Morning Brief

Controversy is brewing as the government is reported to have quietly submitted draft amendments to the Protection of New Plant Varieties Act 2004 to an international body, raising alarm among farmers over their rights and food security. We speak with Nur Fitri Amir Muhammad, Coordinator of Forum Kedaulatan Makanan Malaysia (FKMM), on what these changes could mean for local agriculture Image Credit...

Should Malaysians be denied public services because of the way they are dressed especially in an emergency. A pertinent question we are posing to constitutional lawyer Kee Hui Yee from Kanesalingam & Co.  This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly Emirates Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re taking a closer look at how Southeast Asian banks are positioned heading into 2026, a year shaped by shifting interest-rate expectations, uneven economic momentum across the region, and evolving credit-market conditions. To help us break down what this means, we’re joined by Rena Kwok, Senior Credit Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener...

Malaysia’s oil and gas sector has seen much volatility this year, with both external and domestic pressures weighing on the sector - but will these stress factors persist into 2026?   Imran Yusof, Head of Research, MBSB Research gives us an outlook for the sector and his buy ideas, if any.  Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Idea reports that modern influencers have become central to the dissemination of political messaging, with government and political party machinery increasingly pivoting towards commercial influencer engagement to reach audiences disengaged from mainstream media. What minimum transparency standards should Malaysians be demanding to differentiate between genuine or paid opinions. Sabrina Firdaus Al...

With medical inflation rising steadily, the government is reviewing the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act and the way that private hospitals charge their patients. Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, President of the Association Private Hospitals Malaysia, provides his perspective on the government’s plans. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has made history by introducing the world’s first ban on selected social media use for children under 16. Dr. Joanne Orlando, Digital Wellbeing Expert and Author of Generation Connected: How to Parent in a Digital World - At Every Age and Stage tells us the mechanics of the law, if it will prevent harms and if there are alternative models to consider to protect children under 16. Image C...

Malaysia’s rubber glove players saw strong earnings from the latest earnings quarter. Is this a sign that the sector is due for a positive re-rating? Maliana Shaharudin, Equity Analyst, BIMB Securities gives us her perspective whilst telling us her top buy idea for the sector. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even as Malaysia nears full eradication of hardcore poverty by early 2026, many low-income households remain at risk. To address this, the government has launched the People’s Welfare Insurance Scheme or SIKR 3.0. We’ll delve into the significance and effectiveness of this programme with Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Norma Mansor, Director of the Social Wellbeing Research Centre at the University ...

Recent developments in the transportation space include delays to the LRT3, a potential reduction in parking spaces in new developments near public transport stations, and JPJ's attempts to get you to pay your summons. We speak with Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua, Head of the Road Safety Research Centre at Universiti Putra Malaysia for further insight. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnys...

China has just posted a record-breaking trade surplus, more than one trillion US dollars, even as its economy at home shows signs of strain. What’s powering this export surge? We speak to Gary Ng of Natixis to understand what this means for China’s economy, its trading partners, and the outlook for 2026. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thailand and Cambodia have resumed fighting after Thailand launched airstrikes on the Cambodian military. Dr. Greg Raymond, Senior Lecturer at the Australian National University, explains the crisis, why the Malaysia- and US-brokered peace deal fell through and is there any resolution to this century-old crisis. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Southeast Asia has been battered by a string of storms, cyclones and heavy rain, resulting in more than a thousand deaths and billions in damage. But what do these compound climate events signal for our region’s future? Matt Sechovsky, Head of ESG Country Research at BMI, a FitchSolutions company, discusses the impact of compound climate disasters on the region now and in the future. Image Credit:...

After years of slowdown, Hong Kong’s property market is showing signs of comeback. Rents rose 4% in 2025 and could climb another 5% next year, while home prices have gained 3.3% since March. What risks lie ahead? We’ll discuss with Patrick Wong, Head of Hong Kong & Senior Analyst, Asia Pacific Real Estate, Bloomberg Intelligence. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Over the weekend, MCA held its annual general meeting where arguably one of the most notable resolutions that was passed - it will leave BN if any component party worked with DAP in GE16. Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director, Viewfinder Global Affairs gives us his thoughts on this development, as well as the imminent Cabinet reshuffling. This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. F...

Malaysia continues to rely on migrant workers and uses quota applications  to recalibrate labour demand. Combined with tighter enforcement on accommodation and documentation standards, employers are struggling to employ the workers they need.  Dato’ Foo Yong Hooi, President, Association of Employment Agencies Malaysia tells us what changes are needed to ensure that businesses are not imp...

Precious metals are stealing the spotlight in 2026, with gold up 60% year-to-date and silver rallying strongly, while palm oil and Brent crude face a softer ride. What factors are driving these moves, and how does the outlook look for the year ahead? Christopher Wong, FX Strategist at OCBC, shares his analysis. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Felda is promoting a carbon-credit system for oil-palm plantations but is this workable in a Malaysian context? Khor Yu Leng, Economist, Segi Enam Advisers gives us her perspective whilst explaining the impact of the EU delaying its review of the deforestation regulation. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Felda is promoting a carbon-credit system for oil-palm plantations but is this workable in a Malaysian context? Khor Yu Leng, Economist, Segi Enam Advisers gives us her perspective whilst explaining the impact of the EU delaying its review of the deforestation regulation. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s property market saw continued momentum in the third quarter, with the Urban Redevelopment Authority reporting an uptick in both private and public home prices, although HDB prices saw moderated growth for the fourth straight quarter. What do these indicators mean for the city-state’s property market in 2026. Alan Cheong, Executive Director, Savills Singapore shares his perspective. Ima...

Australia’s economy posted a softer-than-expected expansion in the third quarter, with GDP rising 0.4%, yet the annual pace accelerated to 2.1% — the fastest in three years. What explains these mixed signals, and what does this mean for the Lucky Country’s economy in 2026? Sophia Angala, Economist, ANZ Research shares her insights Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listene...

Airbus has hit turbulence as its A320 jets face a software glitch in the ELAC flight-control system and fuselage panels that don’t meet specifications. How will these issues impact its operations and deliveries? Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Senior Aviation Consultant at Frost & Sullivan, explains how this has impacted passenger safety and Airbus’s reputation. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnys...

Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the government is reviewing Malaysia’s household income classifications. Calvin Cheng, Director of the Economics, Trade, and Regional Integration Division, Institute of Strategic and International Studies tells us if and how this system should be changed. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DOSM has revealed that skill-related underemployment, where graduates work in positions below the level of their qualification, has increased by 3.9% to 1.6 million. Wan Amirah Wan Usamah, Research Associate, Khazanah Research Institute tells us the reasons for this and some of the policy solutions. This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly Emirates Image...

The recent raid on a health club in Chow Kit, which resulted in 208 arrests, has raised concerns over privacy and law enforcement protocols in Malaysia, with the Home Ministry insisting that all procedures had been followed. Criminal lawyer Goh Cia Yee, who had also aided those who were detained, speaks to us about the legality of PDRM's actions. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/l...