Politics

2 November 2025
Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin speaks at a news conference at the conclusion of the ASEAN defense ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 1. (Photo by Norman Goh)
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, pictured on Oct. 30 ahead of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur.
Defense

US stresses Indo-Pacific balance of power to China in defense meeting

Beijing warns Washington to be 'cautious in words and actions,' especially toward Taiwan

31 October 2025
Secondary article image
Photos

Through the Lens: Trump's Asia-Pacific tour

A selection of photos from across Asia

31 October 2025
ASEAN leaders welcome East Timor's accession to the group in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, some 14 years after the nation of 1.4 million people submitted its application, aiming to use membership to open up trading opportunities.
Policy Asia

Dream or mirage? East Timor starts life in ASEAN as trade clouds gather

Infrastructure, law, jobs concerns remain; diversification urged as oil fund drains

31 October 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures to Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a meeting on the sidelines of ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26.
Trump tariffs

Trump's Malaysia, Cambodia deals link tariff cuts to political loyalty

US pushes Southeast Asian partners to follow Entity List, shipbuilding measures

30 October 2025
Left to right, East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn attend a signing ceremony for East Timor's admission into ASEAN on Oct. 26. (Photo by Norman Goh)
International relations

Trump deals and East Timor debut: 5 takeaways from ASEAN Summit

Washington seeks 'battle of optics' edge as China stresses economic weight

28 October 2025
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, far left, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, far right, witness the signing of the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Area in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 28.
International relations

China deepens ties with ASEAN ahead of Xi-Trump talks

Beijing signs enhanced trade deal with bloc at Kuala Lumpur summit

28 October 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One as he departs for Japan at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 27. 
International relations

Trump departs Malaysia for Japan, set to meet Takaichi

US president continues Asia tour after overnight stay in Kuala Lumpur

27 October 2025
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26.
Trade

ASEAN Summit talks spotlight economic integration amid trade worries

Bloc upgrades intraregional rules while 15-country RCEP looks to add new members

27 October 2025
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to journalists in Kuala Lumpur after talks with China on Oct. 26. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Trade war

US and China have 'framework' for Trump-Xi talks, Bessent says

Treasury secretary sees one-year delay in rare earth export controls

27 October 2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, top right, delivers a virtual speech to the ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26.
International relations

Malaysia's Anwar says 'real progress' made in ASEAN-India trade deal review

With Modi attending summit virtually, experts see year-end deadline as likely to be missed

27 October 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, center, and ASEAN leaders pose for a photo during the ASEAN-U.S. Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26. 
International relations

Trump to ASEAN leaders: US to remain strong partner for 'many generations'

US president also agrees to rare earth deal with Malaysia amid China export curbs

26 October 2025
Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet shake hands while U.S. President Donald Trump applauds during a ceremony for the signing of a peace deal between the two Southeast Asian countries on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26.
Thailand-Cambodia conflict

Thailand and Cambodia sign Trump-brokered peace deal in Malaysia

US president witnesses 'momentous' event as he arrives for ASEAN summit

26 October 2025
The logo for the ASEAN summit is displayed at the event's venue in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Norman Goh)
International relations

East Timor makes 'historic' entry into ASEAN as bloc faces test of unity

Three-day summit kicks off in Malaysia amid rising internal and external challenges

26 October 2025
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng arrives for trade talks with the U.S. in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 25.
Trade war

US and China start high-stakes trade talks in Malaysia

Rush to defuse rare-earth, other tensions comes days before likely Trump-Xi meeting

25 October 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event at the White House on Oct. 16. (Reuters)
International relations

Trump's ASEAN Summit attendance raises stakes for trade, security talks

5 key data points that explain significance of Oct. 26-28 event in Kuala Lumpur

22 October 2025
People pose with the ASEAN logo in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 8. The main summit begins on Oct. 26.
Your Week in Asia

ASEAN Summit, China's Fourth Plenum, Japan's PM vote

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

19 October 2025
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, center, gestures as Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, left, and Thailand's then-acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai shake hands after talks in Malaysia on July 28.
Thailand-Cambodia conflict

