Morning Brief

The process to end the 41-day US government shutdown is ongoing as the Senate works towards a deal. Next the House of Representatives will need to weigh in before President Donald Trump puts his signature. Dr Kathryn Robison, a lecturer at the United States Studies Centre of University of Sydney, shares her views on this.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Media Council has officially commenced its work with the election of 12 board members at its inaugural Annual General Meeting last Friday. With this establishment, what changes can be expected in the standards and direction of Malaysia’s media? We’ll get an insider’s look with Radzi Razak, Founding Board Member of the Malaysian Media Council.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s classrooms are set for a big change in 2027 with a new subject called Nature and Humanity, and a co-teaching model where two teachers share one class. What will that look like in practice? We speak with Chan Soon Seng, CEO of Teach for Malaysia to better understand the impact it will have on students, parents and educators when this kicks in 14 months. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s three biggest banks have turned in mixed results for the latest quarter, with all of them flagging margin pressures ahead of 2026 as interest rates trend lower. Sarah Jane Mahmud, Senior Industry Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence tells what to expect from the sector in 2026 and which bank is most resilient.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a record 596 candidates fighting for just 73 seats, the outcome of Sabah’s 2025 state election is anyone’s guess, says Prof. Dr. Lee Kuok Tiung of Universiti Malaysia Sabah.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's never a dull weekend in politics. Upko President Ewon Benedict resigned as Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development. We also saw some tense scenes at the Amanah party conference yesterday. Ibrahim Suffian, Co-Founder & Programme Director at the Merdeka Center, gives us his take on these events, what it means for Sabah state elections and who could be the new ministers.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COP30 is taking place in Belem, Brazil this year with the notable absence of many world leaders. We ask Dr Renato Lima de Oliveira, Faculty Director of the Center for Technology, Strategy & Sustainability, Asia School of Business if this means that this UN Climate Change Conference is still relevant and do the commitments of  1.5-degree target still matter.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As expected, Bank Negara Malaysia kept the overnight policy rate at 2.75%. We ask Lavanya Venkateswaran, Senior ASEAN Economist, OCBC for her views on this decision and what could be gleaned from their statement as to the broader economy.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US government shutdown now in its second month, forcing the Federal Aviation Administration to consider cutting flights at major airports by up to 10%. Could these disruptions ripple through Asia’s aviation sector? We discuss the implications with Shukor Yusof, Founder and Primary Analyst, Endau Analytics. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cliff Lim, Director of Risk & Compliance for Southeast Asia at Dow Jones, explains how transnational scam networks and money laundering operations exploit gaps in cross-border regulations. His insights underscore the urgent need for stronger government-to-government (G2G) cooperation and greater regulatory harmonisation to keep pace with kingpins and scammers who increasingly take advantage of digital finance systems.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Polly Cunanan, Communications Manager for Asia Pacific at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), says that despite the ceasefire, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with almost no functioning medical facilities and far less humanitarian aid entering than what was agreed upon with Israel. She adds that conditions in Sudan are equally alarming, with large numbers of people still unaccounted for since the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of El Fasher on October 26.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hong Kong’s economy grew 3.8% in the third quarter, outpacing expectations and keeping the city on track to meet its annual growth target of 2–3%. What does this mean for equity markets and who are the  winners?   Peter Lewis, Director, Peter Lewis Consulting Limited tells us whilst telling us what could be some of the speedbumps ahead.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

States can help ease the burden of rising healthcare costs currently shouldered by the federal government, says Dr. Kelvin Yii, Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching. In the near term, this support could come in the form of covering housing and allowances for healthcare professionals, while in the longer term, states could co-fund the development of hospitals and medical infrastructure.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s new Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the US promises deeper economic ties and supply chain resilience, but critics have warned that it could compromise sovereignty and tilt in favour of Washington. Liew Chin Tong, the Deputy Investment, Trade & Industry Minister, joins us to unpack what the deal really entails and why it matters for local industries.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Polls are happening in New York City (for its mayor) and the states of Virginia and New Jersey (for their governors), and Democrats appear to be regaining some momentum. Wendy Schiller, a professor of political science at Brown University, breaks down what these potential results might say about America’s political mood and maybe an assessment of the current Trump administration.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent landmark court ruling has awarded RM760,000 in compensation to 93 migrant workers stranded in Malaysia after falling victim to a worker quota fraud. This comes as Malaysia signed a new trade agreement with the US that includes stronger labour protection standards aligned with the ILO. Adrian Pereira, Executive Director of the North-South Initiative, explains what all this could mean for migrant justice.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The northeast monsoon is expected to begin this month and last until March next year, and with it, the risk of floods and landslides disrupting major transport routes once again. Dr. Choy Peng Ng, Associate Professor,  Department of Civil Engineering, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia tells us what changes need to be done to ensure safety on the roads.