GLOBEALERT

Feed

Open sources, classified and cross-checked. 25+ stories.

POLITICS1d agoSmokescreen politics? Malaysians mock Indonesian official’s ‘we send oxygen’ haze defenceMalaysians have reacted with sarcasm and disbelief to an Indonesian official’s claim that his country provides the region’s oxygen, as toxic smoke from forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan chokes neighbouring nations. Syahganda Nainggolan, head of Indonesia’s government communications agency, prompted the backlash after invoking his country’s forests when questioned on Saturday about the severe smog that has forced school closures and triggered health warnings across Malaysia and...South China Morning Post
POLITICS1d agoMalaysian PM Anwar’s new budget tackles graft, but critics ask: is it too late?With his reformist credentials battered by coalition compromises and a looming general election, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has used his 2027 budget to launch a fresh wave of anti-corruption measures. But as his government nears its four-year mark, analysts warn that restoring public confidence will require more than additional funding and tighter legislative oversight. The measures, announced when Anwar presented Malaysia’s 2027 budget on Friday, include 1.1 billion ringgit (US$269...South China Morning Post
POLITICS3d agoEgypt and Malaysia discuss political settlement to Middle East conflictEgyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi was on a two-day state visit to Kuala Lumpur which also focused on bilateral ties.Africanews [en]
POLITICS3d agoWho rules Negeri Sembilan? Royal row tests Malaysia’s constitutional orderThe dust has yet to settle in Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan, where a royal row has led to the fall of a state government and left the public wondering who, exactly, is in charge. Observers warn that the months-long constitutional crisis could create ripple effects well beyond the state’s borders, testing the entire nation’s systems of monarchy and government. The dispute centres on which of two men: the incumbent, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, or his intended replacement, Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku...South China Morning Post
POLITICS3d agoWorld : Malaysia-Egypt Strategic Partnership Reflects Shared Commitment To Deepen CooperationKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, said the elevation of Malaysia-Egypt bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's state visit reflected a shared commitment to deepening cooperation across a broad range of areas for the benefit of both nations.bernama · malaysia
POLITICS3d agoGeneral : Malaysia, Egypt To Broaden Education Cooperation Beyond Islamic Studies -- AnwarPUTRAJAYA, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Egypt are looking to broaden educational cooperation beyond Islamic studies to include engineering, medicine, electrical and electronics (E&E), digital technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).bernama · malaysia
POLITICS4d ago17 key takeaways from Malaysia’s 2027 budget - ‘live with dignity’Malaysia plans to spend 460 billion ringgit (US$112.6 billion) under its 2027 budget, expanding welfare assistance and tax relief while retaining fuel subsidies as households contend with higher living costs. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also finance minister, presented the spending plan in parliament on Friday as his government faces pressure for an early election following a series of state poll defeats. Anwar said the budget should be judged on “whether more people can live with...South China Morning Post
POLITICS5d agoMalaysia budget: Anwar to boost welfare, keep subsidies amid inflation worriesMalaysia’s government will boost spending on social welfare while maintaining subsidies to rein in the cost of living under its 2027 Budget unveiled on Friday, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim seeks to shore up public support while under pressure to call for an early general election. Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) has suffered bruising defeats in a series of state elections since December, as voters expressed disapproval of his administration’s failure to deliver on promises of reforms, which had...South China Morning Post
POLITICS5d agoMyanmar’s leader to take back migrants from MalaysiaPUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — Myanmar will accept more Burmese migrants held in Malaysia “as soon as possible,” the war-torn nation’s leader said on Thursday despite human rights concerns over the opaque repatriation scheme. Min Aung Hlaing made the pledge on a visit to his counterpart in Malaysia as he works to bring his country back into the international fold after staging a coup in February 2021. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim invited Min Aung Hlaing, now installed as civilian president, for a two-day visit to discuss the return of thousands of migrants to his country. Malaysia has historically offered safe haven to those exiled from Myanmar, hosting 190,000 refugees or asylum seekers from the nation — mostly Rohingya — according to the United Nations. But Anwar is making a repatriation push amid an uptick of anti-migrant sentiment in Malaysia, defying concerns from the UN that his scheme cannot guarantee their safe homecomings to Myanmar. The country has been wracked by war since Min Aung Hlaing’s putsch, and there are fears the persecuted Rohingya may return to a country where they suffer violent persecution many deem genocide. “We will take those verified nationals back as soon as possible,” Min Aung Hlaing said at a joint news conference with Anwar in the administrative capital Putrajaya. ‘Enhance collaboration’ Min Aung Hlaing has been a pariah in many capitals abroad since his coup unleashed a civil war, but Anwar invited him for talks about returning Myanmar migrants. Nearly 1,500 migrants arrived in back in Myanmar on Sunday after a five-day navy vessel voyage from Malaysia, where they were being held in detention centers before being shipped out. Anwar announced in July that Myanmar had agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya members, but the Malaysian government later said those sent back would be of “various ethnicities,” not only Rohingya. Myanmar last month pledged “safe and dignified” returns for its citizens displaced abroad, after criticism from the UN and rights groups. Min Aung Hlaing’s two-day trip also comes as he makes a push for diplomatic recognition after his installation as civilian president in April, following elections branded a charade by democracy watchdogs. Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) said in July they were seeking “gradual” engagement with Myanmar. The 11-nation organization has frozen Myanmar out of high-level summits since the coup, presenting a united front to pressure its leaders into engaging in its conflict resolution plan. But analysts say the consensus is now fraying. Malaysia marks the fifth Southeast Asian nation to host Min Aung Hlaing since he transitioned to ruling the country as its nominally civilian president. A five-point peace plan adopted by Asean leaders in April 2021, which, among other things, call for an immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar, has shown very little signs of progress. This was highlighted by a Myanmar military air strike late last month on a market in the country’s west, killing some 50 people — one of the deadliest recent bombings of the civil war. “We, and [on] our part in Malaysia, will do whatever is possible to make sure that we enhance this collaboration,” Anwar said on Thursday. The aim ultimately was to “take Myanmar as part of our community of nations without prejudice, and particularly in the context of [the] Asean,” he added.manilatimes · philippines
