The 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat was held this week after a three year hiatus in Singapore. What are the key outcomes of the summit and how will this shape economic relations with our Causeway neighbour moving forward? We speak to economist Walter Theseira for his take on developments to watch.

Image credit: Bernama

The 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat was held this week after a three year hiatus in Singapore. What are the key outcomes of the summit and how will this shape economic relations with our Causeway neighbour moving forward? We speak to economist Walter Theseira for his take on developments to watch. Image credit: Bernama

Opinion and analysis of today’s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Opinion and analysis of today&rsquo;s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Morning Brief

Bilateral Zeal For Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, but its arrival comes with an eye-watering RM9,499 starting price and a broader shift upwards in iPhone pricing. With no base-model iPhone 18 and the previous generation remaining at RM4,299, Apple appears to be testing just how much consumers will pay for a premium smartphone. Has Apple delivered enough innovation to justify the higher prices, and could its strategy give Samsung, Google, Huawei and Xiaomi cover to raise their prices too?

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, but its arrival comes with an eye-watering RM9,499 starting price and a broader shift upwards in iPhone pricing. With no base-model iPhone 18 and the previous generation remaining at RM4,299, Apple appears to be testing just how much consumers will pay for a premium smartphone. Has Apple delivered enough innovation to justify the higher prices, and could its strategy give Samsung, Google, Huawei and Xiaomi cover to raise their prices too? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Has Apple Made Smartphones Too Expensive?

European business confidence in ASEAN is rebounding, with 78% of surveyed companies expecting to increase trade and investment in the region. Yet expansion is becoming more selective, while non-tariff barriers, regulatory fragmentation and uncertainty over US trade policy continue to weigh on companies. With Malaysia among the preferred markets for expansion and 50 years of EU-ASEAN relations approaching, what needs to change for ASEAN to turn strong investor interest into broader and more sustainable growth?


Image Credit: Shutterstock

European business confidence in ASEAN is rebounding, with 78% of surveyed companies expecting to increase trade and investment in the region. Yet expansion is becoming more selective, while non-tariff barriers, regulatory fragmentation and uncertainty over US trade policy continue to weigh on companies. With Malaysia among the preferred markets for expansion and 50 years of EU-ASEAN relations approaching, what needs to change for ASEAN to turn strong investor interest into broader and more sustainable growth? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Why European Businesses Are Betting on ASEAN

Malaysia has spent years debating political financing reform, yet there is still no dedicated law governing how political parties raise, spend and disclose their funds. With the government now consulting all 72 registered parties on proposed legislation, questions remain over donor transparency, contribution limits, enforcement and who should regulate the system. Could public funding eventually reduce the influence of wealthy donors, and what safeguards must Malaysia put in place before taxpayers are asked to fund political parties?


Image Credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia has spent years debating political financing reform, yet there is still no dedicated law governing how political parties raise, spend and disclose their funds. With the government now consulting all 72 registered parties on proposed legislation, questions remain over donor transparency, contribution limits, enforcement and who should regulate the system. Could public funding eventually reduce the influence of wealthy donors, and what safeguards must Malaysia put in place before taxpayers are asked to fund political parties? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Bilateral Zeal For Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

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