Morning Brief

Indonesia’s political tensions are rising as Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka faces impeachment calls over alleged nepotism. President Prabowo, meanwhile, confronts cabinet reshuffle pressure amid economic woes and coalition tensions, while advancing major programmes like free meals and stimulus efforts. Erin Cook, Journalist, Southeast Asian Affairs shares her perspective on these development.

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim entered office in 2022 pledging to review political appointments to federal statutory bodies (FSB) and GLCs. But his recent comments defending the practice have raised eyebrows and cast doubt on the government's commitment to reform. We speak to Aira Azhari of IDEAS on why the practice of political appointments should be phased out.

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The US tariffs on imported steel and aluminum officially doubled from 25% to 50% on June 4th, affecting all countries exporting these metals to the US, except the UK. Michelle Leung, Head of Asia Metals & Mining at Bloomberg Intelligence, explains the impact of this on industries and consumers from the US, all the way to Asia and Malaysia.

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South Korea has a new president following the victory of left-wing candidate Lee Jae-Myung of the Democratic Party, capping the drama that began when former president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law back in December 2024. Professor Donald Leslie Baker of the Asian Studies Department at the University of British Columbia, breaks down the challenges President-elect Lee can expect in addition to his own ongoing legal issues.

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The federal government has announced plans for a major urban development in Putrajaya, called Kota MADANI which will be developed vertically and at high density integrating AI technology. We hear from Hj. Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar, Registered Town Planner at IZM Consult as he unpacks the vision behind this ambitious development and the challenges that lie ahead.

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Malaysia has been working hard to enhance ties with the UK with a number of high-level working visits this year by Prime Minister Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim in January and the ongoing visit of the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Dr Benjamin Barton, Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, breaks down these visits as well as the UK's own approach to China.

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The government has appointed career diplomat Tan Sri Shahrul Ikram Yaacob as Malaysia’s envoy to the US. What are the challenges he’ll be expected to navigate in the face of a mercurial White House? We discuss this with Dr Khoo Ying Hooi of Universiti Malaya.

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China’s property slump continued in May, with major developers seeing an 8.6% drop in home sales. Weak demand, deflation, and cautious policy support suggest the sector’s recovery remains distant despite broader economic pressures. Kristy Hung, Senior Industry Analyst of Asia Real Estate, Bloomberg Intelligence gives us her perspective on the Chinese property market and outlook.

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From rising tensions between local and federal powers to increasing demands for autonomy and justice under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Ariff Adi Putera Anwar, Research Associate at the Institute for Development Studies, offers a deep dive into Sabah’s evolving political landscape. We look into Sabah’s political landscape, examining public sentiment toward Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, shifting party alliances, and key issues shaping the state’s electoral future.

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Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has officially stepped down from the party and announced his intention to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). This move was not a surprise, but we ask Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director, Viewfinder Global Affairs what this means for the dynamics between Umno and PH and the inevitable cabinet reshuffle.

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