Morning Brief

The 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue was recently held in Singapore gathering defense ministers, military chiefs, and senior officials from nearly 50 countries. Dr Malcolm Davis, a security analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, unpacks the key takeaways from this meeting with Beijing and Washington engaging in multiple diplomatic attacks during the event.

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On the back of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's civil case, there are now questions as to whether a sitting leader has legal immunity. Lim Wei Jiet, Constitutional Lawyer gives us his perspective whilst we also consider the appointment process of senior judges in this country.

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The 46th ASEAN Summit saw the bloc upgrade existing trade arrangements as well as explore new deals with China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Can these partnerships eventually offset the disruption caused by US tariffs? We discuss the ASEAN trade policies with Dr. Jayant Menon of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

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As Gaza faces a growing humanitarian crisis, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the U.S. and Israel, has stepped in with new aid programs that have sparked debate and unrest. Will GHF be able to deliver aid fairly amid political tensions, and how will this shape the future of relief efforts in Gaza? We speak with Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of Mercy Malaysia, to get his perspective.

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In Malaysia, the cryptoasset market has been active, with total trading volume more than doubling in 2024 from the previous year. More broadly, digital assets have the potential to benefit the economy. As such, central banks, including Bank Negara Malaysia, have also been harnessing the potential of emerging technologies such as blockchain through initiatives like Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and asset tokenisation. Norasyikin Mohamad Razali, Deputy Director, Payment Services Policy Department, Bank Negara Malaysia tells us their priorities in this space.

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Over the course of the ASEAN Summit, digitalization and AI were major focal points but how can this be championed?

Calvin Woo, Director at MYCentre4IR tells us as a government agency how this can be achieved.

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Russia began its latest round of airstrikes on Ukraine this week, launching its biggest air strikes since it invaded its neighbour in 2022, with over 700 drones and missiles in two nights. Dr Julia Roknifard, Senior Lecturer, School of Law and Governance at Taylor’s University talks about the latest developments including the name-calling between Washington and Moscow.

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Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad have both tendered their resignation from their respective ministerial positions following their losses at the PKR internal elections. Dr Azmi Hassan of the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research joins us to unpack the political implications of these developments.

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• After applying for membership in 2011 and gaining observer status in 2022, Timor-Leste is set to become ASEAN’s 11th member this October. Despite challenges such as poverty and dependence on oil exports, can this young nation transform its membership into meaningful opportunities for itself and the region? To get insights on this, we speak with Chua Tian Chang, Director of Connect Timor.

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• A recent report by the Center for Market Education highlighted that migration presents investment opportunities, as governments across the world seek to maximise their tax base and stimulate their economies. We’ll be speaking with the author of the publication himself, Emile Phaneuf, Research Associate at the consulting firm, to discuss the benefits and challenges of investment migration in ASEAN.

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