Health at a premium
Malaysia's health inflation may have risen to a seemingly modest 3% in 2025, but beneath the headline lies a worrying trend: the cost of staying healthy is becoming increasingly difficult to afford.
The high cost of policy flip-flops
Nothing dents a government's credibility quite like repeated policy flip-flops.
IPI and the data centre effect
The Industrial Production Index (IPI) has been a good gauge of gross domestic product (GDP). It is not a perfect measure as it leaves out the services sector, but it captures the key manufacturing and mining sectors.
Too much of a good thing
For years, durian was seen as a "golden crop", especially due to strong demand from China for premium varieties like Musang King. Prices were high, and thousands of acres of oil palm were cleared to make way for durian orchards, with many individuals also venturing into the space.
The jury is still out
Global index provider MSCI's decision to keep Indonesia in its Emerging Markets (EM) Index provides some near-term relief for investors and markets across the region, including Malaysia.
Premature de-industrialisation
The notable gap between foreign direct investment (FDI) related to the manufacturing sector versus the services sector is an eye-opener.
Enhancing standards at development financial institutions
The move by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to set new standards for the country's development financial institutions (DFIs) is a right move, albeit a bit delayed.
The real question behind Malaysia’s new MyKad
Malaysia's decision to roll out a new-generation MyKad is understandable.
After the ceasefire
Before we break out the champagne and celebrate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, let us take a good hard look at when things can get back to pre-conflict normal.
