Morning Brief

Formal impeachment investigations have begun into President Donald Trump, after Democrats in the US House of Representatives accused him of enlisting foreign help to damage political rival Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 elections. For more on this, we speak to Kathryn Dunn Tenpas, Nonresident Senior Fellow of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, about how this will affect Trump'...

Consumers are up in arms about banking fees for cash payments of loans and credit cards. This is part of Bank Negara's big push to go cashless. The fee concerns are valid, but are there ways for banks to absorb these costs especially with their high margins? Meanwhile EdgeProp becomes the Securities Commission's first licensee for the property crowdfunding platform. This gives more options to inve...

Consumers are up in arms about banking fees for cash payments of loans and credit cards. This is part of Bank Negara's big push to go cashless. The fee concerns are valid, but are there ways for banks to absorb these costs especially with their high margins? Meanwhile EdgeProp becomes the Securities Commission's first licensee for the property crowdfunding platform. This gives more options to inve...

The debut decision of the UK's Supreme Court in outlawing Boris Johnson's prorogue would have serious implications for Brexit. There is now a stronger impetus for Johnson to conclude a deal if he still wants to control the Brexit process. However, Labour would want to play it cool so as not to inadvertently trigger a technical hard Brexit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mass protests on the streets of Jakarta led by students is taking place this week, objecting to a draft criminal code and controversial anti-corruption laws. The revisions to the criminal code have been getting a lot of attention in global media, particularly the inclusion of several fundamental Islamic laws. There is a growing anger over a law passed that reduces the authority of the Corruption...

A mass protests on the streets of Jakarta led by students is taking place this week, objecting to a draft criminal code and controversial anti-corruption laws. The revisions to the criminal code have been getting a lot of attention in global media, particularly the inclusion of several fundamental Islamic laws. There is a growing anger over a law passed that reduces the authority of the Corruption...

According to Greenpeace Indonesia, Genting Group, via their subsidiary PT Globalindo Agung Lestari, was found to be among ten companies listed as having the largest burned areas on their land in Indonesia between 2015 to 2018. The findings from the Greenpeace analysis contrast sharply with the Indonesian government’s claims of being tough on forest fires and law enforcement. See omnystudio.c...

The local government of Hangzhou, dispatching officers to companies like Alibaba and Geely, might truly reflect capitalism with Chinese characteristics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The local government of Hangzhou, dispatching officers to companies like Alibaba and Geely, might truly reflect capitalism with Chinese characteristics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

00:25 - WeWork’s Adam Neumann is stepping down as CEO, following the icy response to the company’s proposed IPO listing, which was subsequently postponed. Finance chief Artie Minson and WeWork vice-chair Sebastian Gunningham will take over as co-chief executives. 03:13 - Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House, announced that they will launch impeachment proceedings against Trump, on al...

00:25 - WeWork’s Adam Neumann is stepping down as CEO, following the icy response to the company’s proposed IPO listing, which was subsequently postponed. Finance chief Artie Minson and WeWork vice-chair Sebastian Gunningham will take over as co-chief executives. 03:13 - Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House, announced that they will launch impeachment proceedings against Trump, on al...

The Human Resources Ministry has issued a statement calling it "premature" to suggest that the government won't follow through with the proposed anti-discrimination provisions to protect job seekers as part of amendments to the Employment Act 1955. A report by Malaysiakini said that the anti-discrimination provisions would be dropped due to objections from the Malaysian Employers Federation or MEF...

The Human Resources Ministry has issued a statement calling it "premature" to suggest that the government won't follow through with the proposed anti-discrimination provisions to protect job seekers as part of amendments to the Employment Act 1955. A report by Malaysiakini said that the anti-discrimination provisions would be dropped due to objections from the Malaysian Employers Federation or MEF...

The next generation belongs to the children and the youth and it makes sense that they are trying to knock some sense into policymakers. The problem is that in a world of profit maximisation, gradualism has inured us to the reality of an environmental tipping point. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The next generation belongs to the children and the youth and it makes sense that they are trying to knock some sense into policymakers. The problem is that in a world of profit maximisation, gradualism has inured us to the reality of an environmental tipping point. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel snap elections results — held on 17 September to appoint the 120 members to the Israeli parliament or Knesset — ended in stalemate between the conservative Likud Party, led by incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the centrist Blue and White, led by Benny Gantz. Negotiations have been ongoing as to who gets to form the next government. A significant development in...

A majority of Kampung Baru locals agreed that the area needs redevelopment but expressed disappointment with the price offered by the government for their land. At a town hall session with Federal Territories Minister, Khalid Samad, some residents said the offer of RM850 psf was too low and it should be readjusted to at least RM1,000 psf. The final say on the government offer for the land deal in...

A majority of Kampung Baru locals agreed that the area needs redevelopment but expressed disappointment with the price offered by the government for their land. At a town hall session with Federal Territories Minister, Khalid Samad, some residents said the offer of RM850 psf was too low and it should be readjusted to at least RM1,000 psf. The final say on the government offer for the land deal in...

With the property overhang continuing in Malaysia, we speak to Ng Wee Siang, Senior Director with Fitch Ratings, to ask if Malaysian banks are vulnerable or if the high household debt is more of an issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to a study conducted by think tank Ilham Centre, Pakatan Harapan has yet to secure Malay votes in the country and has also failed to manage the perception war in the digital world post-GE14. Ilham Centre said PH in its entirety failed to manage the perception war in both the digital and conventional mediums, adding that the ruling coalition was unable to provide factual responses that co...

According to a study conducted by think tank Ilham Centre, Pakatan Harapan has yet to secure Malay votes in the country and has also failed to manage the perception war in the digital world post-GE14. Ilham Centre said PH in its entirety failed to manage the perception war in both the digital and conventional mediums, adding that the ruling coalition was unable to provide factual responses that co...

It’s the start of a new era for Alibaba. Earlier September, Alibaba’s founder and also the richest man in China, Jack Ma stepped down after 20 years at the helm of the company. Daniel Zhang takes over from Jack Ma as Chairman and there’s of course a lot of interest in where he plans to take Alibaba moving forward. Listen in. Keith Kam was at the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporati...

It’s the start of a new era for Alibaba. Earlier September, Alibaba’s founder and also the richest man in China, Jack Ma stepped down after 20 years at the helm of the company. Daniel Zhang takes over from Jack Ma as Chairman and there’s of course a lot of interest in where he plans to take Alibaba moving forward. Listen in. Keith Kam was at the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporati...

Japan has announced what would be harsh new rules on foreign investment, in industries related to national security. We speak to J. Berkshire Miller, Senior Fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs, about potential impacts of the move, as well as the reason for the restrictions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petronas has posted an 8% increase in its net profit, on the back of a weaker ringgit against the USD, and lower average realised prices for both petroleum products and  liquefied natural gas Another GLC, Khazanah Nasional has announced it will offload its entire stake in PT Lintas Marga Sedaya, which holds and operates one of the longest toll roads in Indonesia. We speak to  Jayant Meno...