Government & Policy across Malaysia
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Survey: 51% of Malaysians say country is heading in the right direction
A regional survey by research firm Milieu found 51% of Malaysian respondents believe the country is heading in the right direction, ahead of Singapore (41%) and Thailand (25%) but behind Vietnam (71%). Cost of living remains the top concern for Malaysians at 50%, with employment at 30% and government integrity at 28%. The survey covered 3,000 respondents across six Southeast Asian countries between July 23 and July 30, 2026.
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Iran's Araghchi to meet China's Wang Yi in Beijing on Sept 16
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi will visit China on Sept 16 for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, China's Foreign Ministry announced. The meeting comes amid Middle East tensions and concerns over energy supplies and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The two ministers have met and spoken repeatedly this year, most recently in Kyrgyzstan in July.
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Tun Musa: Sabah, Sarawak are integral partners in the Federation
In his Malaysia Day 2026 message, Sabah Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman said Sabah and Sarawak are integral partners in the Federation and called for the principles of MA63, including the 40 per cent special grant, to be addressed through constructive engagement. He also urged action on development gaps in Sabah and warned against exploiting racial or religious sentiment for political gain.
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Wilfred Yap: respect religious sensitivities, apologise over clergy remark
Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has called for religious sensitivities to be respected after an UMNO leader's remark involving Catholic clergy and Christian scripture. He said the person responsible should withdraw the remark and apologise to the Christian community, and separately handed a RM100,000 UNIFOR grant to Christ Baptist Church in Kuching.
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N Sembilan MB: Dispute over proclamation affecting Yang Dipertuan Besar can go to court
Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim said the dispute over the validity of a proclamation said to affect the position of the Yang Dipertuan Besar can be brought to court. He said the menteri besar has no unilateral power to end or vacate the post, and the matter must be handled under the Negeri Sembilan Constitution 1959.
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Tatau police told to stay ready for Sarawak state election
In Tatau, Sarawak, district police chief DSP Jame Reis reminded all personnel of IPD Tatau to stay physically and mentally prepared for the coming Sarawak state election. He spoke at the September 2026 Tatau district police chief's parade held at the IPD Tatau open hall.
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PAS wants ummah unity to go beyond just PAS and Umno
PAS disagrees with Umno's inclination to limit the ummah unity agenda to only the two parties. PAS Deputy President Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man wants the idea expanded to include Malay/Muslim political strength in a larger and inclusive framework. The statement follows Umno grassroots pressure at the 2026 PAU for political cooperation talks to be held specifically with PAS.
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Sarawak state secretary: unity is the cornerstone of Malaysia's development
Sarawak state secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar said in his 2026 Malaysia Day message that unity must remain the cornerstone of building a more mature and balanced Malaysia. He said the country's 63 years have tested the people's resilience, and that its true strength lies in mutual understanding, respect and trust. He also urged Sarawak civil servants to deliver on their service commitments so development reaches the people directly.
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PAC calls three key witnesses over Tabung Haji issue
Malaysia's Public Accounts Committee called three key witnesses, including a senior deputy secretary-general from the Prime Minister's Department, to its first proceeding on Lembaga Tabung Haji. The nearly four-hour session sought official explanations on the implementation of recommendations in the RCI report on LTH's management from 2014 to 2020. PAC will recall the witnesses and summon others before tabling its report in the Dewan Rakyat.
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Anwar opts for moderate approach to keep Unity Government stable
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he chose a moderate approach in handling differences of view with Umno to keep the Unity Government stable. He spoke at a joint media session in Calicut, India, before ending a working visit to India. He also commented on the Pardons Board's postponement of Najib Razak's pardon application.
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Fatimah: Another term for Abang Johari would let him groom successors
PBB Women's chief Fatimah Abdullah said a further term for Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg would let him complete major development initiatives while preparing the next generation of leaders. She was responding to his remarks at the PBB Northern Zone Special Convention in Miri on Sept 13, where he said he may be serving his last term. Fatimah said continuity and succession planning are not competing considerations.
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Malaysia raises October crude palm oil reference price, duty stays at 10pct
Malaysia raised its October crude palm oil reference price to RM4,452.66 a tonne, up from RM4,392.32 in September. The new price keeps the export duty at its maximum 10 per cent rate, according to a Malaysian Palm Oil Board circular.
