Category: Malaysia

Malaysia’s New Prime Minister Strikes Conciliatory Tone in First Address

KUALA LUMPUR—Malaysia’s new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob struck a conciliatory tone in his first national address Sunday, saying he would embrace the opposition in an effort to tackle the runaway pandemic and revive a slumping economy. A day after being sworn in, Ismail said the political battles that led to a change of government…


Malaysian King Names Former Deputy Leader as New Prime Minister

Malaysia’s king on Friday appointed the former deputy prime minister to Muhyiddin Yassin, who resigned after less than 18 months in office, as the country’s new leader. Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah said Ismail Sabri Yaakob had secured the backing of 114 lawmakers in the 222-seat parliament, clinching the simple majority required to rule. Ahmad Shah said the…


Malaysian’s Muhyiddin Resigns, King Keeps Him as Interim PM

KUALA LUMPUR—Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has handed his resignation to the king but will stay on as interim premier, the palace said on Monday, after months of political turmoil culminated in the loss of his majority. Muhyiddin’s hand had been weakened by months of infighting in his coalition and it is unclear if the…


Malaysia Defers Special Parliament Sitting Citing Virus Risk

By Hadi Azmi and Yantoultra Ngui From Bloomberg News The final day for Malaysia’s special parliament sitting on Monday has been postponed indefinitely because of the risk from a recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases. The deferment follows a risk assessment by the health ministry, which found that the parliament’s locality is at risk of the…


Birdwatchers Spot Rare Green Broadbill Bird Declared ‘Extinct’ 70 Years Ago in Singapore

A rare bright-green-feathered bird has rustled up excitement among birdwatchers in Singapore. The green broadbill—declared extinct in Singapore 70 years ago—was sighted on the isle of Pulau Ubin, northwest of the republic, on June 27, Mr. Lim Liang Jim of the National Parks Board in Singapore said, as quoted by The Straits Times. For a few…


Beijing’s Bad Behavior Is Backfiring

Commentary Malaysia, a country that usually maintains good relations with China, got a little taste a few days ago of Beijing’s “creeping assertiveness.” On June 1, a fleet of Chinese military aircraft, flying in a tactical formation, flew to within 60 nautical miles of eastern Malaysia, within Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone in the South China…


Malaysia to Summon Chinese Envoy Over ‘Suspicious’ Air Force Activity

KUALA LUMPUR—The foreign ministry of Malaysia on Tuesday said it would summon China’s envoy to explain an “intrusion” by 16 air force planes into its airspace, after the Southeast Asian country’s military detected “suspicious” activity over the South China Sea. Malaysia’s air force said it scrambled jets on Monday to conduct visual confirmation after the…


North Korea to Sever Ties With Malaysia Over Extradition of Citizen to US

SEOUL—North Korea said on Friday it would sever diplomatic relations with Malaysia after the Southeast Asian nation extradited a North Korean man to the United States to face money-laundering charges this week. Malaysia denounced North Korea’s move as unwarranted and disruptive to regional peace, adding that the extradition had been carried out according to law….