Business writer Pankaj C. Kumar says the lack of substantive tax reforms and the continued rise in debt service charges are among the key issues Budget 2026 fails to address. He also highlights other missed opportunities in the latest budget tabled by the Madani government.





Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Business writer Pankaj C. Kumar says the lack of substantive tax reforms and the continued rise in debt service charges are among the key issues Budget 2026 fails to address. He also highlights other missed opportunities in the latest budget tabled by the Madani government.Image Credit: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a>

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

Budget 2026: More Misses Than Hits 

The latest Trump-Xi summit delivered carefully managed optics and promises of continued dialogue, but left major questions over trade, Taiwan, technology, and geopolitical tensions unresolved. As Washington and Beijing offer differing accounts of what was agreed, what does the meeting actually reveal about the current state of US-China relations and the direction of their long-term rivalry?



Image Credit: Shutterstock

The latest Trump-Xi summit delivered carefully managed optics and promises of continued dialogue, but left major questions over trade, Taiwan, technology, and geopolitical tensions unresolved. As Washington and Beijing offer differing accounts of what was agreed, what does the meeting actually reveal about the current state of US-China relations and the direction of their long-term rivalry?Image Credit: Shutterstock

What Did the Trump-Xi Summit Really Achieve?

Malaysia’s political landscape is shifting again, with PN appointing a new Opposition Leader, Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi moving to take over Parti Bersama Malaysia, and PH and BN preparing to contest Johor independently. Are these isolated tactical moves, or early signs of a broader political realignment as parties reposition themselves ahead of GE16?



Image Credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia’s political landscape is shifting again, with PN appointing a new Opposition Leader, Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi moving to take over Parti Bersama Malaysia, and PH and BN preparing to contest Johor independently. Are these isolated tactical moves, or early signs of a broader political realignment as parties reposition themselves ahead of GE16?Image Credit: Shutterstock

Signs of Political Realignment Ahead of GE16

The Malaysian economy grew 5.4% in the first quarter of 2026, but cooling domestic spending and a global supply shock threaten to slow momentum for the remainder of the year. As rising geopolitical tensions push producer prices to historic monthly highs, can a surging export sector continue to shield the economy from a second-half slowdown? We discuss the Malaysian economic outlook with Julia Goh, Senior Economist, UOB.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

The Malaysian economy grew 5.4% in the first quarter of 2026, but cooling domestic spending and a global supply shock threaten to slow momentum for the remainder of the year. As rising geopolitical tensions push producer prices to historic monthly highs, can a surging export sector continue to shield the economy from a second-half slowdown? We discuss the Malaysian economic outlook with Julia Goh, Senior Economist, UOB. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Budget 2026: More Misses Than Hits

In 1 playlist(s)

Morning Brief

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips