Morning Brief

Malaysia is introducing fare discounts and subsidised rail passes to ease the impact of higher fuel prices and support commuters. Nabil Ersyad from Transit Malaysia talks about if pricing incentives can be feasible solution given ongoing service disruptions across KL’s rail network and infrastructure that more often than not, favours cars rather than public transport. Image Credit: Shutterstock Se...

Indonesia is navigating rising oil prices and global uncertainty while holding firm to an ambitious 5.4% growth target. With fuel subsidies straining fiscal limits, inflation risks building, and external pressures mounting, how sustainable is this outlook, and what trade-offs will policymakers need to make to keep the economy on track? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

Malaysia is tightening its fuel subsidy system through targeted schemes, digital tracking, and stronger enforcement, but gaps in implementation and rising concerns over leakages and supply persist. As operators struggle to access support and public anxiety grows, are these measures enough to fix the system, or do they reveal deeper structural issues in how subsidies are designed and delivered? Ima...

China is recalibrating its approach to Taiwan, engaging directly with the opposition while rolling out targeted economic incentives, even as military activity around the island continues. With Beijing shaping both the terms and tone of engagement, what does this dual strategy reveal about its broader objectives, and how might it reshape cross-strait relations and regional stability? Image Credit:...

Hungary’s election has brought an end to Viktor Orbán’s long rule, with Péter Magyar securing a decisive parliamentary majority. Driven by concerns over cost of living and governance, voters have delivered a clear signal for change. But with institutions shaped by the previous administration and mixed signals on foreign policy, is Hungary set for a decisive shift back toward Europe or a more compl...

Perikatan Nasional is navigating a leadership gap following Hamzah Zainuddin’s resignation as Opposition Leader, raising questions about internal unity and direction. As PAS looks set to take a larger role and UMNO shows signs of consolidation, are we witnessing an early political realignment ahead of the next general election, and who will emerge to lead the opposition in Parliament? Image Credit...

Rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia have pushed oil prices higher, stoking inflation concerns and raising questions about the broader economic outlook. Sarah Jane Mahmud, a senior industry analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence explores how exposed Malaysia’s banking sector is to these pressures, from loan growth and asset quality to margins and dividend sustainability. Image Credit: Shutterstock...

Global disruptions are putting pressure on pharmaceutical supply chains, raising concerns over access to essential medicines in Malaysia. As the MMA calls for stronger buffer stocks and a more resilient system, how exposed is the country to shortages, and what needs to be done to safeguard medicine security in an increasingly uncertain environment? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/lis...

The government has rolled out RM5 billion in low-cost financing to help SMEs upgrade, digitalise, and grow, but questions remain over how far funding alone can drive real transformation. As businesses grapple with rising costs and global uncertainty, will this push accelerate productivity and resilience, or are deeper structural challenges still holding SMEs back? Image Credit: Shutterstock See om...

After more than 20 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, talks between the US and Iran have ended without an agreement. Washington is now striking a tougher stance; but plans for a shipping blockade around the Strait of Hormuz which it hopes will give it more leverage, has the downside of pushing up oil prices. While Tehran, emboldened by its own resilience, says the ball is in the US court. With bo...

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is sending shockwaves through global supply chains, sharply raising the cost of energy and petrochemical-derived raw materials. As a result, Malaysia’s rubber glove industry, which produces nearly 45% of the world’s supply, is facing heightened pressure. Surging prices for butadiene, a key component of nitrile latex, have climbed nearly 70% since the crisis...

The World Bank Group is projecting economic growth for Malaysia this year coming in at 4.4%, slower than the robust 2025, where real GDP outperformed expectations at 5.2%. Dr Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, Chief Economist, Bank Muamalat, discusses this latest 2026 Malaysia Economic Monitor. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After nearly a year of deflation, Thailand’s headline inflation is edging back toward positive territory. Sathit Talaengsatya, an economist at UOB Thailand, shares perspectives on how price pressures are being driven by energy and selected food items, while core inflation remains subdued, potentially pointing to weak underlying demand. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

The US and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, but key issues like sanctions, nuclear enrichment, and control of the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved. Can both sides bridge their differences and prevent a return to conflict? Dr James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, unpacks what this ceasefire really means and what comes next. Image Credit...

Equities rallied across the world immediately after a two-week US-Iran ceasefire was announced, while crude oil prices tumbled 16%, its largest one-day drop since 2020. Tony Nash, CEO of Complete Intelligence, discusses what he anticipates as more details about these latest developments become clearer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vietnam and Myanmar have both installed new presidents, but under vastly different circumstances. As Vietnam consolidates power under To Lam while pursuing ambitious growth targets, Myanmar’s military leadership tightens control amid ongoing conflict and limited international recognition. What do these contrasting paths reveal about governance, stability, and ASEAN’s role in a rapidly shifting reg...

Asian equity markets are entering the second quarter on uncertain footing, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East reshape investor sentiment and capital flows. Aidan Yao, a senior investment strategist for Asia at Amundi discusses how geopolitical risks might guide sentiment after the S&P Asia 50 had posted solid gains in Q1. Image Credit: Shutterstock. See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

For over 30 years, Malaysia has committed to maintaining 50% forest cover. A recent lawsuit by six youths under the 'Mana Hutan Kami' campaign now challenges the government in the High Court, alleging that more than 4 million hectares are slated for conversion. Environmental lawyer Jia Yaw Kiu discusses the legal framework of the case and its potential to set a regional precedent. Image Credit: Sh...

The government’s Madani Mart initiative aims to lower the cost of living while empowering local entrepreneurs through a licensed, privately run retail model backed by Yayasan Madani. Syahnis Salleh, Board of Trustees Member of the Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM), discusses concerns over whether this could undercut traditional sundry shops. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listene...

Malaysia is launching an Orange Economic Council to boost its creative industries, from live events to digital content, as part of a broader push for growth. With the sector already contributing significantly to GDP, what policies will drive real impact, how can bottlenecks be addressed, and can Malaysia position itself as a regional hub for entertainment amid rising costs and global uncertainty?...

The territory’s economic outlook is now being shaped in part by a key Court of Appeal ruling that has put on hold a compulsory review of its long-contested 40% allocation from the Federal government. While there is no clear deadline for Putrajaya to address nearly five decades of outstanding payments, Sabah’s government is not hindered from pursuing its Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ 2.0) plan. While global...

China’s economy is showing signs of resilience in manufacturing and exports, but softer domestic demand, property sector pressures, and rising external risks are complicating the outlook. As policymakers balance support with longer-term stability and the yuan faces both pressure and growing global use, what is really driving China’s economy at this stage and how sustainable is the current trajecto...

Malaysia’s EV push is facing growing tension between industrial policy and market reality, as stricter MITI rules and pricing floors raise questions about investment, competition, and consumer access. With reports of BYD reconsidering its Tanjung Malim plans even as EV registrations surge, is the country striking the right balance between protecting local industry and accelerating adoption? Image...

Singapore’s banking giants - DBS, OCBC, and UOB - entered 2026 from a position of strength, but rising geopolitical tensions and sector-specific risks are beginning to test that resilience. Rena Kwok, Credit Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence discusses how the Iran conflict as well as the lingering stress in China’s property market might impact Singapore's banks. See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

Malaysia is rolling out measures to safeguard households and the economy, including setting up specialised crisis committees. Dr Cassey Lee, Principal Fellow and Coordinator of the Regional Economic Studies Programme at ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, discusses how effective these efforts are in managing the crisis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.