Mahathir, traders' one-time foe, gets a cautious market welcomeFor a leader who once suggested outlawing currency trading, newly (re)installed prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad got a decent welcome from financial markets on Monday.In retrospect, closing the onshore markets for two days after Wednesday’s election looks like a wise move.

At 92, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is now the world’s oldest elected leader. He’s also the first to return to power after a lapse of 15 years, at the helm of a different political party. His place in Asian history is assured.There’s still room, however, to burnish his legacy. Mahathir doesn’t plan to remain in office long, only until his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim is pardoned of sodomy charges and wins a by-election for parliament.

The six-decade stranglehold of Malaysia’s ruling coalition is smashed. Dr Mahathir Mohamad, two months shy of 93, emerged from retirement to ignite citizens to overthrow a shamelessly kleptocratic regime. Citizens astonished at the fall of UMNO waited anxiously as the Palace juggled technicalities, delaying swearing-in the seventh prime minister till 9.30pm on 10 May.Sultan Muhammad V had revoked Mahathir’s Kelantan State award in February for derogatory remarks about Bugis pirates.

On 9 May, Malaysians from all walks of life exercised their right to vote and made history. For the first time in over 60 years, Malaysia will see a new ruling party in power.Barisan Nasional – a coalition made up of various parties such as the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) – and its predecessor the Alliance Party, have ruled Malaya and Malaysia since the nation’s independence in 1957.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that Malaysia’s king has indicated he’s willing to immediately pardon jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim, his likely successor.Anwar, 70, is the de facto leader of the Pakatan Harapan alliance that won Malaysia’s election earlier this week, ending the Barisan Nasional’s six-decade rule.

On 9 May 2018, Malaysians from all walks of life will go to the polls in what has been dubbed “the mother of all elections.” The elections on Wednesday, the country's 14th since gaining independence in 1957, will decide whether the National Front (Barisan Nasional) will continue ruling Malaysia as it has for the past 61 years. If it wins, Barisan Nasional will continue to be the longest ruling political party in the world.This election is unlike any other in Malaysia’s history.

e-Commerce is now in fashion. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has seen many sweeping changes take place in the tangible market, with Southeast Asia’s internet economy growing exponentially. In the region, e-Commerce transactions have leapt from US$5.5 billion in 2015 to US$7.9 billion in 2017. By 2025, the industry is projected to reach US$88.1 billion, attaining the status as the most valuable segment in the Southeast Asian internet economy.

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Musa Hitam will be representing Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Najib Razak as head of the Malaysian delegation to the 32nd ASEAN Summit held in Singapore from 27-28 April 2018.While no explicit reason for Razak's absence was given, Razak who is also party chairman of the ruling Barisan Nasional, is expected to be tending to domestic commitments as Malaysia braces for elections in early May.

The harnessing of renewable energy is seen as an integral component within the development plans of countries across the globe. Increasing carbon footprints, agricultural pollution, deforestation, as well as the release of excessive chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere are among the issues that have necessitated a collective effort to protect the environment from further degradation and destruction. Such an initiative is the International Sustainable Energy Summit (ISES) 2018.

More companies are opting for robotic automation of their manufacturing processes to get ahead, as reported by McKinsey & Company in 2017. Mainly, two types of robots, collaborative robots and industrial robots, are permeating the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing has been a pivotal factor in ASEAN’s development story by attracting earnings in foreign currency and investments for infrastructure-building, and creating employment opportunities within the region.