Morning Brief

Azam Baki’s third-term reappointment as MACC chief has drawn strong criticism from C4, Nurul Izzah, PAS and others, amid concerns over transparency, institutional independence, and ongoing investigations. As scrutiny grows, questions remain over the Madani Government’s commitment to reform and the future of anti-corruption efforts. Giving us clarity is Pushpan Murugiah, CEO of the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4).

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Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has won the mayoral election in his home Davao City from behind bars in the Hague where he faces charges of crimes against humanity over his war on drugs. Erin Cook, a journalist for Southeast Asian Affairs, shares her insights into how the midterm results might signal waning support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and if we are witnessing a reshuffling of power.

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New rules are being introduced for foreign workers in Malaysia, with the government now requiring employers to be present at exit points when workers leave, or face penalties. Additionally, migrant workers can now switch employers across different sectors. Adrian Pereira, Executive Director, North-South Initiative shares insights on these changes and how they can be effectively implemented.

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Trump’s plan to reverse Biden-era AI chip export controls could benefit Malaysia, offering new opportunities amid ongoing tariff talks and efforts to advance up the semiconductor value chain, attract investment, and strengthen its position in global supply chains. Analyst Farlina Said weighs in on the potential impact.

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The long anticipated trade talks between the US and China came to a close on Sunday, and in a joint statement yesterday, both countries have agreed to roll back tariffs on each others’ goods for an initial 90-day period. Brock Silvers, CIO, Kaiyuan Capital gives us his perspective on how this could affect China’s economy moving forward.

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Recent PKR divisional election surprises and Rafizi Ramli’s leave and resignation offer have stirred concerns over party unity. With speculation around a possible leadership contest involving Nurul Izzah or Saifuddin Nasution, questions arise over PKR’s cohesion and its positioning within the broader national political landscape. Dr Azmil Mohd Tayeb, Political Scientist and Associate Professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia shares his insights.

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Bank Negara Malaysia retained the OPR at 3%, signalling a measured yet optimistic stance despite mounting global volatility from U.S. tariffs and inflationary pressures. With subdued Q1 inflation and a ringgit vulnerable to external forces, focus shifts to policy adaptability and structural reforms to fortify resilience. Julia Goh, Senior Economist at UOB shares her analysis.

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President Xi Jinping is on a four-day visit to Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin at a time when geopolitical dynamics are in flux. How are China-Russia relations evolving under a mercurial Trump White House? We discuss expectations for this visit with Dr. Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

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Malaysia’s chip sector faces growing risks from U.S. tariffs and global supply chain shifts. The Madani government is pursuing strategic deals with AMD and ARM, but questions remain about industry readiness, resilience, and long-term design ambitions. Dato' Wong Siew Hai shares key insights.

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• Following the April 22 terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” striking nine suspected militant sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In response, Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian jets. We speak with Dr Rahul Mishra, Associate Professor at the Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi to better understand the implications of this escalation.

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