Published
Jan 22, 2025, 12:30 PM
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.
Mr Donald Trump was inaugurated as US President on Monday, with the region watching for his pronouncements on trade measures, particularly more tariffs on China’s exports to the country.
While Malaysia and other South-east Asian countries have benefited in recent years from companies relocating operations to the region to bypass US tariffs, this state of affairs may not last.
Already, Chinese-owned solar panel makers located in Malaysia are shutting shop or scaling back, reports Zunaira Saieed, amid growing scrutiny and clampdowns by the previous US administration on their ‘China Plus One’ strategy.
Turning to health matters, Malaysians are facing a marked increase in healthcare costs, even at government hospitals, reports Hazlin Hassan. Meanwhile, the police force is embarking on yet another battle of the bulge, setting a maximum Body Mass Index target for cops seeking promotions.
We will be taking a break next week for Chinese New Year; see you in February.
Follow ST’s coverage as we continue to bring you the latest developments.
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Police force ties promotions to BMI as it tackles officers’ bulging waistlines
Officers will now have to keep their BMI at 28 or less if they hope to climb the ranks.