Malaysia

Malaysia has announced that it will remove visa requirements for travelers from China and India, starting from December 1, 2023, until December 31, 2024. The visa-free scheme is part of the country’s efforts to boost its tourism industry, which has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The scheme will allow Chinese and Indian nationals to stay in Malaysia for up …

The 1MDB scandal is one of the biggest cases of corruption and money laundering in history, involving the theft of billions of dollars from a Malaysian state fund by former Prime Minister Najib Razak and his associates. The scandal has sparked investigations and lawsuits in several countries, and has tarnished the reputation and credibility of Malaysia. What is 1MDB and …

Slot machines, also known as “jackpot” machines, are one of the most popular and addictive forms of gambling in Malaysia, especially among the non-Muslim population. Slot machines are legal in Malaysia, but only if they are licensed and regulated by the government.  However, there are also many illegal slot machine clubs and operators that operate without a license or a …

Mentega Terbang is an independent, low-budget film that tells the story of Aishah, a 15-year-old Muslim girl who becomes curious about other religions’ views on the afterlife after her mother falls terminally ill.  The film depicts Aishah’s journey of exploring Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism, and her interactions with people of different faiths and backgrounds. The film, which was directed …

The halal industry is a fast-growing and lucrative sector that covers various products and services that comply with the Islamic principles and standards.  According to a 2022 report by the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), the global halal market size reached $2.6 trillion in 2020, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% …

Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia since January 2023, faced a new challenge to his leadership in December 2023, when an alleged plot to oust him from power surfaced in the media.  The plot, dubbed as the “Dubai Move”, involved a secret meeting between some opposition leaders and influential individuals in Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, …

Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia’s prime minister since November 2022, faces a formidable challenge from the “Green Wave”, a term coined to describe the surge of support for the Islamist party PAS and its allies in the recent state elections. PAS, which advocates for the implementation of Islamic law and the preservation of Malay-Muslim supremacy, won a landslide victory in Kelantan and …

Malaysia is one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to develop a code of ethics and governance for artificial intelligence (AI), which will form the basis of AI regulation in the country.  The code of ethics and governance is expected to be ready by next year, and will be aligned with the Seven Principles of Responsible AI, which are …

Malaysia has started to impose a new 10 per cent sales tax on low value goods (LVG) that are sold online and shipped from abroad to customers in Malaysia, effective from January 1, 2024. The new tax, which applies to goods priced below RM500 each, has drawn mixed reactions from online sellers, local businesses, and consumers, who have different views …

McDonald’s Malaysia, the licensee of the global fast-food giant in the country, has filed a lawsuit against a local pro-Palestinian group, BDS Malaysia, for defamation over social media posts that allegedly linked the company to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza¹.  The lawsuit seeks damages of 6 million ringgit ($1.31 million), claiming that the boycott campaign has hurt its business and …