Morning Brief

Yesterday, statements emerged from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Conference of Rulers, indicating support for the reopening of Parliament as soon as possible. What kind of political implications will this statement have? We speak to Dr. Hamidin Abd Hamid, Research Fellow, Ilham Centre to find out. Image credit: C.O / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under the weight of a surge in Covid-19 cases, Indonesia's economic outlook is looking even more dire than initially expected. Jakarta is also aiming to bring the state budget deficit to below 3% of GDP in 2023. We speak to Jerry Goh, Investment Manager Asia Equities of Aberdeen Standard Investments about whether the pandemic will derail Indonesia's economic outlook in the months to come. Image Cr...

As we continue the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become quite apparent that public-private partnerships have become an important part of the ongoing struggle. The Morning Run speaks to Ahmad Shahizam bin Mohd Shariff, President and Managing Director of KPJ Healthcare Bhd, for KPJ's vaccination efforts, challenges, and more. Image credit: IRFAN KHAIRULAMAN / Shutterstock See omnystudi...

Yap Lip Seng, CEO of the Malaysian Association of Hotels discusses if the National Recovery Plan is helpful for the tourism and hospitality industry, and further support that is needed. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Recovery Plan announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday was thin on details of support for vulnerable groups in order to achieve the target of exiting this pandemic in a 'reasonable' manner. We speak to Geoffrey Williams, Economist from the Malaysia University of Science and Technology for what this plan and the prolonged restriction it lays out will mean for busi...

The National Recovery Plan announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday was thin on details of support for vulnerable groups in order to achieve the target of exiting this pandemic in a 'reasonable' manner. We speak to Geoffrey Williams, Economist from the Malaysia University of Science and Technology for what this plan and the prolonged restriction it lays out will mean for busi...

In the wake of the announcement of a National Recovery Plan, detailing a four-phase exit plan for the nation, we speak to Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO at Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy on whether the government's expectations are realistic and when we can hope to see an actual exit out of the current Covid-19 pandemic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of the announcement of a National Recovery Plan, detailing a four-phase exit plan for the nation, we speak to Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO at Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy on whether the government's expectations are realistic and when we can hope to see an actual exit out of the current Covid-19 pandemic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest news coming out from Myanmar, the military junta is charging Aung Sun Suu Kyi for multiple charges. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs discusses why ASEAN cannot afford to be complacent, and how it could step up pressure on the junta as violence spirals. Image Credit: R. Bociaga | Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

Tan Hooi Beng, Deputy Tax Leader at Deloitte Malaysia discusses the impact of the proposed global minimum tax on Malaysia’s attractiveness to foreign direct investors, and what foreign companies operating in Malaysia, and local companies with overseas investments need to look out for. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beginning Wednesday (June 16th), employees in key economic sectors, such as manufacturing, agriculture, plantations and retail, will be given priority access to Covid-19 vaccines under a public-private partnership known as PIKAS. The Morning Run speaks with Dato' Sri Norazman Ayob, a Deputy Secretary General at MITI, for the targets, timeline, costs, and logistics of this programme. Image Credit:...

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the government is drafting a National Recovery Plan, to help the company out of the rut created by the Covid-19 pandemic. But what kind of measures should be in this exit plan? We speak to Tricia Yeoh, CEO of the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs, to find out. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan, Executive Director, Malaysian Employers Federation sheds some light on the implementation of PIKAS (Public-Private Partnership Covid-19 Industry Immunisation Programme) from the employers’ perspective which enables employees of key economic sectors to be prioritised for vaccination. PIKAS will start tomorrow, 16th June. Image Credit: EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listen...

Dr James Dorsey, James Dorsey, Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies & the Middle East Institute discusses the implications of Benjamin Netanyahu being ousted as Prime Minister of Israel and what to expect from his successors, Naftali Bennet and Yair Lapid from Yamina and Yesh Atid parties respectively. Image Credit: EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Business and consumer organizations have come together to call for a blanket loan moratorium, in order to help those hard-hit by successive lockdowns. Already, many businesses- particularly SMEs are struggling, so we speak to Datuk Wira Ameer Ali Mydin, Vice President of the Malaysia Retail Association to find out what more needs to be done in order for affected businesses to survive. Image credit...

Dr. Tharani Loganathan, Public Health Specialist at University Malaya discusses the conditions in which undocumented migrants are being detained in Malaysia, and in light of this, the most effective way to encourage them to come forward and be vaccinated. Image Credit: msyaraafiq / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Adrian Ang, a Research Fellow and US expert at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore discusses the outcomes of Joe Biden’s first G7 meeting, its approach and attitude toward China, and discussions with the UK regarding Northern Ireland and honouring the Good Friday agreement in which the US had facilitated. Image Credit: EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

Ben Suffian, Programme Director from the Merdeka Center breaks down the political machinations in our country as the Malay Rulers convene next week following a series of audiences with His Majesty as the date for the Emergency draws to a conclusion in August. Image credit: S.O / Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Sharmini Ratnasingham, Culture Engagement Manager for Malaysia Airlines about the MH Rangers, a volunteer programme under the Malaysia Aviation Group about how they are supporting the government in rolling out the vaccination programme in Mega PPVs in the Klang Valley Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As several countries (US, UK and Singapore) have approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for teenagers aged between 12 to 15, we ask Emeritus Prof PT Thomas, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences from Taylor’s University whether this should be a strategy in Malaysia. We also ask him if vaccine hesitancy will become a major issue when it comes to vaccinating chi...

Malaysia’s already elevated political risk has further ratcheted higher, following the current government's handling of the pandemic, with Fitch Solutions recently revising downward Malaysia’s Short-Term Political Risk Index score to 65.2 out of 100, from 66.7 previously. Darren Tay, Senior Country Risk Analyst with Fitch Solutions, explains. Image credit: adam yusof - Shutterstock.com...

The latest report by Oxford Economics on the economic outlook of 6 ASEAN economies (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines) revealed that that recovery will be delayed but not derailed. We ask Sian Fenner, Lead Asia Economist from Oxford Economics which country would perform better this year and which sectors will continue to struggle. Image Credit: Puwadol Jaturawu...

With the covid 19 crisis continuing, will gloves continue to see stellar growth in 2021 especially with recent restrictions on worker capacity? Dr Supramaniam Shanmugam, President of the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association gives us the outlook and also whether enough is being done for worker welfare. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The think tank, Centre has issued a 4 part report on the state of mental health in the country. The findings are not positive with some segments suffering more than others. Aziff Azuddin, The Centre's Policy Researcher tells us why. Image Credit: ProximaCentauri1 | Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bangi MP, Dr. Ong Kian Ming shares his perspective on the current lock down measures taking place in MCO 3.0+ following his published article '20 issues we are unsure of during the total lockdown' Image credit: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.