Author name: insap

As Malaysia gears up for its highly anticipated 2025 Budget announcement on October 18, one key area that warrants significant attention is the quality of the nation’s roads. Despite
ongoing infrastructure development projects and ambitious plans to modernize public transportation, Malaysia’s road network remains an essential component of its transport
system. However, concerns about road quality, congestion, and connectivity are mounting, with Malaysia being ranked 48th out of 59 countries in terms of road quality in 2022. This puts
Malaysia among the worst globally and there is a need for immediate reforms to improve the state of the nation’s road infrastructure.

PMX will present Budget 2025 this Friday, and the cost of living should be in the spotlight. Malaysia is a country where low cost of living has been a long-standing government priority. This has led to decades’ worth of price controls and food and energy subsidies, ones that other developing countries were either unable to introduce or subsequently had to reform or abandon.

In recent years, a quiet but significant shift has taken place within the global financial landscape. Central banks across emerging markets, particularly in Asia, have been stocking up on gold reserves, pushing up demand for the precious metal. This phenomenon, though gradual, signals a rethinking of the global monetary order with particularly a reconsideration of the US dollar’s dominance. The current rush towards gold can be seen as a reflection of increasing geopolitical uncertainty and a growing need for diversification among emerging economies. Nations, especially in Asia and among the BRICS+ alliance, are leading this global gold accumulation drive, recognizing gold as a stabilizing asset in times of economic uncertainty.

This symposium will explore the crucial role of the Malaysian Chinese community in the country’s independence process from the past, present, and future perspectives. It will also share findings from research conducted at the UK National Archives and expert insights, as well as discuss the political positioning of the Chinese community in the future.

Formal large-scale conversations on Malaysia-Thailand Special Economic Zone (SEZ) took place in late 2023 when Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Thailand counterpart (now former Prime Minister) Srettha Thavisin with an announcement that both countries agreed to turn the border shared between the two countries into a trade zone. As official discussions between the two governments resume with the new Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, when it happens, it becomes increasingly imperative to delineate clear implementation strategies for the proposed Northern Malaysia–Southern Thailand SEZ, complete with well-defined timelines and actionable frameworks.
At the same time, there is no doubt that Malaysia will continue the ASEAN centrality and integration agenda in order to make regionalism work, when it takes over the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. At the same time, Malaysia and ASEAN for that matter, needs to acknowledge that the bilateral arrangements and cooperations between member states, such as the Malaysia-Thailand cooperation, are also important component that could complement the ASEAN framework as a whole.
Rather than competing, this collaboration presents an opportunity for genuine integration through joint operations, where industries complement rather than compete with each other, embodying true vertical integration. This approach perfectly aligns with what could be an ASEAN Synergy 2025 – though not an official vision, it embodies the spirit INSAP believes we should strive for.

Malaysia’s household debt to GDP level was 65.6% in March 2024, which is the highest in Southeast Asia. Bankruptcy cases have also reached a stage that warrants policy review of the current economic conditions and loan structure that may lead debtors deeper into debt. The latest bankruptcy trends among youth, at 54.3% out of the total of national bankruptcy cases, mean policymakers need to dive in to understand why and how younger Malaysians are getting into difficult financial situations – is it caused by a lack of financial literacy or inherent problems in the economy? 

A more universal approach, with more decisive government intervention, is critical. By addressing the root causes of financial distress, for example, through comprehensive economic reforms, improving salary and income structures in the country, providing new sources of economic growth, and creating high-skilled jobs, the government can address the need for loans and prevent Malaysians from defaulting on loans and financial obligations.

The N29 Mahkota by-election provides valuable insights into the evolving political dynamics in Johor and Malaysia as a whole. As the results come in, it is clear that this by-election is not just a reflection of support for individual candidates but a broader measure of party influence, voter sentiment, and the effectiveness of electoral strategies. The outcome of this election offers a unique opportunity to analyse the performance of political parties within the Unity Government and how the shifting alliances and coalitions are shaping the future political landscape.
Preliminary observation from the results of the N29 Mahkota by-election reflects a vote of confidence in Barisan Nasional (BN) and its leadership, particularly in Johor under Menteri Besar Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi. This outcome highlights the continued trust placed in BN by voters and underscores its ability to lead Johor’s development moving forward.

In the evolving landscape of global geopolitics, Malaysia’s decision to deepen its ties with
Russia offers significant opportunities that go beyond traditional economic partnerships. This
move reflects Malaysia’s strategic shift toward diversifying its economic and geopolitical
relationships, particularly within the context of the multipolar world order. Russia, with its
substantial resources, growing markets, and increasing focus on sectors like energy and Halal
products, presents an untapped potential for Malaysia. As the global power balance shifts,
Malaysia stands to gain economically and politically by capitalizing on Russia’s growing
influence, particularly in industries that align with Malaysia’s expertise and aspirations.