Malaysia

In a strategic move to invigorate its tourism sector, Malaysia is poised to introduce a 30-day visa-free stay for Chinese tourists, effective from December 1. This reciprocal measure follows China’s recent inclusion of Malaysia in its visa-free travel list for a one-year trial. The initiative aims to bolster tourism, a pivotal contributor to Malaysia’s economy, accounting for 14% of the …

The Madani Community Fund is a government initiative designed to boost the economy in rural areas. This program is unique because it allows local communities to decide and manage their economic projects. Their goal is to empower these communities by providing them with financial support to start and run various economic activities. For the year 2024, the Malaysian government has …

In a landmark move aimed at fortifying its security measures, UnionBank, one of the Philippines’ largest banks, is set to become the country’s first financial institution to implement voice recognition biometric verification. The initiative, spearheaded by UnionBank’s Head of AI, Adrienne Heinrich, focuses on enhancing customer service and addressing the rising threat of fraud in the rapidly digitizing nation. Voice …

In a recent twist of events, electronics valued at a staggering $74 million faced hurdles entering the United States in September, revealing a heightened crackdown on potential links to forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region. These electronics, including solar panels and microchips, predominantly hailed from Malaysia and Vietnam. The latest data, updated in November, disclose the impacts of the tightened …

Before the official campaign rhythm for Indonesia’s elections, Once Mekel, a music icon turned politician, hit a vibrant note in Kuala Lumpur. Over 1,000 cheering fans welcomed Mekel, a candidate for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), reflecting the star-studded allure of political rallies abroad. Mekel’s venture into politics is more than a performance; it’s a chord struck to …

In a distressing development, Kelantan, Malaysia, is witnessing a surge in human-tiger conflicts, attributing the critically endangered big cats to the deaths of four individuals. The recent incidents, linked to mating season and habitat loss from mining and logging, prompt authorities to deploy tiger traps across remote jungles. The discovery of body parts, believed to be from Indonesian worker Lalu …

In a surprising turn of events, the Malaysian government has decided to remove the generational endgame (GEG) clause from the proposed Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023, leading to a wave of criticism and concerns from various quarters. The GEG clause, which aimed to ban tobacco and vape products for individuals born after January 1, 2007, was …

In a recent twist of fate, the Australian High Court’s decision has cast a spotlight on the labyrinth of immigration detention policies, with the release of Sirul Azhar Umar, a former Malaysian bodyguard entangled in a politically charged murder case. This development not only peels back the layers within Australia’s immigration system but also unravels threads of diplomatic tension between …

IIn a twist of fate reverberating through Malaysian politics, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, the vibrant leader of the Muda movement, has been handed a seven-year jail term and two lashes for embezzlement. This legal bombshell not only casts shadows over his political future but also reveals the inherent complexities of Malaysia’s political terrain. The courtroom saga unfolds around allegations …

In a remarkable display of unwavering principle, Malaysia has made headlines for its resolute rejection of proposed US sanctions against foreign supporters of Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups. The proposed “Hamas International Financing Prevention Act,” recently passed by the US House of Representatives and pending Senate approval, has elicited a steadfast response from Malaysia, which has categorically stated that …