Morning Brief

Malaysia attracted RM218.5 billion in approved investments in the first half of 2026, with foreign investors accounting for almost 60% of the total and AI-related projects continuing to drive interest. But investment remains concentrated among a handful of countries and states, while a tougher global environment could test whether recent momentum can be sustained. Can Malaysia reach its RM382 bill...

The BRICS Summit in New Delhi brought together some of the world’s most powerful leaders, with members projecting unity despite divisions over conflicts in West Asia and the future of the global order. Malaysia, attending as a BRICS partner country, used the gathering to deepen bilateral ties, including growing cooperation with India in semiconductors and supply chains. What does Malaysia stand to...

UMNO has wrapped up its annual general assembly which saw PAS leaders attending, Pakatan Harapan partners notably absent, and UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi calling for GE16 to be brought forward. Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director of Viewfinder Global Affairs, helps us unpack what UMNO's latest moves could mean for Malaysia's political landscape ahead of GE16. Image Credit: Shuttersto...

For decades, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 has been at the heart of Sabah and Sarawak's demands for greater rights, revenue and political representation. And now, we see Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chairing the latest MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting. Ariff Adi Putera Anwar, Research Associate at the Institute for Development Studies (Sabah), discusses the significance of this...

Indonesia’s economy grew by more than 5% in the first half of 2026, but strong headline growth has yet to convince financial markets. Capital outflows, a weakening rupiah and concerns over President Prabowo’s expansionary fiscal policies have forced Bank Indonesia into aggressive rate hikes, while higher fuel costs and the threat of El Niño add further pressure. Can Southeast Asia’s largest econom...

The US-Iran conflict has entered a more dangerous phase, with attacks widening across the region, oil prices surging past US$105 a barrel and uncertainty growing over the Strait of Hormuz. Inside Iran, sanctions, fuel rationing and shortages are adding to economic pressure, while the IAEA’s decision to refer Tehran to the UN Security Council raises the stakes over its nuclear programme. With Presi...

As the 63rd Federal Territories Pardons Board convened in Putrajaya, constitutional lawyer Lim Wei Jiet joined The Morning Run to unpack the legal and constitutional mechanisms governing clemency bids and house arrest options. He discussed the extent of the Pardons Board's powers and the legal hurdles surrounding house arrest enforcement following recent High Court rulings. He also addresses the p...

Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, but its arrival comes with an eye-watering RM9,499 starting price and a broader shift upwards in iPhone pricing. With no base-model iPhone 18 and the previous generation remaining at RM4,299, Apple appears to be testing just how much consumers will pay for a premium smartphone. Has Apple delivered enough innovation to justify the higher...

European business confidence in ASEAN is rebounding, with 78% of surveyed companies expecting to increase trade and investment in the region. Yet expansion is becoming more selective, while non-tariff barriers, regulatory fragmentation and uncertainty over US trade policy continue to weigh on companies. With Malaysia among the preferred markets for expansion and 50 years of EU-ASEAN relations appr...

Malaysia has spent years debating political financing reform, yet there is still no dedicated law governing how political parties raise, spend and disclose their funds. With the government now consulting all 72 registered parties on proposed legislation, questions remain over donor transparency, contribution limits, enforcement and who should regulate the system. Could public funding eventually re...

Air India is seeking around US$1.1 billion in fresh equity from its owners, Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, after posting a record loss of more than US$2 billion for the 2025-26 financial year. The request has become a flashpoint in Singapore's parliament — SIA holds a 25% stake in the carrier and is itself majority-owned by Temasek, prompting opposition lawmakers to question whether state-linke...

Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) captured around 44 percent of the vote in the small state of Saxony-Anhalt, beating the party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz into a very distant second place. This is the closest a far-right party has come to power in Germany at the state level since the Second World War, making headlines around the world. Framed by the mainstream media as “anti-immigrant” with link...

Nearly 3,000 flights have been disrupted and more than 340,000 passengers affected, after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau caused widespread disruption to Indonesia’s aviation network. Although several airports have reopened, the situation highlights the wider risks volcanic eruptions can pose to air travel across Southeast Asia. With Malaysia connected to many regional routes, could continue...

