Start with a better comparison
“Are Malaysian ETFs bad?” is a useful opening question, but a broad label cannot tell us much about a particular fund.
I would start with comparable exposure, then examine the costs and practical trade-offs. A local equity ETF and a global equity ETF answer different portfolio questions.
The fee on the label
The comparison needs the actual fund expenses reported by the fund, with a clear reporting period. A management fee on its own is an incomplete cost comparison.
A finished version of this article would show each fund’s reporting period, total expense measure, and original source alongside the numbers.
The costs at the trade
Next, I would examine the prices available to an investor, including the bid–ask spread, brokerage, and currency conversion.
A spread and a difference from underlying value are separate questions. One cannot be used as proof of the other. A claim about pricing against underlying value needs appropriately matched data.
What would change my mind?
Comparable exposure, lower total costs for the relevant investment size, and credible trading data could change the comparison.
The useful conclusion is about specific funds and implementation. This design draft leaves the result open until the evidence is assembled.