Morning Brief

Global markets are kicking off 2026 with record highs, shrugging off economic and political uncertainties. Gains in Japan and China, alongside surging silver and gold, have investors questioning whether this rally can be sustained. For analysis, we speak with Aidan YAO, Senior Investment Strategist, Asia, Amundi. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From June 2026, Malaysia is doubling the minimum salary thresholds for Employment Passes, reshaping eligibility, renewals, and the ability for expatriates to bring their families. Andy Davison of the Expat Group Media unpacks what this means for employers, foreign talent, and Malaysia’s competitiveness in the region. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

Malaysia’s court system is under mounting pressure with criminal cases surging more than 60% and yet the country has just 147 superior court judges serving a population of 36 million, far below global benchmarks. Constitutional lawyer Lim Wei Jiet talks about the impact of judge shortages and whether Malaysia’s courts can realistically catch up. This episode of The First Look was brought to you by...

Singapore’s property market ended 2025 with price growth in the private residential segment moderating but what is the outlook for 2026? Will commercial property and also REITs be positively impacted by lower interest rates and stronger economic growth? Ken Foong, Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence gives us his insights. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

The Malaysian government has been pushing to streamline its digital services, this time hoping that its MyDigital ID can do that job, serving as a single hub where users can access multiple government services with one login. Amin Ashaari, CEO and Co-Founder of SoyaCincau, talks about the practical aspects of these ambitions. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

After much speculation, Sunway Bhd will acquire rival IJM in a cash and share deal worth over RM11 billion. We ask Royce Tan, Senior Analyst, MBSB Research, if the deal is synergistic or value accretive, and what this means for the construction sector. We also ask him for his broad views on the sector and his top buy ideas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Elon Musk-backed chatbot Grok is under global scrutiny after being linked to the generation of sexualised and non-consensual images, including of minors, resulting in Malaysia and Indonesia imposing temporary blocks. Dr Benjamin Loh, Course Director, Bachelor of Digital Media & Communication at Monash University, shares his perspective. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran is facing some of its deadliest unrest in years, with security forces reportedly using live ammunition against protesters, hundreds killed, and thousands detained. Washington has also weighed in, even suggesting military intervention. Dr James Dorsey of the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies gives his take on what might happen in the coming days. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See o...

There's news that the Education Ministry plans to bring back the UPSR and PT3 exams, as they unveil Malaysia's Education Blueprint that will shape learning up to 2036. Shahnaz Al-Sadat, Chairperson of LeapEd Services, shares her views on these assessments making a comeback as well as what meaningful education reform should look like going forward. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/list...

The Attorney-General’s Chambers has decided that no further action is required following the discharge not amounting to an acquittal in the Yayasan Akalbudi case involving Umno President and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ragunath Kesavan, Former President of the Malaysian Bar Council, provides insight into the AGC’s decision. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio...

Electricity demand in Malaysia is rising, but changes in the energy mix are moving more slowly. Coal’s share has gone up, gas is expected to matter more only after 2030. At the same time, data centres are adding pressure and regional power sharing is back on the agenda. So is Malaysia ready for these changes? We’ll tap Cheah Wai Seng, Energy, Resources and Industrials Leader at Deloitte Malaysia,...

Over the weekend, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has called for an urgent Perikatan Nasional supreme council meeting, following the recent resignation of Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin as PN chair. That’s not the only meeting that’s happening as UMNO’s General Assembly is set to begin on Wednesday - what outcomes can we expect from these events? Dr. Azmi Hassan, Senior Fellow, Nusantara Academ...

Johor’s property market is booming, with residential transactions reaching RM9.9 billion ringgit in the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur’s office market is under pressure, as new developments add supply and older buildings struggle to attract tenants. For insights on how these shifts are shaping Malaysia’s property market, we speak with Sulaiman Saheh, Director of Research & Consult...

Malaysia is set to strengthen its economic ties with Europe as the long-awaited Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement nears completion this year. But with neighbouring countries also vying for the same FDI, can Malaysia do enough to stand out? We speak with Donal Crotty, Chairman of Eurocham Malaysia Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore closed 2025 on a strong note - advance estimates show the economy expanded 4.8% for the full year,  beating the government’s earlier forecast of around 4% and marking the fastest pace of growth since 2021.  We ask Selena Ling, Chief Economist, OCBC Bank if Singapore can sustain that pace of growth into 2026, amid ongoing trade, policy and geopolitical uncertainties. Image Credi...

A month from now, all Malaysian adults will receive the next 100 ringgit under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah, or Sara, initiative. We speak with Economist Dr. Geoffrey Williams on the cost of living and whether government schemes such as Sara and Budi95 have helped alleviate the burden. This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly Emirates Image Credit: Shutterstock.c...

Tensions between China and Japan continue to heat up following Tokyo's comments about Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own province. Chong Ja Ian, Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science of the National University of Singapore, shares his perspectives on the latest posturing from China. This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly Emirates Im...

2025 was a mixed year for the auto sector in Asia Pacific, despite growth in China, Japan and India with cost challenges and intense competition. Joanna Chen, Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence tells us what her expectations are for this sector in 2026. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's Armed Forces are under heightened scrutiny following a string of recent controversies, including the suspension of its army chief over alleged irregularities in procurement projects, and viral reports of misconduct at military camps. Ridzwan Rahmat, Principal Defence Analyst at Jane’s, talks about what reforms are needed and implications to national security if ignored. Image Credit: Sh...

After the US’s dramatic abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump has reiterated his ambition to acquire Greenland, citing strategic and security reasons, and not ruling out military action to achieve that. Dr Frederick Kliem, Director for Southeast Asia at the Corporate Network of The Economist, shares his views. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/lis...

The government has delayed e-invoicing requirements by a year for small and medium enterprises with sales between  RM1mn to RM 5mn a year, citing high costs and difficult compliance rules. Chin Chee Seong, National President of the SME Association of Malaysia tells us if the policy flip-flopping frustates their members or if they welcome this move. This episode of The First Look was brought t...

Iran has been facing widespread unrest since Dec 28, with economic hardship sparking protests across the country and policymakers attempting reforms amid US sanctions and a faltering currency. Dr James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, shares his analysis on the situation. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Three days after the US operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, questions now arise over what comes next and what the dynamics of power might look like going forward. Julia Sinitsky, a country risk analyst at BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, shares her insights. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the United States' military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and transferring him to New York to drug and terrorism charges, questions about its legality arise. Dr Juliette McIntyre, Senior Law Lecturer at the University of South Australia, unpacks what the law allows, and what this moment could mean for the international order. This episode of The First Look wa...

CES, the biggest tech trade show started yesterday in Las Vegas.  This annual event is expected to showcase the latest bells and whistles of the industry with a focus on all things related to AI. We ask Dan Ives, Managing Director, Wedbush Securities for his observations of this event and which companies will be the winners in the AI revolution. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.c...