Morning Brief

Tricia Yeoh, CEO at Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) discusses the need for better crisis planning, and the economic impact of the full lockdown. Image Credit: Hafiz Johari / Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Chua Sook Ning, founder and Clinical Psychologist at RELATE discusses strategies to provide more care and to support mental health needs. The Malaysian government has a National Strategic Plan for Mental Health 2020-2025 but little information is available about it at this point. Image Credit: Mary Long | Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the West appears to be closer to travel normalcy, we speak to Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association/PATA on the Morning Brief and asked him about the future of air travel in the Asia Pacific region. Image Credit: Vitalii Matokha | Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia lurches from one crisis after another, Indira Nair helps us understand why the Government has been abysmal in managing these crises following two major incidents this week; the LRT train crash and the AstraZeneca opt-in roll-out. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia remains in MCO3.0+, many businesses are suffering whilst unemployment remains stubbornly high. Professor Mahendhiran Nair, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research Engagement and Impact at Sunway University tells us what the priorities should be and if funding will prove to be a challenge. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 3rd phase of the Astra Zeneca vaccine registration was criticised by most quarters as many were unable to make appointments due to what appeared to system glitches. Dr Lau Cher Han, Chief Data Scientist at LEAD tells us what can be done to improve and restore confidence in the system. Image Credit: zmpixes / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Ridza Abdoh Salleh, Former CEO of Prasarana gives us his perspective behind what could have caused the recent LRT crash on the Kelana Jaya line as an ongoing investigation is being conducted. Image credit: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to James Dorsey, Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies & the Middle East Institute on what is US doing to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Will this ceasefire last and what is being done to address the underlying issue plaguing both nations’ troubled relations? Image Credit: DorSteffen | Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eric Yong, Managing Director of Crest Builder Holdings, discusses the impact of the commodities boom and rising materials prices on Malaysian builders, offering some policy solutions to address the industry's woes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raymond Teo from the Malaysian Retail Association provides us some colour as to how the recently announced SOPs will impact the retail sector and what measures should the Government implement to assist the struggling sector. Image credit: mokjc / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiu Jia Yaw, Co-deputy Chair of the Bar Council Environment & Climate Change Committee shares with us the ramifications of the current Selangor State Government's plan to degazette the majority of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prices for soft and hard commodities having been rising put pressure on margins and raising the question as to whether inflation is here. Alejandra Grindal, Chief International Economist at Ned Davis Research gives us her view as to whether the supercycle is here to stay. Image Credit: Bakhtiar Zein | Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As covid cases in Malaysia surpass 500,000, the race to vaccinate accelerates. Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, at Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy gives us the details of the progress the country is making and the interplay between the private sector, states and the federal government. Image Credit: Safuan Salahudin | Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As covid cases in Malaysia surpass 500,000, the race to vaccinate accelerates. Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, at Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy gives us the details of the progress the country is making and the interplay between the private sector, states and the federal government. Image Credit: Safuan Salahudin | Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Varun Mittal gives some context behind the roller-coaster price movements of Bitcoin amid regulatory pressures but also helps explain how its long-term future is contingent on its ability to evolve and adapt. Image credit: Wit Olszewski / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Varun Mittal gives some context behind the roller-coaster price movements of Bitcoin amid regulatory pressures but also helps explain how its long-term future is contingent on its ability to evolve and adapt. Image credit: Wit Olszewski / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putrajaya announced new and tighter restrictions in a redoubled efforts to cut the spread of Covid-19 with reduced working hours and a shift for more to work from home. Calvin Cheng, Analyst in the Economics Programme, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia tells us what this impact will have on the economy and also what needs to be done for the most economic vulnerable i...

With an exponential increase in Covid-19 cases we ask Paul Huang, from the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation to explain how did the current situation reverse so significantly, its vaccination programme and how the restrictions have impacted the economy. Image Credit: Jack Hong / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will chair a meeting later today to discuss a full-scale nationwide MCO. We speak to Dr Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of Center for Market Education, for his views on lockdowns, how to tackle and manage the pandemic, and the economic implications. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will chair a meeting later today to discuss a full-scale nationwide MCO. We speak to Dr Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of Center for Market Education, for his views on lockdowns, how to tackle and manage the pandemic, and the economic implications. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roman Schorr, Director of Corporates - APAC, at Fitch Ratings discusses the impact of a shortage on semiconductor components on automakers, and whether this situation could be prolonged due to an uptick of Covid-19 cases in Taiwan and South Korea, and why the US and Europe would be most affected. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lai Pei Si, Country Head of Consumer, Private and Business Banking, at Standard Chartered Malaysia, discusses how banks are adapting digitally and how traditional banks like StanChart are competing with fintechs and pure digital banks. This report is in collaboration with Standard Chartered Malaysia. Image Credit: Black Jack | Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In just two months, Thailand recorded a 100x more cases per day to about 2,000 on 18 May from 20 on 1st April. Charnon Boonnuch, South East Asia Economist at Nomura discusses the impact of this new wave on the country's economic outlook. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In its report "Enhancing Government Effectiveness and Transparency: The Fight Against Corruption”, the World Bank Group highlights Malaysia’s success in dealing with corruption as well as its failings. Rajni Bajpai, Lead Public Sector Specialist, at World Bank Group compares anti-corruption efforts across the world and much-needed reforms in Malaysia. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See...

Dr. Kelvin Yii, Member of Parliament for Kuching discusses Sarawak’s motivation and request to procure its own vaccines to help accelerate the immunisation program, and the resources the state has to do its own rollout. We also discuss if the vaccination purchase is being politicised. Image Credit: Hazreen Mohd / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.