Morning Brief

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.

Bangkok is set to host the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) this week, amid a slew of issues including North Korea nuclear talks and the Rohingya crisis. To get a better understanding of what we can expect to be achieved at the AMM, we speak to Ben Bland, Director of the Southeast Asia Project at the Lowy Institute in Sydney. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corporations face uncertainty in the UK due to Brexit. But this hasn't stopped strong property investment flows going into the UK. According JLL, this is a function of lack of supply in places like London. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the Malaysia Institute of Economic Research (MIER) clarified they are not investing into ambitious projects, they are helping the government assess projects such as electric vehicles and the Hyperloop. Given past massive failures in Proton and Malaysian Airlines, the government would do well to tread carefully or think more strategically. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the MIER clarified they are not investing into ambitious projects, they are helping the government assess ambitious projects such as electric vehicles and the Hyperloop. Given past massive failures in Proton and Malaysian Airlines, the government would do well to tread carefully or think more strategically. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the Malaysian Economic Symposium held at the Parliament, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been tasked to double down on Pakatan Harapan’s promise to move away from race-based economic policies.  During his speech, Anwar Ibrahim said that a new policy would still include affirmative action , but it would involve a needs-based approach instead.  For insights on Malaysia’s povert...

At the Malaysian Economic Symposium held at the Parliament, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been tasked to double down on Pakatan Harapan’s promise to move away from race-based economic policies.  During his speech, Anwar Ibrahim said that a new policy would still include affirmative action , but it would involve a needs-based approach instead.  For insights on Malaysia’s povert...

The Ministry of Housing and Local Govt (KPKT) plans to set up a property data platform, which integrates past and current information as an attempt to overcome the mismatch and housing glut here. KPKT’s National Housing Department Director-General Jayaselan said the project will materialise over the next 2 years and will include data sharing from EPF and IRB. KPKT Minister Zuraida Kamarudin...

The Ministry of Housing and Local Govt (KPKT) plans to set up a property data platform, which integrates past and current information as an attempt to overcome the mismatch and housing glut here. KPKT’s National Housing Department Director-General Jayaselan said the project will materialise over the next 2 years and will include data sharing from EPF and IRB. KPKT Minister Zuraida Kamarudin...

It's been the eighth straight weekend of unrest in Hong Kong, as demonstrators dispersed across four separate locations through the island-state. Comparisons have been made to the Yellow Vest Movement in France, and worries are beginning to surface that these protests may go on much longer than expected. What can the Hong Kong government do to avoid paralysis of a global financial hub? See omnystu...

It's been the eighth straight weekend of unrest in Hong Kong, as demonstrators dispersed across four separate locations through the island-state. Comparisons have been made to the Yellow Vest Movement in France, and worries are beginning to surface that these protests may go on much longer than expected. What can the Hong Kong government do to avoid paralysis of a global financial hub? See omnystu...

The Penang State government has said they may request government funding for two components of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). Since then, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has indicated the Penang South Reclamation project may have to be scaled down, reclaiming only one or two islands rather than three. To discuss this, and more on the PTMP, we speak with Khoo Salma, member of the Penang Forum, a...

The Penang State government has said they may request government funding for two components of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). Since then, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has indicated the Penang South Reclamation project may have to be scaled down, reclaiming only one or two islands rather than three. To discuss this, and more on the PTMP, we speak with Khoo Salma, member of the Penang Forum, a...

Alex Chia, Head of Regional Equity Research at RHB Group tells us the potential of    Halal and ESG investing and puts to rest the argument that such investments don't necessarily under-perform while giving us his top picks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Quality of Economic Growth is Centred on Talents The OECD has published an Economic Survey on Malaysia. On the whole, it concludes that Malaysia’s economy is “doing well, but social and governance challenges must be addressed.”  The report stresses that Malaysia needs to improve the quality of growth to become a high-income nation.  The report stresses also that Mal...

Vietnam is releasing its economic data like inflation and purchasing managers’ index. On the whole, Vietnam’s economy saw broad-based growth despite rising trade tensions and volatility in emerging economies.  The country is often touted to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the trade war between the US and China. We speak to Peck Boon Soon, Chief Asean Economist at  &nbs...

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived in Turkey yesterday, for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. For more insight, we speak to Serkan Yolacan, Research Fellow at the Middle East Institute at NUS, about Malaysia-Turkey relations, and Turkey's possible pivot towards Russia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived in Turkey yesterday, for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. For more insight, we speak to Serkan Yolacan, Research Fellow at the Middle East Institute at NUS, about Malaysia-Turkey relations, and Turkey's possible pivot towards Russia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RGF International Recruitment released a report based on a survey with 3,500 people about hiring trends in 11 countries including China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia among others. sought to answer in its Talent in Asia report. The report highlights what do job-seekers and employers are looking for as well as the trends. We speak to Ai Ling Lee, Managing Director of RGF Executive Se...

RGF International Recruitment released a report based on a survey with 3,500 people about hiring trends in 11 countries including China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia among others. sought to answer in its Talent in Asia report. The report highlights what do job-seekers and employers are looking for as well as the trends. We speak to Ai Ling Lee, Managing Director of RGF Executive Se...

Umno and PAS are set to finalise their tie-up by the end of next month. For more thoughts on what this could mean, we speak to Bridget Welsh, Associate Professor of Political Science at John Cabot University, about the future of Barisan Nasional, implications for Pakatan Harapan, as well as how this will affect the political landscape of Malaysia as a whole. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Umno and PAS are set to finalise their tie-up by the end of next month. For more thoughts on what this could mean, we speak to Bridget Welsh, Associate Professor of Political Science at John Cabot University, about the future of Barisan Nasional, implications for Pakatan Harapan, as well as how this will affect the political landscape of Malaysia as a whole. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Bank Negara Malaysia expects to see a moderation in global growth to 3%, rather than a contraction. Are fears of a global recession overplayed? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Negara Malaysia expects to see a moderation in global growth to 3%, rather than a contraction. Are fears of a global recession overplayed?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DOJ Antitrust Probe: Breaking Up is Hard to Do The US Department of Justice announced that they will launch an antitrust probe into leading online platforms. Even though no names were mentioned it is likely they are referring to companies like Apple, Amazon, Google and Facebook.  The DoJ says it will look into whether these platforms are “engaging in practices that have reduced competit...