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s political scene is heating up again, this time with Khairy Jamaluddin's possible return to Umno, two years after his sacking. Meanwhile, Bersatu's continued internal dissent continues to make headlines. Dr Azmi Hassan from the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research breaks down how this may or may not reshape the balance of power.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past two years, AI-linked firms have driven much of the global equity rally, while earnings from other sectors have lagged behind. Do the recent tech earnings flash any signs that the AI rally might be over? Dan Ives, Managing Director, Wedbush Securities gives us his perspective whilst giving us his top tech buy ideas.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The string of crimes involving underaged perpetrators is still fresh in our minds, as well as the government’s, because they are mulling several measures to regulate online games, as well as the installation of CCTVs in schools. Sharmila Sekaran, Chairperson, Voice of the Children - this is a local NGO that advocates for children’s rights - gives us her perspective on whether these measures will be effective.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) wraps up as Malaysia hands over the chair to the Philippines. With regional defence and cyber threats on the agenda and US support offered on South China Sea issues, can ASEAN maintain its core value of centrality? We’ll discuss this with Chong Ja Ian, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, National University of Singapore.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is on the cusp of becoming an aged society, and it’s happening faster than many expected. Are we ready for this silver tsunami? Questions we pose to Philip O’Keefe, Professor of Practice at the University of New South Wales and Director of the Ageing Asia Research Hub at the Centre for Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), lead author of a recently release report by the World Bank entitled, “Should Malaysia Expand Its Social Pension?”Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump met on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in South Korea for their long awaited trade talks - and parted ways in what both sides are calling a breakthrough. Sarah Tan, Economist, Moody's Analytics gives us her perspective on the outcome from the meeting and what it means for both their economies.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets were disappointed with the anticipated Federal Reserve Rate cut of 25 bps with declines across Asia and the US. This despite the conclusion of US-China trade talks where President Donald Trump claimed a victory of sorts. Aidan YAO, Senior Investment Strategist, Asia, Amundi tells us how investors can navigate these crosswinds and what investment strategy to adopt.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US government shutdown has entered its 29th day, paralysing federal agencies, delaying pay for hundreds of thousands of workers, and threatening key welfare programmes. Bryan DeAngelis, Partner & Head of the Washington Office at Penta Group, talks about the political stalemate gripping Capitol Hill as well as the economic and social fallout.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bursa Malaysia has filed legal action to stop MAA Group from holding an EGM  on KNM Group which is a PN17 company. We ask Dr Ismet Yusoff, CEO of Minority Shareholders Watch Group as to what this PN 17 status entails and why does Bursa intervene in cases like this.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As US President Donald Trump wraps up his three-nation tour of Asia, he got nearly $900 billion in investment pledges from Japan and South Korea, in exchange for cutting US tariffs to 15%. Alexis Dudden, Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore, unpacks who truly benefits from these as well as how they reshape America’s economic and strategic leverage in Asia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is back in Asia for the second time since May, visiting Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Korea in a bid to reinforce Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy amid escalating tensions with China. Thomas Daniel, Director of the Foreign Policy and Security Studies Programme at ISIS Malaysia, analyses the wider implications.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's semiconductors were excluded from the recent deal with the US and currently enjoys a tariff holiday. However how long will this exmption remain and how can Malaysia prepare for this? Questions we pose to Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association whilst also getting a 2026 outlook.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s new digital trade agreement with the United States promises closer cooperation in technology and innovation, but comes with the removal of digital taxes, data localisation bans, and trusted supplier clauses. Farlina Said, Director of the Centre for Technology and Policy at ISIS Malaysia, breaks down what this means for Malaysia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the weekend, the US and China reached a preliminary consensus on easing some of the trade restrictions each had imposed on the other ahead of Presidents Xi Jin Ping and Donald Trump in South Korea next week. Does this indicate the beginnings of a recovery in trade ties between the two countries? Angeline Tan, Analyst, Institute Of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia gives us her view.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, leaders of countries in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership  (RCEP) gathered in Kuala Lumpur for the first summit since the world’s largest trade pact was signed in 2020. What does this mean for both Malaysia and the region’s economic growth? We ask Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, Adjunct Professor at Taylor's University and former Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bersatu’s leadership turmoil shows no signs of easing, as Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and six other division leaders, publicly urged Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to resign as party president. Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri, Department Head of Political Science and Madani Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia tells us why this chorus of dissent is getting louder, what it means for internal dynamics and if it still has traction with voters.