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PRS women's chief Doris Sophia Brodie backs Abang Johari staying on as Sarawak premier
Parti Rakyat Sarawak women's chief and vice-president Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie says Sarawak still needs Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg for at least another decade, after he hinted the coming election could be his last. She argues continuity is needed to see through Vision 2030 and long-term transformation projects, while still preparing younger leaders for an eventual handover.
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PPP urges PAS to prove sincerity by dissolving Terengganu state assembly
PPP has urged PAS to accept Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan's challenge to dissolve the Terengganu state assembly as proof of its sincerity in cooperating with Barisan Nasional. PPP communications chief Jeyaratnam Manium said the move would show the cooperation is not driven by a desire for power. He also called on PAS to assure non-Muslims their rights will not be affected.
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Dr Jerip: Sarawak PBB handover needs preparation, not a fixed date
A PBB Supreme Council member says the focus of Sarawak's leadership transition should be on preparation and continuity rather than timing. Datuk Dr Jerip Susil was responding to Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg's remarks in Miri on Sept 13 about eventually making way for younger leaders.
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EC urged to speed up redelineation of Sabah, Sarawak seats
The federal government will push to expedite the redelineation of parliamentary constituencies in Sabah and Sarawak, following agreement to amend the Federal Constitution on the matter. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Election Commission has begun the process and must resolve several issues before it is tabled to the cabinet and Parliament. He spoke after visiting the Kuching home of Sarawak media practitioner Chimon Upon, whose house was hit by a collapsing roof from a neighbouring building.
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Zaid Ibrahim warns Malay disunity could make Malaya a 'colony' of Sabah, Sarawak
Zaid Ibrahim has warned that continued infighting among Malay leaders in the peninsula could turn Malaya into a 'colony' of Sabah and Sarawak within 20 years. He highlighted the two Borneo states' aggressive demands over state revenue, special grants and parliamentary representation, and mocked the UMNO-PAS dispute including a call for Terengganu to hold a state election first. UMNO vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin also warned that the crisis of Malay unity risks destroying the confidence of Sabah and Sarawak leaders in peninsula leadership.
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PBB leader says Abang Johari alone decides when to step down
A PBB Supreme Council member said only Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg knows when he will step aside, after the Premier told a Miri convention he may not serve another term. Ahmad Ibrahim said the remarks should not be over-read and that Sarawak's long-term plans will outlast any leader.
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PAS urges government to clarify Zakir Naik extradition status
PAS has urged the government to clarify the legal and diplomatic status of the extradition request for Zakir Naik discussed between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Narendra Modi. PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said clarification is needed on whether documents from New Delhi meet Malaysian legal requirements. He also raised concerns that Zakir could become a victim of diplomatic concession.
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Sepang UMNO chief regrets apology questioned as insincere
Sepang UMNO division chief Datuk Noorazli Said apologised after a joke referencing Christian priests and nuns in his speech at the UMNO General Assembly last week. He said he regretted that certain leaders questioned the sincerity of his apology and stressed his respect for other religions.
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Criminologist: unsound-mind acquittal needs treatment, not automatic release
A criminologist says a child acquitted of a serious offence on grounds of unsoundness of mind must still receive psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation and supervision, with any return to society based on clinical and risk assessments. Former Malaysian Bar president Salim Bashir explains that legal insanity under Section 84 of the Penal Code concerns the accused's mental state at the time of the offence, and that such an acquittal does not mean the accused walks free.
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SUPP Youth: Umno delegate's religious remarks crossed the line
SUPP Youth Central vice-chairman Kelvin Hii has criticised an Umno delegate for remarks involving priests, nuns and Bible verses made at the recent Umno general assembly. Hii called the remarks insensitive and irresponsible, and urged the delegate to apologise publicly.
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Anwar proposes Malaysia-Maldives Joint Commission in KL this year
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has proposed holding the Malaysia-Maldives Joint Commission in Kuala Lumpur before the end of the year, during a joint press conference with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu in Malé. Anwar said the platform would address outstanding bilateral issues, including bureaucratic matters affecting over 2,000 Maldivian students in Malaysia and healthcare access for Maldivians.
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GRS Wanita welcomes more Sabah, Sarawak parliamentary seats
GRS Wanita chief Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun welcomed the Cabinet's decision to increase the number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak. She said the move would help bring rural voices to the Federal level, but noted it requires constitutional amendments and parliamentary debate.