Morning Brief

President Donald Trump and New York state governor Andrew Cuoma were at loggerheads on who had the power to direct states to lift restrictions. Nicole Huberfeld, Professor of Health Law, Ethics & Human Rights, Boston University School of Public Health helps us understand the US Constitution and the potential of remdesivir as a vaccine to treat Covid-19. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

The Morning Run crew looks at the front pages of the newspapers, and discuss the the impact of Covid-19 on marriages, the news that workers will need to be screened for the virus and Japan declaring a nationwide state of emergency due to the worsening Covid-19 situation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Ir Soam Heng Choon, President, Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (REHDA) comments about the government’s move to allow construction projects to resume, safety measures for workers especially foreigners who live in cramped lodgings, and where more clarification is needed. Eg: Do all workers needed to be tested for Covid-19? He also talks about proposals to r...

The Morning Run crew looks at the front pages of the newspapers, and discuss the exam postponement and cancellation by the Ministry of Education, doubts over IMF growth numbers and the US Federal Reserve confirming that economic activity fell sharply with conditions expected worsen in the next few months. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While some businesses have suffered, others seem to have gained on the back of the demand for video conferencing and virtual communication as people work from home. Zoom Video Communications has seen its user base grow from 10 million last year to about 200 million users daily, but its popularity has not been without issues. They have come under increased scrutiny for a series of privacy and secur...

Alyaa Alhadjri, journalist and representative from Gerakan Media Merdeka outlines her concerns about the government’s directive against fake news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bailouts of Malaysia's carriers have occurred multiple times since the last century. But with a global pandemic that has disintegrated travel worldwide, could this time be different, warranting a bailout, but on economic grounds? Nigel Wong, Honorary Secretary General of The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta), explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Run crew looks at the front pages of the newspapers, and also discusses the Enhanced MCO, stock buybacks, the MCO impact to the retail sector, the fight between the US and WHO, and news around 1MDB. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the oil deal struck this week was historic, oil prices still remain under pressure with Brent prices dipping below $30 per barrel, we speak to Roger for his view on ways to better support oil markets better. We also get into reasons the US has not committed to any cuts themselves, his thoughts around the Bloomberg report that Saudi Arabia slashed its selling prices to Asian customers what th...

Some 80,000 public university students have to remain on campus during the MCO. However there has been no clear guidelines from the Ministry of Higher Education on how to educate students; lecturers and students are now in limbo. Dr Noraishah Mydin Haji Abdul Aziz, Secretary, Universiti Malaya Academic Staff Union paints a dire picture of what’s happening on ground. See omnystudio.com/listen...

Thomas Rookmaaker, Director for Sovereign Ratings, Fitch Ratings, explains why he lowered Malaysia’s outlook from stable to negative for its long-term foreign currency issuer default rating See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has the highest percentage of men tested positive for Covid-19. Social butterflies, please stay at home! Our public healthcare system has not yet reached its limit but MOH Director-General cautions that we only have two weeks of PPE supply due to worldwide shortage. Local university students are not allowed to return home to avoid mass movement of people. But worry not, they will be well...

OPEC+ announced a record production cut of nearly 10 million barrels per day, putting an end to the price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia that has contributed to the rock bottom oil prices we’ve been seeing these past few weeks. With US President Donald Trump playing a role here, pushing a deal as low oil prices take a toll on the U.S. shale industry. We speak to James to better understa...

Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, Group Managing Director, of Westports Holdings tells his outlook and what’s happening on the ground at Westports as non-essential cargo pile up waiting to be transported out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Focus Malaysia Editor-in-Chief P. Gunasegaram discusses the economic implications of an extended movement control order as well as the threats to meaningful economic reform with the appointment of politicians to key GLC posts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Run crew looks at the front pages of the newspapers, and discusses the additional sectors that will be allowed to operate under the third phase of movement control order (MCO), as well as Singapore's stricter measures and Germany's quick response to supporting SMEs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under the MCO, schools will remain closed until further notice. Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, Chairperson, Parents Action Group For Education, discusses the possible effects on schoolchildren. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Nurliana Kamaruddin, Senior Lecturer, Asia-Europe Institute Universiti Malaya and specialist in South Korean politics assesses the Democratic Party’s chances of returning to power in the country’s upcoming elections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With many Malaysians now stuck at home under a Movement Control Order, the Department of Statistics Malaysia has found that average household spending has reduced by 55%. Shoppers' behaviour has also changed considerably and for more insight into this, we speak to Luca De Nard, Managing Director of Nielsen Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morning Run crew looks at the front pages of the newspapers, and discusses plans to ease economies around the world back into motion, once the Covid-19 outbreak comes under control. We also take a look at whether Malaysians are financially prepared, for a potential MCO extension. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although there have been additional stimulus provided for SMEs, there remains gaps with some groups left out. Dr. Ong Kian Ming, Former Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry and MP for Bangi tells us what else can be done especially post MCO whilst reminding us of the importance for Parliament as a check and balance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global auto sector is facing challenging times with the coronavirus pandemic as sales plummet while the cash burn remains high. We speak to Bruce Clark, Senior Vice President at Moody’s Investors Service for his views on who the survivors will be post Covid-19 and whether we can expect M&A in this space with the current overcapacity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

The Morning Run Crew takes a look at the front pages of the newspapers, and discusses the latest updates on the Movement Control Order as well as the Democratic Presidential Race in the US. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Kelvin Yii, Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching tells us how the East Malaysian state is coping with the Covid-19 pandemic whilst talking about the plight of the Orang Asal and also how important it is to set aside political differences during this difficult period. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Mohd Arief Emran bin Arifin, Dispute Resolution Partner at Wong & Partners explains what is a force majeure clause and when can it be invoked while suggesting that the best way forward for Malaysia might be a Covid-19 Bill like the one Singapore has implemented. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.