After a stronger-than-expected finish to 2025, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has raised Singapore’s economic growth forecast for 2026 to between 2 and 4 per cent, pointing to a global AI investment boom, resilient trade, and firm performance in sectors like manufacturing and finance. Selena Ling, Chief Economist, OCBC Bank helps us break down and the data and what we can expect from Budget 2026.

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Khazanah Nasional recorded a 5.2% return in 2025 and paid out RM2 billion to the government, despite global volatility. Ng Tzu Hann, CEO of Tradeview Capital, discusses how the fund balances long-term wealth creation with supporting strategic national priorities, the risks of domestic focus versus global diversification, and what Malaysians should expect from Khazanah’s investment strategy going forward.

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In Malaysia, there is more than one pathway to becoming a lawyer. Anishaa Sundramoorthy, Co-Chairperson of the National Young Lawyers and Pupils Committee , Malaysian Bar explains this to us whilst we also consider if we should include other reforms to raise the standards of the legal profession.

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The debate over whether Kuala Lumpur should have a directly elected mayor is gaining momentum, with Perikatan Nasional cautioning that elections alone may not solve the city’s governance challenges. Dr Afif Bahardin, PN Selangor Secretary and Taman Medan Assemblyman, shares his views on why his party doesn't think it would work.

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The Nikkei 225 hit a new high on the back of Prime Minister's Sanae Takaichi big election win. Ivailo Dikov, Head of Japan Equities, Eastspring Singapore tells us what sectors stand to benefit from her economic policies and if we can expect more in terms of corporate reform.

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Recent developments involving a senior figure at a listed company have brought renewed attention to the roles, responsibilities, and liabilities of executive and non-executive directors. Dr Ismet Yusoff, CEO of Minority Shareholders Watch Group, gives us some clarity on the concerns at stake and how boards should strengthen governance and oversight frameworks.

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting political pressure following the sudden resignations of key senior aides, renewed scrutiny over Peter Mandelson’s diplomatic appointment, and growing dissent within Labour’s ranks. Dr Benjamin Barton of the University of Nottingham Malaysia share some insights into this issue.

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Japan’s political landscape has shifted as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds majority. What does this mean for Japan’s future policies and its role in the region? We analyze the election outcome with Michael Cucek, Assistant Professor of Asian Studies, Temple University, Japan Campus.

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Over the weekend, India and Malaysia signed 11 MOUs in an expansion of the India–Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Covering areas such as trade and investment, science and technology, and defence and security cooperation, what might we hope to see as the outcome? Discussing this further, we have Dr. Jayant Menon, Visiting Senior Fellow, ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, to delve deeper into this. 

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The preliminary results for Thailand’s general election point to caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party emerging with a commanding lead. Dr. Greg Raymond, Senior Lecturer, Australian National University (ANU) tells us if the results were expected and what would be the priorities of this administration.

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