Malaysia 'hopes' Trump will witness Thai-Cambodia ceasefire at ASEAN summit

White House yet to confirm whether U.S. president will attend Southeast Asian regional meeting

14 October 2025
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, left, and Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar's military regime. The two men met on Thursday during a visit by Hasan to Myanmar to discuss the regime's planned general election in December.
Myanmar Crisis

Malaysia stresses to Myanmar that December election must be inclusive

Foreign minister appears to make little progress at meeting with regime leader

11 October 2025
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim holds the 2026 national budget document at the Finance Ministry building as he departs for Parliament to table the budget Oct. 10.
Economy

Malaysia plans record spending in 2026 despite subsidy cuts

Country seeks to balance economic growth, fiscal discipline in draft budget

10 October 2025
Helene Budliger Artieda, Switzerland’s state secretary for economic affairs, speaks to Nikkei Asia in Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 26. (Photo by Ahmad Mustakim)
Interview

Swiss trade chief eyes deeper ASEAN push after Malaysia deal

European nation's innovation and bloc's scale create powerful synergy, Budliger Artieda says

6 October 2025
The U.S. Capitol dome is reflected on a glass door on the first day of a partial government shutdown in Washington on Oct. 1. 
Trump administration

Trump Asia visit preparations grind to halt with government shutdown

Malaysia, Japan, South Korea embassies watch Congress closely

2 October 2025
An artist's rendering shows a liquefied CO2 carrier. Energy company Petronas is developing carbon capture and storage projects in Malaysia with overseas partners. (Petronas)
Energy

Malaysia, Indonesia accelerate carbon capture and storage projects

Trump's 'slightly supportive' stance on industry boosts sentiment, analyst says

24 September 2025
Traffic in Kuala Lumpur's business district: Under the fuel new scheme, Malaysian citizens will be entitled to 300 liters per month at the subsidized price, with exemptions for ride-hailing drivers
Economy

Malaysia's subsidy reform raises fuel prices for foreigners

Prime Minister Anwar takes 'bold step' to free up government's fiscal space

22 September 2025
People play games at the Tokyo Game Show in Chiba prefecture on Sept. 26, 2024. This year's edition will feature over 1,100 exhibitors -- the largest number ever. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Your Week in Asia

LDP presidential race, ASEAN economy meeting, Tokyo Game Show

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

21 September 2025
Malaysian military personnel undergo training from Japanese counterparts in how to use drones that will be donated to the Southeast Asian nation as part of Tokyo's Official Security Assistance program 
Politics

Japan to donate ships, drones to Malaysia under security assistance program

Move is part of Tokyo's efforts to counter Chinese activity in South China Sea

15 September 2025
Supporters of Pakatan Harapan, a multi-ethnic coalition led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, shout slogans and wave flags during Malaysia's general election in 2022. The coalition has become a target of growing attacks from ethno-religious influencers. 
Politics

Ethnic friction spikes in Malaysia, casts shadow over politics

TikTok and Instagram 'dog whistle' videos cause trepidation as Anwar weighs elections

3 September 2025
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during May's ASEAN summit meeting in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Norman Goh)
International relations

Anwar looks to October ASEAN summit to emphasize Malaysia's global presence

Bloc's chair hopes meetings will be 'veritable assembly' of world powers

30 August 2025
Ships crowd in waters off Singapore, where piracy and armed robbery have surged this year. (Photo by Fumika Sato)
Crime

Piracy and armed robbery quadruples in Strait of Malacca region

Congestion slows ships as Mideast tensions push more traffic through Southeast Asia chokepoint

20 August 2025
A supporter of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak holds a fan printed with Najib's image outside the Federal Court, where his case is being heard, in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Aug. 13.
Politics

Malaysia's top court clears way for Najib to seek house arrest

Stage set for test of imprisoned former prime minister's royal order claim

14 August 2025