Matthew Barsing
Founder of ASEAN Rising · Author of Unleashing Malaysia's Economic Potential · Speaker and advisor on Southeast Asian execution economics.
Selected commentary in the New Straits Times
18 pieces by Matthew Barsing published in the New Straits Times, columns, business insight and letters on Malaysia's economy, capital flows, talent and policy. All links go directly to nst.com.my.
2026
Digital financial education can help guide young Malaysians
For decades, financial education followed a predictable format. Workshops. Printed guides. Occasional talks at universities. The intention…
Hidden cost of full financing for EVs
Malaysia wants to go electric. Charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) are multiplying. New models are arriving. Incentives are…
The RTS Link could redraw Malaysia's economic map
The Johor–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link will soon compress what has long been one of Southeast Asia's most frustrating daily journeys…
Direct hiring of foreign workers poses challenges for employers
Malaysia's proposal to introduce a direct digital platform for hiring foreign workers is being positioned as a long-overdue reform.
Degrees are starting points, not finish lines, in shifting labour market
For a long time, our society operated on a simple promise: study hard, get a degree and build a stable career.
Household resilience vital for economic growth
Recent data from the Household Income Survey released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia warrants closer attention…
Shared interests define Malaysia–Uzbekistan ties
Bilateral relationships are often assessed through headlines and ceremonies.
AI is changing jobs quietly
Public debate about artificial intelligence and employment is often framed in extremes. Either AI is portrayed as an imminent job destroyer, or…
Why talent is coming back to Malaysia
Every few weeks, I receive a message that quietly restores my optimism about Malaysia's future.
2025
Data centres: Hot projects that need to be cool
The global expansion of data centres has become one of the defining industrial trends of the digital era. Governments court investment…
Next-Gen EVs must deliver on battery recharge, other industry innovations
For over 10 years, the world's carmakers have promised an electric future. They held conferences, released strategy documents, and…
Investors are going big on Malaysia
Malaysia is entering a new phase of economic confidence. The announcements made over the past year tell a clear story.
National strategy, coupled with a stable currency pivotal for drawing home talent
The strengthening ringgit has once again revived an old debate — whether that will encourage Malaysians working in Singapore to return home.
Seamless expat support gives Malaysia an edge in tapping global talent
Foreign professionals who arrive in Malaysia often speak about the warmth of our people. What surprises them more now is how simple and efficient…
Malaysia's subsidy reform and fiscal maturity
The government's RM470 billion 2026 Budget, presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is more than a financial plan. It is a test of…
Why permanent residency needs reform
Malaysia's story is one of growth through collaboration. In the 1970s and 1980s, foreign professionals helped build our national…
US H-1B Visa: Prepare to welcome back talented Malaysian diaspora
The latest announcement by US President Donald Trump that foreign workers in America will be charged a staggering US$100,000 for the H-1B…
Protecting gig workers in the age of automation
The rise of Malaysia's gig economy has been nothing short of dramatic.
This page tracks Matthew's most relevant commentary in the New Straits Times. For the full live archive, including the latest pieces as they are published, see the NST search archive. For original analysis published on this platform, see the Analysis page.