In-depth reporting on Malaysia and the region.
Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi has introduced dedicated immigration lanes for Vietnamese citizens at its new Terminal 2, cutting average processing times from 26–27 minutes to approximately 16 minutes since August.
Malaysia's Home Ministry has initiated a formal identification and screening programme for Rohingya refugees, aiming to repatriate 5,000 Myanmar nationals following a bilateral agreement. The process involves security vetting and status verification at immigration detention facilities.
Following a Supreme Court defeat on birthright citizenship, the Trump administration is now targeting birth tourism, particularly from China, through enforcement actions and proposed legislation despite limited evidence of widespread abuse.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed government ministries to resolve foreign worker hiring bottlenecks within 30 days, with restaurants identified as the priority sector facing acute staffing shortages.
Malaysia has instructed the UNHCR to temporarily halt refugee registrations as it establishes a domestic management system through the Refugee Registration Document programme, aiming for greater government control over refugee data and future immigration.
Two DAP parliamentarians have backed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's position that Malaysia will deport Israeli citizens found in the country, emphasizing the nation's sovereign right to set and enforce its own immigration rules.
Malaysia's Home Ministry expects to finalise a comprehensive refugee registration database by year-end through the DPP programme, providing authorities with credible biometric and identity data for improved management of refugee-related issues.
Malaysia's Immigration Department is targeting revenue collection exceeding RM5 billion in 2026, maintaining momentum from previous years while intensifying enforcement operations across the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has unveiled a strategic four-point mandate to reshape Malaysia's Immigration Department, positioning it as an engine for economic growth alongside strengthened security measures, digital innovation and institutional integrity.
Perlis Immigration Department has begun issuing the new Malaysian International Passport, which incorporates 94 security features. The enhanced travel document was launched nationally by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on June 30.
Despite expanding to 48 teams, FIFA's 2026 World Cup fell short of inclusivity promises as strict U.S. visa policies barred fans and workers from attending, according to rights groups and supporters' organizations.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has highlighted how foreigners entering Malaysia on tourist and student visas are illegally operating businesses, undercutting local entrepreneurs and threatening social stability. Cabinet ministers have promised enforcement action.