Morning Brief

Yet again, the US government is poised to shutdown as Congress struggles to reach a funding agreement before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1st. How severe could this shutdown be, and what positions are the Democrats and Republicans taking in this big stakes political showdown? Wendy Schiller, Professor of Political Science at Brown University, offers her insights.

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China’s property developers still hold 5.3 trillion yuan in inventory as of June 2025, yet impairments of high-cost stock amount to just under 900 billion yuan, raising doubts over whether losses are being fully recognised. Andrew Chan, Credit Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence tells us if recovery is in sight or if we can expect more defaults.

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The Football Association of Malaysia was fined by the global football body FIFA  for submitting doctored documentation on seven field players in an Asian Cup qualifier. Avineshwaran Taharumalengam, Senior Writer, Sports Desk, The Star tells us what this case reveals about challenges in the Malaysian football landscape and what is the path to sports greatness.

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As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia is close to securing a landmark commitment: persuading major powers like China, Russia, and potentially the US to sign the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (Bangkok Treaty). Chong Ja Ian, Associate Professor of Political Science at the National University of Singapore, shares his insights into what this means for the region’s security.

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To combat online fraud and better protect users, especially minors, the government is urging social media platforms to adopt electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) verification. According to CF Fong, CEO of LGMS Berhad, the key challenge lies in determining who will carry out the process and how the validity of the submitted data will be verified.

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The controversial proposal for both parties to be held accountable in statutory rape cases, including underaged girls has sparked outrage and heated debate. Chief Children's Commissioner Dr. Farah Nini Dusuki reminds us why statutory rape provisions are crucial to protect the interests of children, and also discusses diversion mechanisms for underaged boys.

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Bersatu’s internal rifts are spilling into the open, with statutory declarations, leadership intrigue, and questions over Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s hold on the party. Ariel Tan, Senior Fellow & Coordinator for the Malaysia Programme at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, discusses this and how PAS' urban push might shape Perikatan Nasional as we approach GE16.

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The nascent digital asset market in Malaysia is expected to grow over time, but it will need the assistance of market makers to build depth and liquidity. Varun Mittal, founder of Fintech Nation, points out that markets like Hong Kong and Singapore have advanced more quickly, partly because they are not restricted by currency controls.

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US President Donald Trump’s latest move to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas has sent shockwaves through the tech world and beyond, alarming even companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Muzaffar Chishti, Senior Fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, unpacks the political motivations, economic risks, and long-term implications of America's immigration crackdown.

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According to Nigel Wong, President of the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA), Visit Malaysia Year 2026 will highlight the country’s cultural richness and unique destinations, aligning with global travel trends. He added that Malaysia should focus on attracting high-value tourists who can contribute more spending during their visits.

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