In Solidarity and Prayer: Malaysia and Anwar Stand with Timor-Leste
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim leads Malaysia in heartfelt solidarity and prayer as Timor-Leste mourns the passing of one of its distinguished former Prime Ministers.
Bold, independent coverage of Malaysian politics, business and current affairs.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim leads Malaysia in heartfelt solidarity and prayer as Timor-Leste mourns the passing of one of its distinguished former Prime Ministers.

Malaysia's Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has arrived in Hanoi for a two-day official visit aimed at deepening defence ties with Vietnam, his first trip to the country since taking office.

Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn has arrived in Malaysia for a two-day official visit that will include the third Malaysia-Cambodia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation meeting, aimed at strengthening economic and diplomatic ties.

Malaysia will host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit from October 2-4, marking the first time the prestigious race has been staged outside Bahrain since 2004. The arrangement reflects deepened ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has written to Tunisia's President Kais Saied requesting the release of detained political figure Sheikh Rached Ghannouchi, 84, on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, citing serious health concerns.

Pakistan and Jordan have initiated regional diplomatic coordination to address escalating Israeli military operations and settler violence in occupied Palestinian territories, including repeated incursions at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim credits Malaysia's selection as Formula 1 host to the country's political stability, strong diplomatic ties with Bahrain, and track record as a capable events organiser.

A Malaysian national has been arrested by South Korean police in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred during a physical confrontation. The incident raises questions about safety for Malaysians abroad.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reaffirmed America's willingness to pursue negotiations with Iran, while cautioning that Tehran must show genuine commitment to talks for discussions to move forward.

Five Italian students and their supervisor apologized to a Thai woman after a heated BTS train altercation in Bangkok. Police fined the group between 1,000 and 2,000 baht each, with both parties agreeing to settle and delete social media records.

Foreign ministers from Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand emphasised regional cooperation on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, climate change and supply chain resilience during Post-Ministerial Conferences with ASEAN in Manila.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that a Petronas vessel has cleared Red Sea passage and will reach Melaka in early August, attributing the success to Malaysia's diplomatic relations with Iran, the US, and Gulf states.

President Trump has adopted a more conciliatory tone regarding alleged Chinese election meddling, even as Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila this week during Asean meetings.

ASEAN and China are advancing negotiations on a South China Sea code of conduct, with officials expressing optimism about reaching a deal by December despite longstanding regional tensions.

A Columbia University scholar has defended Malaysia's longstanding refusal to establish diplomatic ties with Israel as a principled stance against genocide, dismissing assertions that such opposition constitutes antisemitism.

Malaysia has formally restated its policy of not recognising Israel to the United States government, with Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan explaining the stance is longstanding and rooted in immigration law.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have committed to maintaining diplomatic contacts through international organisations, signalling a narrow path for dialogue amid geopolitical tensions.

A US federal judge has set June 1, 2027, as the trial date for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores on drug trafficking charges. The couple was seized by American military forces in January, sparking widespread international condemnation.

ASEAN's foreign ministers convened with 11 dialogue partners in Manila to tackle energy security and the fallout from West Asia conflicts, with the US pledging US$1.5 billion in strategic investments.

South Korea confirms a major data breach at a government training academy has compromised roughly 10,000 records of diplomats. Officials are investigating whether state-sponsored hackers may be involved in the incident.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet Philippine counterpart Theresa Lazaro this week in Manila for the first top-level diplomatic encounter in two years, even as tensions escalate over South China Sea claims, defence matters, and regional geopolitics.

Four European nations—Sweden, Poland, Romania and Lithuania—have been formally accepted as members of ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, marking renewed international commitment to the bloc's peace principles.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has embraced musical performances as an unconventional diplomatic tool, serenading Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing and collaborating with leaders across Southeast Asia to foster regional relationships.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has strongly rebuked New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani after the American official raised the possibility of detaining the Israeli leader during a forthcoming United Nations gathering.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will attend the World Cup final at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, marking a diplomatic gesture amid tensions between Mexico and the United States over trade and security.

The Philippines, as ASEAN chair, will host foreign ministers to determine next steps on Myanmar's political crisis. An extended informal consultation will follow recent Thailand talks, with Myanmar's permanent secretary attending but excluded from strategy discussions.

The Philippines has condemned a China Daily video showing Filipinos depicted as monkeys, demanding its removal and denouncing it as racist propaganda that crosses moral and diplomatic boundaries.

France and Malaysia are strengthening bilateral relations through expanded economic cooperation and cultural exchanges, with bilateral trade growing 11% last year and about 600 French companies providing over 30,000 jobs locally.

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have committed to strengthening bilateral ties across food security, energy, and education during the president's inaugural Malaysian state visit.

Malaysia's Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir has arrived in Doha to represent the government at the funeral of Qatar's former leader, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away at age 74.

Princess Anne, sister of King Charles III, will visit South Korea this week to commemorate the 75th anniversary of major Korean War battles and meet veterans. The three-day trip includes ceremonies in Busan and visits to defence and maritime cooperation sites.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu visited Qatar on Monday to express condolences over the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, aged 74, who transformed Qatar during his 18-year reign.

Singapore President Halimah Yacob met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur, holding substantive talks on deepening Malaysia-Singapore relations during her official state visit.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a three-day state visit, with discussions on strengthening bilateral trade and cooperation between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed grave concern over escalating military confrontations in the Persian Gulf, warning of catastrophic regional and global consequences and urging Iran and the United States to resume diplomatic negotiations immediately.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has conveyed Malaysia's condolences to Qatar following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at age 74, underscoring diplomatic ties between nations.

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will conduct a three-day state visit to Malaysia from July 13-15, his first since assuming office in September 2023. The visit reciprocates Sultan Ibrahim's May 2024 trip to Singapore.

The Philippines, holding the ASEAN chair, will convene an informal meeting between Myanmar's foreign minister and ASEAN counterparts in Bangkok on July 12, marking the first in-person engagement since Myanmar's 2021 military coup.

Thailand is hosting two informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meetings in Bangkok to discuss Myanmar and advance the regional bloc's Five-Point Consensus, with the Philippines chairing discussions.

A defence university analyst has commended Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's approach to the Gaza conflict, describing it as principled, legally grounded and backed by concrete humanitarian action through Malaysia's RM100 million aid commitment.

K-pop icon G-Dragon has been named honorary ambassador for the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Busan next month, marking South Korea's first time hosting the prestigious gathering in 38 years.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has warned US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to exercise extreme care in handling Taiwan matters, emphasising that stable US-China relations serve both nations' interests.

Malaysia's Agriculture Minister Mohamad Sabu led a government delegation to Tehran to pay final respects to Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who died in February. The funeral ceremonies span multiple cities before burial in Mashhad.

High-ranking delegations from across Asia, the Middle East and beyond gathered in Tehran on Friday to pay respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a major tribute ceremony.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has designated Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu as Malaysia's representative at the funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran tomorrow.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has formally recognised the 105th anniversary of China's ruling Communist Party, underscoring Malaysia's commitment to maintaining robust bilateral relations with its major regional partner.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to visit Malaysia next month for high-level talks with PM Anwar Ibrahim, with discussions expected to focus on regional security challenges and bilateral trade opportunities.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 105th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, reiterating Malaysia's commitment to deepening strategic cooperation with China.