Malaysia

The Malaysian Religious Affairs Minister managed to maintain the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage cost at approximately $2.227 per first-time pilgrim, despite global rising expenses, through new cost control measures and negotiating with Saudi Arabia government

Severe monsoon floods hit Malaysia and southern Thailand, with over 30 casualties and 150.000 displaced; hardest-hit areas include Kelantan and Terengganu, with entire towns submerged and thousands missing as six months’ worth of rain fell in five days

In a recycling competition in Negeri Sembilan, students collected over 166 tons of recyclable items, raising about RM80,000 (around $16,800) to boost environmental awareness; the initiative saw increased participation, with top schools winning cash awards

Universiti Malaysia Sabah has launched the Center for Blue Economy and Maritime Security Research; on Borneo Island, bordering South China Sea, it focuses on sustainable use of ocean resources to support economic growth, jobs, and ecosystem health

Sarawak, Borneo, will launch a digital residency program with special advantages to attract digital nomads; this initiative aims to enhance the digital ecosystem and make local basic economy less dependent on tourism flows

The budget for 2025 will include changes to subsidies for sugar, domestically produced white rice and RON95 petrol, and will likely introduce further cuts in subsidies and new taxes to strengthen the fiscal position ahead of declining government revenues

The country is set to assume the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2025, with the aim of promoting a more inclusive and sustainable regional economy

A dozen prehistoric human skeletons, believed to be up to 16.000 years old, have been discovered in the Nenggiri Valley, in caves that are expected to be flooded for the construction of a hydroelectric reservoir by mid-2027, reports Live Science

In the mangrove forest near global player Port Klang, a group of employees from China Communications Construction Company and Malaysia Rail Link worked to remove debris and plant mangrove saplings

Penang area continues to draw in more tourists as direct flights increase, especially from China, and more cruise ships make it their port of call, while neighboring Pendang registers the highest substance abuse nationwide, at over one in 100 individuals