Malaysia is facing a potential snap election in the second half of 2026. The 16th General Election is formally scheduled for no later than February 2028. However, on May 29, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim indicated he would consider dissolving parliament early should internal alliance tensions deteriorate further.
Category: Malaysia
Malaysia’s Perak state to broaden appeal through cruise tourism
The state of Perak in Malaysia has intensified efforts to position itself as a prominent cruise tourism destination, as authorities believe the sector could unlock new economic opportunities and broaden the state’s appeal to international travellers.
Malaysia faces steep costs after Norway revokes arms export deal
On May 19, Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin commissioned the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to research alternative missile vendors, following Norway’s revocation of their bilateral defence agreement signed in 2018.
Malaysia to launch TVET 2.0, targeting in-demand skills shortage
Malaysia is set to debut its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curriculum, named TVET 2.0, in June.
11 dead after migrant boat sinks near Malaysia’s Pangkor Island
On May 11, a boat carrying 37 undocumented migrants from Indonesia sank near Pangkor Island while travelling towards several destinations in Malaysia. As of May 15, search and rescue teams had recovered 11 bodies about 5.6 nautical miles from the island.
Malaysia to restrict EV imports from July 2026
Malaysia will curb electric vehicle (EV) imports starting July 2026 to protect local carmakers, declared the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) in a statement on May 6.
Female Otherness and Social Expectations in Malaysian Film Tiger Stripes
Tiger Stripes is a 2023 Malaysian body horror and coming-of-age picture. Directed by first-feature-director Amanda Nell Eu, the story revolves around an 11-years-old Zaffan who is faced with bodily change as she goes through puberty. The film received several accolades, most notably the 2023 Cannes’ Critics Week Grand Prize which made Amanda the first female Malaysian filmmaker to ever win the award. Tiger Stripes was also invited to the 29th Busan International Film Festival and served as the closing film for 2023 Jakarta Film Week.
Malaysia condemns Israeli interception of Gaza flotilla
Malaysia strongly condemned the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0—a multinational humanitarian convoy of 70 ships—in international waterways by Israeli authorities on April 29, reaffirming the mission’s primary aims to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza to deliver food and medical supplies.
Taiwan’s TECO pledges US$12 million busway manufacturing plant in Malaysia
Taiwan’s TECO Electric & Machinery—a major global industrial conglomerate specialising in electromechanical engineering, automation and green energy solutions—has expanded into the Southeast Asian market with a 12 million million US dollar investment pledge in Malaysia.
Malaysia prepares for 1447H Hajj season with safety measures
On April 15, Pilgrims Fund Board of Malaysia (Tabung Haji) has assured Malaysian pilgrims that preparations for the 1447H/2026M Hajj remain firmly on schedule, while it continues to monitor developments to ensure a safe and well-organised pilgrimage season.