Wei Hoong joined The Straits Times in July 2024, after serving as press secretary to Malaysia’s transport minister. An international studies graduate from Monash University Malaysia, he has had a varied career, including as a risk analyst for a consulting firm and a corporate communications manager for a state government agency. He cut his teeth as a political journalist with independent media outlet Malaysiakini, reporting in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese. In his spare time, he enjoys soaking in a hot spring with a good book.