Morning Brief

Transboundary haze is back as several areas in the country report higher Air Pollution Index readings in the past week. How effective have ASEAN mechanisms been to address the root causes of transboundary haze and do we have the policy tools to ultimately eliminate this issue? We discuss this with Dr. Helena Varkkey of University Malaya. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Speculation has been rife of a possible reshuffle in the Anwar Ibrahim-led Unity Government cabinet, with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living portfolio still vacant since the passing of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub on July 23rd. Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Principal Adviser at the Pacific Research Centre offers his views on what might happen, if it happens. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/lis...

New Zealand will hold general elections on the 14 October, and the race to form government is between the incumbent Labour party, led by Chris Hipkins and the conservative National party headed by Christopher Luxon. With National currently leading in opinion polls, what will influence voters at the ballot box? Independent political analyst Grant Duncan gives us a preview of what to expect. Image c...

Today is World Habitat Day, which is observed annually by the United Nations on the first Monday of October, to reflect on the state of towns and cities amid the global trend of urbanisation. Malaysia is no stranger to this with some 26 million Malaysians living in urban areas, accounting for 78% of the population. Mustapha Kamal, Urban Planner and Founder, Arkitek Mustapha Kamal tells us how Kual...

Merchants that have enjoyed free usage of DuitNow QR payments will eventually have to endure a fee for this convenience as Payments Network Malaysia, majority-owned by Bank Negara, announced that it will impose a fee, that was initially waived to encourage usage. Vincent Fong, Chief Editor of Fintech News Malaysia explains what this might mean to the whole cashless payments ecosystem. Image credit...

The years of Covid, conflict and climate have brought to the forefront the issue of keeping a growing population fed with challenges mounting as the months pass. Christy Tan, Investment Strategist with Franklin Templeton Institute breaks down the ramifications when Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the world's bread basket, stifled food supplies, while India imposed restrictions on its own rice export...

Malaysia is growing old before its economy is getting rich, with 20% of the population projected to be over 65 by 2056. What are the policy frameworks that need to be in place to address the myriad issues that arise with a greater share of elderly in society? We discuss recommendations with Chai Sen Tyng of the Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing), UPM. Image credit: Shutterstock.com...

The Hang Seng Index is one of the worst performing global indices this year with a decline of 12%, contrary to expectations over China's reopening. We check in with consultant Peter Lewis to find out what's weighing down on market sentiment and whether it's too soon to bottom fish for Chinese and HK equities. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the US Federal Reserve’s objective remains focused on engineering a soft landing, the economy is now faced with new headwinds like the auto workers strike, a possible government shutdown, the impending resumption of student loan payments as well as rising oil prices. Selena Ling, chief economist of OCBC shares with us if the US economy can withstand these 4 shocks at once and what the implic...

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has announced plans to further strengthen the standardisation of the tourism industry. In conjunction with World Tourism Day, we ask Nigel Wong, President of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) what he hopes to see from the review and the monetary push needed to boost tourist arrival numbers to pre-pandemic levels.  Ima...

G7 currencies still remain volatile with King Dollar reigning supreme as it retains its safe haven assets. But will it be displaced as the US economy softens? Saktiandi Supaat, Head of FX Research, Global Markets, Maybank Singapore tells us his views whilst weighing in on other regional currencies in particular the Ringgit. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

This week the Minister for Communication and Digital Fahmi Fadzil announced that all major telcos have agreed to take an equal stake in Digital Nasional Berhad, the state-owned entity tasked with the national 5G rollout. Is this the end of delays to the long-stalled 5G implementation plan? We discuss the implications with Datuk Dr. Rais Hussin, Chief Executive of Emir Research. Image credit: Shutt...

After MCA's election over the weekend, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong defended his presidency with 2 new faces for the vice-presidents' post in the hope that they will bring much-needed change to the party. Dr James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies, University of Tasmania tells us what he thinks the future might be for the Chinese-based party with GE16 due in 5 years' time. Image credit: Shutterstock....

The lack of affordable housing has been a structural issue with mismatch of demand and supply. Not helped by the unaffordability of houses according to the World Bank. So it is time for novel ideas to resolve this including shifting from ownership to housing being just a right? Pankaj C Kumar, a business commentator tells us. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

The Bank of Japan's indication that it will maintain its ultra low interest rate stance had triggered a sell off in the yen, which is now at its all-time weakest against the US dollar. Yuichi Murao, Chief Investment Officer for equity strategies at Nomura Asset Management breaks down what this might mean for Japanese equities in the long run, with Warren Buffett also positive on stocks from the La...

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to New York was a packed one, encompassing meetings with both the diplomatic and business community. Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran, a Fellow at the Wilson Center and Founder of the weekly ASEAN Wonk Newsletter tells us what impact that visit had especially the maiden UN address and future US-Malaysia ties. Image credit: EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listen...

The government has indicated that it is in the midst of finalising the review of reducing or limiting Approved Permits, with a policy submission set to be sent to the National Economic Action Council by November this year. P Gunasegaram, independent business writer and analyst, tells us why APs which have benefited few and strayed from their original intention, are no longer needed in this day and...

On the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly, US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled that the normalisation of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia could materialise. We discuss what this would mean for the geopolitics of the Middle East with political expert Dr. James Dorsey. Image credit: EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PJ MP Lee Chean Chung suggested that Kuala Lumpur be returned to Selangor to create a mega metropolis. This was supported by Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng on the basis that it will help solve issues plaguing the Klang Valley. But could the reunification of two large cities make it difficult for the federal government to exercise their administrative capacities or will the return local council elections be...

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister (MOTAC) Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing announced that Malaysia is on track to meet the 16.1 million 2023 tourist arrivals target. However, Malaysia is still a far way off from regaining back the numbers it enjoyed before the pandemic, when in 2019 it recorded 86.1 billion ringgit in tourism receipts from 26.1 million arrivals. We speak with Hannah Pearson Founder of...

This week UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced delays to some of the critical climate change targets that the government had set, including pushing the ban of petrol and diesel cars to 2035 - this has been pushed back to 2035. Although he cited economic security as the main reason, the announcement sparked backlash from the business community. Will this affect his chances of re-election come 20...

The 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) started on Tuesday but with the notable absence of 4 leaders of the permanent security council, is the General Assembly still seen as an effective forum for international peace and security. We speak with Dr Julia Roknifard, Assistant Professor at University of Nottingham Malaysia on the key takeaways and the UN’s role and relevance in this day and age. Image...

The Political Financing Bill is once again raised in parliament for consideration after much to and fro. A positive outcome of this bill is the strengthening of democracy and transparency in Malaysia but is there political will? We speak with Thomas Fann, Chairperson of Bersih for his insights on the parliamentary select committee, implementation, and impact of the bill for Malaysia. Image credit:...

Budget 2024 is set to be tabled in Parliament on Oct 13th with prime Minister and finance minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hinting that there may be new taxes planned, to narrow the budget gap to 3.5% of GDP by 2025. Sim Kwang Gek, Country Tax Leader, Deloitte Malaysia shares her thoughts on what she expects in terms of how the government plans to boost its revenues going forward. Image credit: S...

Crude oil prices have surged to a 10 month high as Brent crude comes perilously close to US 100 dollars per barrel. In fact prices have surged 30% since mid June after Opec + curbed supplies. Sean Lim Ooi Leong, Head of Regional Oil & Gas, RHB Investment Bank tells us that is the sole reason for the price surge and what are the buying opportunities in this space. Image credit: Shutterstock.com...