TNS News

22/04/2026

New on TNS News

Is the Malaysian ringgit no longer an emerging market currency?

Economist Shan Saeed argues the ringgit is evolving into ASEAN’s key macro hedge as global risks rise.

Read the full analysis:https://tnsnews.com.my/currency-markets-asean-economy-tns-news/

21/04/2026

For a brief moment, the Strait of Hormuz reopened and markets breathed a sigh of relief.

Less than 48 hours later, tensions returned and the energy crisis deepened again.

In this week’s Regional Lens column, I explore how the Gulf crisis is exposing Southeast Asia’s energy vulnerabilities — and why ASEAN must strengthen its resilience before the next disruption.

Read the full article here.

Sharp perspectives on the issues shaping Southeast Asia BY TENGKU NOOR SHAMSIAH TENGKU ABDULLAH Column No. 5 — 21 April 2026 — TNS News The Strait Opens and Closes Again: ASEAN Braces as the Ceasef…

19/04/2026

MALAYSIA THIS WEEK: What You Need to Know
Big week for Malaysia! Here's what happened:
🛢️ Energy moves: Australia's PM visited to talk fuel supply, then our PM announced we'll negotiate with Russia for oil. Smart diplomacy or risky move? You decide.
📈 Economy looking up: IMF just upgraded Malaysia's growth forecast to 4.7% - better than expected!
⚖️ Corruption crackdown: MACC arrested several high-profile figures this week, including CEOs linked to multi-million ringgit scandals.
Want the full breakdown? Read our weekly Malaysia in Brief 👇
https://tnsnews.com.my/malaysia-this-week-2/

Energy Diplomacy, Growth Optimism and Anti-Corruption Drive Shape National Agenda Your Weekly Briefing on Politics, Economy & SocietyEdition: Week of April 13–19, 2026 KUALA LUMPUR – Mala…

18/04/2026

In this week's TNS News editorial, Editor-in-Chief Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah examines the full significance of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's official visit to Malaysia — from the landmark Joint Statement on Energy Security and the Strategic Halal Red Meat MoU, to the frank exchange on Gaza and the moral dimensions of a partnership shaped by more than 70 years of shared history. Read the full editorial on TNS News at

The Australian Prime Minister came to Malaysia not just in friendship but in strategic necessity and both nations are better positioned for it PUTRAJAYA, 18 April – There is a telling detail …

17/04/2026

Malaysia sources 38% of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz — and the crisis just got worse.
With Trump's naval blockade now in force and peace talks in Islamabad collapsed, Bank Muamalat Chief Economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid warns that business costs and the cost of living are set to rise — and that oil prices are likely to stay elevated even if a ceasefire is reached.
"Even if some truce can be achieved, the damages to the oil and gas infrastructure and facilities in the gulf region will take years to be repaired and reconstructed," he told TNS News exclusively.
Read the full analysis 👉 tnsnews.com.my/energy-security/

Malaysia Faces Energy Shock as Hormuz Crisis Threatens 38% of Oil Supply Bank Muamalat economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid warns elevated global oil prices and rising business costs could pers…

16/04/2026

Malaysia and Australia today formalised their energy security partnership in Putrajaya, with Prime Ministers Anwar Ibrahim and Anthony Albanese signing a joint statement pledging open trade flows and a "no surprises" framework on LNG and fuel even as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed for a seventh week. Read the full report on TNS News.

Malaysia and Australia sign energy security statement and halal meat partnership while calling for de-escalation in West Asia BY TENGKU NOOR SHAMSIAH TENGKU ABDULLAH PUTRAJAYA, 16 April 2026 — Prim…

16/04/2026

The world just got a little less uncertain — and capital is already moving.
Following the US-Iran ceasefire talks in Islamabad, Juwai IQI's Global Chief Economist Shan Saeed says three regions are emerging as the big winners: ASEAN, the GCC, and Africa.
Each brings something different to the table:
✅ ASEAN — growth, demographics, and policy stability
✅ GCC — liquidity and strategic capital deployment
✅ Africa — scale, critical minerals, and long-term potential
"In a fragmented global economy, capital is no longer passive — it is discerning, mobile, and relentlessly forward-looking."
Read the full exclusive interview on TNS News 👇https://tnsnews.com.my/after-islamabad-the-rise-of-asean-gcc-and-africa-as-the-new-global-growth-triad/

