36 h. ago Former Anwar aide acquitted of drug and firearms charges, claims persecution

A former aide who accused Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of sexual misconduct has claimed he is a victim of political persecution, after a court in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday acquitted him of drug and firearms charges. Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, who made headlines in 2019 with allegations against the then-opposition leader, was charged last year with possession of over 300g of cannabis and two imitation firearms. The items were found in his car outside a police station in September...

Events

3 d. ago Malaysia’s Anwar given second chance to prove immunity from sexual assault suit

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will be allowed to argue that he has legal immunity from a sexual harassment civil suit after the Court of Appeal ruled in his favour on Tuesday, just days before proceedings were due to start. The suit, brought by Anwar’s former research assistant Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, alleges that Anwar sexually assaulted him in 2018 at the then-opposition leader's private residence. Anwar has denied the allegations. The case risks resurfacing controversies that have...

Events

3 d. ago Malaysia’s new luxury tax a hard sell for Anwar as popularity wanes

Many Malaysians may find life’s little indulgences suddenly beyond their reach from next month, when fresh taxes bite on premium goods and services like salmon and silk – and even haircuts – after the cash-strapped government said it would raise revenue from so-called luxury spending. Taxes of between 5 and 10 per cent will be imposed on “discretionary and non-essential goods” as well as financial and beauty services and private education from July 1, the Finance Ministry said in a statement...

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8 d. ago Malaysia’s Anwar faces more woes as sexual harassment case against him proceeds

A crisis of credibility hangs over Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as he prepares to face a sexual harassment suit later this month, the latest in a series of controversies that has rocked his administration and cast doubts over his reformist agenda. Anwar faces allegations that he has sexually assaulted a former aide, as the case threatens to dredge up past sex scandals that hounded him for years while he was in opposition. A high court in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday threw out Anwar’s...

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9 d. ago Anwar’s ‘Madani City’ plan sparks fresh backlash in Malaysia

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s plan to build a new hi-tech city named after his “Madani” slogan has sparked fresh outrage, with Malaysians accusing the government of splurging on a vanity project while imposing spending cuts on the public. Anwar rose to power in 2022 on the promise that he would avoid the excesses of his predecessors. He vowed to stamp out corruption and cronyism after years of scandals that cost the country billions of dollars. His credibility has taken several blows since...

Events

1 week ago Is Malaysia’s Umno set for a comeback amid Anwar’s cabinet chaos?

The sudden exit of two key members of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s cabinet has thrown his government into a tailspin, with analysts warning that the former ruling Umno may have more bargaining clout over ministerial roles or even return to power at the next general election. Umno, which was ousted in the 2018 election under corruption-tainted former prime minister Najib Razak after six decades in power, is a key minority partner in Anwar’s unity government. It had appeared destined...

Events

2 w. ago Anwar’s cabinet chaos: what double resignations mean for Malaysia

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim went into damage control on Thursday as he digested the departure of two key ministers who quit the cabinet after his party voted to elevate his daughter to the role of deputy and his de facto successor. To control the narrative surrounding the walkouts, Anwar stated that he has not accepted the resignations of Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, instead allowing them to take time off. Speaking to reporters on...

Events

2 w. ago Undone by his daughter? Malaysia’s Anwar in a bind amid cabinet chaos

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim went into damage control on Thursday as he digested the departure of two key ministers who quit the cabinet after his party voted to elevate his daughter to the role of deputy and his de facto successor. To control the narrative surrounding the walkouts, Anwar stated that he has not accepted the resignations of Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, instead allowing them to take time off. Speaking to reporters on...

Events

2 w. ago Malaysia rocked by resignations of two ministers as Anwar faces sternest test

Two Malaysian ministers quit Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s cabinet on Wednesday, as accusations of nepotism over the political rise of his daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar threaten to destabilise the government and unravel his control over the ruling party. In the gravest challenge yet to Anwar’s two-year-old administration, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced their resignations within hours of each other. While the two political...

Politics

2 w. ago Malaysia rocked by resignations of 2 ministers as Anwar faces sternest test

Two Malaysian ministers quit Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s cabinet on Wednesday, as accusations of nepotism over the political rise of his daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar threaten to destabilise the government and unravel his control over the ruling party. In the gravest challenge yet to Anwar’s two-year-old administration, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced their resignations within hours of each other. While the two political...

Politics

2 w. ago Malaysia’s Anwar compared to Donald Trump by critics for seeking legal immunity

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s claim of legal immunity in a civil suit brought by a former aide has drawn unflattering comparisons to US President Donald Trump, with critics accusing him of shielding himself from accountability. Anwar, who became the country’s leader in 2022, is fighting a suit filed by his former aide Yusoff Rawther, who accused the 78-year-old of molesting him in 2018. His lawyers, however, asked Malaysia’s Federal Court on Tuesday to affirm that the prime minister...

Politics

2 w. ago Why is Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim being compared to Donald Trump?

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s claim of legal immunity in a civil suit brought by a former aide has drawn unflattering comparisons to US President Donald Trump, with critics accusing him of shielding himself from accountability. Anwar, who became the country’s leader in 2022, is fighting a suit filed by his former aide Yusoff Rawther, who accused the 78-year-old of molesting him in 2018. His lawyers, however, asked Malaysia’s Federal Court on Tuesday to affirm that the prime minister...

Politics

2 w. ago Malaysia’s Anwar urges Asean not to ‘sacrifice’ member states over US tariffs

Asean members must avoid undercutting their neighbours while negotiating on the tariff issue with the US, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned on Tuesday, as the bloc ended a summit with the economic threat of Washington’s levies dominating discussions. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) met over two days in Kuala Lumpur to discuss its next steps to address the “reciprocal” tariffs that US President Donald Trump had paused until early July. Asean leaders also...

Events

3 w. ago Anwar Ibrahim mints a dynasty – but Malaysia’s youth aren’t buying it

The rapid ascent of Anwar’s heir apparent Nurul Izzah has alienated many young Malaysians who are tired of old feuds and unfulfilled promises.

Events

3 w. ago Malaysia’s ruling PKR holds vote that could elevate Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah

Nepotism claims and internal rifts cloud contest as Nurul Izzah and her rival Rafizi Ramli vie for party’s deputy leader post.

Politics

3 w. ago Has Malaysia’s Anwar bitten off more than he can chew with geopolitical pivot?

Recent diplomatic overtures have raised concern that Anwar is leaning too close to Russia and China in his bid to diversify Malaysia’s trade ties.

Politics

3 w. ago Malaysia’s Anwar says Asean summit should tackle Trump’s tariffs, Myanmar crisis

The Asean chair calls for ‘assertiveness and independence’ among the 10 member countries ahead of the crucial summit on Monday.

Politics

3 w. ago Malaysia’s Anwar Says US Trade Talks Unaffected by China Ties

Malaysia’s Anwar Says US Trade Talks Unaffected by China Ties  Bloomberg.com

Events

3 w. ago In Malaysia, PKR’s Rafizi steps up poll campaign as Anwar’s daughter contests No 2 post

The entry of Nurul Izzah Anwar as a candidate for PKR’s deputy president in the party’s May 23 election has triggered nepotism claims.

Events

4 w. ago Putin’s ‘second wife’ joke about Malaysia’s Anwar draws laughs and anger amid MH17 ruling

While some social media users were amused by the leaders’ moment of levity, others felt it was inappropriate in light of the MH17 tragedy.

Politics