Morning Brief

Goldman Sachs will be offering wealth management services for as little as US$5000 which is a far cry from their typical wealth management threshold of US$1-10 million as it tries to attract younger clients and diversify earnings from its traditional investment banking income which is more cyclical in nature. Meanwhile HSBC makes changes to top management as it struggles with growing income in Asia while keeping expenses in check.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s behind the perception of rising cost of living? Yesterday the World Bank released its Malaysia Economic Monitor titled “Making Ends Meet" that indicated that the cost of living pain points are less to do with inflation, and more to do with other factors. We speak to Kenneth Simler from the World Bank about these factors, income inequality and possible policies to address cost of living.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid all the drama surrounding the PKR National Congress and the Umno General Assembly this weekend, Parti Amanah Negara's National Convention flew relatively under the radar. Nevertheless, their gathering posed some interesting questions, which we address with Professor Dr. Azmi Hassan, political analyst and Professor with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, including whether or not Amanah will be able to pose a threat to PAS's voter base.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pakatan Harapan government came into power with the promise to tackle corruption. Now, a year and a half into their administration and in line with International Anti-Corruption Day, we speak to Devanesan Evanson, CEO of the Minority Shareholders' Watch Group, about anti-corruption efforts in the corporate sector.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pakatan Harapan government came into power with the promise to tackle corruption. Now, a year and a half into their administration and in line with International Anti-Corruption Day, we speak to Devanesan Evanson, CEO of the Minority Shareholders' Watch Group, about anti-corruption efforts in the corporate sector.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week's confluence of Malaysian politics saw three political parties host their annual assemblies- PKR, Umno and Amanah. PKR's National Congress has dominated attention since, after a series of will-they, won't-they reconciliation efforts between feuding leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Azmin Ali. For more perspectives, we speak to YB Fahmi Fadzil, Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai, and Amir Fareed, Director of Strategy for KRA Group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week's confluence of Malaysian politics saw three political parties host their annual assemblies- PKR, Umno and Amanah. PKR's National Congress has dominated attention since, after a series of will-they, won't-they reconciliation efforts between feuding leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Azmin Ali. For more perspectives, we speak to YB Fahmi Fadzil, Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai, and Amir Fareed, Director of Strategy for KRA Group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lee Ju Ye, Economist at Maybank Kim Eng Singapore tells us that brighter times are ahead for Asean economies next year as trade looks set for a V-shaped recovery. Meanwhile the beneficiaries of this substitution effect are Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia which have seen foreign direct investment inflow although if things turn bad, the safe havens are Philippines and Indonesia which have more domestic based economies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lee Ju Ye, Economist at Maybank Kim Eng Singapore tells us that brighter times are ahead for Asean economies next year as trade looks set for a V-shaped recovery. Meanwhile the beneficiaries of this substitution effect are Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia which have seen foreign direct investment inflow although if things turn bad, the safe havens are Philippines and Indonesia which have more domestic based economies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a challenging year for the Malaysian economy, in the face of so many global external headwinds. China faces an economic slowdown, compounded by the US-China trade war, so we ask Julia Goh, Senior Economist at UOB Malaysia how will our economy fare in 2020. We also ask her how she derived her GDP forecast of 4.4% for next year and what perhaps could surprise on the upsideSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a challenging year for the Malaysian economy, in the face of so many global external headwinds. China faces an economic slowdown, compounded by the US-China trade war, so we ask Julia Goh, Senior Economist at UOB Malaysia how will our economy fare in 2020. We also ask her how she derived her GDP forecast of 4.4% for next year and what perhaps could surprise on the upsideSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the PKR National Congress, Umno's General Assembly and Parti Amanah Negara's National Convention this weekend, we take a look at the slew of headlines that have been dominating the local political scene, to give you an idea of what we can expect. What will we see out of this party of parties?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saudi Aramco announced the final price of its IPO at 32 riyals per share (around USD8.50)] valuing the world’s most profitable company at 1.7 trillion dollars. It raised $25.6 billion as is now the world’s biggest IPO. This deal has been synonymous with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and his plans to reshape the nation, but at 1.5% of the firm, is it enough to get his ambitious plan to overhaul the economy back on track considering that he once wanted $100 billion?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

00:05 - According to a recent report from Fitch Ratings, the banking sector in Asia Pacific will continue to be challenged by global macroeconomic factors next year. Tania speaks to us about her expectations and what she views as the key challenges to profitability in the industry. 09:22 - Plus, The Morning Run team also speaks about the upcoming Saudi Aramco IPO and OPEC Plus meeting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

00:05 - According to a recent report from Fitch Ratings, the banking sector in Asia Pacific will continue to be challenged by global macroeconomic factors next year. Tania speaks to us about her expectations and what she views as the key challenges to profitability in the industry. 09:22 - Plus, The Morning Run team also speaks about the upcoming Saudi Aramco IPO and OPEC Plus meeting.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.

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.