Many would have thought renting is a cheaper option than owning a house, especially in a big city like Kuala Lumpur. Drawing on the salary/wage data, this article argues that the cost of renting an apartment/condominium and a serviced apartment, which are likely the most available units for rent, is generally not affordable. An average-salaried individual in Kuala Lumpur is likely to face significant challenges in securing an affordable rental housing unit in the city.

This article examines whether banning social media for children under 16 could help address Malaysia’s childhood obesity issues.

Relying on foreign assembly is a middle-income trap. To reach high income, ASEAN states must nurture indigenous national champions that control the technology.

ASEAN trade stagnates because we lack assembly hubs. To compete with China, we must attract Tier 1 manufacturers and build a seamless regional supply chain.