Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship as a showcase of national unity, professionalism, and economic leadership. Speaking at the ASEAN Chairmanship Appreciation Ceremony, he thanked government staff, security forces, and even cleaning personnel for their contributions, highlighting smooth event management and cultural showcases. Anwar emphasised teamwork across races, religions, and ministries, linking success to clear policies, firm leadership, and anti-corruption measures. He stressed Malaysia’s desire to be recognised for economic management, AI adoption, and renewable energy initiatives, while also showing care for fellow ASEAN nations, including supporting Timor-Leste’s formal admission as the bloc’s 11th member.

Malaysia eyes first dollar bond sale since 2021 amid strong markets

Malaysia is considering issuing US dollar-denominated bonds this year, its first such sale since 2021, as global credit markets rally and borrowing costs ease. The Finance Ministry said it has sought proposals from banks, partly to refinance dollar bonds maturing in 2026, including a US$1 billion Islamic note due in April. The move comes as spreads on Asian dollar debt hit record lows and after Malaysia’s economy grew a stronger-than-expected 5.7% in the fourth quarter, lifting full-year growth above forecasts. However, officials expect growth to slow to 4–4.5% this year amid rising global volatility and geopolitical risks.

Tighter expatriate hiring rules set higher pay floors, tenure caps

Malaysia will revise its expatriate employment framework from June 1, 2026, tightening rules under the Employment Pass system to prioritise senior and specialist foreign talent. Minimum salary thresholds will rise sharply, with Category I roles requiring at least RM20,000 a month, while Category II and III posts face higher, more clearly defined pay bands. New limits will also cap expatriate tenure at up to 10 years for senior roles and five years for junior categories. The government says the changes address salary compression with local professionals and aim to strengthen skills transfer, succession planning and the progression of Malaysians into leadership roles.

Malaysia’s king urges unity, prioritises national interest amid autonomy debate

Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar urged lawmakers to prioritise national interests over state rights, calling for unity, restraint and maturity in resolving political differences. Addressing parliament on January 19, he said any education system seeking recognition must use the Malay language and reflect Malaysia’s history. He reaffirmed respect for state rights but stressed they must not override the country’s collective interests, citing the 1963 Malaysia Agreement as a foundation for cooperation between states and the federal government. His remarks come amid renewed autonomy demands from Sabah and Sarawak, and follow a court ruling ordering the federal government to settle Sabah’s long-disputed revenue share.

Laos, Thailand, Malaysia advance ASEAN power grid with cross-border deal

Laos, Thailand and Malaysia have signed a new electricity transmission agreement under the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia–Singapore Power Integration Project, marking a step forward in ASEAN’s regional energy integration. The deal enables the cross-border transmission of 100 megawatts of electricity from Laos to Singapore via existing power networks in Thailand and Malaysia, over a two-year contract period. Signed in Bangkok on Jan 14 by state power utilities from the three countries, the agreement advances the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, aimed at strengthening energy security, improving resource efficiency and supporting sustainable economic growth through regional electricity trade.

Inflation in Laos fell to 8.3% in May from 11.1% in April, according to the Lao Statistics Bureau. The sharpest increase was in housing, water, electricity, and gas (21.6%), followed by medical care (19.8%), household goods (16.3%), and education (15.5%). In response, the government has tightened monetary policy, with the central bank aiming to reduce inflation to single digits by 2025.

Russia's top prosecutor announces planned anti-terrorism cooperation with Laos

Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov met Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith to discuss strengthening law enforcement ties. Krasnov emphasised cooperation on issues like cybercrime, terrorism, drug trafficking, and corruption. He expressed confidence in deepening bilateral efforts. Sisoulith welcomed the visit, calling it "remarkable" and highlighting the potential for expanded collaboration.

Laos unveils new foreign policy for 2025

The Laotian government has introduced its 2025 foreign policy, focusing on enhancing ties with regional and global partners. Key priorities include economic cooperation, security, and sustainable development in response to global challenges. The policy was launched at an official event in Vientiane, attended by top officials and international representatives, according to Laotian Times . The move signals Laos’s ambition to play a more active role in Asia’s geopolitical arena.

Prabowo invites Laos PM to step up bilateral trade

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto invited Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to boost bilateral trade during their meeting at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. He highlighted the need for joint efforts against drug smuggling, human trafficking, and online crimes. Prabowo praised Laos’s 2024 ASEAN chairmanship and proposed cooperation in minerals, agriculture, and fertilisers. He noted the slight trade decline and emphasised strengthening ties. Several Indonesian ministers joined the talks.

Laos, Malaysia form new strategic partnership to boost cross-border trade

Laos and Malaysia have established a strategic partnership to enhance cross-border trade via a new rail-sea route, marked by a Memorandum of Cooperation between Penang Port Sdn Bhd and Thanaleng Dry Port. The agreement was signed during Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone’s official visit to Malaysia, alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. According to laopost.com , the initiative aims to strengthen economic ties and regional trade by utilising key logistics hubs—Thanaleng Dry Port in Laos and Penang Port in Malaysia.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei announced that Kenya’s ambassadors from  Thailand  had travelled to Vietnam to negotiate on Nduta’s behalf.

“Had a telephone conversation this afternoon with my counterpart, Nguyen Minh Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, over the matter of Margaret Nduta,” Sing’Oei stated. 

“I conveyed to Madam Hang the anxiety of the Kenyan people over the impending execution of our national and reiterated our request for a stay of execution to allow our two countries to find a path to resolving the issue.”

A delegation from Kenya’s embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, has reportedly arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, in a last-minute push to seek clemency for Nduta. The diplomatic intervention comes as time runs out for the Kenyan national, who faces one of the harshest penalties under Vietnam’s strict anti-drug laws.

According to court documents, Nduta was apprehended while in transit to Laos. She later claimed that a Kenyan man named John had hired her to transport a suitcase to another woman and return with additional goods. Before her arrest, Nduta had successfully passed through three major international airports: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Kenya), Bole International Airport (Ethiopia), and Hamad International Airport (Qatar).

Vietnam enforces some of the world’s strictest drug laws, with the death penalty mandated for anyone caught smuggling or possessing more than 600 grams of heroin or cocaine.