Malaysia has ordered a crackdown on illegal businesses operated by foreigners, joining other Southeast Asian nations facing similar issues amid local resentment. This follows recent visa-free entry policies aimed at boosting tourism and investment.

Malaysia ordered a crackdown on Monday against illegal businesses run by foreigners, joining a growing list of Southeast Asian nations rocked by similar operations amid simmering local resentment. In recent years, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia introduced visa-free entry for foreign visitors following the Covid-19 pandemic in a bid to revive their flagging tourism, property and investment sectors. But last month, Thailand removed the 60-day visa-free entry for 93 countries and...