With Johor voters heading to the polls, attention is increasingly turning to what happens after the ballots are counted. PAS has indicated it is prepared to support Barisan Nasional if the election produces a hung assembly, raising fresh questions about the future of its relationship with UMNO and the implications for Perikatan Nasional. Is this simply post-election pragmatism, or could it reshape the political landscape in Johor and beyond?

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Just weeks after agreeing to a 60-day framework aimed at ending months of conflict, the United States and Iran are once again exchanging military strikes, casting serious doubt over the future of the ceasefire. Renewed attacks around the Strait of Hormuz have heightened concerns over global energy supplies, shipping, and regional stability, while markets are reassessing the risk of a prolonged conflict. Has diplomacy run its course, or is there still a path back from a wider regional war?

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Bank Negara's decision to hold the OPR at 2.75%. But behind the non-event sits a genuinely unusual position: Malaysia is one of the few ASEAN economies that hasn't been forced to tighten, thanks to inflation running at a tame 1.7% while its neighbours battle price and currency pressures. We break down what's keeping Malaysia steady with Dr Afza-nizam Abdul Rashid, Chief Economist at Bank Muamalat.

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AirBorneo is entering a new chapter with the launch of commercial jet services, marking a major step in Sarawak's ambition to strengthen its position as a regional aviation hub. But breaking into one of Malaysia's most competitive domestic routes will require more than competitive fares, as the airline seeks to build passenger confidence, expand its network, and balance growth with operational reliability. Can AirBorneo carve out a sustainable niche alongside established carriers?

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As Johor voters prepare to cast their ballots, what do the latest polls reveal about voter sentiment, party strength and the issues shaping the election? Dr Kelvin Goh, Founder and CEO of Vodus Research, helps us unpack the numbers and what they can - and cannot - tell us about the race.

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China's latest submarine-launched ballistic missile test into the Pacific marks another milestone in Beijing's military modernisation and has drawn concern from regional powers including the US, Japan, and Australia. As China advances towards its 2027 defence goals and strengthens its nuclear deterrent, questions are growing over whether the region is entering a new phase of strategic competition. What does this test reveal about China's long-term ambitions, and how should countries such as Malaysia respond to a more contested Indo-Pacific?

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The ringgit was Asia's worst-performing currency in June, sliding 4.5% to a seven-month low as a hawkish Fed under new chairman Kevin Warsh keeps the dollar bid. Saktiandi Supaat, Head of FX Research, Global Markets at Maybank, unpacks what the Fed's split committee means for US rates, whether Bank Negara's measures to attract FX inflows are working, and where USD/MYR heads through 2026 — with the OPR decision and two state elections in the mix.

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For many Malaysians, having medical insurance is becoming increasingly difficult as healthcare costs and premiums continue to climb. Now, the government is stepping in with a new initiative aimed at making basic medical protection more accessible and affordable. Medi-Asas, the government’s Base Medical and Health Insurance and Takaful (MHIT) plan, will enter its pilot phase in the Klang Valley by the end of this month before a nationwide rollout in January 2027. With premiums expected to start from around RM60 ringgit a month, the plan aims to provide wider coverage, including protection for individuals up to the age of 85.

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We are once again restructuring how foreign worker quotas are approved and managed. This follows a Cabinet decision on July 1, moving the One-Stop Centre (OSC) from the Home Ministry to the Ministry of Human Resources, with applications now processed through the eQuota module under the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System. The government says this will reduce congestion at the OSC and end case-by-case approvals. The platform, however, has previously faced allegations of extortion involving migrant workers, raising questions over whether shifting oversight between ministries actually changes outcomes on the ground. With a new foreign worker management division being set up and physical verification counters potentially going digital, what would it take for this reform to be more than an administrative change?

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NATO leaders are gathered in Turkiye’s capital Ankara against the backdrop of an increasingly challenging global security environment. Ukraine remains a central focus, but the agenda stretches well beyond the war, with discussions expected on strengthening Europe's defence capabilities, boosting military spending, and adapting the alliance to new security threats. Leaders are also looking at the industrial and logistical capacity needed to sustain future conflicts, including plans to extend NATO's fuel pipeline network further into Eastern Europe. The summit comes as European allies weigh the reliability of America's long-term security commitment, while countries such as Canada increase defence spending after years of missing NATO's targets.

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