Higher Oil Prices Squeeze Petrol Dealer Margins

Rising global oil prices, driven by ongoing Middle East tensions, threaten to push Malaysia’s RON95 fuel above the current subsidised rate of RM1.99 per litre. How will this impact consumers at the pump and the operations of petrol dealers? We speak with Dato’ Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz, President, …

Policing Dissent: Testing Academic Freedom and Civic Space Limits

Police questioning of an academic and a civil society leader has triggered debate about academic freedom and civic space in Malaysia. What protections exist for scholars and NGOs speaking on governance and public interest issues? We explore the legal framework with Zaid Malek, Executive Director of…

Malaysia’s Fiscal Dilemma: Managing Rising Oil Prices and Subsidies

Rising global oil prices are putting governments under renewed fiscal pressure. For Malaysia, the challenge is complex. While the country exports energy, it also spends heavily on fuel subsidies and public sector costs. As policymakers look for ways to manage spending, even measures like work from …

Has Gold Lost Its Sheen?

Gold is traditionally seen as a safe-haven asset, but prices have struggled recently despite elevated geopolitical tensions. What’s driving this disconnect between the safe haven narrative and gold’s recent performance? We discuss the trends to watch for gold with Christopher Wong of OCBC.

Will the War on Iran Spiral Further?

Escalation of the War on Iran is spreading across the Gulf, threatening energy routes and regional stability. Ryan Bohl, Senior Middle East and North Africa Analyst at RANE Network, shares his insights. Image Credit: Shutterstock.

SMEs Stay Afloat Amid Middle East Turbulence

Malaysia SME sector is feeling the ripple effects of rising tensions in the Middle East through shipping delays, higher costs, and supply chain disruptions. How are these businesses preparing to navigate the challenges ahead? We’ll discuss this with Datuk William Ng, Chairman, Small and Medium Ente…

Tourism In Turmoil: When Middle East Tensions Take Flight

Although Malaysia is far from the conflict between the United States and Iran, the country is feeling its impact as disruptions at major Middle East transit hubs push up flight costs and travel times. How is the tourism sector coping, and what measures are being taken to maintain traveller confiden…

US Sidestepping IEEPA In New Probe?

Yesterday, it was reported that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has initiated investigations into several economies, including Malaysia, over concerns about structural excess capacity and production in certain manufacturing sectors. Why is the US making this move at this…

MAGA at War, Rejuvenated Dems, Life After Trump

Washington is wrestling with the fallout of the Iran conflict as Brent crude stays above $90 a barrel, threatening a 0.3% inflation spike for every $10 rise. We explore whether these strikes will unify or fracture the "America First" movement, how deep the divide truly runs between the MAGA elite a…

AI Governance : Can Malaysia Keep Up?

Malaysia aims to establish AI standards within the next year as part of its broader ambition to become an AI-driven economy by 2030. Dr Jun-E Tan, Senior Research Associate at Khazanah Research Institute, shares her insights on where the challenges may lie when building a governance framework that …