A Leader Remembered: Malaysia and PM Anwar Join Timor-Leste in Mourning
As Timor-Leste remembers a distinguished former Prime Minister, Malaysia and PM Anwar Ibrahim stand beside the ASEAN neighbour with genuine compassion and respect.
In-depth reporting on Malaysia and the region.
As Timor-Leste remembers a distinguished former Prime Minister, Malaysia and PM Anwar Ibrahim stand beside the ASEAN neighbour with genuine compassion and respect.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn has arrived in Malaysia for a two-day official visit, during which the two nations will hold their third Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation meeting to review cooperation progress.

Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn is in Malaysia for a two-day official visit to restart the Malaysia-Cambodia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation, dormant since 2006, as both nations prepare for their 70th diplomatic anniversary.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has written to Tunisian President Kais Saied requesting the release of Sheikh Rached Ghannouchi, 84, on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, citing concerns over the detainee's health condition.

The Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Nazrin Shah, held talks with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, focusing on deepening bilateral cooperation and advancing shared regional objectives within ASEAN.

The Arab League's Nabil Fahmy has warned US President Donald Trump that the Middle East faces imminent instability, urging him to pressure Israel on Palestinian policies ahead of a Trump-Netanyahu meeting.

The Embassy of Malaysia in Doha has advised Malaysians in Qatar to comply with local security directives and steer clear of military installations as tensions ripple through the Gulf region.

The Italian Embassy in Bangkok has formally apologised after a group of Italian teenagers engaged in disruptive and disrespectful behaviour aboard the BTS Skytrain, a video of which went viral on social media.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Damascus for the first visit by a UN chief since 2009, marking a turning point in international relations with Syria after the civil war's conclusion.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has clarified that Malaysia's foreign policy opposition targets Israeli government actions rather than the Jewish people themselves, emphasising this crucial distinction in the country's stance.

Thailand's Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila, reaffirming bilateral ties and discussing security cooperation, trade negotiations, and Myanmar's role in Asean.

Myanmar's full reintegration into ASEAN proceedings remains a distant prospect, with Manila signalling the junta must show meaningful progress on the bloc's Five-Point Consensus before resuming its seat at official gatherings.

A leading Middle Eastern studies scholar has defended Malaysia's longstanding refusal to establish diplomatic relations with Israel as a principled stance against genocide rather than antisemitism, drawing sharp distinctions between opposing state policies and prejudice against Jewish people.

Malaysia has formally restated its policy of not recognising Israel to the United States government, with Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan explaining the stance to reporters. The reaffirmation follows US congressional objections to Malaysia's expulsion of an Israeli citizen.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has acknowledged he cannot legally arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes, reversing earlier suggestions that such action was possible.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have agreed to sustain official communications between their respective foreign ministries, including through international organizations, following talks in Manila.

Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will meet Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in Bangkok on August 6-7, marking part of Thailand's push to reintegrate the military-ruled nation into ASEAN discussions following the 2021 coup.

South Korea's foreign ministry confirmed a substantial data breach affecting approximately 10,000 diplomatic personnel records at a government training academy, with authorities investigating possible state-sponsored involvement.

New York's mayor has clarified his city lacks legal authority to enforce the ICC's arrest warrant for Israeli PM Netanyahu, instead urging US federal authorities to address the matter.

Morocco has demanded clarification after a Moroccan man died during arrest in Italy, prompting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to pledge a thorough investigation. The incident has sparked protests across Italian cities.

Four European nations—Sweden, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania—have been admitted as members of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, reflecting growing international confidence in ASEAN's regional leadership and values.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has congratulated Andy Burnham on his appointment as the United Kingdom's new prime minister, highlighting the nations' enduring Strategic Partnership and expressing confidence in deepening cooperation.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has strongly condemned New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for suggesting he might consider arresting Netanyahu during an upcoming UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's flight to New York was cancelled due to smoke from Canadian wildfires degrading air quality. She rerouted via a defence ministry aircraft to attend the World Cup final alongside US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The Philippines has strongly condemned China Daily for publishing an AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys, demanding its removal and calling the imagery deeply offensive and unacceptable propaganda.

France and Malaysia are deepening bilateral cooperation to address growing global fragmentation. The partnership spans trade, investment, education and culture, with 600 French firms supporting 30,000 local jobs.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to using negotiations and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the primary tools for resolving maritime boundary disputes with neighbouring nations, citing successful Joint Development Authority models.

Singapore's President Halimah Yacob engaged in substantive discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a state visit to Kuala Lumpur, with both leaders exploring deepened cooperation across multiple sectors.

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

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Thai counterpart Anutin Charnvirakul staged an impromptu musical performance at an official Putrajaya luncheon, with Anwar singing Frank Sinatra's My Way while Anutin accompanied on saxophone.

Pakistan dispatched its highest-ranking delegation to the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Tehran praised the gesture as testament to enduring friendship between the two nations.

Malaysia has assured Belgium that maritime routes through the South China Sea will remain open and unobstructed, with Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof emphasizing ASEAN's commitment to peace and neutrality in the strategically vital waterway.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on July 4, with plans to visit Turkey afterwards for bilateral discussions.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has sent congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 105th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, emphasising Malaysia's enduring diplomatic bonds and commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has conveyed his apologies to Iran for being unable to attend the state funeral and farewell ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Agriculture Minister Mohamad Sabu representing Malaysia.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rejected predictions of inevitable conflict in the South China Sea, arguing that dialogue, mutual trust and respect for international law provide the foundation for regional stability.

An Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation led by Vugar Bayramov visited Malaysia to deepen bilateral ties, meeting key legislative figures and business leaders to expand economic cooperation.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil met with Malaysia's Ambassador to Lebanon Anwar Udzir to strengthen diplomatic ties and discuss Malaysia's international interests.

French President Emmanuel Macron wore his trademark aviator sunglasses while meeting Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman on Monday, attributing the eyewear to an ongoing eye condition that first drew international attention at the World Economic Forum in January.

Peru and Malaysia are marking their 40th diplomatic anniversary by exploring expanded cooperation in agriculture, clean energy, halal certification, and trade, with bilateral commerce reaching US$526 million in 2025.

Malaysia's outgoing High Commissioner to Singapore credits five years of close cooperation for strengthening bilateral relations. Trade and investment have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels as both nations look to deepen economic integration.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's recent diplomatic visits to Russia and Turkmenistan have yielded major energy agreements expected to strengthen Malaysia's development agenda and support recent diesel price cuts.

Iran's top negotiator has rejected US claims that unfrozen Iranian assets will be spent on American agricultural goods, signalling continued friction between Tehran and Washington despite recent peace talks.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated Datuk Yasmeen Muhamad Shariff on her election to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child for 2027-2031, describing it as evidence of international confidence in Malaysia's commitment.