Morning Brief

From non-revenue water to ensuring sustainable supply amid booming data centre investments, Malaysia has its fair share of water-related challenges. We speak to Adam Saffian Ghazali, CEO of Air Selangor, about how the country’s largest water services provider is managing this vital resource. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) will take effect on July 1st, aiming to broaden the tax base and boost revenue for public services. We speak to Soh Lian Seng, President, Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia as to implementation of this and how IRB can ensure a smooth rollout to avoid negatively impacting businesses and consumers alike. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.c...

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached an unprecedented scale with people there on the brink of famine. However, the US-Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation ostensibly intended to provide aid, has resulted in more Gazans shot on and killed by Israeli military. Akshaya Kumar, Director of Crisis Advocacy at Human Rights Watch explains why HRW views it a as a front for broader crimes under...

Petronas announced last week that it will be reducing its global headcount by 10%, amounting to about 5,000 people, as well as implementing a hiring freeze until December 2026. How will these moves affect local oil and gas services and equipment companies? Jamalludin Obeng, President of Malaysia OSV Owners’ Association shares his perspective. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/liste...

The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) has once again pushed back the e-Invoice rollout to next year, giving businesses more time to prepare. But how will this delay impact tax compliance, and what improvements are needed to prevent further postponements? We speak with Eugene Chow, Business Process Solutions Leader at Deloitte Malaysia. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listen...

Senior U.S. officials are set to meet with a Chinese delegation later today in London for the next round of trade negotiations. In addition to tariffs and technology, both countries are now also attempting to break an impasse over global supplies of rare earth minerals. How will this latest round of talks impact the world’s two largest economies? For answers, we’ll speak with Sarah Tan, Economist...

As digital transformation accelerates across Southeast Asia, the future of payments is becoming increasingly cashless, connected, and inclusive. Join us for an exclusive panel discussion featuring experts and leaders driving change in the region's financial ecosystem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM) has called on the government to address critical issues affecting operators’ profit margins before rationalising RON95 fuel subsidies. We speak to Dato' Khairul Annuar, President of PDAM about the pain points being experienced and the potential impact on consumers. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

Indonesia’s political tensions are rising as Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka faces impeachment calls over alleged nepotism. President Prabowo, meanwhile, confronts cabinet reshuffle pressure amid economic woes and coalition tensions, while advancing major programmes like free meals and stimulus efforts. Erin Cook, Journalist, Southeast Asian Affairs shares her perspective on these developmen...

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim entered office in 2022 pledging to review political appointments to federal statutory bodies (FSB) and GLCs. But his recent comments defending the practice have raised eyebrows and cast doubt on the government's commitment to reform. We speak to Aira Azhari of IDEAS on why the practice of political appointments should be phased out. Image Credit: S...

The US tariffs on imported steel and aluminum officially doubled from 25% to 50% on June 4th, affecting all countries exporting these metals to the US, except the UK. Michelle Leung, Head of Asia Metals & Mining at Bloomberg Intelligence, explains the impact of this on industries and consumers from the US, all the way to Asia and Malaysia. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/list...

South Korea has a new president following the victory of left-wing candidate Lee Jae-Myung of the Democratic Party, capping the drama that began when former president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law back in December 2024. Professor Donald Leslie Baker of the Asian Studies Department at the University of British Columbia, breaks down the challenges President-elect Lee can expect in addition to h...

The federal government has announced plans for a major urban development in Putrajaya, called Kota MADANI which will be developed vertically and at high density integrating AI technology. We hear from Hj. Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar, Registered Town Planner at IZM Consult as he unpacks the vision behind this ambitious development and the challenges that lie ahead. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnys...

Malaysia has been working hard to enhance ties with the UK with a number of high-level working visits this year by Prime Minister Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim in January and the ongoing visit of the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Dr Benjamin Barton, Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, breaks down these visits as well as the UK's own approach to China. Ima...

The government has appointed career diplomat Tan Sri Shahrul Ikram Yaacob as Malaysia’s envoy to the US. What are the challenges he’ll be expected to navigate in the face of a mercurial White House? We discuss this with Dr Khoo Ying Hooi of Universiti Malaya. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s property slump continued in May, with major developers seeing an 8.6% drop in home sales. Weak demand, deflation, and cautious policy support suggest the sector’s recovery remains distant despite broader economic pressures. Kristy Hung, Senior Industry Analyst of Asia Real Estate, Bloomberg Intelligence gives us her perspective on the Chinese property market and outlook. Image Credit: Shut...

From rising tensions between local and federal powers to increasing demands for autonomy and justice under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Ariff Adi Putera Anwar, Research Associate at the Institute for Development Studies, offers a deep dive into Sabah’s evolving political landscape. We look into Sabah’s political landscape, examining public sentiment toward Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, sh...

Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has officially stepped down from the party and announced his intention to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). This move was not a surprise, but we ask Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director, Viewfinder Global Affairs what this means for the dynamics between Umno and PH and the inevitable cabinet reshuffle. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

The 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue was recently held in Singapore gathering defense ministers, military chiefs, and senior officials from nearly 50 countries. Dr Malcolm Davis, a security analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, unpacks the key takeaways from this meeting with Beijing and Washington engaging in multiple diplomatic attacks during the event. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See...

On the back of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's civil case, there are now questions as to whether a sitting leader has legal immunity. Lim Wei Jiet, Constitutional Lawyer gives us his perspective whilst we also consider the appointment process of senior judges in this country. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 46th ASEAN Summit saw the bloc upgrade existing trade arrangements as well as explore new deals with China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Can these partnerships eventually offset the disruption caused by US tariffs? We discuss the ASEAN trade policies with Dr. Jayant Menon of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

As Gaza faces a growing humanitarian crisis, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the U.S. and Israel, has stepped in with new aid programs that have sparked debate and unrest. Will GHF be able to deliver aid fairly amid political tensions, and how will this shape the future of relief efforts in Gaza? We speak with Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of Mercy Malaysia, t...

In Malaysia, the cryptoasset market has been active, with total trading volume more than doubling in 2024 from the previous year. More broadly, digital assets have the potential to benefit the economy. As such, central banks, including Bank Negara Malaysia, have also been harnessing the potential of emerging technologies such as blockchain through initiatives like Central Bank Digital Currency (CB...

Over the course of the ASEAN Summit, digitalization and AI were major focal points but how can this be championed? Calvin Woo, Director at MYCentre4IR tells us as a government agency how this can be achieved. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia began its latest round of airstrikes on Ukraine this week, launching its biggest air strikes since it invaded its neighbour in 2022, with over 700 drones and missiles in two nights. Dr Julia Roknifard, Senior Lecturer, School of Law and Governance at Taylor’s University talks about the latest developments including the name-calling between Washington and Moscow. Image Credit: Shutterstock.c...