Morning Brief

The ringgit was Asia's worst-performing currency in June, sliding 4.5% to a seven-month low as a hawkish Fed under new chairman Kevin Warsh keeps the dollar bid. Saktiandi Supaat, Head of FX Research, Global Markets at Maybank, unpacks what the Fed's split committee means for US rates, whether Bank Negara's measures to attract FX inflows are working, and where USD/MYR heads through 2026 — with the...

For many Malaysians, having medical insurance is becoming increasingly difficult as healthcare costs and premiums continue to climb. Now, the government is stepping in with a new initiative aimed at making basic medical protection more accessible and affordable. Medi-Asas, the government’s Base Medical and Health Insurance and Takaful (MHIT) plan, will enter its pilot phase in the Klang Valley by...

We are once again restructuring how foreign worker quotas are approved and managed. This follows a Cabinet decision on July 1, moving the One-Stop Centre (OSC) from the Home Ministry to the Ministry of Human Resources, with applications now processed through the eQuota module under the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System. The government says this will reduce congestion at the OSC and end...

NATO leaders are gathered in Turkiye’s capital Ankara against the backdrop of an increasingly challenging global security environment. Ukraine remains a central focus, but the agenda stretches well beyond the war, with discussions expected on strengthening Europe's defence capabilities, boosting military spending, and adapting the alliance to new security threats. Leaders are also looking at the i...

Bank Negara Malaysia is phasing out proprietary QR payment networks in favour of a shared interoperable platform run by Paynet within 2 years. What does this mean in practice and how will this shape the digital payments landscape? We discuss this and trends in digital banking with Ravi Kittane of EY Consulting. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Madani government is placing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the heart of Malaysia's industrial strategy, with new funding, a proposed National TVET Commission, and a stronger focus on high-technology industries. Yet the system remains fragmented, with hundreds of programmes administered across multiple ministries and providers. As Malaysia seeks to build a workforce...

Vietnam has reached a new milestone after being reclassified as an upper-middle-income economy, capping decades of rapid industrialisation and export-led growth. Despite a strong second quarter, the country is also contending with rising energy costs, a widening trade deficit, and uncertainty over US tariffs as it pursues an ambitious double-digit growth target. Can Vietnam sustain its remarkable...

Malaysia continues to stand out in Southeast Asia for its relatively strong income level, with GDP per capita reaching about $11,900 US dollars in 2024.However, the Human Rights Measurement Initiative 2026 report shows a more complicated reality beneath these numbers. While quality of life rights reach 76.8%, and safety from the state scores 6.9 out of 10, empowerment remains much lower at 5.1 out...

Malaysia's sharing economy is becoming a major source of employment. But as AI plays a growing role on the platforms used by workers in these fields, questions remain about what workers' rights should look like in this new landscape. We speak to Dr. Rachel Gong, Associate Director of Research at the Khazanah Research Institute, about how workers' rights have evolved, and the gaps that still need t...

Maybank Investment Bank has upgraded the Malaysian technology sector to Positive from Neutral, betting that strong earnings, surging AI chip demand and rising investment in data centres will drive the next leg of growth. But how durable is this cycle, who stands to benefit, and what risks lie beneath the AI boom? We explore the opportunities and trade-offs with Lucas Sim, Senior Equity Analyst, Ma...

Venezuela is reeling after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck within seconds of each other in the country’s north, leaving more than 2,000 people dead, thousands injured, and over 12,000 displaced. Radamés Jesús Gómez Azuaje, Venzuela's ambassador to Malaysia, gives us the latest on search-and-recovery operations in his country. To support the people of Venezuela, the Developmen...

Malaysia's SMEs are entering the second half of the year in a more challenging operating environment, as rising costs force businesses to prioritise efficiency over expansion. While demand has remained relatively steady, many firms are increasingly looking beyond the domestic market for growth, making exports, financing, and energy management more important than ever. As global uncertainty persist...

