Morning Brief

We talk to Azrul Mohd Khalib from the Galen Centre about how the 12th Malaysia Plan should address and anticipate the current challenges in Malaysia's healthcare industry. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last decade, Malaysia’s domestic capital market tripled to RM3.4 trillion. But it pales in comparison to the size of Singapore’s markets. What does this tell us about Malaysia’s underlying economy? Dr. Liew Chee Yoong, Research Fellow, Center for Market Education unpacks the Securities Commission’s Capital Market Masterplan 3 and what more could be done to broaden...

Grant Wyeth helps us unpack Canada's recent election called by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as he tries to secure a majority following the last election in 2019 which resulted in a minority government. Image credit: Katstudio / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early stages of the pandemic, the government implemented a freeze on hiring foreign workers, in part to curb the spread of Covid-19 but also to provide more job opportunities for locals. Recently, the Human Resources Ministry said that the freeze would be extended until the end of 2021 - but this has been met with dismay by employers groups, who say that the labour shortage will affect econ...

Last week, China formally submitted a request to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership - also known as the CP-TPP, what is China's motivation and is China ready to undergo the structural changes necessary in order to comply with the requirements? We speak to Dr Juita Mohamad, Indo-Pacific Fellow, Perth USAsia Centre on this matter. Image Credit: Shutterstoc...

In an interview with Reuters, Datuk Seri Najib Razak does not rule out seeking re-election despite the 1MDB scandal. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs discusses the former Prime Minister’s popularity and its impact on Barisan Nasional’s chances in GE15. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pandemic has revealed gaps in protecting the most vulnerable. Associate Professor Dr Saidatulakmal Mohd, Associate Professor of Economics, at Universiti Sains Malaysia discusses social protection measures that are much needed and how best we can fund a more comprehensive program. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hotels have been badly hit during the pandemic but will the re-opening of Langkawi herald a new beginning for the industry? James Buckley, Executive Director for Capital Markets, Knight Frank Malaysia discusses the challenges faced by hotel owners, their options and his Budget 2022 wishlist. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week the US, UK and Australia announced a new defence pact, dubbed AUKUS, which would see Australia equipped with nuclear-powered submarines. The deal comes at the cost of a USD30 billion agreement between Australia and France, which has blindsided the French government and created a diplomatic furor. Meanwhile China has also criticized the "Cold War mentality" of the AUKUS members, warning o...

Dr Firdausi Suffian, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at UiTM Sabah discusses the reasons why rural infrastructure lag and how we could be more effective in spending. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talk of a windfall tax has resurfaced in Malaysia but is it a good idea for the economy and is it actually regressive? Dr. Veerinderjeet Singh, President of the Malaysian Institute of Accountant tells us. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has long championed for 30% representation of women in leadership positions, but the actual results in our political and legislative spheres remain lacking. Barely 15% of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat are women, while only 9 women occupy ministerial positions in the current government, out of 69 posts. Tengku Nur Qistina, Researcher from the Socio-Policy Department at ISIS Malaysia gives us som...

Professor Ben Cowling helps us unpack the latest developments and research taking the global stage about the need for Booster jabs, as debates continue to rage about the importance of prioritizing vaccine equity with billions still unvaccinated worldwide. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask Dr. Arnold Puyok on whether this new government will be able to move the MA63 agreement forward as the same issues around MA63 keep resurfacing every year during Malaysia Day. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poverty levels in East Malaysia are the highest in the country which has been made worse by the economic scarring caused by Covid-19. We ask Dr. Dayang Affizzah Awang Marikan, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak what the government priorities should be in terms of economic policy when it comes to Budget 2020 and the 12th Malaysia Plan. Image...

Hunter Marston from ANU shares his perspective on the tussle taking place between Myanmar's military junta and the country's shadow government for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly and its potential implications on the ground as ASEAN's envoy tries to bridge the divide between both groups. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datin Noor Azimah, Chairperson of the Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) shares her perspective on the recent phased reopening of schools, as the government plans to reopen schools with tighter SOPs and allowing parents to have the final say. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Brendan Sobie to get his insights into global travel outlook and which airlines are likely to survive post pandemic, as travel restrictions continue especially in the Asia Pacific. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Malaysia hit a significant political milestone with an MOU signed between PH and the Government. 6 key areas were agreed upon with specific timelines for delivery. Wong Chen, MP for Subang and PKR member tells us the rationale behind this MOU and does it affect their ability to be a formidable opposition. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Yesterday, Malaysia hit a significant political milestone with an MOU signed between PH and the Government. 6 key areas were agreed upon with specific timelines for delivery. Wong Chen, MP for Subang and PKR member tells us the rationale behind this MOU and does it affect their ability to be a formidable opposition. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Siti Aiysyah Tumin from Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) unpacks for us the recent SOCSO scheme for informal care workers and discusses what improvements can be made to broaden social protection coverage for those in the informal care economy. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Gary Ng from Natixis about the recent China's private debt implosion with Huarong and Evergrande and will the Chinese Government bail out these corporates that are potentially too big to fail. Image credit: Pixabay.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is scheduled to officiate the opening of the 14th Parliament session later today. This will be the first session under the government led by new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Dr Hamidin Abdul Hamid, Research Fellow at Ilham Centre tells us what to expect from this session and will this MOU that is being signed by the government and PH hold? Image credit:...

The Global War on Terror was launched in response to the September 11 terror attacks in New York, activating multi-lateral international action and cooperation to counter-terrorism. But have these initiatives had the intended effect? We discuss the lessons that can be drawn from the Global War on Terror two decades post 9/11. Image credit: Lars Mudler / Pexels.com See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

The MySejahtera app has been improved in terms of user experience with a check-out feature. How else can the app be used and upgraded to improve our pandemic response? Dr. Kelvin Yii, the Member of Parliament of Bandar Kuching weighs in on the conversation including why cases have been rising rapidly in Sarawak despite high vaccination rate. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listen...