Karim Raslan is an acclaimed Southeast Asian commentator and columnist. He is the founder and CEO of the KRA Group, a public affairs consulting firm with an ASEAN-wide focus. A graduate of the University of Cambridge, he has developed a deep understanding of business and politics across Southeast Asia, especially of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

His weekly syndicated column Ceritalah, which discusses socio-political developments and current issues in the region, is published in Malaysia in three languages: English, Mandarin and Malay, in The Star, Sin Chew Daily and Sinar Harian newspapers respectively. His columns are also published in Indonesia’s The Jakarta Globe and Kontan newspapers, as well as Singapore’s Today. Karim has also appeared as a commentator on Southeast Asia with the BBC, CNN, CNBC, Al Jazeera and Bloomberg.

He is the author of five books, “Ceritalah: Malaysia in Transition,” “Heroes and Other Stories”, “Ceritalah 2: Journeys Through Southeast Asia and “Ceritalah 3: Malaysia the Dream Deferred” as well as his first Bahasa Indonesia-language book, “Ceritalah Indonesia”.

From 2010/2011 he served as the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council chairman for Southeast Asia. Karim is also a member of the International Crisis Group’s Board of Trustees.

In 2013, Karim’s documentary series “Ceritalah Malaysia” was aired in the lead-up to the Malaysian General Elections on Astro Awani.

In 2014, a follow-up documentary “Ceritalah Indonesia” was subsequently aired on Astro Awani and several online platforms. The series focused on Indonesia’s transition from a nation in turmoil to a rising economic power in the lead-up to its legislative elections.