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How did a missing moon manage to eclipse Chinese President Xi Jinping’s landmark visit to Kuala Lumpur last week?
Editorial gaffes, coupled with AI-generated images, resulted in Chinese-language media depicting Malaysia’s flag without its crescent moon, a symbol of Islam in the Muslim-majority nation. Uproar ensued, in no small part fuelled by local right-wing groups and opposition politicians.
Overall, however, Mr Xi’s tour of South-east Asia went according to script, with the aim of bolstering Beijing’s influence in the region amid the uncertainty unleashed by Trump’s tariffs.
Meanwhile, trade minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz is in Washington this week, hoping to secure a deal for both Malaysia and Asean, the regional group that Malaysia chairs this year.
In this context, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone’s progress comes into sharp focus, with both Malaysian and Singaporean leaders talking up opportunities to build supply chain resilience.
Follow ST’s coverage as we continue to bring you the latest developments.
Kudos for Xi’s visit to Malaysia eclipsed by flag furore
Xi says China stands with South-east Asia to counter ‘unilateralism’, amid US tariffs
Johor-S’pore SEZ offers chance to strengthen supply chains amid tariff uncertainty: S’pore DPM Gan
It demonstrates how like-minded countries can work together to overcome challenges facing them, he says.
Malaysia’s trade minister seeks to avert tariff war with US ‘that benefits none’
Tengku Zafrul Aziz hopes to talk Washington down from tariffs on goods from Malaysia and Asean.
Vote-rigging claims mar internal polls for PM Anwar’s party
Shock losses at divisional ballots prompt an emergency leadership meeting for ruling party PKR.
Johor teachers ‘back to school’ in Singapore to improve Stem teaching
The initiative also supports the JS-SEZ’s aims to enhance cross-border trade and talent development.