Morning Brief

PKR had been plagued by infighting, particularly between Party President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy President Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, as it approached its National Congress this weekend. Then, late on Wednesday, the two parties made up and seemed to arrive at a truce. But how will the party proceed from here on out? We speak to Dr. Hamidin about this and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PKR had been plagued by infighting, particularly between Party President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy President Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, as it approached its National Congress this weekend. Then, late on Wednesday, the two parties made up and seemed to arrive at a truce. But how will the party proceed from here on out? We speak to Dr. Hamidin about this and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

00:05 - The real estate and housing developers association (REHDA) is working with the government on the proposed Residential Tenancy Act which aims to protect both tenants and landlords. We ask if there are consultations with other stakeholders to ensure a more cohesive and comprehensive act. 05:10 - EPF bill tabled in parliament keep up with the times to allow for transfer to wives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the tabling of the Defence White Paper in Parliament on Monday, many questions still remained about the specifics of the country's national defence strategy. To try and answer those questions, we spoke to Dr Hoo Chiew-Ping, Senior Lecturer at the National University of Malaysia, who was also involved in the drafting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the tabling of the Defence White Paper in Parliament on Monday, many questions still remained about the specifics of the country's national defence strategy. To try and answer those questions, we spoke to Dr Hoo Chiew-Ping, Senior Lecturer at the National University of Malaysia, who was also involved in the drafting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Chia, Head of Regional Equity Research of RHB Group tells us that there were more misses than hits for the 3rd quarter corporate result season while external risk especially the US-China trade war will continue to put downward pressure on the Malaysian equity market. However, there were some sector picks which include construction and plantations but a bottom up strategy is still the way to go with a focus on value and resilient growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Chia, Head of Regional Equity Research of RHB Group tells us that there were more misses than hits for the 3rd quarter corporate result season while external risk especially the US-China trade war will continue to put downward pressure on the Malaysian equity market. However, there were some sector picks which include construction and plantations but a bottom up strategy is still the way to go with a focus on value and resilient growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The floods are an annual, perennial issue in Malaysia - why do we still struggle with this disaster every year that affects thousands of people? How can we mitigate or even solve it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The floods are an annual, perennial issue in Malaysia - why do we still struggle with this disaster every year that affects thousands of people? How can we mitigate or even solve it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia is looking to set up its own sovereign wealth fund (SWF) to support local start-ups and to boost economic growth. To find out more, we speak Enrico Tanuwidjaja, Economist at UOB Group based in Jakarta. We also ask the difficult question as to whether the perception of corruption will affect the creation of the SWF and whether the fund should be modeled on those in Norway, Singapore or even Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia is looking to set up its own sovereign wealth fund (SWF) to support local start-ups and to boost economic growth. To find out more, we speak Enrico Tanuwidjaja, Economist at UOB Group based in Jakarta. We also ask the difficult question as to whether the perception of corruption will affect the creation of the SWF and whether the fund should be modeled on those in Norway, Singapore or even Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will Bytedance disrupt and challenge the current social media and streaming giants? Bytedance is set to launch its own streaming service and is currently in talks with the likes of Universal Music and Sony for licensing deals. The service will be launched in emerging markets like India, Indonesia and Brazil before expanding into the US. Bytedance rose to prominence, at least in part, due to TikTok, a social media platform, with over 1 billion monthly users, known for its short-form comedy and lip-syncing videos. That puts it neck and neck with Instagram, which launched 7 years earlier. It's also the first ever Chinese app to become the most downloaded app in the US last year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will Bytedance disrupt and challenge the current social media and streaming giants? Bytedance is set to launch its own streaming service and is currently in talks with the likes of Universal Music and Sony for licensing deals. The service will be launched in emerging markets like India, Indonesia and Brazil before expanding into the US. Bytedance rose to prominence, at least in part, due to TikTok, a social media platform, with over 1 billion monthly users, known for its short-form comedy and lip-syncing videos. That puts it neck and neck with Instagram, which launched 7 years earlier. It's also the first ever Chinese app to become the most downloaded app in the US last year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2018 Auditor General's report has just been released and we look at some of the ministries which have been highlighted for their respective inadequacies. However the more important question is how can we avoid this going forward and will there be better oversight and accountability especially since the government is running a budget deficit and should be prudent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2018 Auditor General's report has just been released and we look at some of the ministries which have been highlighted for their respective inadequacies. However the more important question is how can we avoid this going forward and will there be better oversight and accountability especially since the government is running a budget deficit and should be prudent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Qatar's foreign minister reportedly made an unannounced