a trial related to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007. Kajang district police chief Mohd Zaid Hassan announced that T. Sivakumar, whose last known address is No. 223 Jalan Tempua 6, Puchong Jaya, Selangor, is being sought to appear as a prosecution witness at the…
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Malaysia tackles poverty-driven school dropouts with compulsory 11-year education
Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying has stated that poverty is a significant factor contributing to school dropouts, particularly among secondary school students in Malaysia. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has discovered that some students are unable to attend school as they must work to support their families financially. Addressing this social issue during a question and answer session at…
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Malaysia upholds 54.6% forest cover, exceeding 1992 Rio Summit pledge
Malaysia has successfully maintained over 50% of its land area as forest and tree cover for nearly three decades, according to Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Huang Tiong Sii. Currently, the nation’s forest cover stands at 54.6%, or 18.04 million hectares, demonstrating Malaysia’s commitment to preserving its natural environment. This pledge was made during the 1992…
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Malaysia amends Act 118 to tackle abandoned housing projects issue
The Malaysian government is working to amend the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (Act 118) to address the issue of abandoned housing projects and safeguard the interests of homebuyers. Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir explained that, under the current legislation, liquidators appointed by the court to manage the affairs of a development cannot be…
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Penang PH and BN reach consensus on seat allocation for state elections
The Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaderships appear to have reached an agreement on seat allocations for the upcoming state elections, according to Penang PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow. However, discussions on seat distribution within the unity government will persist at the federal level. Chow, who is also the Penang chief minister, informed reporters that the central…
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Upskilling crucial for women to excel in leadership, says Dr Wan Azizah
Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the wife of Malaysia’s Prime Minister and the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia president, emphasised the importance of continuous education, upskilling, reskilling, and cross-skilling for women to remain at the top of leadership. She believes that women’s participation in leadership roles should be based on their skills and capabilities, rather than simply filling…
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Anwar Ibrahim to launch Madani economic narrative in August
In August, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to launch the Madani economic narrative, a concept he introduced to provide clear directions for ministries and agencies in implementing the unity government’s economic plans. These plans encompass the creation of a high-value sustainable economy, expanding social protections by empowering individuals, and reforming the labour market. The government will…
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Malaysia’s oldest Johor Zoo set to reopen by year-end after upgrades
The Johor Zoo, Malaysia’s oldest, is set to reopen its doors to the public by the end of the year, following its closure in 2020 for upgrading work, according to Johor Mentri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The reopening is anticipated to take place with the consent of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. Onn Hafiz made the announcement during his…
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Hishammuddin questions Umno suspension, awaits disciplinary board summons
Former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein has revealed that he was never summoned by the party’s disciplinary board after his suspension. He stated that the usual suspension process involves appealing for reinstatement and presenting one’s case to the disciplinary board. However, Hishammuddin remains uncertain about the reasons behind his suspension and the sincerity of recent statements suggesting the possibility of reinstating…
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Health Ministry tackles Johor staff shortage with 35 nurses and RM771,600
The Malaysian Health Ministry is taking action to address the urgent staff shortage at health facilities in Johor by allocating 35 permanent staff nurses and other staff, including medical assistants. The allocation will also include various contract posts awaiting confirmation. This immediate solution is a collaboration between the Health Ministry and the central agency. Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa stated…
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Selangor state assembly not dissolving in June, confirms Menteri Besar
Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari announced that the Selangor state assembly will not be dissolved in the coming weeks, despite June 19 marking his fifth year in office. He dispelled rumours that a dissolution would be called on that date during a meeting between Selangor public servants and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The Penang government, on the other hand, plans…
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PM urges public servants to embrace Madani concept, tackle corruption
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on public servants in Selangor to embrace the Madani concept and be open to change in order to combat corruption and cronyism. Selangor is considered the fortress of the national unity government and a crucial element in Malaysia’s aspirations to become a developed country. During a speech to Selangor civil servants, Anwar…
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Malaysian royals mourn loss of humanitarian Datin Paduka A. Mangalam
On June 10, Datin Paduka A. Mangalam, life president of the Pure Life Society, passed away. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah expressed their condolences to her family and acknowledged her significant contributions to the community, particularly orphans and the less fortunate. Mother Mangalam, as she was affectionately…
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Ex-Bersatu director faces 30-year sentence for non-consensual sexual act
A Malaysian businessman, Wan Mohammad Ashraf Nasjaruddin, 42, is facing charges for allegedly having a non-consensual sexual connection with a 25-year-old bank officer using an object. The incident reportedly took place in a hotel toilet at Jalan Bukit Bintang in the early hours of January 2. The Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur has set the next mention date for the…
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Malaysia cuts combat ships order amid PAC investigation, saves costs
An article published by Malay newspaper Utusan Malaysia has been accused of jeopardising the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) ongoing scrutiny into the littoral combat ships (LCS) scandal. PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin expressed her concerns over the article, which claimed that the government had decided to reduce the number of LCS to be built from six to five to…
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Malaysia eyes digital economy boom with RM130bn investment target by 2025
Malaysia is striving to become an Asian digital tiger over the next decade, with a focus on attracting talent and expertise in data and technology, according to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil. Addressing around 100 Malaysian students in London, Fahmi highlighted the importance of the digital economy, which is expected to contribute at least one-fourth of the nation’s economy…
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Malaysia sees 60% investment surge, targets 4-5% GDP growth in 2023
The Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) is working towards its 2023 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth target of 4.0 to 5.0% by focusing on investments and exports. In the first quarter of 2023, Malaysia recorded approved investments valued at US$17.1 billion, a nearly 60% increase year-on-year, with 1,265 projects expected to generate 23,977 new job opportunities across…
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Dengue fever cases soar 158% in Malaysia with 34 deaths recorded
Dengue fever cases in Malaysia have risen by 158% from January to June 3, with 48,712 cases reported compared to 18,883 cases during the same period last year. The Health Director-General, Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, revealed that 34 deaths due to dengue fever complications were recorded, a significant increase from the 12 deaths reported in 2022. From May 28…
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Anwar defends subsidy restructuring, excludes Malaysia’s affluent from benefits
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently defended Malaysia’s subsidy restructuring programme, which aims to benefit targeted groups by excluding affluent households. Anwar explained that the policy shift differs from previous administrations’ proposals for a nationwide electricity tariff hike, as the increased tariff will only impact multinational companies and high-income households. “This does not burden the people as compared to the proposal…
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