Morning Brief

Malaysia’s mobile service providers have come under increasing scrutiny, with the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission issuing over 900 directives for non-compliance since 2022. Amin Ashaari, CEO of tech news site SoyaCincau.com talks to us about what this reveals about the quality (or lack thereof) of our wireless networks and what needs to change.

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The Dewan Rakyat on Monday passed the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025, meaning courts are now empowered to sentence certain offenders to community service instead of imprisonment. Giving his thoughts on whether this alternative form of punishment works, is Dato’ Vignesh Kumar, Advocate and Solicitor and former Deputy Public Prosecutor.

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The government’s decision to run two immigration systems in parallel, the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) and the upcoming National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) has raised concerns about overlapping functions. We speak to Alex Ong, Country Representative of Migrant CARE, to unpack the implications.

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The U.S. economy remains steady, while China grapples with an overcapacity issue that’s weighing on its corporate sector. With expectations building over whether the trade truce will be extended—or if tariffs will snap back to over 100%—Beijing and Washington are once again at a critical crossroads.

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Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will be continuing its electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan for the upcoming state election, reaffirming a partnership that began in 2023. This comes amid allegations of corruption linked to a former aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. James Chin, a professor in Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, shares insights into the latest developments there.

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The Hang Seng Index has hit a four year high yet property prices are down by 30% since June 2021. We ask Patrick Wong, Head of Hong Kong & Senior Analyst, Asia Pacific Real Estate, Bloomberg Intelligence as to why this negative correlation exist. We also ask if the Chinese property market which is in the doldrums has any impact on Hong Kong.

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is in Indonesia to meet President Prabowo Subianto as both neighbours hold their first Annual Consultation in almost eight years. Julia Lau, Senior Fellow, and Coordinator of the Indonesia Studies Programme at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute shares insights into what both leaders are expected to address.

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Malaysia's Human Rights Commission, Suhakam, is now left with only three commissioners left, below the minimum required by law, with one more due to step down soon. Jerald Joseph, Director of Pusat Komas, Chair of CSO Platform on Reforms and a former Suhakam commissioner talks about the implications of this leadership vacuum and what needs to change.

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Last week, the Securities Commission (SC) Malaysia said it may introduce mandatory corporate governance practices 

in the upcoming revision of the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance. P. Gunasegaram, Independent Business Writer tells us if this is good for Malaysia Inc and why it needs to be followed by enforcement.

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A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia is likely only if both sides can reach a deal that allows their leaders to “save face” domestically. Sebastian Strangio, Southeast Asia Editor at The Diplomat, shares his insights on what it will take to secure lasting peace in the region.

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