Morning Brief

The disruptive strategy of the demonstrators in causing a citywide lockdown and cancelling flights have not succeeded in winning the hearts and minds of the Hong Kong people. Worse, this may force the hand of Beijing to take action. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Council of Eminent Persons chairman and former Finance Minister, Tun Daim Zainuddin says that Malaysia is far from    reaching the status of a developed country. He targets the education and economy as two areas which need improvement and more effective policies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India's government has announced it will abolish the special status of Muslim-majority state Kashmir, a move accompanied by a communications and media blackout starting Sunday evening. We speak to Ankit Panda, Senior Editor at the Diplomat, about reactions from Pakistan, and possible repercussions stemming from the move. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Chinese yuan breaking 7.00 to the US dollar, this not only sends a risk-off signal to investors but surfaces foreign exchange as having a more pronounced role in trade and beyond. The ringgit looks likely not to be spared and will probably breach 4.20. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Kuala Lumpur Roundtable organised by think tank, IDEAS, is putting forward a few key policy suggestions including needs-based affirmative action and reducing the role of GLC. Education has been highlighted as one of the most important policies. They are also happy that the Ministry of Finance isn't going ahead with new taxes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Charnon Boonnuch, South East Asia Economist for Nomura, on how the drought will impact the Thai economy and what policy options are available to the government to counter this despite the rising Thai baht. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

00:05 - According to an unnamed FMT source, the National Higher Education Fund Corporation, or PTPTN has proposed a new mechanism for its repayment scheme. However the proposal will only erase part of the university student loan debts. This will effectively affect those earning more than RM2000, where deductions would be made from the combined monthly EPF contribution. This will come up to a total...

According to an unnamed FMT source, the National Higher Education Fund Corporation, or PTPTN has proposed a new mechanism for its repayment scheme. However the proposal will only erase part of the university student loan debts. This will effectively affect those earning more than RM2000, where deductions would be made from the combined monthly EPF contribution. This will come up to a total of 23 p...

Global Bersih has called on the Election Commission to reform Malaysia’s overseas voting system. The NGO came up with some recommendations after studying the challenges faced by overseas voters for the 13th and 14th General Elections. Its proposal is also based on responses from a survey of almost 800 Malaysians living overseas in 248 cities. We speak to Nirmala Devi, the Secretary-General o...

Berkshire Hathaway announced its quarterly results over the weekend with a slight dip in earnings due to lower insurance underwriting but more significantly, the company sits on USD122 billion of cash.    Does Warren Buffet know something we don't by hanging on to cash? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Berkshire Hathaway announced its quarterly results over the weekend with a slight dip in earnings due to lower insurance underwriting but more significantly, the company sits on USD122 billion of cash.    Does Warren Buffet know something we don't by hanging on to cash? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured ASEAN members that they need not choose between the US and China, amid what has become an increasingly polarised power struggle in the region. For some insight, we speak to Aaron Connelly, Research Fellow in Southeast Asian Political Change and Foreign Policy with the International Institute for Strategic Studies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Yesterday, a Chinese warship collided with a Taiwanese freighter. While the bulk carrier was damaged, there were no injuries reported. This incident could raise tensions in a region already rife in tensions 01:35 - We speak to Ridzwan Rahmat, Principal Defence Analyst at Jane's by IHS Markit about this. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

00:26 - PR1MA, has reportedly seen the departure of 100 staff. This coupled with poor financial performances in recent years has raised the question what is the future of Pr1MA. 06:31 - The government is currently expecting a waste disposal plan from Lynas before the company is allowed to build a permanent disposal facility in the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Korea is the world's sixth-largest exporter and the persistent weak global demand and an escalating dispute with Japan is painting an increasingly gloomy picture for Asia's fourth-largest economy. As a result, South Korea's exports tumbled for an eighth straight month in July with exports shrinking 11% in July on-year as shipments to China fell 16% and semiconductor exports sank just over 28...

South Korea is the world's sixth-largest exporter and the persistent weak global demand and an escalating dispute with Japan is painting an increasingly gloomy picture for Asia's fourth-largest economy.  As a result, South Korea's exports tumbled for an eighth straight month in July with exports shrinking 11% in July on-year as shipments to China fell 16% and semiconductor exports sank just o...

02:06 - We speak to Tan Chow Yin, Partner at Dymon Asia Private Equity as to why there has been an increase in delistings in the region and also the myriad of funding options for companies today versus 20 years ago. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will he or won’t he?  That’s the burning question where political succession to the nation’s highest office is concerned.  Current Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir has said ‘two years and no more’. However,  with infighting at his anointed successor Anwar Ibrahim’s party, PKR, with Deputy President Azmin Ali reaching new heights on an almost daily b...

Will he or won’t he?  That’s the burning question where political succession to the nation’s highest office is concerned.  Current Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir has said ‘two years and no more’. However,  with infighting at his anointed successor Anwar Ibrahim’s party, PKR, with Deputy President Azmin Ali reaching new heights on an almost daily b...

00:05 - In local corporate news, RHB has proposed to sell its non-core insurance business, which the Morning Run discuss in the context of the impact to shareholders (read: dividends), as well as the broader insurance industry, with a new player in the field, in the shape of Richard Li’s FWD Takaful. 05:14 - On the Transport front, there are conflicting stories on the government’s take...

China's growing raft of security partnerships within ASEAN reflects a move to strengthen its position and influence in the international order. We speak to Prashanth Parameswaran, Global Fellow at the Wilson Center's Asia Program about what China stands to gain, and what role the US has to play in the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Democratic field is extremely crowded, ahead of the 2020 US Presidential elections. With 20 candidates still in the running, we speak to Dr. Mitchell McKinney, Professor of Political Communication at the University of Missouri, about the second round of Democratic debates, currently underway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Democratic field is extremely crowded, ahead of the 2020 US Presidential elections. With 20 candidates still in the running, we speak to Dr. Mitchell McKinney, Professor of Political Communication at the University of Missouri, about the second round of Democratic debates, currently underway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bryan Foong has been named as group chief strategy officer for Malaysia Airlines, responsible for strategic priorities and direction. We ask if this appointment is enough to turn around the company after many consecutive years of losses, especially in a tough operating environment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has retained its position as 35th in the latest edition of the Global Innovation Index, which measures quality innovation. For more insight, we speak to Bruno Lanvin, Executive Director of Global Indices at INSEAD, who produced the report, about other countries in the region, as well as the global risks to innovation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.