As competition intensifies and costs remain structurally high, Malaysia’s food and beverage sector heads into 2026 under tougher conditions. Patrick Sim, Council Member of the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) and Group CEO of Secret Recipe, shares his insights.

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The High Court’s rejection of convicted felon Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest bid has sent ripples through Malaysia’s political landscape. Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director, Viewfinder Global Affairs, shares his insights into what this development means for UMNO, Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional, and the stability of the Madani government.

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• 2025 has been a volatile year for the global semiconductor industry, with tariffs, export controls and renewed US–China tensions putting technology firmly at the centre of geopolitical risk. We ask Dato' Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) about the challenges that local semicon players faced this year, and the outlook for 2026.

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Yesterday, the High Court rejected former Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak’s bid for house arrest, ruling the royal decree invalid. Could this mark the end of his political influence, and does he have other legal options? We’ll discuss this matter with Independent Business Writer, P. Gunasegaram.

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• Indian equities continue to command attention. The Nifty 50 is up more than ten percent year to date, even as global investors grapple with slower growth, trade tensions, and rising focus on currency risk. What lies beneath this resilience, and what does it mean for Indian equities as we look toward 2026. We explore these questions with Pramod Amthe, Head of Institutional Equity Research at InCred Capital.

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Malaysia’s retail industry grew faster than expected in the third quarter of 2025, expanding almost 5% on a y-o-y basis, significantly exceeding the projected growth rate of 2.6%. Could this momentum carry over into 2026? We’ll be getting an outlook for the sector from Michael Liew, Secretary-General, Malaysia Retail Chain Association.

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Tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border have escalated beyond a familiar bilateral dispute, drawing renewed regional and international attention. Bunn Nagara, Director & Senior Fellow at the Renaissance Strategic Research Institute, examines why the conflict matters now, what is truly at stake for Southeast Asia, and what mediation might look like.

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As the world’s second-largest producer, palm oil remains a cornerstone of Malaysia’s economy and its most important cash crop. 

But despite that importance, prices have struggled to find clear direction in 2025. What then is the outlook for 2026 and which planters have a better earnings profile. Alvin Tai, Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence tells us.

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Shipping companies in 2025 had to navigate geopolitical disruption, tighter environmental rules and uncertainty over future fuel choices. All of which reshaped trade flows and operating costs. Kenneth Loh, Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence tells us if the outlook of 2026 will continue to be as challenging.

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Kuala Lumpur is entering a critical phase, with a new Federal Territories Minister, a new Mayor, and a long-term vision like the KL Structure Plan 2040 in place. Cha-ly Koh, founder and CEO of UrbanMetry, talks about whether this moment represents a true reset for KL or whether the city remains locked into past decisions.

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