POLITICS5d agoMalaysia PM says will work on Myanmar’s ASEAN reintegrationMyanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing in Malaysia for a two-day visit, his first since he became president in April.Al Jazeera [en]
POLITICS5d agoMyanmar’s Strongman President Is on a Global Quest for Legitimacy. Next Stop, Malaysia.After trading his military uniform for civilian clothes, Myanmar’s strongman president, U Min Aung Hlaing, is in Malaysia, his ninth stop on a search for international legitimacy.NYT World
POLITICS6d agoCan ‘neutral’ Malaysia stay above the fray in the US-China tech rivalry?Despite Malaysia’s insistence that its long-standing non-alignment policy extends to cyberspace, analysts say the country’s reliance on American and Chinese technology could make such a stance difficult to sustain amid the rivalry between the two superpowers. Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said on Monday that Malaysia would “always remain neutral” in cyberspace, arguing that cyber threats could come from non-state actors and should not be viewed solely through the lens of geopolitical...South China Morning Post
POLITICSOct 7Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing visits Malaysia amid concerns over repatriationsMyanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing arrives in Malaysia on his first visit since the 2021 coup.Al Jazeera [en]
POLITICSOct 7Malaysia’s Melaka sets election date as BN, PAS near alliance against AnwarMalaysia’s Melaka will hold a state election on November 14 as the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition nears a pact with Islamist rivals, leaving Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s alliance facing another difficult contest after a string of recent defeats. The filing of nominations will begin on October 31 and early voting on November 10, Election Commission chairman Ramlan Harun said on Wednesday. A total of 687,897 registered voters are eligible to elect the state’s 28 assembly members, with...South China Morning Post
POLITICSOct 7Malaysia’s Myanmar bet? Repatriations pave way for diplomacyMalaysia’s repatriation of Myanmar nationals ahead of a visit to Kuala Lumpur by the war-torn country’s leader appears to mirror efforts by other Asean countries seeking to mend ties with Naypyidaw. Several members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have stepped up engagement with Myanmar at the bilateral level recently, raising questions about whether a gradual normalisation between the bloc and the country could undermine efforts to end its civil war, according to analysts. Nearly...South China Morning Post
POLITICSOct 6Malaysia’s Anwar to host Myanmar leader as repatriations near 10,000Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing to visit Kuala Lumpur 'in the next few days', Anwar Ibrahim says.Al Jazeera [en]
POLITICSOct 5Malaysia’s Anwar set to unveil crowd-pleasing budget as political pressure risesMalaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim is expected to roll out a populist budget on Friday aimed at placating voter concerns over the cost of living and access to essential services, experts say, as the prime minister seeks to shore up support ahead of a general election that could be called as soon as next year. Anwar’s coalition government is under mounting pressure amid a deepening feud with Umno. The Malay nationalist party, a key partner in Anwar’s administration, has demanded a snap poll after defeating...South China Morning Post
POLITICSOct 4Nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals repatriated from Malaysia as UN warns of risksYANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals who were sent back from Malaysia arrived in the country’s largest city on Sunday, despite warnings from the United Nations refugee agency and rights groups that conditions for return remain unsafe.local10 · united states of america
POLITICSOct 4Keralam’s former Minister Muneer seeks comprehensive probe into Malaysian engineer’s death in 2006Gyanesh Kumar, the current Chief Election Commissioner, was Public Works Secretary in the Keralam during the Malaysian engineer’s death in Kuala Lumpur in November 2006.The Hindu
POLITICSOct 4New Malaysian ambassador presents credentials to Vietnamese President, pledges to deepen bilateral tiesPHNOM PENH: Newly appointed Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Jamal Sharifuddin Johan pledged to accelerate five decades of cooperation with Hanoi, with sustainable energy and the halal economy as priority areas under the countries' upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.thestar_my · malaysia
POLITICSOct 3Senior Citizens Bill to strengthen protection for older Malaysians, says Nancy ShukriMELAKA, Oct 3 — The physical and mental well-being of senior citizens will be among the key areas addressed under...malaymail · singapore
POLITICSOct 2MCA Own Ex - Member Ridhuan Tee Told To Leave Malaysia By MCAA political party has instructed one of its former members to leave the country, signaling a significant internal dispute and potential political action.therakyatpost.com · Malaysia
POLITICSSep 30Philippines urged to adopt Malaysia’s lasting tourism strategyPhilippine senators have urged the Department of Tourism to stick with a single marketing campaign to build long-term international recognition, pointing to long-running successes such as Malaysia’s “Truly Asia” tagline. Newly appointed Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay was asked about her plans for the current slogan, “Love the Philippines”, during a departmental budget hearing on Monday, the Philippine Star reported. Senate finance subcommittee chairman Erwin Tulfo suggested keeping the...South China Morning Post
POLITICSSep 30Malaysia’s Mahathir in hospital for observation a day after wife’s deathMalaysia’s two-time prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has been admitted to hospital for observation, his office confirmed on Wednesday, in the latest health scare involving the 101-year-old. Mahathir was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) on Tuesday night, barely a day after his wife of 70 years, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, died at the same hospital. It is unclear why the former leader was admitted. Sufi Yusoff, Mahathir’s long-time aide, told reporters that they were awaiting diagnosis...South China Morning Post