Morning Brief

Tensions there are boiling over following the US assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad on Friday. The US says the killing was in response to imminent threats to Americans, and comes after Iranian-led militias sieged the US embassy in Baghdad on 31 December 2019. Iran has vowed retaliation over the killing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions there are boiling over following the US assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad on Friday. The US says the killing was in response to imminent threats to Americans, and comes after Iranian-led militias sieged the US embassy in Baghdad on 31 December 2019. Iran has vowed retaliation over the killing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a look at the biggest corporate stories in Malaysia with a focus on government investment linked companies and their structuring. The first Khazanah which has changed their strategic direction selling non-core assets while Tabung Haji was given a lifeline with the creation of a special purpose vehicle that will hold their loss making assets of the pilgrim fund.  See omnystudio.com/lis...

Tan J Young, Senior Analyst of Hong Leong Investment Bank breaks down the MCMC announcement with regards to spectrum bands for the roll-out of 5G technology. He also weighs in how this consortium model might work and who stands to benefit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik has announced his resignation, effective today after meeting with Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Were his political achievements overshadowed by a poor communication strategy? Who will be appointed to the post next? And a larger question: will his resignation prompt a Cabinet reshuffle? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The end of last year saw a surge in US retail during the holiday season with data from Mastercard showing total US retail sales rising 3.4% during the period. However despite the robust headline, this also highlighted the difficulties of traditional brick-and-mortar stored as more consumers shift to online shopping. We speak to David about the future of retail, especially with department stores be...

Since January marks the start of Visit Malaysia Year 2020, the Morning Run crew takes a look at what the campaign hopes to achieve, the state of tourism in Malaysia, as well as the position of Airbnb in the equation, with comments from Yap Lip Seng, CEO of the Malaysian Association of Hotels. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since January marks the start of Visit Malaysia Year 2020, the Morning Run crew takes a look at what the campaign hopes to achieve, the state of tourism in Malaysia, as well as the position of Airbnb in the equation, with comments from Yap Lip Seng, CEO of the Malaysian Association of Hotels. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bike-sharing platform Dego Ride resumed its operations on New Year's day, after being banned from operating in 2017. The Morning Run crew discusses the viability of the transporation mode as well as the challenges Dego Ride may face, particularly if Gojek decides to enter the Malaysian market. Also, logistics company Ninja Van has said it is open to performing deliveries by drone in the future. Bu...

Bike-sharing platform Dego Ride resumed its operations on New Year's day, after being banned from operating in 2017. The Morning Run crew discusses the viability of the transporation mode as well as the challenges Dego Ride may face, particularly if Gojek decides to enter the Malaysian market. Also, logistics company Ninja Van has said it is open to performing deliveries by drone in the future. Bu...

While the holiday season brings a boom in e-commerce sales, the reality is that a lot of goods bought online are eventually returned. What does this means for online retailers? Sucharita Kodali of Forrester Research tells us how returns can be a cost to the business if not managed properly whilst also sharing what trends we can expect in 2020 as companies shift towards omnichannel sales. See omnys...

While the holiday season brings a boom in e-commerce sales, the reality is that a lot of goods bought online are eventually returned. What does this means for online retailers? Sucharita Kodali of Forrester Research tells us how returns can be a cost to the business if not managed properly whilst also sharing what trends we can expect in 2020 as companies shift towards omnichannel sales. See omnys...

Today we’re taking a look back at the major bills which Parliament passed in 2019. Overall, Parliament passed 34 bills into law this year and we take a look at the Service Tax act, Departure Levy Bill and Undi 18. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would the Election Reform Committee's proposal to replace our current first past the post election system with a proportional representation system for parliamentary seats solve our electoral reform issues? We discuss the pros and cons of the two systems. Also, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has announced that the targeted petrol subsidy programme slated to roll out in the new ye...

Would the Election Reform Committee's proposal to replace our current first past the post election system with a proportional representation system for parliamentary seats solve our electoral reform issues? We discuss the pros and cons of the two systems. Also, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has announced that the targeted petrol subsidy programme slated to roll out in the new ye...

We are looking back at what were key events in trade war in 2019. The overarching vein is that the US-China spats are a reflection of a bigger struggle for world dominance by the world's two biggest economies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are looking back at what were key events in trade war in 2019. The overarching vein is that the US-China spats are a reflection of a bigger struggle for world dominance by the world's two biggest economies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

00:21 - The FMT reports that Datuk Seri Anifah Aman has applied to stay the January Kimanis parliamentary by-election, pending a review 05:37 - Bank Negara Malaysia has issued a draft framework, and plans to issue 5 licenses for the establishment of digital banks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A meeting planned by Chinese educationist group Dong Zong was cancelled last week by police order, on concerns that the meeting would lead to protests. For more insight, we speak to Nathaniel Tan, moderator of the recent Jawi forum, about whether our inability to have discussions is indicative of a deeper trust deficit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With an overwhelming majority at the UK elections Boris Johnson now has a clear mandate to push through his Brexit plans with the country leaving the European Union formally on 31 January 2020. However the hard work of negotiating a trade deal begins with a 11 month deadline made complicated by having to negotiate with 27 members of the EU whilst also working out how to co-operate with the EU on s...

Faisal Aziz, President of Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia or ABIM weighs in on the Dong Jiao Zong meeting tomorrow to discuss Jawi lessons in vernacular schools which has met with push back from political leaders like Tun Mahathir and even Malay groups like GAMIS. He reiterates the need to have dialogue on this matter and reminds us that social media can fan the flames of intolerance. See omnystudio...

Economic Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has emphasized the need to move away from the old economy models that focus on manufacturing so that Malaysia does not risk behind left behind in the era of IR 4.0 and trapped in low wages. This realignment will be emphasized in the 13th Malaysia Plan that spans from 2026 to 2030. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economic Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has emphasized the need to move away from the old economy models that focus on manufacturing so that Malaysia does not risk behind left behind in the era of IR 4.0 and trapped in low wages. This realignment will be emphasized in the 13th Malaysia Plan that spans from 2026 to 2030. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Petronas Activity Outlook for 2020 - 2022 indicate that upstream activities will be robust despite a cautious spending mode by Malaysia's national oil company. To find out which sub-segments stand to benefit and the companies that may see a jump in order book, we speak to Sean Lim, Senior Research Analyst at RHB. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Petronas Activity Outlook for 2020 - 2022 indicate that upstream activities will be robust despite a cautious spending mode by Malaysia's national oil company. To find out which sub-segments stand to benefit and the companies that may see a jump in order book, we speak to Sean Lim, Senior Research Analyst at RHB. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.