2025 was a challenging year for Malaysia's SMEs, as businesses grappled with higher operating costs, global trade uncertainty, and expanded compliance requirements. Chin Chee Seong, National President of the SME Association of Malaysia, reflects on the year that was and looks ahead to 2026 which brings with it the expansion of the SST framework, new digitalisation incentives and others.


Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

2025 was a challenging year for Malaysia's SMEs, as businesses grappled with higher operating costs, global trade uncertainty, and expanded compliance requirements. Chin Chee Seong, National President of the SME Association of Malaysia, reflects on the year that was and looks ahead to 2026 which brings with it the expansion of the SST framework, new digitalisation incentives and others. 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

Can SMEs Bounce Back in 2026?

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is back in discussion to replace the Sales and Service Tax (SST) tax regime. Could this signal that GST will be reintroduced eventually? We speak to  Dr. Veerinderjeet Singh, Senior Advisor on Tax Policy, KPMG in Malaysia to discuss the potential return of GST.



This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly Emirates



Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is back in discussion to replace the Sales and Service Tax (SST) tax regime. Could this signal that GST will be reintroduced eventually? We speak to Dr. Veerinderjeet Singh, Senior Advisor on Tax Policy, KPMG in Malaysia to discuss the potential return of GST.This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly EmiratesImage Credit: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a>

GST Back In The Spotlight

Three Fed rate cuts and geopolitical tensions have meant volatile Fixed Income markets in the US. We ask Ang Beng Kuan, Head of Investment Strategy, Opus Islamic Asset Management for his 2026 outlook and if Malaysia will continue to see strong demand for MGS and GII after a record RM22.6bn inflow.



Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Three Fed rate cuts and geopolitical tensions have meant volatile Fixed Income markets in the US. We ask Ang Beng Kuan, Head of Investment Strategy, Opus Islamic Asset Management for his 2026 outlook and if Malaysia will continue to see strong demand for MGS and GII after a record RM22.6bn inflow.Image Credit: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a>

FX and Fixed Income Outlook for 2026

Global e-commerce is entering a more demanding phase with platforms having to deal with higher costs, tighter margins, tougher competition, and growing pressure to show not just scale, but sustainability. Poonam Goyal, Senior Equity Research Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence  tells us how companies intend to navigate this landscape and the companies better able to deal with the challenges ahead.



Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Global e-commerce is entering a more demanding phase with platforms having to deal with higher costs, tighter margins, tougher competition, and growing pressure to show not just scale, but sustainability. Poonam Goyal, Senior Equity Research Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence&nbsp; tells us how companies intend to navigate this landscape and the companies better able to deal with the challenges ahead.Image Credit: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a>

Can SMEs Bounce Back in 2026?

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