As the world becomes more volatile and confusing, policymakers, business leaders, and investors will need to rethink the mental models they use to analyse the global economy. Specifically, they should pay attention to three structural dynamics that are altering the global landscape: capital flows...

The New Global Economy: Making Sense of the New Global Economy

On the night of June 12, 2025, the Middle East caught fire again. Israeli warplanes tore through Iranian skies, targeting nuclear facilities, missile sites and the upper echelons of Iran’s military command. Tehran seethed, vowing retribution. Washington — a different Washington under a very different president — publicly distanced itself, while nervously repositioning its naval assets. And across Southeast Asia, policymakers and markets alike held their breath.

Opinion: When giants clash — How the Iran-Israel war could reshape Southeast Asia’s strategic calculus

This year’s spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank have made it clear that the global financial system, strained by repeated crises, is no longer fit for purpose. Growth is decelerating, climate-related volatility is rising, and debt distress is deepening, but the avail...

The African Century: Africa Is Taking the Lead on Global Finance Reform

The Malaysian Bar is deeply concerned with the uncertainty surrounding the extensions of tenure for The Right Honourable Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, the Right Honourable President of the Court of Appeal Tan Sri Amar Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, and the most senior Federal Court Judg...

Opinion: Judicial extensions, promotions and appointments: The nation awaits

In 1941, the pride of the British Royal Navy — HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse — steamed into the waters off Malaya, tasked with deterring a Japanese invasion.

Opinion: China’s drone supremacy and Southeast Asia’s wake-up call

According to the International Monetary Fund’s Articles of Agreement, the Fund’s main purpose is to facilitate the balanced growth of international trade and thereby promote high levels of employment and real (inflation-adjusted) income. Yet with globalization facing its greatest threat in the po...

The Frontiers of Growth: The IMF Is Missing in Action

The problem of maritime plastic-waste pollution first became apparent in the 1970s. In the half-century since then, the problem has become ever more widespread, as scientific expeditions conducted by the Tara Ocean Foundation (of which I am executive director) have shown.

The Ocean Imperative: The True Cost of Ocean Plastic Pollution

Despite a succession of shocks since 2020, the global economy has held up remarkably well – so far. But the margin for error is dwindling. Total global debt is now nearly 25% higher than it was on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it already was at an all-time high. This overhang could undercut all economies’ ability to shield themselves against the latest shock: higher trade tariffs.

Frontiers of Growth: The Looming Global Debt Disaster

This weekend, roads in Kuala Lumpur will be filled with police officers and personnel, foreign delegates and dignitaries from 10 member states for the 46th Asean Summit. Much rests on our leaders to steer this crucial regional dialogue to a new level of effectiveness.

Opinion: A post-normal Asean Summit that requires post-normal solutions

IT is regrettable that the government has not dealt with the subject judicial appointments to the Federal Court has with the decisiveness and transparency that the subject calls for. Its continued silence on the subject is untenable. Firstly, it has conducted itself in a manner that, although possibly objectively justifiable, has fuelled unhealthy speculation and set the stage for unfair attacks on the Chief Justice, Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, and thus the judiciary as a whole. Secondly, the judiciary is not in any position to defend itself nor is the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) empowered to engage with the public on matters within its purview. It is only the government that can address matters.

Opinion: A need for an explanation

IT is interesting to note that social media users have their own version and standard of justice.

Court of law vs court of public opinion, by Hanipa Maidin

When economists celebrate the 250th anniversary of the publication of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations next year, US President Donald Trump’s mercantilism will constitute an incongruous backdrop. After all, Trump’s obsession with bilateral trade balances, glorification of import tariffs, and ze...

Roads to Prosperity: Mercantilism Isn’t All Bad, but Trump’s Version Is the Worst

Can politicians do whatever they want to the Federal Constitution? Does it have an ‘essence’ which cannot be destroyed through amendment?

Opinion: A Malaysian doctrine

As Malaysia prepares to host the historic Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council-China Summit and the Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) in 2025, it finds itself at the epicentre of a strategic shift in global trade diplomacy.

Opinion: Asean must catch up in the global race for regional economic integration

The staggered port tariff increase in Port Klang beginning July will erode Malaysia’s value proposition and increase the risk of cargo diversion to competing regional ports, said the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).

Port tariff hike above Asean peers erodes Malaysia’s value proposition, says FMM

Iran and Israel traded missiles and airstrikes on Saturday, the day after Israel launched a sweeping air offensive against its old enemy, killing commanders and scientists and bombing nuclear sites in a stated bid to stop its building an atomic weapon.

Israel threatens to make Tehran 'burn' after Iranian retaliatory strikes

US President Donald Trump's administration has told immigration officials to largely pause raids and arrests in the agricultural industry, hotels and restaurants, the New York Times reported on Friday.

US immigration officials told to largely pause raids on farms, hotels — report

Thai and Cambodian officials met on Saturday to try to ease tensions amid fears of military clashes after a long-running territorial dispute reignited, leading both countries to mobilise troops on the border.

Thailand and Cambodia meet to address simmering border tensions

The European Central Bank's inflation target of 2% is in reach, ECB President Christine Lagarde was quoted as saying in an interview published on Saturday.

