Morning Brief

‪Dr. Le Dinh Tinh shares his assessment on Vietnam's latest Q3 GDP numbers, the country's linkages to the global supply chain, and how it tends to accelerate their current vaccination programme as it lags behind regional peers. Image credit: dangquangn / Pixabay.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bersatu and Umno have both stated their readiness to contest GE15 seats, without compromising with the other. Given their similarities and with the addition of PAS as another potential element splitting the Malay vote, which party is more likely to come out on top? Dr. Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate at the University of Nottingham-Malaysia weighs in with her analysis. Image credit: Shu...

A recent survey by Ipsos Malaysia titled, "Are We Ready To Be Back In Office?” found that 33 percent of Malaysians prefer working from home completely, while another 32% were prepared to return to the office. We discuss the findings of the survey as well as how the pandemic will impact post-pandemic working arrangements for employers and employees alike. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See om...

YB Nurul Izzah Anwar shares her perspective on the reason behind the low take-up of TVET and proposes the structural reforms necessary to strengthen this much needed programme. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the government pledged to transform the public sector, calling it out as a critical policy enabler in the delivery of the plan. Patrick Tay from PwC Malaysia tells us what the roadblocks are and what needs to be done to achieve this. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The digital divide has been exacerbated by Covid 19. The 12th Malaysia Plan does attempt to address this but does it go far enough? Dr. Rachel Gong, Senior Research Associate at the Khazanah Research Institute tells us. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

William Pesek uncovers who Fumio Kishida is and what to expect for Japan under his administration as Japan's 100th Prime Minister. Image credit: EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems we never learn the lessons of the past as Dr. Muhammad Mohan from Transparency International-Malaysia explains the challenge of accountability, as more skeletons in the cupboard are unearthed and listed from the 2019 Auditor-General’s report. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RM400 billion has been set aside for development expenditure under the 12MP but some of that is also for GLC rehabilitation. Dr. Nungsari A. Radhi, Economist tells us if this is a step in the right direction. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salih Yilmaz, Oil Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence shares his perspective on how the fast recovery in demand and whether the supply shortage is attributed to the price surge in both oil and gas prices, as policy makers grapple between energy security and environmental sustainability? Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chin Chee Seong, Vice President, SME Association of Malaysia shares his perspective on how SMEs would react to the 12th Malaysia Plan and his hopes for Budget 2022 as SMEs struggle to survive. Image credit: YuriAbas / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nydia Ngiow from Bower Group Asia gives up an update on recent developments in Singapore as they grapple with a surge in new COVID-19 cases, the recent debate over inequality, as well as proposals of a potential wealth tax. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the government allocated RM400 billion for development expenditure. This is a 61% increase from the 11th plan yet keeping a fiscal deficit target of 3% to 3.5% of GDP by 2025. Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist at Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad tells us if this ambitious targets are achievable. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The 12th Malaysia Plan sets out the roadmap for the country to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Malaysia. But how does it fare when it come to healthcare? Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Chair of the Selangor Task Force on Covid-19 tells us whether there are more hits or misses. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tricia Yeoh from IDEAS shares her assessment of the 11th and 12th Malaysia Plan, as well as helping us dissect the highlights and gaps that exist in the plan. Image credit: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Frederick Kliem from S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies helps us unpack the recent election results in Germany, where the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have narrowly won, triggering horse-trading to build the next government. Image credit: Michael Schwarzenberger / Pixabay.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The vaccination program for teenagers has started in Malaysia but there still remains uncertainty over the roll-out program. Assistant Professor Dr. Farhan Rusli, Public Health Medicine Specialist & Director of the Selangor Task Force (COVID-19) Operation gives us the mechanics of the plan and also the benefits of vaccines for them. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

We ask Lavanya Rama Iyer, Head of Policy & Climate Change at WWF Malaysia the progress and track record of the government in focusing on environmental sustainability in the lead up to COP26 and the much anticipated 12th Malaysia Plan. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world most indebted property company turned conglomerate, Evergrande is facing a debt pile of over US$300 billion with a serious cash crunch. Alfredo Montufar-Helu, Beijing Director, The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network tells us the backstory of how this happened and is the Chinese government going to save the day. Image credit: hxdbzxy / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listen...

US President Joe Biden has been beset with foreign policy missteps in his first year of office, with both partners and rivals. The Afghanistan withdrawal was criticized for lack of coordination and consultation with NATO allies, while the recent AUKUS defence pact created consternation with France as well as China. We discuss the highlights of President Biden's address at the 76th UN General Assem...

It was reported that about 90% of Members of Parliament (MPs) did not attend the afternoon parliamentary sessions, causing a delay to proceedings as the quorum was not met. Aira Azhari, Manager of the Democracy and Governance Unit, IDEAS & Member of The Seed Community for a Professional Parliament discusses their lackadaisical behavior. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listene...

The upcoming 12th Malaysia Plan is in sharp focus following previous iterations that while well-formed in structure and planning, has missed the target on a broad range of issues due to poor implementation. Dr. Shankaran Nambiar, Head of Research, Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER), discusses. Image credit: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Launched in 2013, the Malaysia Education Blueprint (MEB) ends in 2025. With four more years remaining, what problems continue to besiege our education system? Idris Jala, CEO of PEMANDU Associates discusses. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The lifting of the voting age to 18 and automatic voter registration will see 8 million new voters enter the electorate, including a million under the age of 21. What are political parties doing to court the youth vote, and what do the younger generation desire from political leadership? We speak to Ibrahim Suffian of the Merdeka Centre on the trends in youth and politics. Image credit: Shuttersto...

The Securities Commission announced that it is revamping the framework for Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPAC) listing. Pankaj C. Kumar, financial market columnist discusses the necessary changes. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.