Notepad with Ibrahim Sani

Day one of the special parliamentary sitting took place today. Ibrahim Sani and Raja Ahmad Iskandar Fareez, Communications Director of REFSA, go through some of the salient points that was discussed, including Covid updates, the doctor's strike, and the national recovery plan.

The application of the social market economic model in Malaysia may seem to some to be a radical move. However, Prof. Aslam Haneef of IIUM argues that the adoption of it may not necessarily be a dramatic one if done properly. Ibrahim Sani finds out more.

Finology Sdn Bhd is an MTDC ecosystem company that designs, develops, and delivers financial technology services. Ibrahim Sani speaks with it’s co-founder, Jared Lim, on how the future of digital banking is going to shape up.

Software provider DynaFront Holdings Berhad will list on the LEAP Market on Bursa Malaysia on 23 July 2021. Ibrahim Sani speaks with their CEO, Chan Eng Lim on their plans.

VG Offshore Containers International has built a reputation as a manufacturer of high quality containers for the oil and gas (O&G) industry, not only in the region but also globally. Ibrahim Sani speaks with its Managing Director Arvin Menon on what’s next for the firm

Pertama Digital Bhd announced that it had submitted an application for a digital bank license to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). They are part of the 29 other applicants vying for a possible five licenses to be awarded by the central bank. Ibrahim Sani speaks with their Director of Strategy, Saify Akhtar, on the digital banking landscape of the country.

Public Sector Accounting requires transparency, accountability, and an accurate depiction of the nation's finances. Ian Ball, Professor of Public Financial Management of the Victoria University Wellington is a pioneer in this field, having been credited as amongst those who reformed New Zealand's public accounting standards. Ibrahim Sani speaks with him to see how it was done there, and if it coul...

The June 2021 default by Indonesian airline, PT Garuda Indonesia, on its USD500 million sukuk could provide clarity on sukuk restructuring, resolution and enforceability in the country. Ibrahim Sani speaks with Bashar Al Natoor, Fitch Rating's Global Head of Islamic Finance on this.

Modular construction is a method of prefabricating materials and then assembled on-site. Ibrahim Sani speaks with Rick Dhillon, Managing Director, PETRA Modular on the business in a post-pandemic world.

Maybank Investment Bank Bhd has cut its 2021 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for Malaysia to 4.2% from 5.1% previously. Ibrahim Sani speaks with Suhaimi Ilias, Chief Economist; and with Anand Pathmakanthan, Regional Head of Equity Research, both from Maybank Investment Bank on this.

The export market is the key to growth for Malaysian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Ibrahim Sani speak with the Deputy CEO of MATRADE, on how the agency is helping SMEs achieve greater market access overseas. 

With the parliamentary sitting now having a firm date, and with a new Deputy Prime Minister being announced, what would all this have to do with the business of the people at the parliament? Ibrahim Sani speaks with YB Wong Kah Woh, the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee on this.

Scoot, the Low-Cost Carrier of Singapore Airlines are recovering from the pandemic just like most other airlines. However, with no domestic market to rely on, their survivability truly depends on how fast the region recovers from COVID-19 as well. Ibrahim Sani speaks with Campbell Wilson, CEO of Scoot, on this.

The government has announced that the parliament will begin its sitting this month. With it, the Special Select Committees will soon have its first meetings as well. Ibrahim Sani speaks with YB Kelvin Yii, the Chairperson of the Special Select Committee on Health, Science and Innovation on this, and more.

The University of Nottingham Malaysia is collaborating with the World Bank Group Malaysia on an essay competition for the youth. Ibrahim Sani speaks with the winner, Gwendolyn Chan as well as with Dr Teo Wing Leong, Head of School of Economics of Nottingham to find out more.

The logistics industry serves a vital need for the nation. Inadvertently, they stood to benefit from the ongoing lockdown or the variations of it. Ibrahim Sani speaks with Ninja Van, a key player in this sector to see how they intend to sustain their growth as we look to a post-pandemic environment in the near future. 

The Prime Minister has announced the National Recovery Plan, aimed to guide the nation out of the pandemic. Ibrahim Sani speaks with Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, President, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) and with Nathaniel Tan, Coordinator, Projek Wawasan Rakyat (POWR) about the next steps from this.

Local think tanks, IMAN Research and the Research For Social Advancement (REFSA) has issued a joint press statement, urging that any exit strategy must include an ability for Malaysians to make a living safely. Ibrahim Sani speaks with Badrul Hisham Ismail of IMAN Research on this. 

The Serba Dinamik - KPMG case has shined a spotlight on the role of auditors and clients. Ibrahim shares some updates from Serba Dinamik, KPMG PLT, Securities Commission (SC), Bursa Malaysia, Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), and Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants MICPA. 

Two telco heavyweights Axiata and Telenor has inked the deal to move ahead with their Malaysian operations - Celcom and Digi - respectively. Ibrahim Sani speaks with Janice Chong, Senior Director of Fitch Ratings in Singapore and asks what the rating agency's views are on this merger.

Founded in 1997 as a result of the pioneering efforts of its founders in implementing the first ever antiretroviral (ARV) treatment program in Africa, Axios International is a healthcare access company. Ibrahim Sani speaks with Roshel Jayasundera, Senior Director, Global Consulting at Axios International on their progress in Malaysia.

 Is there a case for Malaysia to decouple managing the pandemic with salvaging the economy? Prof Geoffrey Williams of the Malaysia University of Science & Technology makes the argument with Ibrahim Sani. 

The Raison D'être of Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) is now in question. With the growing performative concerns of such organisations, the call for it to be reformed is now louder than ever. Ibrahim Sani speaks with Tricia Yeoh, CEO of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) on this.

Companies stand to gain plenty if they leverage on cloud, automation, and cost-saving solutions. Exabytes Founder and CEO Chan Kee Siak speaks to Ibrahim Sani on how this could work best for the SMEs in the country.

Apple's AirTag is yet another push for the company to entrench its customers into its ecosystem. This time, it brings simplicity of use and a lower price point to entice existing customers on adopting its latest product. Ibrahim Sani discusses the ability for the company to achieve this, while espousing the privacy notion they wish to uphold.