Asian Insider: Malaysia Edition helps you connect the dots on the biggest stories playing out in Malaysia every week. Sign up here to get the newsletter in your inbox.
Malaysia has yet to get to the bottom of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death in Sabah in July that sparked nationwide outrage amid a rise in bullying cases, but October has already seen three more shocking incidents at schools.
Four male students were expelled after an alleged gang rape of a teenage girl in their school in Melaka on Oct 2. Less than two weeks later on Oct 14, a 14-year-old boy allegedly used a knife to stab to death a 16-year-old girl he had romantic feelings for.
On the same Tuesday, police nabbed four teenagers in Kedah, including three students, for being involved in another gang rape and sharing of a sex video on social media.
The incidents have cast a spotlight on digital media use by minors, and how to safeguard children from mental health issues.
Our correspondent Hazlin Hassan who covered these cases extensively, believes that it’s a “problem that takes an entire village to address”, having personally dealt with bullying in her own daughter’s school.
Last week also saw Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim unveiling the 2026 Budget. But unlike the three previous annual supply bills he has tabled since coming to power, this proposal eschewed major policy changes such as broadening consumption taxes and slashing subsidies that were a highlight of recent years.
Analysts called it a steady continuation from foundations of fiscal consolidation already put in place since 2023. But there was still a significant focus on development in West Malaysia, where Sabah is set for state polls on Nov 29, and Sarawak must follow suit by early 2027.
As always, if you have a suggestion or feedback on stories that you’d like to see our Malaysia bureau chase down, let me know here.
PM Anwar hits the brakes on new taxes, subsidy cuts in Malaysia’s 2026 budget
Heavy lifting on fiscal reforms since 2023 gives him breathing room ahead of upcoming state and national polls.
Latest budget signals renewed focus on eastern states ahead of Sabah polls
Malaysia mulls over tighter school security after fatal stabbing of female student
The incident has prompted the authorities to assess security measures and student safety in schools.
Students involved in alleged gang rape in Melaka school expelled
Country’s urban rail operator rebounds from crisis after operational revamp
Prasarana eyes Singapore MRT’s reliability standard, after turnaround from multiple challenges.
Aaron Aziz backlash shows Gaza activism now a litmus test for celebrities
In Malaysia, support for Palestine cuts across ethnic and political lines, and staying silent is increasingly viewed as complicity.
S’pore firms have invested S$5.5b in Johor since SEZ pact
Economic zone complements Republic’s industrial transformation efforts, said Singapore’s DPM.
Johor ramps up efforts to mitigate human-elephant conflicts as cases surge
