With Xavier Jayakumar's defection to 'govt-friendly independent', Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, observes that Anwar Ibrahim's PKR is looking increasingly fractured, boding poorly for the national political landscape.



Image Credit: Ismiza binti Ishak / Shutterstock.com

With Xavier Jayakumar's defection to 'govt-friendly independent', Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, observes that Anwar Ibrahim's PKR is looking increasingly fractured, boding poorly for the national political landscape.

Image Credit: Ismiza binti Ishak / Shutterstock.com

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

With PKR's Xavier Latest To Hop, Malaysia's Froggy Lawmakers Take Jumping To New Heights

Malaysia attracted RM218.5 billion in approved investments in the first half of 2026, with foreign investors accounting for almost 60% of the total and AI-related projects continuing to drive interest. But investment remains concentrated among a handful of countries and states, while a tougher global environment could test whether recent momentum can be sustained. Can Malaysia reach its RM382 billion target for the year, and how much of today’s investment pipeline will ultimately translate into jobs and real economic activity?


Image Credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia attracted RM218.5 billion in approved investments in the first half of 2026, with foreign investors accounting for almost 60% of the total and AI-related projects continuing to drive interest. But investment remains concentrated among a handful of countries and states, while a tougher global environment could test whether recent momentum can be sustained. Can Malaysia reach its RM382 billion target for the year, and how much of today’s investment pipeline will ultimately translate into jobs and real economic activity? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Can Malaysia Sustain Its Investment Boom?

The BRICS Summit in New Delhi brought together some of the world’s most powerful leaders, with members projecting unity despite divisions over conflicts in West Asia and the future of the global order. Malaysia, attending as a BRICS partner country, used the gathering to deepen bilateral ties, including growing cooperation with India in semiconductors and supply chains. What does Malaysia stand to gain from closer engagement with BRICS, and can Putrajaya strengthen these relationships without complicating its ties with Washington?

Image Credit: Shutterstock

The BRICS Summit in New Delhi brought together some of the world’s most powerful leaders, with members projecting unity despite divisions over conflicts in West Asia and the future of the global order. Malaysia, attending as a BRICS partner country, used the gathering to deepen bilateral ties, including growing cooperation with India in semiconductors and supply chains. What does Malaysia stand to gain from closer engagement with BRICS, and can Putrajaya strengthen these relationships without complicating its ties with Washington? Image Credit: Shutterstock

What Does BRICS Really Offer Malaysia?

UMNO has wrapped up its annual general assembly which saw PAS leaders attending, Pakatan Harapan partners notably absent, and UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi calling for GE16 to be brought forward. Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director of Viewfinder Global Affairs, helps us unpack what UMNO's latest moves could mean for Malaysia's political landscape ahead of GE16.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

UMNO has wrapped up its annual general assembly which saw PAS leaders attending, Pakatan Harapan partners notably absent, and UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi calling for GE16 to be brought forward. Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director of Viewfinder Global Affairs, helps us unpack what UMNO's latest moves could mean for Malaysia's political landscape ahead of GE16. Image Credit: Shutterstock

With PKR's Xavier Latest To Hop, Malaysia's Froggy Lawmakers Take Jumping To New Heights

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