Top Malaysian and Southeast Asian Academic Journals by Field: Submission Guidelines and Acceptance Rates

Publishing research in reputable academic journals is essential for researchers seeking to establish credibility. For Malaysian and Southeast Asian researchers, publishing in regional journals offers several advantages, including increased relevance to local contexts and greater visibility among regional peers.

This comprehensive guide presents the top academic journals in Malaysia and Southeast Asia across various disciplines, detailing their submission guidelines, acceptance rates, and impact factors.

Social Sciences and Humanities

KEMANUSIAAN: The Asian Journal of Humanities (Malaysia)

• • Publisher: Universiti Sains Malaysia
  • Focus: Interdisciplinary humanities research with Asian perspectives
  • Acceptance Rate: Approximately 25-30%
  • Impact Factor/Ranking: Scopus Q2, WoS ESCI indexed
  • Submission Guidelines:
    • Manuscripts should be 6,000-8,000 words including references
    • Double-blind peer review process

JATI: Journal of Southeast Asian Studies (Malaysia)

• • Publisher: University of Malaya
  • Focus: Southeast Asian history, politics, culture, and society
  • Acceptance Rate: Approximately 30-35%
  • Impact Factor/Ranking: Scopus Q3, MyCite indexed

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Malaysian Journal of Computer Science (Malaysia)

• • Publisher: University of Malaya
  • Focus: Computer science, AI, and computational methods
  • Acceptance Rate: 25-30%
  • Impact Factor/Ranking: Scopus Q2, WoS indexed
  • Publication Fee: RM500 for accepted papers

ASEAN Engineering Journal (Regional)

• • Publisher: ASEAN University Network
  • Focus: Engineering disciplines with regional relevance
  • Acceptance Rate: Approximately 30%
  • Publication Fees: Free (No charges)

Medicine and Health Sciences

Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (Malaysia)

• • Publisher: Universiti Sains Malaysia
  • Focus: Clinical and basic medical sciences
  • Acceptance Rate: 35-40%
  • Impact Factor/Ranking: Scopus Q3, PubMed indexed
  • Publication Fee: RM600

Singapore Medical Journal (Singapore)

• • Publisher: Singapore Medical Association
  • Acceptance Rate: Highly selective (20-25%)
  • Impact Factor/Ranking: Scopus Q2, Impact Factor: 2.4

Business, Economics, and Management

Asian Academy of Management Journal (Malaysia)

• • Publisher: Universiti Sains Malaysia
  • Impact Factor/Ranking: Scopus Q2, WoS ESCI indexed
  • Publication Fee: USD 250

Journal of Southeast Asian Economies (Singapore)

• • Publisher: ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
  • Focus: Development economics in Southeast Asia
  • Publication Fees: Free

Environmental Science and Sustainability

Journal of Sustainability Science and Management (Malaysia)

• • Publisher: Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
  • Focus: Marine sciences and sustainable development
  • Impact Factor/Ranking: Scopus Q2
  • Publication Fee: RM1,000

Tips for Successful Submission

1. Understand the Journal’s Scope

Before submitting, read the last three issues. If your paper on “Urban Planning in KL” is submitted to a journal focused on “Rural Agriculture,” it will be desk-rejected immediately.

2. Follow Guidelines Meticulously

Pay careful attention to the Referencing Style (APA vs. Vancouver). In 2026, many journals use AI to pre-screen formatting; if you fail the format check, no human editor will ever see your paper.

Need help formatting your manuscript? PM Proofreading Malaysia offers expert editing and formatting services to ensure your paper meets the strict guidelines of these top journals. Contact us today to get published.

How to Publish in High-Impact Journals (Scopus & WoS): A Blueprint for Success