trip to Riyadh last month to meet Saudi officials, in what could signal an easing of diplomatic tensions between the two countries. For more insight, we speak to Professor James Dorsey, Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the Middle East Institute, Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Qatar's foreign minister reportedly made an unannounced trip to Riyadh last month to meet Saudi officials, in what could signal an easing of diplomatic tensions between the two countries. For more insight, we speak to Professor James Dorsey, Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the Middle East Institute, Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carmelo Ferlito, Senior Fellow at Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs warns that household debt in Malaysia remains stubbornly high at 82.2% and that relaxing the prudent guidelines for home loans is not a solution. He also talks about the need for Malaysia to provide rental properties for the most disadvantaged in the country as their needs for housing are immediate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since it began, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has largely focused on promoting the building of infrastructure in Asia. These efforts have, however, been met with a fair share of reputation issues. So how will the BRI change as we move into the next decade? A report by the Economist Corporate Network and Baker and McKenzie takes a look at this.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a population of 32.6 million, Malaysia has 48 e-wallets players while China with a population of 1.4 billion only has 2 players. So we ask if the industry is heading for consolidation and who are the clear leaders in this space as an early mover has ceased operating.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the Tanjung Piai elections, Tun Mahathir announced a cabinet reshuffle but that looks like that this plan has been aborted. We ask why this change and what wrangling there could be behind the scenes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian government aims to increase the country's power generation mix for Renewable Energy to 20% by 2025, from 2% currently. And yet, we're still largely reliant on coal and gas. For some insight on how we might move forward in the quest for a sustainable energy mix, we speak to Kannika Siamwalla, Head of Regional Oil and Gas, at RHB Group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Asia Pacific region is projected to have a market size of $10.3 billion by 2035 for airlines to grow their ancillary revenue through in-flight services connectivity enhancement. We speak to Dominic Walters of Inmarsat Aviation to get an outlook on the future of aviation and how Gen-Z will impact aviation, as well as the market potential for airlines to monetise and boost their bottom lines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barely two years into its maiden administration, a clear succession plan remains absent, while discontent among the top two leaders of the coalition's biggest party is mounting.  Professor James Chin of the Asia Institute, University of Tasmania, analyses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jean-Marc Roda, Economist at the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), tells us that little can be done to change the mindset of the EU when it comes to the ban that will be enforced in 2030. Instead, focus should be on improving the productivity of the smallholders to ensure that their income levels are maintained.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jean-Marc Roda, Economist at the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), tells us that little can be done to change the mindset of the EU when it comes to the ban that will be enforced in 2030. Instead, focus should be on improving the productivity of the smallholders to ensure that their income levels are maintained.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coty banks on the star power of Kylie Jenner by paying USD 600 million for a 51% stake in her cosmetic brand. We ask Rebecca Scheuneman, Equity Analyst at Morningstar, what she thinks of this strategy and ask if there are alternative ways to appeal to the fickle and demanding millennia market in the beauty business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With universities now turned into makeshift bunkers, hundreds of student protesters remain trapped behind police barricades in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. They are split between surrender and staying on, despite injuries and the increasingly dire threat of basic supplies running out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With universities now turned into makeshift bunkers, hundreds of student protesters remain trapped behind police barricades in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. They are split between surrender and staying on, despite injuries and the increasingly dire threat of basic supplies running out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran told the Dewan Rakyat that a final decision will be made by next month on whether to allow refugees to work. We speak to Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan, Executive Director of the Malaysian Employers Federation, who has welcomed the idea but simultaneously advocates caution on the misuse of the refugee status as a backdoor for illegal migrant workers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran told the Dewan Rakyat that a final decision will be made by next month on whether to allow refugees to work. We speak to Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan, Executive Director of the Malaysian Employers Federation, who has welcomed the idea but simultaneously advocates caution on the misuse of the refugee status as a backdoor for illegal migrant workers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This proverbial tortoise and hare story has no happy ending. Perhaps ministers declaring where they send their kids to school should be up there with asset declaration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This proverbial tortoise and hare story has no happy ending. Perhaps ministers declaring where they send their kids to school should be up there with asset declaration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global water and wastewater treatment market is expected to reach over USD200 billion by 2025. For an idea of how developed the waste-water industry is in Malaysia, we speak to Indah Water Konsortium CEO Narendran Maniam on projects in the pipeline. Julian and Shou Ning also discuss the perceptions towards the sanitation economy in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

