By The Straits Times | Created at 2024-11-20 06:15:42 | Updated at 2024-11-23 09:28:34
3 days ago
Published
Nov 20, 2024, 01:33 PM
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Malaysian politics had a much-needed lull in 2024, while Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government made significant steps towards reforms such as subsidy rationalisation and broadening the tax base.
But hostilities are set to resume in 2025, with Sabah set to be the first in a string of states that need to go to the polls as they had previously called for early elections during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The situation in the eastern state is heating up with Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and his Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition embroiled in corruption claims. This is likely to disrupt ties among the parties that share power in Sabah. All eyes will be on Datuk Seri Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan coalition and with which party it will go into an electoral alliance at a ballot that must be held by December 2025.
While Malaysia’s economy has seen a boost this year thanks to surging foreign investments, especially into the data centre space, Johor has already begun to put the brakes on the flood of new projects.
In an exclusive interview with The Straits Times, an official in the southern state, which has been the recipient of the lion’s share of Malaysia’s data centre boom, said it had rejected 30 per cent of new applications in a bid to alleviate stresses on land, water and electricity from the growth in the resource-intensive sector.
Follow ST’s coverage as we continue to bring you the latest developments.
Sabah corruption scandal ahead of 2025 state polls poses fresh challenge for Anwar
Johor rejects nearly 30% of data centre applications to protect local resources
The rejected applicants did not demonstrate sustainable practices to reduce water and power usage.
Malaysian court orders S’porean man to return $8.4m to 122 investors
Jho Low hiding in Myanmar, protected by junta: Najib’s lawyer
The lawyer was speaking to the public after being asked about the fugitive businessman’s whereabouts.
S’pore, Malaysia sign MOU to prevent and combat transnational crimes
This comes as both countries have seen a surge in crimes, especially those related to scams.
