Geopolitical tensions and wars are now dominating headlines. Yet three decades ago, the world was a much more optimistic place. The idea of Asia Pacific, and the idea of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), reminds us that there is an alternative vision of a peaceful,…
Semiconductors are the most strategic goods of our time, akin to the new oil. Although one would assume that such a strategic sector would attract a lot more attention, up until recently it was only treated as a private investment, with Malaysia Investment Development Authority…
I shared my view at the Indo-Pacific Economic Forum – Singapore 2024 organised by French premier economics institution Le Cercle des économistes. The theme of the conference was “Indo-Pacific: shaping a new global balance” whereas my session was themed “the Indo-Pacific’s role in value chain…
Annyeonghaseyo. I am delighted to be invited to say a few words at the Malaysia-Korea Look East Policy Business Summit and to join you in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Look East Policy. Building lasting friendships Let me begin by sharing my personal story with…
The polycrisis of the pandemic, geopolitical tensions and wars, financial instability and climate change makes it difficult for the steel industry to chart its future. At the recent Malaysian Iron and Steel Industry Federation (MISIF) forum on “Navigating global market dynamics for a sustainable future…
We are in a new era which will see semiconductors as both the new oil and the new source of global conflict. Intel founder, the late Gordon Moore, predicted in 1965 that the number of components that could be fit on each chip would double…
Southeast Asia and China are geographically close, yet in the last century only a handful of those who made their mark in the region have been able to influence the inner workings of their giant northern neighbour. These include business titans Tan Kah Kee and Robert Kuok, plague…
Let me begin with a small but meaningful change instituted by the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad on batik and building temperature. Yes, wearing batik to work. In the early weeks of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s premiership, he…
If we get it right and at the same time get our acts together, when we look back 10 years down the road, 2023 may be remembered as the beginning of Malaysia’s second take-off. If we fail, our country will continue to stagnate as we…
My first task as deputy international trade and industry minister was to represent my minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, at the 10th Asean-EU Business Summit, in conjunction with the 45th Asean-EU Commemorative Summit, in Brussels. At the forum, I spoke alongside His Excellency…