Morning Brief

Malaysian students scored poorly on the Programme for International Student Assessment 2022 (PISA), even below the OECD average. The data showed that Malaysian students showed weakness in all three literacy measures that include reading, mathematics and science. Is there a weakness in the education system and what remedies are necessary? Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim of the Parent Action Group for...

ByteDance’s TikTok has reportedly agreed to invest in a unit of Indonesia’s GoTo group to restart its ecommerce business while the soon-to-be-listed Shein and PDD’s Temu have been taking advantage of consumers’ love of a bargain. Nathan Naidu, Equity Research Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence talks about this battle for Southeast Asian consumers' eyeballs and wallets. Image credit: Shuttersto...

The Malaysian Bar filed for leave for a judicial review to quash the Attorney General’s decision to seek a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s 47 graft charges, even after a prima facie was established and 77 days of trial. The Malaysian Bar raises their concern that this matter is of public interest. Karen Cheah, President of the Malaysian Bar discuss...

The UN Climate Change Conference has been ongoing for about a week, and the focus in the last few days has been on fossil fuels. Shazana Mokhtar, Presenter & Producer on the Morning Run who is there in Dubai tell us why this issue has flared up, what are the other significant announcements so far especially from the Malaysian contingent. Image credit: Reuters See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Putrajaya is set to announce a quota increase for its 7-year-old Net Energy Metering Scheme by year's end. This comes as the existing quota that was expanded by 630 megawatts back in March this year has already been fully taken up. Davis Chong, President of the Malaysian Photovoltaic Industry Association talks about the growing demand for rooftop solar installations for residential, commercial and...

Shopping traffic has returned back to pre-Covid levels. Lines are forming outside popular stores but their purchasing power is weakened by the cost of living crisis. The Retail Group Malaysia has lowered its retail sales growth rate estimate for the fourth quarter of 2023 to 2.1%. This is down from the 3% the group had estimated back in September. Tan Hai Hsin, Managing Director of Retail Group Ma...

A white paper outlining the progressive wage policy has been introduced by the government, scheduled for implementation in June next year. Dr. Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of the Center For Market Education provides his insights into the potential impact of this policy on our wage landscape which is only for those earning RM5000 and below. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is expected to come up with a framework soon to facilitate the registration and regulation of social media platform providers. We discuss how this framework could affect the industry with Alexander Wong, managing editor and co-founder of SoyaCincau. Image credit: MCMC See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese property developers are on the edge of collapse and to salvage the battered sector, the Chinese government is proposing a rescue package that is sending shivers down the banking industry. Will this cloud China's pathway to recovery? Eric Yee, Senior Portfolio Manager, Atlantis Investment Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd discusses about the recent events as well as all things related to the C...

The Kemaman parliamentary by-election just ended with Terengganu Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri emerging as victor thus propelling him onto the national stage as possibly the future face of PAS politics. How will the Prime Minister change tack to entice traditional PAS voters? We speak with Dr Azmil Mohd Tayeb, Political Scientist and Associate Professor, Universiti Sains Malaysia for...

For COP 28, Malaysia has sent its largest contingent led by Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. Malaysia's theme this year is “Going beyond: Green growth, resilient community and sustainable planet”. Shazana Mokhtar, Presenter & Producer on the Morning Run who is there, gives us an update on this event and what we can expect over the next few...

2022 was an anomaly with both equities and fixed income performing poorly. This has meant that the 60/40 investment portfolio that has been a cornerstone of a well-diversified portfolio has underperformed but should we dismiss this asset allocation strategy? Abel Lim, Head of Wealth Management Advisory and Strategy at UOB tells us his perspective whilst weighing in on the themes to pay attention t...

In conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec 3rd, we look at the discrimination faced by this community especially in workplaces. Despite Malaysia implementing the Persons with Disabilities Act in 2008, guaranteeing equal access for PWDs to public facilities, healthcare, and recreation, what issues remain? V. Murugeswaran, President, of the Damai Disabled Persons A...

Parliament recently gave Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia or the Human RIghts Commission more authority to defend the rights of individuals and also its pursuit in ensuring the rights of children. We speak with Jerald Joseph, former SUHAKAM Commissioner from 2016 to 2022 on how much this decision is welcomed and how the public and the bureaucracy can work together for the common good. Image...

Recent price movements of cocoa caused concern among chocolate connoisseurs. The commodity price soared to the highest in 46 years as bad weather and high fertiliser prices affected crop production. How will this further impact the industry? Diana Gomes, Senior Equity Analyst covering consumer goods for Bloomberg Intelligence shares with us her insights on what is affecting this popular commo...

With development lagging behind that of Malaysia, will the Sabah's 2024 state election be a game changer and help the state achieve its theme of "SABAH TEGUH, RAKYAT TERBELA”? Dr. Firdausi Suffian, Political Economist, UiTM Sabah gives us his view. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The establishment of the Gig Economy Commission Malaysia (SeGim), initially mooted by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has now been shelved. It was intended to ensure the welfare of gig workers across the entire economic chain. Datuk Thavalingam Thavarajah, an Employment and Industrial Relations Lawyer and an author of several publications on labour laws, analyses the argument that SeGim w...

Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s long-time business partner at Berkshire Hathaway passed away at 99. He was known for being the human capitalist behind Buffett's investment decisions, providing them with the rational compass behind the process. Rajen Devadason, CEO, RD WealthCreation, reflects on Munger's legacy. Image credit: AP Photos See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UN Climate Change Conference, also known as COP28 begins today and will run for the next two weeks. What’s at stake in the global negotiations and what does Malaysia bring to the table? We discuss expectations for the event with Gary Theseira of Climate Governance Malaysia. Image credit: AP Photos See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fifth edition of the Global State of Democracy report by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance reveals that democratic trends have been declining around the world over the past 5 years. We review the patterns observed in the Asia-Pacific region, including the bright spots as well as aspects of concern with Leena Rikkilä Tamang at the International IDEA. Image credi...

A local business group has called for the implementation of a 10% low-value goods tax to protect Malaysian brick and mortar businesses from being undercut by foreign vendors. Will this move influence local buyers to purchase more goods locally? We speak with Datuk William Ng, Chairman, Small and Medium Enterprises Association on why this move is much needed for the SME sector and how it will not d...

Yesterday, the Ministry of Health finally tabled the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 for the first reading in the Dewan Rakyat. However, the revised bill no longer incorporates the Generational Endgame or GEG element which would prohibit the sale to, purchase by or use of tobacco products for those born after 1 January 2007. We discuss the consequences of the amended b...

We look at the health of the US retail sector on the back of the biggest shopping event in the calendar. Over the weekend, inflation-weary American consumers were coaxed by various discounts happening over Black Friday through to Cyber Monday. Poonam Goyal, Head and Senior E-Commerce & Athleisure Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence shares with us what US consumers were buying and which play...

Over the weekend, Russia fired more than 70 drones at the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv overnight, in what officials are calling the largest drone attack in the war so far. We discuss the latest developments as the war approaches its second winter with Dr. Alexey Muraviev, Associate Professor of National Security and Strategic Studies of Curtin University. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio...

Malaysia eases visa rules for China and India, key sources of tourist arrivals as we push for more revenue in this sector. This is on the back of similar proposals by ASEAN neighbours such as Thailand. Is Malaysia competitive enough to pull tourists from our neighbours while the country grapples with inflationary pressures and a higher degree of expectations from global travellers? We analyse this...