Morning Brief

We ask Wong Chin Huat how does a political funding bill ensure great transparency and a better state of politics for the country amid frustration over the lack of progress to legislate political funding on both sides of the aisle See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Wednesday, the Pakatan Harapan presidential council gave the government an ultimatum to announce a plan to tackle cost of living issues within 24 hours, otherwise the coalition will take to the streets. How is PH strategizing to regain flagging voter support ahead of widely expected general elections? We discuss the developments with political analyst Dr. James Chin. See omnystudio.com/lis...

Aside from supply tightness resulting from the war in Ukraine and the ensuing US and EU ban on Russian oil, refining capacity is another reason for brent crude prices above USD110. We explore why refiners are not expanding their capacity and what does sustainability mean for valuations with Horace Chan, Senior Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener...

Since the onset of the crisis in Sri Lanka, observers have drawn parallels with the structural economic issues in Malaysia that could lead us down a similar path. Once a jewel of South Asia, what went wrong in the economic development story of Sri Lanka, and what are the biggest lessons that Malaysia can learn? Independent writer P. Gunaseram weighs in. Image credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudi...

The Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council gave the government an ultimatum to fully announce a plan to address the issue of subsidies and cost of living within 24 hours, or face street demonstrations. Does the opposition coalition have an alternative solution to the country's inflation woes? We follow-up on the statement with PKR Communications Director Fahmi Fadzil. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The Sri Lankan economy continues to freefall, with headline inflation spiked 45% in May compared to the year before, the highest level since 2015 due to rising food and transport costs. The government is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and bilateral partners for financial assistance, with an IMF deal expected for the end of the month. How is the fall out affecting the lives...

With ESG and sustainable investments projected to increase at a rapid pace in the future, many businesses around the world are pressed to get into ESG or be left behind. One such sector is the insurance sector where more companies are adopting ESG principles into their funds and also company frameworks. But is that growth reflected here in Malaysia and how will the insurance players adapt to the g...

The total subsidy bill of RM71 billion is weighing down the government's fiscal health calling into question the sustainability of the current subsidy and price control framework. But how do you balance the welfare of the people and what is best for the Malaysian economy? Dr. Juita Mohamad, Director of Economics and Business and Acting Research Director, IDEAS helps answer that question. See omnys...

With Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof saying that the ministry needs an allocation of RM3.4 billion to repair sick or damaged federal roads throughout Peninsular Malaysia, we ask Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, Professor of Transport Engineering, USM on what needs to be done to fix our expired roads Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has upgraded its outlook for the airline industry’s 2022 financial performance, amid faster recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. But with a litany of headwinds from labour shortages to fuel price increases, can aviation players expect to breakeven in the coming year? We discuss the outlook for the aviation sector with Khair Mirza of Modalis Infrastr...

Amy Wong from Knight Frank shares her perspective on how property prices will evolve amid the higher cost of building materials, the recent rise in OPR rates by Bank Negara, and inflation concerns. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How will French President Macron push through key reforms in the assembly following French voters denying him an absolute majority in parliament? Professor Peter McPhee, Emeritus Professor of History, University of Melbourne helps us unpack the challenges Macron will face. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The highest increases in poverty rates were in the states of Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan and Kedah. We speak to Dato Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of MERCY Malaysia to discuss why these states have been left behind in our move towards high income nation by 2025 and what can be done to rectify it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recruitment of foreign workers from Bangladesh continues to be delayed over policy squabbles regarding the companies appointed to conduct the process. Khor Yu Leng, political economist from Segi Enam Advisors helps us understand why is there a delay and what are the consequences of it. Image Credit: Hafiz Johari/Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week the government announced that beginning June 16th, all rides on RapidKL public transport will be free for one month. While rides may be free for passengers, it will cost the government RM155 million ringgit. Will free rides restore public confidence to use public transport amidst crippling traffic jams as the economy reopens? Researcher Aziff Azuddin weighs in. See omnystudio.com/listene...

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Malaysia has more than 182,000 refugees and asylum seekers as of April 2022. 25% of that figure comprises children under the age of 18. Despite being host to so many people fleeing conflict and abuse, Malaysia does not have an effective legal framework to legitimise the position of refugees. What policies are needed to improve the situation of re...

With a sharp Fed Fund rate hike of 75bps and more to come at each FOMC meeting, what are the implications to the US and global economy? Which Asean countries are in better shape to weather the coming economic storm? Suan Teck Kin, Head of Global Economics & Markets Research from UOB tells us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Car deliveries are at a near-standstill following a perfect storm of global and domestic factors, triggering a series of interesting alternative travel, including in public transport and small motorcycles. Daniel Fernandez, Managing Director of the car portal www.dsf.my , analyses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With nationalism and polarisation continuing to rise globally, Dr Ross Tapsell from the Australian National University gives us an overview of developments taking place across ASEAN this year and how social media has shaped the regional political landscape. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) will convene its International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on 23 June, to assess whether the continuing Monkeypox outbreak represents a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. We speak to Dr. Chan Yoke Fun, Associate Professor and Head of Medical Microbiology at Universiti Malaya as to whether there should be any cause for concern and if Mal...

With recent economic data showing mixed signals, we ask Gary Ng from Natixis if China’s economy is in recovery mode, or whether the worst is still to come. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sub-humane conditions in Malaysian jails and an apparent lack of political will for reform plague ex-prisoners, curtailing already slim chances of rehabilitation and a return to society. Jerald Joseph, former Commissioner of SUHAKAM, weighs in on the challenges of prison reform and his recommendations on what to prioritise in policy-making. Image Credit: Mohd Izwan Awang / Shutterstock.com See omn...

Malaysia has lost further ground in the race for global foreign direct investment (FDI), according to IMD's 2022 World Competitiveness Ranking, raising much-needed self-scrutiny into the country's development priorities. Daniel Bernbeck of the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, analyses the factors considered by foreign investors and how Malaysia stacks up against regional peers. I...

The past few days have been terrible for cryptocurrency markets, with the market cap of crypto falling below USD1 trillion US dollars, down from USD3 trillion at its peak in November. The sell-off comes as investors rotate out of the riskiest assets due to macroeconomic headwinds and rising interest rates. Once touted as a hedge against inflation and the future of money, can cryptocurrencies rally...

This Friday, the Malaysian Bar is staging a “Walk for the Independence of the Judiciary” at Padang Merbok, in response to the anti-corruption probe into Justice Mohd Nazlan Ghazali, the judge who presided over the SRC International 1MDB trial and convicted former Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak. However, given the current climate of political polarisation, how much of an impact will the prote...