Morning Brief

The appointment of former High Court judge, Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman as the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief, effective on May thirteenth, comes at the end of Tan Sri Azam Baki’s extended tenure, which had been clouded by controversy. Following the consent from the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. While Putrajaya is positioning this as a step to...

South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI has surged nearly 60% this year, hitting record highs and emerging as one of the world’s top-performing markets. Marvin Chen, Senior Asia Equity Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence talks about how a rebound in semiconductors and renewed foreign inflows is driving this rally and how sustainable it might be. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

The European Union’s massive €90 billion loan for Ukraine is finally unblocked. Formal approval came last Thursday, ending months of deadlock between the grouping and Hungary. Unlike previous aid, this package is designed for a long fight, with the bulk of the money going directly into Ukraine’s domestic weapons production. Russia has already announced a retaliatory energy cutoff to Germany starti...

As global travel sentiment softens amid geopolitical tensions, Malaysia’s business events sector is emerging as a more resilient pillar of the visitor economy. With strong contributions and steady demand from trade and corporate activity, how can Malaysia sustain this momentum, stay competitive regionally, and navigate emerging pressures in the year ahead? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio...

A dispute in Negeri Sembilan has escalated following the removal of the Undang of Sungai Ujong, and a subsequent call for the Yang DiPertuan Besar to step down. This has raised questions over process and legality. The Menteri Besar is now under scrutiny, while the Prime Minister says the matter should be resolved under state law. We speak with constitutional lawyer, Lim Wei Jiet, to understand whe...

China’s property sector is showing uneven signs of stabilisation, with resilience in top-tier cities but ongoing stress in smaller markets weighed down by oversupply and weak demand. As funding conditions tighten and risks spread to the banking system, what will it take to restore confidence, and which developers are best positioned to navigate the downturn? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystud...

After weeks with the Strait of Hormuz on everyone’s lips, the Strait of Malacca comes into view after a suggestion from an Indonesian minister that it tax shipping traffic. As one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, with a huge share of global trade and energy passing through it, any ambiguity over its status has consequences. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, it i...

Malaysia’s Sedition Act 1948 has once again come under scrutiny amid a rise in enforcement. Between 2024 and 2025, a total of 90 cases were recorded under the law. Just this week, the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department advised the public to avoid engaging in social media debates that could be deemed unlawful. Originally enacted during the British colonial era, the Act criminalises speech...

China’s economy has kicked off the year stronger than expected, with first-quarter GDP expanding 5% despite global energy shocks and supply chain disruptions. Gary Ng, a senior analyst at Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, gives us an analysis of these numbers driven largely by industrial output, while domestic demand remains soft. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

The discovery of fentanyl-laced vape products has raised alarm over the infiltration of dangerous synthetic drugs into Malaysia’s consumer market. As enforcement grapples with evolving distribution channels, are current regulations enough to contain the risk, and what more needs to be done to address public health, prevention, and treatment in the face of emerging drug threats? Image Credit: Shutt...

The Securities Commission Malaysia's latest annual report has revealed a record year for IPOs and fundraising which also exposed a widening structural gap, reflected in a net operating deficit and persistent foreign outflows. Ng Zhu Hann, CEO & Founder of Tradeview Capital, shares his insights into what the report highlighted. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

New findings from NHMS 2025 show that only a small fraction of older Malaysians are ageing well, with rising rates of chronic disease, frailty, and cognitive decline. As the country transitions rapidly into an ageing society, are current policies and support systems keeping pace, and what more needs to be done to ensure healthier, more sustainable ageing? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio....

A devastating fire in Sandakan has displaced thousands and exposed the vulnerabilities of densely populated water villages. As relief efforts get underway, what are the most urgent needs on the ground, how inclusive is the aid response, and what lessons does this disaster hold for rebuilding, coordination, and long-term resilience? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

As Big Tech heads into a pivotal earnings season, the focus is shifting from AI hype to actual returns. With massive investments, leadership changes at Apple, and growing scrutiny over monetisation, are we finally seeing AI translate into real revenue, and which companies are best positioned to lead the next phase of growth? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

The global aviation sector is facing a fresh wave of disruption. This time, it is not just about higher costs, but that the entire system is facing pressure at multiple levels, with the availability and cost of jet fuel coming into sharp focus. We are seeing signs of broader impact, including flight cuts and shifting network strategies, to mounting financial pressure on weaker airlines as costs ri...

Global IPO markets are stabilising, with proceeds rising even as volumes remain flat, pointing to capital concentrating in fewer, larger deals. In Malaysia, close to 60 IPOs in 2025 and over 50 in the pipeline contrast with smaller deal sizes, raising questions about market depth and investor demand. To unpack this, we speak with Kevin Chew, Senior Executive Director, Strategy and Transactions at...

Malaysia’s plan to centralise migrant worker recruitment through a single digital platform has sparked concerns over transparency, competition, and worker protection. As the government pushes for efficiency and cost savings, what are the risks of relying on one system, and how can policymakers strike the right balance between streamlined hiring and proper oversight? Image Credit: Shutterstock See...

North Korea’s latest missile launches have heightened security concerns in East Asia, coming amid warnings over its advancing nuclear programme and a shifting regional political landscape. As Seoul and Tokyo respond with stronger rhetoric and closer coordination, what signals is Pyongyang sending, and how might these developments reshape security dynamics across the region? Image Credits: Shutters...

In the past 48 hours, activity through the Strait of Hormuz has been highly unstable. Some tankers have exited the Gulf in groups, while others have turned back mid-transit, with reports of ships coming under fire and restrictions reimposed after brief reopening signals. For the maritime industry, the impact is now showing up in insurance in tighter contract terms, sharply higher premiums, and in...

Malaysia’s labour market is sending mixed signals, with retrenchments easing even as job vacancies rise and employers struggle to find suitable talent. As layoffs remain concentrated in key urban centres and hiring gaps persist, what is driving this mismatch, and what structural changes are needed to better align workforce skills with demand? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener...

Tensions in the Middle East are entering a new phase following a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that began on 16 April. The agreement is intended as a temporary pause to allow negotiations towards a longer term arrangement. However, key issues remain unresolved, particularly the future of Hezbollah and Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon. The situation is further complic...

The coalition is once again dealing with internal tension, this time over how the Opposition Leader should be chosen. A plan to let MPs decide the role sounds procedural, but it is really turning into a question of who actually holds influence inside the coalition. The issue is closely tied to the split between Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, with Hamzah now leading a grou...

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Malaysia this week, although the visit has been cut short by a day after an emergency back home linked to fuel supply concerns. He met Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim, with talks centered on trade, energy and supply chains at a time of growing global disruption. Australia is Malaysia’s 12th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade at R...

As social media becomes the primary source of information for many Malaysians, concerns over misinformation, online harms, and digital trust are growing. With platforms introducing new safeguards and users increasingly relying on personal networks to verify information, how are Malaysians deciding what to believe, and does this signal a need to rethink how media literacy is understood and taught?...

Malaysia's carbon tax was due to be introduced this year for carbon intensive sectors like iron, steel and energy. However the timing of the rollout is now under review amid higher global energy prices. We discuss the implications of this policy with Dr Renard Siew, President of the Malaysia Carbon Market Association. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.