Shaun Kua The recent Fashion Valet saga highlights, for better and for worse, government involvement in the local startup scene. The current marquee policy for startups is KL20. It was launched to much fanfare in April and is supplemented by the Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap (SUPER) 2021-2030. These policies aspire to turn Malaysia into…
By: NARINDER PAL SINGH While the Madani government had officially welcomed the Afghanistan delegation here, there should be a robust plan for continuity in the collaboration between the two nations. Those voices that have raised a concern on the visit should instead be more focused on floating the bigger issue of the country, especially on…
Dr. Thian Lok Boon The World Bank has projected that Malaysia is on track to become a high-income nation by 2028 a milestone fuels Malaysia’s ambitions to become not only prosperous but also inclusive and sustainable, as mentioned in its 12th Malaysian Plan 2021-2025. This raises an important question: What talents do Malaysia urgently need…
A senior fellow of the Regional Economic Studies Programme, and Co-coordinator of the Malaysia Studies Programme, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute pointed out that the government’s plans to impose differential petrol prices raised more fundamental issues. “First, Malaysia should not lose sight of the underlying sustainability and climate crisis mitigation objectives of fuel subsidy rationalisation….
The Budget 2025 introduces several crucial tax incentives and initiatives aimed at supporting SMEs and enhancing their financial sustainability and growth. By leveraging these incentives, SMEs can manage increased labour costs, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen their financial resilience. Budget 2025 affirms that Goods and Services Tax (GST) will not be re-introduced but the existing…
BY: NG WEI JIE Since 2010, the number of Malaysian companies focusing on factory automation has doubled, with the top 10 firms now boasting a combined valuation exceeding RM25.8 billion, according to Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). Automation has proven to be a game-changer, reshaping how industries approach operation scalability, production optimization, engineering efficiency, and…
BY: A Media Practitioner Out Cold It is looking to be a bleak Deepavali for several Hindu journalists of a local online portal as their employer has gone rogue in terms of settling their wages. With 48 – hours to go in the anticipation of the celebrations of the festival of lights – the victory…
BY: KHALDOON ABDULLA The foreign policy of the United States (US) towards the Middle East involves a complex mix of strategic and ideological factors. On one level, US policy is shaped by traditional geopolitical considerations, including the pursuit of hegemony through control of strategic passages, the promotion of the liberal international order, and the containment…
Dr Paul Anthony Mariadas and Dr Uma Murthy Malaysia, a fast-growing Southeast Asian nation, has often sought to strike a balance between maintaining good relations with Western nations while also fostering deeper connections with emerging economies. One avenue Malaysia is considering is closer engagement with BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), a bloc…
BY: DR PAUL ANTHONY MARIA DAS The Malaysian Budget 2025, unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on October 18, 2024, marks a significant turning point in the nation’s economic strategy. With an unprecedented allocation of RM421 billion, this budget is not only the largest in Malaysia’s history but also encapsulates a vision for…