08/04/2026

Most people know something feels off about the global economy in 2026. Fuel prices. Sticky inflation. Geopolitical tension everywhere.
But is it possible to actually measure how much risk is in the system?
Juwai IQI's Global Chief Economist Shan Saeed thinks so — and his Global Macro Risk Index puts us firmly in stress territory right now.
We sat down with him to find out what that means, why the Strait of Hormuz matters more than most people realise, and what leaders should be doing differently.
Full interview on TNS News 👇

With the Global Macro Risk Index pointing to a Stress Regime and oil sitting above US$100 per barrel, Juwai IQI Global Chief Economist Shan Saeed argues that the risks of 2026 are not hidden — they…

07/04/2026

Malaysia’s economy remains resilient — but rising oil prices are beginning to test the country’s fuel subsidy system.

In an interview with economist Geoffrey Williams, he warns that when global oil prices exceed US$100 per barrel, Malaysia’s RON95 subsidy bill could reach around RM4 billion per month.

Despite these pressures, Malaysia’s broader economic fundamentals remain sound, supported by strong financial institutions and steady growth momentum.

The real question now:
Will the current global challenges become a catalyst for economic reform?

Read the full analysis on TNS News. https://tnsnews.com.my/tns-news-economy-analysis-malaysia-resilient-but-reform-cannot-wait-says-economist-prof-geoffrey-williams/

With oil prices above US$100 costing RM4 billion a month in RON95 subsidies, Williams says behavioural change is urgently needed and that Malaysia can emerge stronger if today’s challenges become a…

06/04/2026

The Iran war is now sending shockwaves far beyond the Middle East.

For Southeast Asia, the disruption of oil supply, rising fuel costs and growing economic uncertainty are becoming immediate challenges. Governments across ASEAN are scrambling to secure energy supplies while managing inflation risks and fragile supply chains.

In this week’s The Regional Lens, I examine how the crisis is reshaping the region’s energy security — and why Malaysia has emerged as an unexpected diplomatic intermediary in one of the world’s most dangerous conflicts.

Read the full analysis on TNS News. The Iran war is now sending shockwaves far beyond the Middle East.

For Southeast Asia, the disruption of oil supply, rising fuel costs and growing economic uncertainty are becoming immediate challenges. Governments across ASEAN are scrambling to secure energy supplies while managing inflation risks and fragile supply chains.

In this week’s The Regional Lens, I examine how the crisis is reshaping the region’s energy security — and why Malaysia has emerged as an unexpected diplomatic intermediary in one of the world’s most dangerous conflicts.

Read the full analysis on TNS News.
https://tnsnews.com.my/the-regional-lens-phone-calls-ultimatums-and-the-weight-of-a-year-asean-navigates-its-most-pressured-week/

Sharp perspectives on the issues shaping Southeast Asia By TENGKU NOOR SHAMSIAH TENGKU ABDULLAH Column No. 4 — 6 April 2026 — TNS News As the Iran war enters its sixth week with no ceasefire in sig…

31/03/2026

Iran–US War Day 32

Oil prices above US$116.
50,000+ US troops deployed.
A 6 April deadline approaching.

The conflict is now impacting energy markets, shipping routes and global trade.

Latest analysis from TNS News.

Iran–US War Day 32: Trump Sets April 6 Energy Deadline as Hormuz Crisis and Red Sea Threat Expand Conflict MONDAY, 31 MARCH 2026 | DAY 32 OF OPERATION EPIC FURY Editor’s Note This is an updated edi…

29/03/2026

MALAYSIA THIS WEEK | Edition 2

From political rumours to fuel subsidies and a northern heatwave — it has been an eventful week in Malaysia.

This week’s briefing covers:

• The viral Nurul Izzah resignation rumour
• Khairy Jamaluddin’s potential return to UMNO
• Growing questions surrounding the MACC controversy
• The government’s decision to cut the RON95 subsidy quota
• Heatwave alerts across Perlis, Kedah and northern Perak
• And the viral engagement announcement of Syed Saddiq and Bella Astillah

All the key developments that shaped the week — in one briefing.

Read Malaysia This Week now on TNS News.

Your weekly briefing on politics, economy & societyEdition 2 | Week of 22–29 March 2026 | TNS News The week of 22–29 March 2026 will be remembered as one in which Malaysia’s domestic politics g…