Morning Brief

UMNO and PAS have officially cemented their partnership, signing a National Cooperation Charter over the weekend. We speak to Ben Suffian, Programme Director of Merdeka Center, about the charter, the alliance's future prospects, and potential issues that could cause a rift between the parties. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The KL REIT Index has risen 8% year-to-date outperforming the KLCI. To see if there are any legs left in this sector, we speak to Ng Bei Shan, Analyst with MIDF Research, for her views and also her top picks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The KL REIT Index has risen 8% year-to-date outperforming the KLCI. To see if there are any legs left in this sector, we speak to Ng Bei Shan, Analyst with MIDF Research, for her views and also her top picks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Democratic Debates are heating up, with all of the top contenders set to take the stage together at the party's third primary debate. Who will finally be given the party ticket? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The retail industry is one that has seen significant change and disruption with the rise of e-commerce and technology.  Independent retail research firm Retail Group Malaysia (RGM) has revised downward its retail sales growth forecast for 2019, to 4.4% from 4.9% estimated in June. We speak to Tan Hai Hsin, Managing Director of Retail Group Malaysia for some insight into their forecast on the...

As expected, Bank Negara decided on Thursday to maintain the OPR at 3%. We speak to Julia Goh, Senior Economist with UOB Bank, to find out the reasons why and what else we can expect from Budget 2020. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Central Banks cuts rates even lower to -0.5% with Mario Draghi, the President having to face opposition from the "northern" bloc. We ask Jeffrey Halley, Senior Market Analyst at OANDA if the infinite quantitative easing and negative interest rates will help resuscitate the European economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Central Banks cuts rates even lower to -0.5% with Mario Draghi, the President having to face opposition from the "northern" bloc. We ask Jeffrey Halley, Senior Market Analyst at OANDA if the infinite quantitative easing and negative interest rates will help resuscitate the European economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looks like it is back to the drawing board for Axiata with the failure of the non-cash merger with Telenor. So we speak to Tan J Young, Senior Analyst with Hong Leong Investment Bank, to find out what options Axiata has now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the weekend, Crown Prince Mohamed Salman stripped a once-trusted adviser, Khalid Al Falih from his position as the Energy Minister. It is speculated that Falih was not very supportive of Aramco’s IPO plans. In his place, the Crown Prince appointed a half brother, Prince Abdul Aziz as the Energy Minister. If the IPO goes ahead, Saudi Aramco would be valued as high as 2 trillion...

Despite gains in manufacturing, the sluggish outlook from the Industrial Production Index reflects concerns over slowing global growth. With September's monetary policy meeting decision out later today, we ask if Bank Negara is likely to lower the rates like many of the central banks in the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite gains in manufacturing, the sluggish outlook from the Industrial Production Index reflects concerns over slowing global growth. With September's monetary policy meeting decision out later today, we ask if Bank Negara is likely to lower the rates like many of the central banks in the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FDIs are usually known to be productive for a country's economy but a recent study done by the IMF reveals that 40 % of the global FDI are in fact "Phantom FDIs".  For more insights, we speak to Alex Cobham, Chief Executive of the Tax Justice Network, an international advocacy network dedicated to tax reform. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has cancelled negotiation plans with the Taliban, ostensibly following an attack in Kabul last week which killed one US soldier and 11 others. With National Security Adviser John Bolton also out of the White House, what are the prospects now for peace with the Taliban? We speak to Hady Amr, Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution, for more. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Malaysia is likely to miss the target of 75% insurance ownership by 2020. It is at a mere 55% now or under 35% if you adjust for people owning more than one policy. Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said that the target would be revised. Perhaps, the problem is the practice of selling insurance with bells and whistles which make policies more expensive. This would be a good time to promote vanilla pol...

AirAsia and AirAsia X have been fined RM200,000 for adding processing fees to base fares. While consumer protection is a good thing, will travellers have to brace for such fees translating to higher ticket fares? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unfortunately there appears no respite from the haze with rain only expected in late September. So we speak to Dr Helena Varkkey, Senior Lecturer at University Malaya to find out if the cause is open burning in Indonesia and what the Malaysian government can do to respond to this health crisis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick Chang, Chief Investment Officer of Principal Asset Management Berhad tells us that Malaysian corporate earnings disappoints again in the 2nd quarter but yet there are still bring spots which includes the REITS, Technology and the Consumer Sector. However the risk remains the US-China trade war and the domestic policy uncertainty. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick Chang, Chief Investment Officer of Principal Asset Management Berhad tells us that Malaysian corporate earnings disappoints again in the 2nd quarter but yet there are still bring spots which includes the REITS, Technology and the Consumer Sector. However the risk remains the US-China trade war and the domestic policy uncertainty. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The technology sector has seen one of the largest impacts of the US-China trade war, with tariff salvos from either side rocking the trade landscape.  To give us some insight into the investment situation, we speak to Jonathan Curtis, Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Franklin Templeton, about his tech investment strategy, and expectations for the 5G ecosystem. See omnystudio.com/listen...

0:05 - In the first half of this year, EPF has received dividends amounting to RM1.56 billion, from 10 of the companies in its portfolio. 5:32 - Airasia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has taken aim once again at MAVCOM, over allegedly bureaucratic policies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New appointments to the public service may no longer be made under the permanent and pension schemes, as the government has now announced a contractual scheme instead. For more insight, we speak to Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, ASLI , for a look at how attractive this scheme will be, as well as its feasibility. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bereft of monetary policy options to kickstart growth, incoming ECB President Christine Lagarde wants richer, lower-deficit northern nations to open their coffers with fiscal spending measures. The only thing lacking? Details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bereft of monetary policy options to kickstart growth, incoming ECB President Christine Lagarde wants richer, lower-deficit northern nations to open their coffers with fiscal spending measures. The only thing lacking? Details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Carrie Lam's decision to withdraw a controversial extradition bill too little, too late? We speak to Sonny Lo, political commentator , about the move, other demands made by protesters, as well as the situation on the ground in Hong Kong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.