Bold, independent coverage of Malaysian politics, business and current affairs.
Malaysia's Dewan Negara has concluded its second meeting of the current parliamentary session after passing the National Trust Fund Bill and Statistics Bill, while addressing economic competitiveness and fiscal sustainability.
The United States has imposed sanctions on 10 Chinese shipping companies and two Iranian insurance firms, accusing them of facilitating Iranian oil exports and maritime trade in violation of American restrictions.
Malaysia's fuel supply at Petronas stations will remain stable and sufficient through September, covering half the nation's domestic needs. The government is diversifying crude oil imports from West Africa and the Americas while monitoring energy security.
Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Air Selangor have signed landmark agreements to supply electricity and district cooling services to Malaysia's largest water treatment plant, enhancing infrastructure resilience and sustainability across the region.
Sultan Ibrahim's groundbreaking visits to Russia have transformed Malaysia-Russia relations, with Moscow and Kuala Lumpur moving beyond traditional trade into energy cooperation and technological collaboration. The relationship is set to deepen further when President Putin visits Malaysia in 2027.
Brunei's Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Mateen has urged Southeast Asian nations to strengthen cooperation on food and energy security, while reaffirming the importance of upholding international law at major Asean-led meetings in Manila.
Singapore's Cabinet reshuffle reflects strategic priorities in energy security, trade diversification, and managing AI-driven workplace disruption. The restructuring signals how regional economies must balance growth with emerging challenges.
Japan has committed to deepening regional cooperation on energy security and tackling online scams at a foreign ministers' meeting with ASEAN, China, and South Korea, underlining Tokyo's strategic engagement across Asia.
Analysts have backed Malaysia's plan to establish a national petroleum reserve, citing escalating geopolitical risks in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea that threaten global energy supplies and regional stability.
Donald Trump has warned the United States will destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant for every attack on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating rhetoric amid ongoing military confrontation.
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.
Southeast Asia moves forward on multiple fronts, from Indonesia's marine conservation partnership to ASEAN's response to Middle East tensions. Thailand appoints a new police chief while Singapore reinforces its position as a global hub.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has highlighted how energy security and maritime safety are now inseparable, with regional tensions rippling through supply chains and costs worldwide.
Escalating tensions in the South China Sea threaten to overshadow an ASEAN meeting in Manila, with the United States condemning Chinese conduct while diplomatic efforts to resolve Myanmar's crisis remain deadlocked.
A Thai-registered vessel was reportedly attacked by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz as US-Iran military clashes escalate. The incident highlights growing risks to commercial shipping in one of the world's most critical energy corridors.
Oil markets jumped Friday as US-Iran military exchanges intensified and Iran signalled the Houthis to prepare blocking the Red Sea, threatening global crude supplies amid already fragile geopolitical conditions.
Malaysia's proposal to establish a national petroleum reserve reflects deepening concerns over energy security as geopolitical tensions and supply chain fragmentation reshape global economics, experts say.
An investment economist recommends Malaysia pursue a carefully phased approach to establishing petroleum reserves, tailored to the nation's fiscal capacity rather than mimicking larger reserves held by developed economies.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the government will examine options for establishing a national petroleum reserve to shield Malaysia from energy supply shocks and geopolitical instability, as part of broader energy transition efforts.
South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index triggered a circuit breaker on Monday after a sharp 8% decline, marking the seventh halt this year amid escalating US-Iran tensions affecting investor sentiment across Asia.
Iran has rejected President Trump's proposal to continue peace negotiations without a ceasefire, insisting Washington must first meet Tehran's conditions on Hormuz transit and oil sales. Fresh threats and military posturing underscore deepening rifts.
Australia and India have formalised uranium exports for nuclear power generation during the third annual bilateral summit in Melbourne, marking a deepening of strategic and energy cooperation between the two nations.
France is considering Syria as an alternative pathway for oil shipments to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, where US-Iran tensions threaten global energy supplies, according to Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has assured Malaysians that the nation's energy supply remains secure despite escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with Petronas and the government implementing protective measures.
The UAE's military intercepted incoming Iranian missiles and drones early Sunday, triggering emergency alerts across the Gulf. Qatar and Bahrain urged residents to shelter indoors as regional tensions sharply escalated.
Malaysian authorities have dismantled illegal cryptocurrency mining operations across the country, seizing more than 75,000 machines and arresting 629 people since 2022 through coordinated enforcement efforts.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned of deteriorating nuclear safety at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia plant following its 21st power outage since the conflict escalated, calling for military restraint to prevent potential disaster.
Iran and Oman have convened the first meeting of their Joint Hormuz Committee, tasked with establishing governance frameworks for the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz while respecting the sovereign rights of both littoral states.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared his country will have sole control over the Strait of Hormuz for the next 30 days, after a fragile ceasefire with the United States deteriorated following fresh military clashes.
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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's diplomatic missions to Russia and Turkmenistan have delivered significant energy security gains, including long-term crude oil supplies and expanded gas exploration rights for PETRONAS, expected to benefit Malaysia's economy and fund development initiatives.