How Will Malaysia's Retail Sector Do in 2026?

Malaysia’s retail industry grew faster than expected in the third quarter of 2025, expanding almost 5% on a y-o-y basis, significantly exceeding the projected growth rate of 2.6%. Could this momentum carry over into 2026? We’ll be getting an outlook for the sector from Michael Liew, Secretary-Gener…

Thailand-Cambodia Border Tensions : The Way Ahead?

Tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border have escalated beyond a familiar bilateral dispute, drawing renewed regional and international attention. Bunn Nagara, Director & Senior Fellow at the Renaissance Strategic Research Institute, examines why the conflict matters now, what is truly at stake …

2026, A Mixed Year for Planters

As the world’s second-largest producer, palm oil remains a cornerstone of Malaysia’s economy and its most important cash crop.  But despite that importance, prices have struggled to find clear direction in 2025. What then is the outlook for 2026 and which planters have a better earnings profile. A…

Still Choppy Seas for Global Shipping in 2026

Shipping companies in 2025 had to navigate geopolitical disruption, tighter environmental rules and uncertainty over future fuel choices. All of which reshaped trade flows and operating costs. Kenneth Loh, Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence tells us if the outlook of 2026 will continue to be as challe…

New Mayor, New Minister: What's In It For KL's Future?

Kuala Lumpur is entering a critical phase, with a new Federal Territories Minister, a new Mayor, and a long-term vision like the KL Structure Plan 2040 in place. Cha-ly Koh, founder and CEO of UrbanMetry, talks about whether this moment represents a true reset for KL or whether the city remains loc…

Still Choppy Seas for Global Shipping in 2026

Shipping companies in 2025 had to navigate geopolitical disruption, tighter environmental rules and uncertainty over future fuel choices. All of which reshaped trade flows and operating costs. Kenneth Loh, Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence tells us if the outlook of 2026 will continue to be as challe…

What's Next For Sabah?

Now that Sabah's state election is out of the way and the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is in charge, the state's claim to a 40% special grant of federal revenue is back in focus. Dr Oh Ei Sun, Principal Adviser at the Pacific Research Centre, share h…

OSA, Making Changes to Online Platforms

Malaysia is about to see a significant shift in how online platforms are regulated. Under the Online Safety Act, global platforms with large Malaysian user bases such as WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube will now fall clearly under Malaysian law. CF Fong, Founder and CEO of LGMS Berhad gives u…

Can Australia Further Reform Its Gun Laws?

Following the recent mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, questions have been asked about how strict are Australia’s gun controls.  Professor Andrew Hemming, Associate Professor in Law at the University of Southern Queensland, walks us through the current regulatory landscape and explains how Aus…

Preparing for Full Ban on Vape and E-Cigarrettes

Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad reaffirmed that a full ban on vape and e-cigarettes might happen as early as mid-2026, with implementation happening in phases. Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy gives us his thoughts on this move, and whether th…