01:20 - Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has reminded President Donald Trump that the central bank would continue to dictate monetary policy in a "non-political" manner, focusing on its dual mandate of stable inflation and maximum employment. The rest is noise. 05:51 - The Saudi kingdom has keep Aramco IPO local as international institutional investor appetite is poor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Decades later, the effects of the recession and Asian financial crisis is still felt when the Housing and Local Government Ministry identified a total of 200 abandoned projects. Dr Carmelo Ferlito, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) shares his macro insight on why these forsaken projects continue to linger around the housing markets. Meanwhile, General Datuk Goh Seng Toh, Vicea President of the National House Buyers Association advocates for a Build-then-Sell model rather than the current Sell-then-Build model as a solution, contributes from a homeowners perspective.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The traditional source of stable income for retirees from interest rates is dwindling. This is because interest rates are very low and in many cases even negative. We take a look at how pensions and retirees can deal with this.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penang DAP vice-chairman, Zairil Khir Johari views Pakatan Harapan's disastrous showing in Tg Piai as reflecting the volatile voting pattern there while not denying bigger underlying factors. We ask him what's next for PH.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julia Goh, Senior Economist at UOB Malaysia, dissects the 3rd quarter GDP numbers whilst giving us a glimpse of what to expect for the year ahead. She also weighs in on her expectations of Bank Negara's next move on the Overnight Policy Rate against this backdrop of slowing global growth and the continuing US- China trade war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

00:05 - In the Sri Lankan elections, the Rajapaksa family was returned to the presidency, indicating yet another volte-face in foreign policy, once again to a pro-China stance. 05:51 - In Hong Kong, student protests are taking a dangerous spiral, diminishing hopes for an amicable and constructive resolution to the five-month old impasse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amir Fareed, Strategy Director at KRA Group, gets granular on the laundry list of reasons behind Pakatan's fourth-straight by-election loss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amir Fareed, Strategy Director at KRA Group, gets granular on the laundry list of reasons behind Pakatan's fourth-straight by-election loss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

00:05 - With the stakes as high as they are for the ninth by-election since GE14 for Pakatan Harapan, Bersih is pointing out the ruling govt is busy flouting electoral standards, likely fearful of losing yet more traction among local voters. 08:47 - The jury appears to be out in terms of whether the Malaysian real estate market will recover in 2019. But experts like Raine and Horne and Property Guru are mixed, saying any recovery is situational to the type and location of the asset.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moody's investors service are forecasting that global sovereign ratings risks for the $63 trillion in debt at the 142 member nations it rates are rising, due in large part to the trade disputes between the Americans and the Chinese.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moody's investors service are forecasting that global sovereign ratings risks for the $63 trillion in debt at the 142 member nations it rates are rising, due in large part to the trade disputes between the Americans and the Chinese.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petronas has awarded 60% of its contracts to local vendors bar those with technical limitations such as in deep sea exploration, which have otherwise gone to foreign firms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disney+ was launched recently on the 12th of November so the big question is will Netflix lose their ground or is there space for all in this new era? To find out more, we speak to Tony Gunnarsson, Principal Analyst for Pay-TV and OTT Video at consulting firm Ovum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to a HSBC survey, four out of five Malaysian businesses are expecting sales growth next year despite demand slowdown due to uncertain global headwinds. For more on this, we speak to Andrew Sill, Head of Commercial Banking at HSBC Malaysia, to ask why this contradiction exist and also what are the priorities of these businesses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran has resumed enriching uranium at its underground Fordow nuclear site, another step further from the 2015 Nuclear Accords. For more insight, we speak to Professor James Dorsey, senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the Middle East Institute in Singapore, about whether this measure is truly for peaceful purposes, and what led Iran to this seeming point of no return.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FGV's proposal to cut pay and perks for its board of directors might be the result of protests from minority shareholders and a small step in the right direction. It however isn't going to compensate for the massive loss of share value over the years. 05:47 - Ahead of the Tanjung Piai by-election this Saturday, candidates have been reminded by the Election Commission that campaign activities, including walkabouts, require police permits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.