Fast, factual wire coverage from across Malaysia and the region.
Malaysia and Australia are strengthening cooperation in rare earth elements and critical minerals manufacturing, with discussions centred on developing a comprehensive domestic value chain and exchanging technical expertise.
Nearly half of German voters now regard China as an adversary, the highest among European countries polled. Manufacturing job losses of 420,000 since 2019 are reshaping Berlin's traditionally cautious approach to trade policy.
Indonesia's export competitiveness faces mounting pressure from a 10% US tariff on forced labour concerns and higher domestic production costs, industry leaders warn, as competitors like Cambodia and Vietnam maintain advantages through lower tariffs or operating expenses.
A smokestack at a Nippon Paper factory in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture collapsed following a major earthquake, leaving two workers in cardiac arrest and nine others unaccounted for.
A battery-related fire engulfed an electric vehicle outside a Woodlands HDB carpark in Singapore on July 21, prompting rapid emergency response. The incident highlights growing safety concerns around EV battery failures in the region.
Melaka's occupational safety authority documented 277 workplace accidents causing disabilities in the first half of 2026, alongside three fatalities primarily in construction and manufacturing. Officials emphasize ongoing compliance monitoring.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed MITI and the Economy Ministry to work with manufacturers grappling with global supply chain disruptions, targeting cost relief measures to sustain Malaysia's industrial competitiveness.
Malaysia's manufacturing federation has appealed to the United States for a measured approach to proposed Section 301 tariffs on goods linked to forced labour, cautioning that indiscriminate duties risk harming responsible producers.
Malaysia's National Semiconductor Strategy has attracted more than RM85 billion in approved investments through December 2025, marking significant progress in the country's push to become a regional semiconductor hub. The initiative has trained 18,062 workers and recognised 74 smart factories.