Malaysia's Week in Review: Key Events from May 12-18, 2025

Malaysia Weekly News Summary (May 12-18, 2025): From LIMA's Success to Economic Cooperation Malaysia experienced a busy week from May 12th to 18th, 2025. The highly anticipated LIMA 2025 air show in Langkawi showcased Malaysia's commitment to strengthening its position as a hub for maritime and aerospace technology. Domestically, the government announced an adjustment to import prices for white rice, setting the price at RM2,600 per metric ton starting May 15th. This decision aims to stabilize the market and ensure affordable access to essential food supplies. On the international stage, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim engaged in significant diplomatic efforts. His meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin saw discussions on various issues, including the MH17 tragedy. Furthermore, a meeting with representatives from the Republic of Tatarstan highlighted the potential for increased bilateral cooperation. Malaysia aims to attract up to A$10 billion in investments from Russia. In education, the government announced that teacher exchange applications can be made after two years of service, simplifying the process. Additionally, 1,470 teacher assistants were appointed this year. The Prime Minister also called for stronger economic cooperation among Islamic nations, particularly focusing on the Halal industry, estimated to be worth A$3 trillion. Finally, Malaysia's first-quarter GDP reached 4.4 percent, indicating positive economic growth. The ASEAN Summit also saw the Ministry of Education grant approval for 71 schools to implement PdPR (online learning). The government allocated RM1.11 billion for infrastructure development outside of Sabah's urban areas this year. These developments illustrate a week of dynamic activity across various sectors in Malaysia.