Morning Brief

The government appears to proceed with its proposal to close down the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Malaysia, as disclosed in a written reply to Parliament recently. What implications will this have for the protection of refugees and asylum seekers here? We speak to Lilianne Fan of Geutanyoe Project on this matter. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

As Malaysia gears up for the 15th General Election, we speak to Thomas Fann of Bersih on the role of the Election Commission during this pivotal period. Thomas also weighs in on why it's important for voters to exercise their right at the ballot box. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CP-TPP), 4 years after the agreement was signed in 2018. According to MITI, all legal amendments related to the CP-TPP have been completed, and the trade deal will come into effect for Malaysia on Nov 29th. How will this benefit Malaysia? We speak to Dr Juita Mohamad of IDEAS about the impact of...

The government is hoping to embark on an ambitious legislative initiative in the generational end-game tobacco bill, which would stop the sale of tobacco products to those born in 2007 and beyond. Dr Helmy Haja Mydin, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Technical Advisor to Ministry of Health on tobacco control, gives us an update on whether and when it will be passed in Parliament. Image credit:...

Analysts expect Budget 2023 to remain expansionary, with some even speculating that it could be higher than Budget 2022, which was the highest on record at RM300 billion. Can Budget 2023 thread that fine line of providing a cushion for economic volatility, while also ensuring fiscal discipline? Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist of Bank Islam Malaysia shares his expectations. Brought to you by Mah Sin...

OPEC+ members agreed to impose production cuts of up to 2 million barrels per day in a bid to keep oil prices elevated. This is the most significant round of cuts since 2020. What does this mean for oil prices? Salih Yilmaz, analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, gives us that answer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest findings of the Public Accounts Committee on the littoral combat ship (LCS) and MySejahtera controversies highlight the gaps in public procurement processes and implementation. We speak to Dr Muhammad Mohan, President of Transparency International Malaysia, on the lessons that should be learnt from these projects as well as his Budget 2023 wishlist. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnyst...

Labour shortages, the rising cost of building materials and looming recession fears continue to stifle the construction industry. So what will help the industry get back on their feet? And what is their wishlist for Budget 2023? Oliver Wee, President of Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) tells us. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image credit: Shutterstock See om...

Thailand has been one of the slower ASEAN economies to recover from the pandemic slump. In a further blow to the economy, Thailand is facing its worst flooding in years, impacting its tourism and agricultural sector. What policy levers does Bangkok have to stimulate economic growth? We discuss the outlook for the Thai economy with Krystal Tan of ANZ Bank. Image credit: teera.noisakran / Shuttersto...

With Budget 2023 slated to be tabled on October 7th, questions arise whether Pakatan Harapan would abide by the MOU signed with the government and support the budget. In addition, is PH coming up with its own shadow budget to provide an alternative to the voting public? We speak to PKR member and Subang MP Wong Chen on opposition expectations for the budget. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystud...

Although mid-tier companies represent around 2% of total business establishments, they contribute around 40% to Malaysia's GDP. How can Budget 2023 create a level playing field for Malaysian mid-tier businesses which are so important as they attempt to compete in regional markets? We speak to Callum Chen of the Malaysian Consortium of Mid-Tier Companies for their budget wishlist. Brought to you by...

Brazilians went to the polls to vote for a President, which ended in a runoff which is now scheduled for October 30th. The main candidates for Latin America’s largest economy could not be more different in personality and policy. Clara Ferreira Marques, columnist, at Bloomberg Opinion gives us her opinions on President Jair Bolsanaro and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and who might win. Image credit: E...

Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has made requests to attend the current Dewan Rakyat sitting and to visit his constituency in Pekan while serving his 12-year prison sentence. What are the rights of a convicted Member of Parliament? We pose this question to criminal lawyer Goh Cia Yee. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the Malaysia Retail Industry Report for September 2022, Malaysia’s retail industry recorded a growth rate of 62% in retail sales in Q2 versus 18.3% in the prior quarter. But will consumer sentiment remain high as inflation bites? We speak to Tan Hai Hsin of Retail group Malaysia on retail players’ Budget 2023 wishlist. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image c...

We discuss how controversies in crypto markets will impact Singapore’s bid to become a financial hub for digital assets with crypto watcher Varun Mittal following the collapse of stable coin TerraUSD this year that has triggered a downward spiral for the crypto markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With UMNO sending the strongest signal yet that GE15 will be called before the end of the year, we speak to Ibrahim Suffian of the Merdeka Centre for analysis, and what an earlier GE15 will mean for the incumbents and the opposition. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Bank Negara announcing a series of new measures last week to help safeguard against financial scams, we speak to Aznan Abdul Aziz, Assistant Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia about the implementation of these measures. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SMEs were hammered during the pandemic, struggling with limited cash flow and reliance on brick-and-mortar operations. The government sought to help them with multiple assistance packages amounting to billions, as well as the record Budget 2022 of RM332 billion. With the country’s economy still on shaky ground, what can we expect from Budget 2023 that might help SMEs recover and grow? Chin Chee Se...

With North Korea carrying out 4 ballistic missile launches next week, which some security observers say could be a precursor for nuclear tests later this month, we discuss what this means for the region with William Pesek, columnist with Nikkei Asia, and what Kamala Harris's trip to South Korea mean for US-Sino relationship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Although diners have returned to restaurants and eateries with the full reopening of the economy, current economic conditions are far from ideal for the F&B sector. Cost pressures, including higher raw material expenses and labour shortages, have put F&B operators in a dilemma given inflation is also constraining consumers' wallets. Can Budget 2023 provide a boost? We speak to Datuk Garry...

The pandemic has changed the nature of work permanently with hybrid work becoming the norm. But what about the 4 day work week? Will employers accept this? And what are the challenges of implementing this? Mariam Salman, Campaign Officer at 4 Day Week Campaign in the UK tells us about its feasibility. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With general elections around the corner, talk of seat allocations and which candidates will run where is rife. PKR President Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim recently signalled that he would not be defending his seat in Port Dickson, and may instead aim for a seat held by defectors from Pakatan Harapan. On the other side of the aisle, PAS has indicated that they will decide next week on which team to side...

Even with the full reopening of the economy, Malaysia's automotive sector remains beleaguered by the after effects of the lockdowns, supply chain disruptions and chip shortages. Can Budget 2023 provide impetus for the sector's recovery and growth? We discuss the auto sector's budget wishlist with Datuk Aishah Ahmad of the MAA.   Brought to you by MahSing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. See om...

Saudi Arabia’s 86-year-old king has appointed his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to replace him as prime minister, continuing a gradual transfer of power of the world’s largest oil exporter. Dr James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies tell us the reasons for this whilst weighing on the recent protests in Iran.   Image credit: Shutterstock Se...