Still struggling, still groping in the dark

Across Southeast Asia, governments are pushing forward with difficult reforms, institutional upgrades, and long-term strategic investments.

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They are building their foundations for sustained resilience in an unpredictable global environment. Yet the Philippines finds itself in a troubling position: while its neighbors move with coherence and purpose, the country remains entangled in political upheaval, institutional fragility, and stalled development momentum. It is, once again, groping in the dark.

The contrast has grown more striking, and more worrying.

MALAYSIA: STABILITY, DISCIPLINE, AND STRATEGIC VISION

Malaysia under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is pushing forcefully for structural and fiscal reforms designed to enhance productivity, strengthen competitiveness, and attract high-quality investments. Fiscal discipline is intact, and public trust, an intangible but crucial asset, is relatively strong.

Despite global headwinds, Malaysia expects last-quarter growth to surpass its already robust third-quarter performance of 5.2%, with nine-month real GDP at 4.7%. Its 4% to 4.8% full-year target appears well within reach.

Malaysia’s business community is focused on forward-looking initiatives: deepening regional integration through high-standard trade agreements, strategic linking of services and manufacturing, and launching Southeast Asia's first electric vehicles (EV) battery passport standard, a major step toward building a competitive EV ecosystem. The message is clear: Malaysia is preparing its economy for the next technological frontier.

Malaysia is not waiting for global conditions to improve. It is preparing ahead of time.

SIGNS AND WONDERS

DIWA C. GUINIGUNDO

Are we drifting toward another EDSA?

INDONESIA: AMBITION ANCHORED IN REFORM