Morning Brief

Malaysia’s mobile service providers have come under increasing scrutiny, with the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission issuing over 900 directives for non-compliance since 2022. Amin Ashaari, CEO of tech news site SoyaCincau.com talks to us about what this reveals about the quality (or lack thereof) of our wireless networks and what needs to change. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com S...

The Dewan Rakyat on Monday passed the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025, meaning courts are now empowered to sentence certain offenders to community service instead of imprisonment. Giving his thoughts on whether this alternative form of punishment works, is Dato’ Vignesh Kumar, Advocate and Solicitor and former Deputy Public Prosecutor. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnys...

The government’s decision to run two immigration systems in parallel, the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) and the upcoming National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) has raised concerns about overlapping functions. We speak to Alex Ong, Country Representative of Migrant CARE, to unpack the implications.  Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

The U.S. economy remains steady, while China grapples with an overcapacity issue that’s weighing on its corporate sector. With expectations building over whether the trade truce will be extended—or if tariffs will snap back to over 100%—Beijing and Washington are once again at a critical crossroads. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will be continuing its electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan for the upcoming state election, reaffirming a partnership that began in 2023. This comes amid allegations of corruption linked to a former aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. James Chin, a professor in Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, shares insights into the latest developments there....

The Hang Seng Index has hit a four year high yet property prices are down by 30% since June 2021. We ask Patrick Wong, Head of Hong Kong & Senior Analyst, Asia Pacific Real Estate, Bloomberg Intelligence as to why this negative correlation exist. We also ask if the Chinese property market which is in the doldrums has any impact on Hong Kong. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/li...

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is in Indonesia to meet President Prabowo Subianto as both neighbours hold their first Annual Consultation in almost eight years. Julia Lau, Senior Fellow, and Coordinator of the Indonesia Studies Programme at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute shares insights into what both leaders are expected to address. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com    See omnystudio...

Malaysia's Human Rights Commission, Suhakam, is now left with only three commissioners left, below the minimum required by law, with one more due to step down soon. Jerald Joseph, Director of Pusat Komas, Chair of CSO Platform on Reforms and a former Suhakam commissioner talks about the implications of this leadership vacuum and what needs to change. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com    See...

Last week, the Securities Commission (SC) Malaysia said it may introduce mandatory corporate governance practices  in the upcoming revision of the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance. P. Gunasegaram, Independent Business Writer tells us if this is good for Malaysia Inc and why it needs to be followed by enforcement. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia is likely only if both sides can reach a deal that allows their leaders to “save face” domestically. Sebastian Strangio, Southeast Asia Editor at The Diplomat, shares his insights on what it will take to secure lasting peace in the region. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Turun Anwar Rally, on July 26, drew thousands of protesters, though crowd estimates vary depending on the source. However, the biggest challenge facing the opposition coalition in rallying support for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Anwar is the absence of a clear and credible alternative to lead the government. Dr. Azmi Hassan, Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategi...

Widespread starvation has reached alarming levels in Gaza. While Israel eased some restrictions on aid entry over the weekend, relief agencies say far more needs to be done. Joining us to unpack the hunger crisis is Dato' Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of MERCY Malaysia. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The proliferation of online scam centres, particularly in Southeast Asia, has been a major concern despite various multilateral efforts to combat these crimes. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of victims may still be trapped in situations deemed less than human. Dr Surachanee Sriyai, Visiting Fellow, Media, Technology & Society Programme at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute shares her insight...

Ahead of the “Turun Anwar” rally tomorrow, both the chief secretary to the government and the Attorney-General’s Chambers have cautioned civil servants from attending. Faisal Aziz, Bersih Chairman joins us to discuss our civil liberties when it comes to peaceful assemblies. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia Keeps BBB+ RatingDespite recent populist measures, Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed Malaysia’s sovereign credit rating at BBB+. Kathleen Chen, Associate Director of Asia-Pacific Sovereigns, explains the rationale. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's to designate this coming Sep 15th an additional public holiday in celebration of Malaysia Day has sparked concern among business stakeholders. Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan, Advisor to the Malaysian Employers' Federation share his thoughts on this and the impact such last-minute public holidays can have on business operations. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See...

The Dewan Rakyat has passed amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010. Key changes include allowing protection even if disclosures breach written laws, and giving agencies more discretion to protect whistleblowers involved in wrongdoing. Raymon Ram, President of Transparency International Malaysia discusses this development. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have each announced new trade deals with the United States, signaling a significant shift in regional trade dynamics. But the agreements have also stirred concern, with several terms still vague or potentially contentious. Dr. Deborah K. Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation, unpacks what’s really at stake. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See o...

Taiwan’s political landscape is under pressure as 24 Kuomintang lawmakers face an unprecedented recall vote. Could this political upheaval jeopardise Taiwan’s security? Brian Hioe, Co-Founding Editor of New Bloom Magazine, discusses the potential outcomes for the island’s future. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2nd 2025 Auditor General’s Report revealed a staggering 48.78 billion ringgit in mismanaged government projects, exposing deep-rooted failures across seven ministries. This raises urgent questions: Are laws and processes enough, or do we need a political and institutional overhaul?. Joining us to unpack this issues is Sri Murniati Yusuf, Senior Research Fellow, IDEAS Malaysia. Image Credit: Sh...

A truly “liveable and loveable” city isn’t built on technology alone. It is shaped by people empowered by good technology. Hj. Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar, Registered Town Planner at IZM Consult, outlines the critical success factors that must accompany Kuala Lumpur’s AI push to ensure the city’s digital transformation serves its people, not just its systems. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com    S...

Israel’s prolonged war on Gaza and expanding strikes in Syria are reshaping the region’s geopolitical fault lines, deepening humanitarian crises and igniting fresh instability. Dr James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, weighs in on the deepening turmoil in the Middle East. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Donald Trump has been US president for six months, and his second term is already marked by sweeping, radical change. Samuel Garrett, Senior Research Associate, United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney assesses Trump's performance so far, measured up against his stated goals and campaign promises. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament reconvened yesterday for the second meeting of the fourth session of the 15th Parliament, which runs until August 28 putting the spotlight back on its role in a functioning democracy. We ask Maha Balakrishnan, Parliamentary Researcher, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Sunway University  as to what to expect and how parliament's role can be made even more robust in Mala...

Malaysia’s property sector continues to show strength in the first half of 2025, with resilient demand across residential, industrial, and hospitality segments. Yulia Nikulicheva, Head of Research & Consultancy at JLL Malaysia, joins us to break down the key drivers, emerging risks, and what investors should watch for when navigating Malaysia’s real estate market. Image Credit: Shutterstock.co...