Morning Brief

Global private equity deals are soaring but does the same trend apply in Malaysia? Preman Menon, Malaysia Strategy and Transactions Leader, Ernst & Young, answers. Image credit: Unsplash.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the rest of the world tries to find ways to reopen borders safely and transition to an endemic phase of Covid-19, China has taken a different tact in maintaining a zero Covid approach. How sustainable is this pandemic strategy and what could be the implications in the long-run? We discuss China's economic outlook with Alfredo Montufar-Helu of The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network. Image...

Despite Singapore's rising prices, we ask Chan Ai Cheng from Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents why the residential property market isn't enjoying the same returns as our neighbours down south? Image credit: Unsplash.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s electorate will soon swell by around 5.8 million voters upon implementation of the Undi18 and automatic voter registration laws, with many questions now swirling around the implications of this fresh influx. Ben Suffian, Programme Director, Merdeka Center, analyses. Image credit: Unsplash.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brendan Sobie explains whether Omicron will have an impact on the Asia Pacific market and the expected recovery trajectory as markets slowly reopening. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pandemic has ravaged the education of millions of children nationwide with few able to cope with online learning and device and connection issues, prompting calls for a more holistic approach to teaching. Chew Mei Yee, Head of Coaching and Support at Teach For Malaysia, discusses. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted many structural weaknesses in our economy, despite the positive economic indicators that we’ve seen in 2021. What are the structural issues in our economy that require urgent attention for Malaysia to achieve its target of becoming a high-income nation? We discuss with trade expert Dr. Tham Siew Yean. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener...

The early days of 2022 has been a volatile ride for the tech sector as the reality of 3 rate hikes by the Feds begins to be priced in. Daniel Ives, Managing Director of Wedbush Securities gives us his views as to whether this sector will continue to outperform and what are the names we should watch. Image credit: Unsplash.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's booster jab campaign has been running since October 2021, with a patchy take-up rate. Why do people seem to be more skeptical of the need for a vaccine booster? We discuss measures to increase the booster dose rate and improve public confidence with public health expert Dr. Mark Cheong. Image credit: Unsplash.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has seen a slew of new political parties enter the field, with the latest being Parti Bangsa Malaysia led by former PKR member and Julau MP Larry Sng. Can new parties such as PBM, Warisan, Pejuang and MUDA make a splash in GE15? We discuss the new political landscape with political commentator Dr. Oh Ei Sun. Image credit: Parti Bangsa Malaysia Facebook See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Financial services firm Morningstar forecasts that the global semiconductor industry could see a supply glut in 2024, as foundries heavily increase capital spending in response to the widespread chip shortage. Equity analyst Phelix Lee discusses the trends he sees affecting the demand-supply cycle for chips, and why TSMC remains the top stock pick. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudi...

Cheong Yen Li from PwC shares her perspective on the impact of the lifting of the suspension of issuance of new courier service licenses in September. Image credit: Unsplash.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researcher Lalitha Kunaratnam revealed that she has been issued a letter of demand by Tan Sri Azam Baki, over the publication of two articles on share purchases, we ask Dato' Mah Weng Kwai, Commissioner of SUHAKAM whether we are giving enough incentives and protections to whistleblowers who sound the alarm on corruption.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new year began with turbulence in Kazakhstan, after violent street protests erupted in response to rising gas prices. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sought help from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to quell the unrest. We discuss the political dynamics at play within Kazakhstan and in the broader region with international political commentator Dr. Jam...

The Malaysian government recently approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years old, following the footsteps of other countries such as the US, UK and Singapore. We discuss the safety concerns of the vaccine with consultant paediatrician Dato' Dr. Mohd Nordin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With supplies short and demand high, the global semiconductor industry is in a Goldilocks (read: ideal) period, begging the question of what's next. Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association, answers. Image credit: Pixabay.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America remains deeply polarised one year after the January 6th Capitol Hill riots, which saw Donald Trump supporters break into Congress to protest the presidential elections. We discuss whether key actors will be held accountable for the event as well as President Joe Biden's one-year score card with US political expert Mark J. Rozell. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/...

Despite the decision by the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board to absolve Tan Sri Azam Baki, Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), many parties are calling for further scrutiny of the case. We speak to Tricia Yeoh of IDEAS on the importance of due process and accountability in public institutions. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Following public furore over reports of millions of ringgit in MACC Chief Tan Sri Azam Baki's share trading account, the public is now rightly asking why conflict-of-interest obligations in public markets don't apply to civil service. As a primer, Devanesan Evanson, CEO, Minority Shareholders Watch Group, explains the corporate governance rules on conflict of interest in Bursa Malaysia. Image cred...

Malaysia's five digital banks are expected to be announced soon, with the narrative now shifting to market strategy and path to profit. Vincent Fong, Chief Editor, Fintech News Malaysia, discusses. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As India experiences another wave of Covid, Pradeep Taneja from the University of Melbourne gives his perspective on how prepared are authorities for the present Covid-19 surge, and how has the management of the pandemic impacted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Khor Yu Leng, political economist from Segi Enam Advisers explains the rationale, or lack of, behind the exorbitant increase in costs to recruit domestic helpers. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2021 was a blockbuster year for cryptocurrencies, with both Bitcoin and Ethereum reaching new highs in November, even if it didn’t last long. However the asset class continues to be characterised by extreme volatility, making entry into mainstream markets difficult. We discuss the outlook for cryptocurrencies in the new year with Varun Mittal, Chief Growth Officer, Singlife with Aviva. I...

The severe flooding occurring across multiple states this monsoon season is a reckoning of our environmental policies. Many environmentalists argue that deforestation and excessive logging are the main reasons for these flooding disasters, and that both federal and state governments need to step up conservation efforts. Forestry researcher Lim Teck Wyn walk us through the gaps in the present land...

Prices of daily essentials are on a rising trend due to supply chain shortages and inflationary pressure. This put undue hardship on some segments of society but are price controls the solutions. Professor Geoffrey Williams, economist, Malaysia University of Science and Technology tells us. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.