IT was tough and challenging – those were the words uttered by an official involved in negotiating the return of the nine Malaysians banned from leaving North Korea.

THE Kim Jong-nam murder case at KLIA2 has moved into a new phase.

TOMORROW marks three weeks since Kim Jong-nam suffered an agonising death on Malaysian soil.

Even if the ambassador to Malaysia has crossed the line, there would be short- and long-term implications in expelling him.

No more wait and see if pact can be revived, Malaysia must work quickly to push for RCEP conclusion and other potential bilateral FTAs or risk being left behind.

Malaysia is taking the lead to keep the pressure on Myanmar over the plight of the Rohingya.

The high-speed rail project is a chance to move forward cross-border relations, but we must be prepared to negotiate well.

Malaysia must have a sound strategy to address this matter or risk straining bilateral ties with Myanmar.

With or sans the United States, the Pacific-Rim nations may have to go back to the drawing board for a new incarnation of the free trade deal.

Tightened purse strings have tied the hands of our diplomats – abroad and locally.

The ‘brotherly’ ties between Malaysia and Thailand could not have been emphasised any better than during the latest round of bilateral talks between the two countries’ leaders in Bangkok.

ONE is the new kid on the block in the international arena while the other is making an exit.