Phase 2 of the National Digital Network, JENDELA, is set to be launched to improve 4G connectivity nationwide. However, this initiative has been facing mounting criticisms for its delays and inefficiencies since it was initiated in 2021. Dr Rachel Gong, Deputy Director of Research at Khazanah Research Institute, helps us understand the challenges surrounding JENDELA and Malaysia's digital strategy.

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In the past month or so, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had attempted to impose martial law, was impeached with a warrant subsequently issued for his arrest but was thwarted. PM Han Duck-soo was then appointed acting president but was also impeached almost immediately after. William Pesek, a columnist at Nikkei Asia helps shed some light into what is happening in South Korea.

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Jailed former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is now a step closer to serving the rest of his sentence under house arrest, after the Court of Appeal allowed his judicial review application related to a royal addendum. Criminal lawyer, Goh Cia Yee, explains what the implications of this decision might be as well as how a house arrest might work when there are no provisions for this in Malaysian law.

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PUSPAKOM, the sole provider of vehicle inspection services for over three decades, is back in the news with four of its officers under investigation for approving vehicles that do not meet safety standards, putting lives at risk. Transport consultant, Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, shares his insights into how vehicle inspections can be improved especially with PUSPAKOM's monopoly ending and at least 10 companies applying to provide these services.

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Bitcoin has rallied 42% since the US presidential election in early November which saw Donald Trump win. Since then, the coin has hit an all-time of US$107,000. Andy Baehr, Managing Director and Head of Product at CoinDesk Indices, talks about what we can expect as the pro-crypto Trump officially moves into the White House.

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Although economic indicators appear positive going into 2025, SMEs are not fully convinced that this will translate to better business this year. We do a channel check with Chin Chee Seong of the SME Association of Malaysia about the headwinds concerning SMEs in the new year.

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Malaysia is taking on the role of 2025 ASEAN Chair at a time of uncertainty over geopolitical dynamics with an incoming Trump presidency. How should Malaysia position itself as the leader in tackling regional challenges? Analyst Bunn Nagara weighs issues that should be prioritised.

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Data from the Statistics Department in 2023 have revealed that nearly 98% of P-hailing and E-hailing workers were youths aged 15 to 30. Another set of data from Statista, show the value of the online ride-hailing and food delivery market in Southeast Asia trebling by this year. Jose Rizal, Chief Activist of the Malaysian eHailing Association (GEM), shares his thoughts on where Malaysia stands.

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The equity performance of ASEAN was a tale of two halves with Singapore and Malaysia both ending 2024 on a strong note whilst the laggards were Thailand and Indonesia. Andrew San, Head of EM Equities, Amundi Malaysia tells us his outlook for 2025 and what investment strategy we should adopt to outperform.

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government saw a 2024 that has experienced both momentum and hurdles in 2024 amid public dissatisfaction over economic measures like subsidy cuts and the controversial partial pardon granted to Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Meanwhile, the opposition Perikatan Nasional has struggled to maintain a united front. Dr Syaza Shukri, Associate Professor, International Islamic University of Malaysia shares her thoughts as well as what she thinks 2025 might bring.

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Chinese equity markets started the year on a lackluster note albeit there was a remarkable turnaround in September when the government issued a bevy of fiscal support. However by the last quarter of the year, Chinese equities have returned half of September's 35% gain and remained in a tight trading range. What then can we expect in 2025? Yip Kah Ming, Assistant Portfolio Manager, AHAM Capital tells us.

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