ECB's Lagarde says 2% inflation target in reach — report

India said that eight of the 34 Boeing Co 787 planes in the country have been inspected following the fatal crash of an Air India 787 Dreamliner on Thursday that killed all but one of the 242 people on board.

India begins inspections of nation’s 787 jets after fatal crash

There is no indication of mechanical failure or excessive wear in the braking, steering and suspension systems of the bus involved in the fatal crash involving Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) students in Gerik, Perak, said the Ministry of Transport (MOT).

No signs of brake, steering failure in Gerik crash, says MOT

For the first time, the government has announced a one-year exemption from training levy payments for all private educational institutions, effective Jan 1, 2026.

Private educational institutions to get one-year training levy waiver from 2026 — Anwar

The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Act comes into effect on Saturday, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said.

Malaysian Media Council Act comes into force today, marking new chapter in media reform — Fahmi

Malaysia has issued a travel advisory for Iran, Iraq and Jordan amid tensions between Iran and Israel, urging its citizens to defer non-essential travel and prioritise their safety.

Malaysia issues travel advisory for Iran, Iraq and Jordan amid Iran–Israel tensions

Airbus SE said the fatal accident on Thursday in India involving a Boeing Co airliner should spur the industry as a whole to advance its safety culture, dismissing the notion that the crash could bring a competitive edge to one planemaker over the other in the global duopoly.&nbsp;

Airbus says Air India accident is learning moment for industry

Even though the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has asked the public to refrain from speculating about Muhammad Yusoff Rawther's recent acquittal in court, the matter has already seen open discourse since his arrest in September last year, the law firm representing him said.

Public discourse on Yusoff Rawther started before verdict, says lawyer

Donald Trump reported more than US$600 million (RM2.55 billion) in income from crypto, golf clubs, licensing and other ventures in a public financial disclosure report released on Friday that provided a glimpse of the vast business holdings of America’s billionaire president.

Trump reports more than US$600m in income from crypto, golf, licensing fees

Malaysia has issued a travel advisory for Iran, Iraq and Jordan amid tensions between Iran and Israel, urging its citizens to defer non-essential travel and prioritise their safety.

There is no indication of mechanical failure or excessive wear in the braking, steering and suspension systems of the bus involved in the fatal crash involving Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) students in Gerik, Perak, said the Ministry of Transport (MOT).

Boeing delivered a new 787-9 aircraft to China's Juneyao Airlines on Saturday, Chinese media outlet Yicai reported, as trade tensions between Beijing and Washington ease.

Boeing resumes China deliveries with 787-9 jet to Juneyao Airlines — report

Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil on Saturday announced that the founding board of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has been finalised.

Appointment of Malaysian Media Council founding board finalised — Fahmi

For the first time, the government has announced a one-year exemption from training levy payments for all private educational institutions, effective Jan 1, 2026.

The death toll in the deadly Air India plane crash rose to 270 on Saturday, with families increasingly getting upset due to delays in handing over bodies which were badly charred in the tragedy in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad.

Air India crash death toll hits 270, families wait for bodies

Vietnam's National Assembly on Saturday approved a proposal to raise the special consumption tax on alcoholic beverages to 90% by 2031 from the current 65%, a move that will add to challenges facing the industry even though the top rate won't be as high as first flagged.

Vietnam parliament approves hiking tax on alcoholic drinks to 90% by 2031

Ashton Hall’s morning routine involves dunking his head in iced Saratoga Spring Water. For the company that sells the bottled water — Hall’s brand of choice for drinking, brushing his teeth and submerging himself — that’s fantastic news.

Influencer marketing gains ground as global ad budgets tighten

Nippon Steel Corp won conditional US approval for its US$14.1 billion (RM59.86 billion) purchase of United States Steel Corp, capping a lengthy saga in a tie-up that will create one of the world’s largest steel companies.

US Steel sale to Nippon Steel poised to close after Trump deal

Platinum fell by the most in more than three years as market tightness began to ease and conflict in the Middle East prompted global investors to reduce risk.

Platinum tumbles as traders reduce risk on Middle East tension

Iran said the dialogue with the US over Tehran's nuclear programme is "meaningless" after Israel's biggest-ever military strike against its longstanding enemy, but said it is yet to decide on whether to attend planned talks on Sunday.

Iran says talks with US 'meaningless' after Israel attack, but yet to decide on attending

US President Donald Trump's administration has told immigration officials to largely pause raids and arrests in the agricultural industry, hotels and restaurants, the New York Times reported on Friday.

“Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.”

— Socrates (470 to 399 BC), Greek philosopher, credited as the founder of Western philosophy

&nbsp;

In 1980, at the bus ...

Everyday Matters: Loyalty: Old-fashioned advice from my father

The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Act comes into effect on Saturday, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said.&nbsp;

US Marines deployed to Los Angeles made their first detention of a civilian on Friday, part of a rare use of military force to support domestic police and coming ahead of national protests over President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington.

US Marines make first detention in LA as more protests expected

The staggered port tariff increase in Port Klang beginning July will erode Malaysia’s value proposition and increase the risk of cargo diversion to competing regional ports, said the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).

India said that eight&nbsp;of the 34 Boeing Co 787 planes in the country have been inspected following the fatal crash of an Air India 787 Dreamliner on Thursday that killed all but one of the 242 people on board.&nbsp;

Opinion

‌‌

‌
‌