Morning Brief

Financial Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz revealed that 101 contracts amounting to RM6.6 billion were awarded by the previous government via direct negotiations. Dr Ong Kian Ming, MP for Bangi and former Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) explains the bulk of these contracts were awarded by the Barisan Nasional-led government, and justifies the others under MITI. Ima...

Tomorrow’s byelection at Slim will be a litmus test for Tun Mahathir Mohamad’s party Pejuang. Dr Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate at University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute discusses the likely results, and the relevance of Pakatan Nasional without Umno. Image credit: AHMAD YUSNI EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US is returning to the movies as cinema outlets slowly open up after a 5-month shut down, but will the industry be able to recover? What does it mean for the $40 billion movie business? Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tharma Pillai, Co-Founder, Undi18 weighs in on the prospects of a youth-led organisation like Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman’s new party. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2020 was passed to increase the minimum bankruptcy threshold from RM50,000 to RM100,000 for debts owed. Lua Ai Siew, a lawyer at Messrs. Soo Thien Ming & Nashrah helps us understand the impact of these amendments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on a European tour. We speak with Dr Pradeep Taneja, Lecturer in Asian Studies at the University of Melbourne on Wang’s likely agenda and desired outcomes. Image Credit: EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Tengku Dato’ Sri Zafrul Aziz revealed that his predecessor had approved 101 projects worth over RM6 billion through direct negotiations. Dr. Juita Mohamad, Fellow at ISIS Malaysia comments if such arrangements are inappropriate, and much needed improvements in awarding contracts. Image Credit: EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the rest of the world remains under some form of restriction to combat Covid-19, the situation in China appears to have reverted to pre-pandemic normal.
 Does China's economic bounce-back hold clues for how the rest of the world can recover? Image Credit: EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Barrett, Chief of Social Policy at Unicef Malaysia talks to us about the “Families On The Edge” study of how the Covid-19 crisis has affected low income families in Kuala Lumpur, and what more the government should do in the short-term to support vulnerable communities. Image Credit: Acip UNICEF See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Letters of support and GLC appointments are common political patronage practices. Dato’ Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Umno Youth Chief speaks up against such practices that lead to abuses. Image Credit: EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, game developer Epic sued Apple after the company removed Fortnite from the App Store. This came after Epic’s attempt to go around Apple’s payment mechanisms to avoid the 30% cut of commissions earned. 
While this continues to develop, Apple also hit the $2 trillion mark last week, so with all this in mind, we take a look at the possible market implications of t...

Azmi Sharom, Deputy Chairman of the Election Commission explains the preparations for the upcoming Sabah state elections. Unfortunately those who live outside Sabah and in Malaysia cannot cast their votes through the post. Editorial credit: Lano Lan / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this exclusive interview with BFM, Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, President of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)and veteran politician disagrees with the court's ruling that the Sabah governor's actions are not justiciable. He also analyses Sabah politics as the state heads for nomination day on 12 September and explains why he supports Perikatan Nasional and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassi...

We breakdown political headlines over the weekend with Oh Ei Sun, with a focus on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin officially announced as the president of Bersatu, a proposal for a multicultural chapter for the party, and Datuk Azmin Ali and his allies officially joining Bersatu. Image credit: EPA See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore-based Aaron Connelly, Research Fellow at International Institute for Strategic Studies helps us understand what the US election means for Asean countries, and how we should play our cards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharon Yam, Managing Director of TMF Group Malaysia, a professional services firm, explains why Malaysia is the ninth most complex jurisdiction for foreign companies to do business in the world, and third most complex in Asia after Indonesia and China. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing and Local Government Ministry is formulating a tax that could be imposed on developers who fail to sell their properties in an effort to reduce overhang of residential units in the country. The rationale of this is so that developers become more sensible with their projects and not flood the market with particularly high-rise developments. We speak to Sarkunan Subramaniam, Managing Directo...

Housing and Local Government Ministry is formulating a tax that could be imposed on developers who fail to sell their properties in an effort to reduce overhang of residential units in the country. The rationale of this is so that developers become more sensible with their projects and not flood the market particularly high-rise developments. We speak to Sarkunan Subramaniam, Managing Director, Kn...

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has reportedly only met 9 times, compared to 60 times in the same period last year. This raises some questions, as to who is going to keep our government’s finances in check, because that is the main role of the PAC.  Wong Kah Woh, PAC Deputy Chairman and Ipoh Timur MP gives an update on the situation. Image Credit: Tengku Bahar / AFP See omnystudio.c...

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has reportedly only met 9 times, compared to 60 times in the same period last year. This raises some questions, as to who is going to keep our government’s finances in check, because that is the main role of the PAC.  Wong Kah Woh, PAC Deputy Chairman and Ipoh Timur MP gives an update on the situation. Image Credit: Tengku Bahar / AFP See omnystudio.c...

The High Court will decide today whether to allow the judicial review filed by former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and 32 Sabah assemblymen. The group is contesting the decision by the Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly on 30 July. Lim Wei Jiet, a constitutional lawyer weighs in on whether this move is justiciable, and also discuss...

The High Court will decide today whether to allow the judicial review filed by former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and 32 Sabah assemblymen. The group is contesting the decision by the Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly on 30 July. Lim Wei Jiet, a constitutional lawyer weighs in on whether this move is justiciable, and also discuss...

Tamma Febrian, Associate Director, Fitch Ratings, notes data that shows lockdowns and physical distancing have accelerated the rise of digital banking, rewarding large, well-capitalised franchises with strong brands who made early inroads into the sector. Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tamma Febrian, Associate Director, Fitch Ratings, notes data that shows lockdowns and physical distancing have accelerated the rise of digital banking, rewarding large, well-capitalised franchises with strong brands who made early inroads into the sector. Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With urban poverty and economic recession looming, Hafiz Noor Shams, Visiting Fellow at REFSA gives us his view on how Malaysia should move forward and whether a new reindustrialisation policy is required. Image Credit: AFP See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.