Why a Sunway–IJM Merger Must Be Opposed?

A Case for Competition and National Interest

Lately, speculation has swirled about a possible merger between Sunway Bhd and IJM Corporation. Whether or not the deal actually materialises, the very fact that “the tree leaves are rustling” is a warning sign that there’s a wind blowing. 

Back in 2021, IJM divested its non-core businesses to Sunway. The relation was established. There is a need to be suspicious even though IJM has denied that any approach or proposal has been made. 

This blogger argue strongly against such a merger. The risks are profound as it is creating a near-monopoly in Malaysia’s construction and infrastructure sector, undermining Bumiputera institutional interests, and potentially masking deeper corporate governance and political problems.

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Integrity as the cornerstone of national prosperity

By Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah / The Edge Malaysia

10 Nov 2025, 11:45 am

The word integrity comes from the Latin integer, which means complete, whole and steadfast — a state of being supported by honesty, sincerity, transparency and moral strength. 

Integrity also signifies the quality of being whole and undivided, where actions remain consistent with one’s principles and ethical values, practised continuously in all aspects of personal and professional life. 

Integrity calls upon us to do the right thing in a reliable way.

Ibn Taymiyyah, in his work Al-Siyasah al-Shar‘iyyah fi Islah al-Ra‘iwa al-Ra‘iyyah wrote: “Justice and trustworthiness are the pillars that uphold governance and life; when these two are lost, all human affairs will collapse.”

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Malaysia ART the US: Beyond the Noise

Malaysia’s newly signed Agreement on Reciprocal Tariffs (ART) with the United States has stirred one of the most intense political debates of the year.

To its critics, it compromises Malaysia’s sovereignty and leaves the country vulnerable to Washington’s pressure. To its defenders, it’s a necessary move — a pragmatic safeguard to preserve export access and jobs in a volatile global trade climate.

As the noise swells, it’s worth untangling what the ART really is, what it is not, and how Malaysia should move forward.

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Malaysia compromise sovereignty, Cambodia did not?

Imagine two neighbours agreeing to exchange tools — I lend you my ladder, you lend me your drill. We both decide that this swap doesn’t mean I lose ownership of my ladder, or you lose your drill; it simply means we’ve made a friendly promise we can both keep when needed. 

In a similar way, the recently signed Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Malaysia and the United States is not a surrender of sovereignty and hardly a compromise of sovereignty [as explained by this Facebooker HERE]. 

In his regular contribution to The Star, Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah of ISIS Malaysia explained that this treaty-style arrangement is like a mutual handshake: each side voluntarily agrees to certain obligations so that both can gain and operate freely. The idea that Malaysia compromises its independence is therefore misplaced. 

Sovereignty isn’t hollow just because we commit to a bilateral understanding — such agreements are normal features of international diplomacy and trade. Mere mentioning of sovereignty in the RTA involving Cambodia, does not tantamount to anything substantive than a political statement. Devil lies in the detail.

A rebuttal of Rafizi by Syahir HERE and Sofrie Anuar in the commentary. Syam Ghaz explained HERE that it is not an apple to apple comparison. Cambodia merely export textiles, apparels and third party exporter of solar for China. While, Malaysia export higher value added goods such as IC, semi-conductors, E&E, etc. 

In the ART between the US and Malaysia, it is treated as a shared exchange rather than an imposition, the Star letter shows Malaysia remains in full control of its choices and direction. In short: signing a mutual deal doesn’t mean giving away the keys — it means choosing to cooperate. 

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