Capital of Malaysia and federal territory, a fast-growing regional hub
Humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees has fallen as their numbers have grown and living conditions have worsened in Bangladesh camps and in host countries. Malaysia has announced screening and a plan to repatriate up to 5,000 Myanmar nationals, prompting fear, detentions and evictions; rights groups and the UN have warned returns could put refugees at risk.
President Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce this month’s Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, citing cost and his "very good relationship" with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. The US and South Korea have cut the drill’s length and scope; Seoul says the exercises began as scheduled. Pyongyang has denied direct communication and called scaled-back drills still provocative.
The AP and Independent reports show Indonesia facing El Niño-driven drought with thousands of hot spots across Kalimantan and Sumatra. About 3,000 residents have gathered for a rain-prayer in Palembang as firefighting efforts continue and cloud-seeding and water-bombing aircraft expand to curb the haze.
An unknown man has died in the landing gear compartment of an Air Arabia plane from Tangier, prompting an inquest in Horsham. Post-mortem results list cardiac arrest, hypoxia, and hypothermia as the causes of death and coroner Turner has said the death is likely unnatural.
Ismail has pleaded not guilty in Kuala Lumpur to a charge under Malaysia’s anti-graft law, accusing him of failing to provide a complete declaration of assets. The case could carry up to five years in prison. He previously served as Malaysia’s prime minister for 15 months and is among several former leaders facing graft proceedings.
Anak Krakatau has erupted since late Friday, producing lava fountains and ash plumes up to 50,000ft and forcing temporary closures at Soekarno‑Hatta and multiple regional airports. Authorities have suspended operations at several airports, delayed or cancelled hundreds of flights and stranded tens to hundreds of thousands of passengers while marine and air exclusion zones remain in place.
Myanmar’s president Min Aung Hlaing has visited Malaysia for two days while Kuala Lumpur is proceeding with a programme to repatriate up to 5,000 Myanmar nationals. Malaysia says roughly 10,000 people have returned this year and that repatriations are voluntary; the UN and rights groups have warned they cannot verify voluntariness and say returnees, including possible Rohingya, face grave risks in a country at war.
Airports serving Jakarta have reopened after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau has moved away. Authorities are conducting inspections and cleaning as flight disruptions affect thousands of passengers across eight airports.
Singapore has revised ministerial pay, boosting the prime minister’s benchmark to S$3.6 million and other ministers’ salaries. Existing officeholders will receive a one‑off up to 9% raise this Oct, with further adjustments based on performance. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledges to donate his increase to charity.
Jamil Khir has been charged in court, adding his name to a list of senior figures from UMNO-led Barisan Nasional who are facing legal action. His prosecution has raised tensions inside Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling coalition and will intensify scrutiny of political deals and accountability within the alliance.
Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur Durian Experience Centre has opened to showcase the fruit’s culture and potential. Visitors explore a replica orchard, watch a theatre show, and sample durian-inflected treats. The center aims to attract locals and Chinese tourists as China’s durian imports surge, while growers warn that the fruit’s short shelf life creates logistical challenges amid rising demand.
Widespread fires in Borneo and nearby Sumatra have produced dense haze drifting toward Malaysia and Singapore. Authorities report extensive peat and forest burns, with schools shuttered and air quality surging past safe limits; rainfall has offered brief relief, while El Niño intensifies fire activity.
Wildfires across Kalimantan, Sumatra and Borneo have intensified amid El Niño-driven drought. Firefighting efforts face delays, with residents and wildlife suffering as haze drifts to neighboring countries. Legal actions pursue accountability and regional cooperation intensifies.
Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas has chosen an unusual, off-road cycling route from Malaysia to Singapore this weekend, after spinning out of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The journey highlights his commitment to cycling and off-road racing while he awaits the Singapore Grand Prix.
The region faces worsening air quality as fires in Indonesia burn; Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are among the world’s most polluted cities. Airlines cancel flights; governments consider regional action as ASEAN discusses the crisis.
Indonesia’s intense forest and peatland fires persist as El Niño drives drought, triggering cross-border haze that harms air quality and public health across Southeast Asia. Regional governments deploy firefighting personnel and aircraft while communities demand accountability and action to stop the cycle of fires and costs.
The haze crisis driven by Indonesian forest and peatland fires has prompted Singapore to consider enforcement under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act. Singapore and regional partners are coordinating with Indonesia, with regional leaders promising action to address root causes as air quality remains unhealthy.
Singapore and Indonesia are expanding cross-border efforts to curb forest and peatland fires driving Southeast Asia’s worst haze in years. Governments are forming enforcement task forces while protests, health warnings, and school closures intensify across seven provinces.
Malaysia has prohibited civil servants from using Google’s Waze on official duties amid concerns that location data could fall under Israeli jurisdiction. Officials urge a switch to TuJu, a local app, while balancing security with rights. The move follows related bans and debates in Iraq and broader scrutiny of the app’s data handling.
Singapore and Indonesia are coordinating to tackle transboundary forest fires as regional tensions ease. Rainfall has offered some relief, while authorities expand haze shelters and prepare a joint task force to monitor fires and hold polluters accountable.
The Scottish No. 1 has withdrawn from the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship and the Dubai finale due to concerns over the regional conflict, marking his first absence from a season-ending event since his DP World Tour debut in 2019. The field remains stacked as top players chase the Race to Dubai and the $10 million DP World Tour Championship.
The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia from 7 January 2027 to 23 December 2027–21 January 2028. Organisers have said "exceptional circumstances" and logistical and travel disruptions have made the original dates untenable. Saudi domestic fixtures have been rescheduled and other regional sporting events have been cancelled or delayed.
Najib Razak’s detention is being maintained while legal questions over the royal pardon’s interpretation are clarified. His party says the 50 million ringgit fine has been paid, paving the way for a potential move to house arrest, though details of timing remain unclear.