This Fourth of July, the United States marks 250 years of independence, a milestone that invites both celebration and reflection. Dr Kathryn Robison, a lecturer in American studies at the United States Studies Centre examines what this means for a nation grappling with deep political division and a renewed debate over its global role. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

South Korea’s exports surged 71% in June, the strongest growth in nearly five decades, driven by a near 200% jump in semiconductor shipments as global AI investment accelerates. Brian Arcese, a portfolio manager at Foord Asset Management, shares his insights into South Korea’s growth outlook, policy risks, and where opportunities still exist in the market. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio...

Johor is accelerating its Economic Transformation Plan, an ambitious roadmap featuring 83 projects across eight key sectors, targeting RM167 billion in investments, RM260 billion in GDP contribution, and over 200,000 new jobs by 2030. Dr Francis Hutchinson Principal Fellow & Coordinator of the Malaysia Studies Programme at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, breaks down that this means. Image Cre...

Parliament is set to debate Malaysia’s long-awaited Freedom of Information Bill, a federal level framework guaranteeing public access to government-held data. Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director of the Centre for Independent Journalism, speaks about what she thinks MPs need to understand before the vote as well as the gaps in the draft legislation in its current form. Image Credit: Shutterstock Se...

Extreme heat is no longer just an environmental challenge. It is becoming a growing economic risk across Europe. New research suggests repeated heatwaves could shave up to 7% off GDP in the continent's most exposed economies by the end of the decade, as productivity falls, healthcare costs rise, and governments face mounting fiscal pressures. Is Europe adapting quickly enough, or is climate change...

Malaysia is set to unveil its Low Altitude Economy Blueprint by the end of the year, marking a major step towards developing a new industry projected to be worth RM30 billion ringgit by 2030. But what will it take to safely integrate drones and other low-altitude aircraft into increasingly busy skies? For a better understanding, we speak with Dato' Captain Norazman Mahmud, CEO of the Civil Aviatio...

The fragile nuclear peace preserved since the end of World War 2 is under threat as recognized nuclear powers expand their arsenal amid geopolitical shifts. As even non-nuclear countries begin to consider their non-proliferation stance, can ASEAN maintain its nuclear free zone amid external pressures? We discuss the dynamics at play with Dr. Manpreet Sethi of the Air Power Studies, New Delhi.&nbsp...

Malaysia's durian industry is facing a bumper harvest that has sent prices for lower-grade fruit plunging, while premium varieties such as Musang King continue to command strong export demand. The sharp divide has exposed growing questions over supply, market diversification, and the industry's long-term sustainability. Is this simply a seasonal oversupply, or a sign that Malaysia's durian market...

Malaysia is facing a prolonged period of energy uncertainty, with the government warning that oil price and supply volatility could persist for another one to two years. As fuel costs, food prices, and subsidy pressures mount, policymakers are balancing short-term interventions with longer-term reforms, including the nationwide rollout of the Budi Diesel programme. Is this crisis accelerating much...

The Philippines is facing a more difficult macroeconomic environment as the fallout from Middle East tensions continues to drive elevated global oil prices, impacting inflation in the import-dependent economy. Azril Rosli, an economist at Maybank Investment Bank, shares his insights into what we can expect for this Southeast Asian island nation. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listen...

Global markets are entering the second half of 2026 under growing pressure from multiple fronts : rising geopolitical tensions, elevated energy prices, and persistent uncertainty over the direction of global interest rates. Kenny Yee, Head of Research at Rakuten Trade, shares his insights on what we can expect for the rest of the year. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

Campaigning for the Johor state elections has officially begun after Nomination Day on 27 June. What did Nomination Day reveal about each coalition's strategy, and what could ultimately decide the election? We discuss the race with Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director, Viewfinder Global Affairs. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has tabled a 1,999-page report examining rising medical insurance premiums and private hospital charges. With 17 recommendations now on the table for the government, will they be enough to slow down the rise in medical inflation? We discuss this with Prof. Emeritus Dato' Dr Syed Mohamed Aljunid, President of Malaysian Health Economic Association. Image Credit: S...