Malaysia’s Immigration Department has announced new regulations targeting travelers who overstay in the country. Foreigners exceeding a 90-day stay will face immediate fines ranging from RM30 per day to RM2,000, depending on the duration. Those overstaying beyond 90 days will be investigated. The move aims to speed up legal processes, reduce court cases, and ease congestion at immigration depots. Between January and August, 35,225 illegal immigrants were detained, with 36,557 repatriated, mostly from Indonesia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

Malaysia’s Immigration Department has intensified actions against illegal immigrants and passport forgery. In recent operations, 770 foreigners were arrested in Bukit Bintang, including Bangladeshis, Myanmar, Nepalese, Indians, and Indonesians. Separately, a Bangladeshi-run fake passport syndicate was dismantled, seizing passports, forgery tools, and cash. The syndicate supplied fake passports to foreign workers for medical exams. Authorities warned employers harboring illegal immigrants of strict penalties. Immigration efforts to control illegal migration and combat document fraud will continue nationwide.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said that Asia must take the lead in the new global economic order. Speaking at Tianjin University in China, he stated that Asians themselves will write the next chapter of the world economy. “We are not merely subjects of others’ strategies; we are the authors of our own destiny,” he said. Highlighting major historical economic shifts like the Bretton Woods system and current trade challenges, Anwar emphasized opportunities for Malaysia’s semiconductor industry through joint market expansion and training initiatives with China and Japan.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has embarked on a four-day visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, aiming to strengthen bilateral and regional ties. He will attend the SCO summit and Victory Day military parade, marking the first time a Malaysian leader participates in the SCO at this level. Anwar will also hold talks with Xi and Premier Li Qiang, meet business leaders, and reinforce Malaysia’s commitment to its largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.

The Malaysian state of Terengganu has introduced stricter laws against skipping Friday prayers. Muslim men who miss the weekly congregational prayer without a valid reason could now face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to RM 3,000.

Previously, punishment applied only after three consecutive absences. The state’s Dawah and Shariah Implementation Committee Chair, Dr. Muhammad Khalil, said the penalty will be applied only as a last resort after repeated reminders and warnings.

To raise awareness, mosques across the state are putting up banners highlighting the religious obligation of Friday prayers. Authorities will monitor compliance through public complaints, patrols, and joint operations by religious enforcement and local administration.

Malaysia has announced that applications for foreign workers will be accepted in 13 sub-sectors, including agriculture, plantations, mining, and selected service industries, until December 31, 2025. Recruitment in construction will be limited to government projects, while manufacturing will prioritize new MIDA-approved investments. Only official sector-specific agencies can apply, with approvals managed by the Foreign Workers Technical Committee and a Joint Committee. The current foreign worker quota stands at 2,467,756, after which recruitment will be capped at 10% of the total workforce.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pledged to continue supporting Bangladesh, particularly in addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis. Speaking after talks with Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in Putrajaya, Anwar called for ASEAN unity in resolving the Myanmar conflict. He praised Bangladesh’s role in multilateral forums and announced plans for Malaysia’s foreign minister to visit Myanmar with regional counterparts. Dr. Yunus also attended a luncheon and cultural program hosted by Anwar, and will join business and community events in Malaysia.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held a crucial phone call on July 31, just a day before a 25% U.S. tariff on Malaysian goods was to take effect. Both sides moved toward reducing tariffs to as low as 15-20%, with an official announcement expected by August 1. Malaysia agreed to concessions on halal certification and rare earth mineral supplies. Separately, Malaysia mediated a Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire, with support from the U.S. and China.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, aged 100, is hospitalized at Kuala Lumpur’s National Heart Institute due to physical weakness and fatigue. Though under observation, his condition is stable, and he is expected to be discharged soon. Mahathir, known for his long political career and heart-related health issues, recently celebrated his 100th birthday with family but appeared weak afterward. He served as Malaysia’s Prime Minister twice, from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020.

Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s former Prime Minister, marked his 100th birthday expressing skepticism about democracy, calling it a flawed, human-made system that can create weaknesses. Serving two terms totaling 24 years, he played a key role in Malaysia’s economic transformation from commodity dependence to a diversified manufacturing hub. In an interview, Mahathir also condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and accused the United States of supporting the conflict and losing credibility as a global leader.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a significant meeting in Malaysia on Thursday, focusing on the future of the Ukraine war and Russia’s hardened stance. The meeting coincided with a major Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv.

Rubio emphasized the need for a roadmap to resolve the conflict, while Lavrov confirmed clear exchanges of views on Ukraine, Iran, and Syria. The meeting took place as U.S. diplomacy faces challenges in Asia, partly due to Trump-era tariff threats. Lavrov’s upcoming visit to North Korea also signals Moscow’s intent to strengthen new military alliances.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has criticized the U.S. for using tariff threats as an economic weapon against weaker countries. Speaking at a regional forum, he urged ASEAN nations to strengthen internal trade and cooperation to counter external pressures.

Anwar emphasized the need for a robust economic foundation to preserve the region’s sovereignty, calling for ASEAN nations to work together in the face of growing global tensions.

Malaysia currently hosts 138,000 legally employed skilled foreign professionals, according to the country’s Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.

While the number of Bangladeshi professionals was not specified, officials say the figure reflects growing demand for high-skilled foreign talent amid Malaysia’s economic growth. Through the "Expats Gateway" system, work pass applications can now be processed in under 20 business days. TalentCorp’s CEO emphasized the importance of attracting global talent to remain regionally competitive.

Malaysia has made Employee Provident Fund (EPF) contributions mandatory for all foreign workers—except domestic helpers—with valid passports and work permits, starting October. Currently, EPF enrollment is voluntary for non-Malaysians. The move is aimed at enhancing social protection for migrant workers, according to the EPF department.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources has urged all migrant workers earning less than RM1,700 per month to report their employers to the nearest labor office.
Violating employers could face a fine of RM10,000 per worker, with repeat offenses leading to daily fines of RM1,000 and up to five years in prison or RM20,000 in penalties.
The announcement follows media reports that some express and exclusive bus drivers were receiving as little as RM700 per month, with some not even being paid their base salaries.