Malaysia is reportedly considering Huawei’s AI chips for a RM2 billion national data initiative, despite US warnings over the use of advanced Chinese technology. The decision could test Malaysia’s long-standing strategy of balancing relations with Washington and Beijing, particularly as its booming data-centre industry remains heavily connected to American technology. Would embracing Huawei give M...

Malaysia is set to introduce a Coroners Bill next year as the government seeks to create a more independent and transparent system for investigating deaths. The proposed reforms could go beyond determining how someone died, giving coroners a greater role in identifying systemic failures and preventing similar deaths in future. What are the weaknesses in the current inquest process, what safeguards...

PAS's federal ambitions are being closely watched as political realignments take shape. Ibrahim Suffian, Co-Founder and Programs Director at the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research, joins The Morning Run to analyse PAS’s strategy as it shifts from an opposition anchor to the prospective lead partner of a national governing coalition. Ibrahim evaluates the significance of UMNO leadership attending...

AirAsia is seeking to raise up to $1 billion in international debt and RM700 million in local credit facilities to refinance expensive pandemic-era obligations. Brendan Sobie, Independent Analyst and Consultant at Sobie Aviation, joins The Morning Run to evaluate the budget carrier’s balance sheet pressures and assess why price-sensitive regional low-cost models remain vulnerable to macro volatili...

Malaysia has raised the mandatory e-invoicing threshold to RM3 million in annual turnover, offering thousands of SMEs a temporary operational reprieve, but it creates new questions, concerns, and potential compliance issues. Thenesh Kanna, Executive Director of TraTax, joins The Morning Run to break down what this policy shift means in practice and why the fine print on turnover could catch unprep...

Following the conclusion of the 72nd PAS Muktamar, PAS member Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah, Kedah State Executive Councillor and Jitra Assemblyman, joins The Morning Run to break down the primary outcomes of the gathering. He explores the party's core focus on Malay-Muslim unity, its open-door stance toward political dialogue, and the intent behind passing 33 key motions. Dr. Haim highlights a proposa...

Bank Negara Malaysia has kept the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) steady at 2.75% as robust first-half GDP growth offsets persistent global risk factors. Abdul Mu'izz Morhalim, Chief Economist at MBSB Research, joins The Morning Run to unpack the central bank’s decision, analysing how surging E&E exports continue to drive macro expansion even as domestic demand shows signs of moderation. Mu'izz we...

Following UMNO's recent state election momentum, what will be the key signals to watch at the upcoming General Assembly? Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director of Viewfinder Global Affairs, joins The Morning Run to analyse the key dynamics expected at the AGM, including grassroots pressure over PAS cooperation and internal calls touching on the party's role within the ruling government coalition. Adib e...

The US and Venezuela have struck a sweeping oil agreement that could eventually unlock greater access to some of the world’s largest crude reserves, while Caracas is reportedly considering leaving OPEC. The developments come as renewed US-Iran hostilities are once again threatening global energy supplies and pushing oil-market risks higher. Could Venezuelan production ultimately help contain price...

Transboundary haze has returned to Sarawak, and businesses say the recurring pollution is increasingly taking an economic toll, forcing some SMEs to scale back operations while adding to health and operating costs. The SME Association of Sarawak is now calling for compensation and stronger action against those responsible for the fires behind the smoke. But how should losses be calculated, who sho...

Market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and changing interest rates are reshaping how affluent Malaysians think about their money, with greater emphasis on diversification, resilience and preserving wealth rather than simply maximising returns. Younger investors are also bringing different expectations around technology, AI and sustainable wealth creation, while families face increasingly impo...

Xi Jinping’s first state visit to Egypt in a decade comes as China seeks a larger role in a Middle East transformed by the Iran war, the Gaza conflict and growing uncertainty over US influence. With Egypt controlling the strategically vital Suez Canal, deepening economic ties with Beijing and even expanding military cooperation, the relationship increasingly extends beyond trade. Is Cairo simply h...