Category: Malaysia

Asia

SSS LoanLite Coming to Davao: Qualified Members May Access Digital Loans Up to ₱20,000

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Social Security System (SSS) is preparing to bring its new digital micro-loan program, SSS LoanLite, closer to members in the Davao Region, offering qualified Filipinos access to short-term loans ranging from ₱1,000 to ₱20,000. But as the government expands the program, SSS officials are also sounding the alarm over a growing danger: fake online lenders and fraudulent loan offers targeting unsuspecting borrowers. The new facility is designed to give eligible SSS m

1d

Asia

Malaysia Waited 28 Years for This — What Taanusiya Chetty Did at Miss World 2026 Has the Nation Talking

The 26-year-old Malaysian representative was named second runner-up at the 73rd Miss World final, held in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on Sept 5. Taanusiya's achievement puts her alongside Lina Teoh, who also finished third for Malaysia at Miss World in 1998 — meaning the country has waited 28 years to match its highest-ever placement at the competition. The crown went to Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic, while Elisabeth Reynés of Spain finished as first runner-up. Taanusiya secured third place

1d

Asia

PAS Chief Reveals Alleged US Meeting — But What Really Happened Behind Closed Doors in 2014?

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The United States Embassy in Malaysia has firmly denied allegations that Washington once attempted to influence the country's political leadership, following an explosive claim by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang that US representatives had offered to help his party topple Malaysia's government more than a decade ago. In a statement issued on Sunday, September 6, US Embassy chargé d'affaires David H. Gamble Jr said the United States had "never sought to decide Malaysia's

1d

Asia

Miss World 2026 Coronation Night Underway in Vietnam—Then the Philippines’ Asia Rose Simpson Makes the Cut

NHA TRANG, Vietnam — The highly anticipated Miss World 2026 coronation night has officially begun in Vietnam, with 111 delegates from around the world competing for the coveted blue crown in the pageant's 75th Anniversary Edition. The grand finale is taking place at April 2 Square in Nha Trang, where thousands of spectators are watching the outdoor spectacle unfold. The event marks the culmination of weeks of competitions, advocacy activities, cultural showcases and challenges involving contest

3d

Asia

Sarawak Haze Crisis Explodes as Serian Hits Emergency Level—Now Businesses Face a Major Disruption

KUCHING, Malaysia — A worsening haze crisis has pushed Malaysia’s Sarawak state into an emergency situation, with Serian Division recording an Air Pollutant Index (API) above 500, forcing authorities to impose extraordinary measures as smoke from fires in neighbouring Indonesian Kalimantan continues to blanket parts of Borneo. The emergency declaration came after Serian’s API climbed to 515 at 5pm on Sept. 4, after reaching 510 earlier in the day. Under Malaysia’s air-quality classification, re

3d

Asia

Australia Sends Strong Message Ahead of Historic BARMM Vote—But the Real Test Comes on Election Day

MANILA, Philippines — Australia has reaffirmed its support for a peaceful, inclusive and credible election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), just days before the region holds its first regular parliamentary elections. The Australian Embassy in Manila said a senior embassy team visited Cotabato City from September 1 to 3 to assess preparations and meet election and security officials, civil society organizations and election-monitoring groups ahead of the September

3d

Asia

Anwar Finally Breaks His Silence on Malaysia’s Snap Election Talk — But What Happens Next Could Reshape GE16

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s next general election could be held earlier than expected after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signalled that he is willing to consider calls for a snap vote, even as his government insists that economic recovery and governance remain its immediate priorities. Anwar said Friday that he would consider proposals to bring forward the country’s 16th general election, or GE16, following growing pressure from political leaders inside and outside his unity government. However,

4d

Asia

Malaysia Wants ASEAN to Rethink Its Haze Pact — But Breaking the Cycle Could Be Harder Than Ever

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia is pushing ASEAN to take a harder look at its decades-old approach to transboundary haze as thick smoke from fires in Indonesia once again spreads across Southeast Asia, raising concerns over public health, schools, air quality and regional cooperation. The pressure comes as the region enters another dangerous fire season, with prolonged dry weather and strengthening El Niño conditions increasing the risk that land and forest fires could spiral into a wider haze crisis.

5d

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Rare-Earth Moment: Why Global Investors Are Watching as China Tightens Its Grip

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia is emerging as an increasingly important piece of the global critical-minerals puzzle as governments and manufacturers look for alternatives to supply chains heavily concentrated in China. The spotlight is particularly intense on Malaysia’s rare-earth resources, which could become strategically valuable as China maintains export controls on several rare-earth materials and related products. But Malaysia's opportunity comes with a major condition: the country wants to bu

5d

Asia

Malaysia-Registered Lorry Declared “Corrugated Paper” — Singapore Officers Found More Than 10,400 Vapes and Pods

A routine cargo declaration at Tuas Checkpoint turned into a major contraband discovery after Singapore authorities found more than 10,400 vaporisers and vape pods concealed inside a Malaysia-registered lorry. The lorry entered Singapore on Aug. 20, 2026, with its consignment declared as corrugated paper. But an ICA image analyst spotted anomalies in the vehicle’s scanned image, triggering a more detailed physical inspection. What officers found During the inspection, Immigration and Checkpo

6d