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays saw a strong rebound in travel and dining, hinting at a long-awaited recovery in consumer sentiment after months of cautious spending. But will that trend continue for retail names as we approach the most important day for retail, Singles Day. Catherine Lim, Senior Industry Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence tells us her perspective and which companies will see top line growth and margin expansion.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A number of trade deals have been signed over the weekend between the US and Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. China has also indicated willingness to work with ASEAN for China on the success of a 3.0 FTA. For more insights on these trade deals, we speak to Julia Goh, Senior Economist, UOB.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Was the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord truly a landmark peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, as claimed by U. President Trump, or merely a symbolic gesture to project diplomatic success? We speak to Dr. Greg Raymond, Senior Lecturer, Australian National University for his insights.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flood risk has been made a key factor in approving all new housing developments in Malaysia as of last week. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof says the move aims to protect homebuyers from projects built in flood-prone areas. How will this affect developers and consumers moving forward? We find out from Dr. Joshua Netto, Director, Blue Stone Management, a company that specialises in construction services.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The spotlight was on Kuala Lumpur this week as world and regional leaders, including US President Donald Trump, gathered for the 47th ASEAN Summit. While the agenda focused on cooperation and sustainability, ongoing challenges, from the South China Sea to Myanmar, continue to test the bloc’s resolve. We speak to Shannon Teoh, Malaysia Bureau Chief at The Straits Times, for his take on what unfoldedImage Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States has imposed new sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two biggest oil companies, to cut off funding for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The decision comes just days after Russia launched 28 missiles and more than 400 drones across multiple Ukrainian cities. Dr. Sonia Mycak, Research Fellow at the ANU Centre for European Studies, joins us to share her insights.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 47th ASEAN Summit will take place shortly in Kuala Lumpur, against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics. We interview Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, on how global geopolitics and geoeconomics have redefined this summit and Malaysia’s economic trajectory.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US markets were roiled a week ago amid growing investor concerns of credit risks affecting US regional banks following the failure of  car loan company Tricolor and car parts maker First Brands. We ask Herman Chan, Senior Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence if US regional banks are under stress and which under his coverage are more resilient.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GLCs and GLICs play an outsized role in the Malaysian economy - but is there more chaff than wheat in the crowded ecosystem? And how can we hold these entities which have both commercial and social mandates to better account? We discuss this with independent business writer P. Gunasegaram.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As U.S. tariffs take effect, how are China’s tech giants holding up, and can their growth keep pace with or even surpass their American rivals? For insights, we speak with Steven Tseng, senior analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sanae Takaichi has made history as Japan’s first female prime minister, a landmark moment in a political landscape long dominated by men. Michael Cucek, Assistant Professor of Asian Studies at the Japan Campus of Temple University, talks about how her leadership might reshape Japan’s economy, gender politics, and role on the global stage.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As China tightens export controls on rare earths, the global supply chain is being reshaped, with the US turning to allies like Australia to secure new sources of this critical resource. To understand what’s at stake we speak with Trung Ghi, Head of Energy and Utilities Practice at Arthur D. Little in Asia Pacific.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kuala Lumpur is set to host the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in a few days, the pinnacle of Malaysia’s chairmanship of the bloc. The event is touted as one of the largest in history, with a long-list of world leaders in attendance, including US President Donald Trump. What might be the outcomes of the summit? We discuss this with Dr. Khoo Ying Hooi of Universiti Malaya.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last Friday, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled in favor of Sabah,  declaring that the federal government acted unlawfully by withholding 40% of the state’s revenue from 1974 to 2021. Prof. James Chin, Professor in Asian Studies, University of Tasmania tells us what the ramifications of this are especially since the Sabah elections will be held soon.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FTSE Russell  has announced that Vietnam will  be upgrading from frontier to Emerging markets in September 2026 after a final review in March. This upgrade is expected to draw strong investment interest, with passive inflows estimated at around 1.5 billion US dollars and potentially more from active investors. Khoon Goh, Head of Asia Research, ANZ tells us how the Vietnamese economy will do in 2026 and the direction of the Dong.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the government is considering several measures, including a ban on smartphones for students under 16, in the wake of several shocking crimes involving underaged perpetrators. Goh Cia Yee, criminal lawyer, joins us in discussing the legal and social aspects of juvenile crime.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The KLIA aerotrain continues to make headlines for the wrong reasons having suffered nearly two dozen disruptions in just 3 months since it resumed services. Who bears the responsibility for these mishaps and what does it say about broader upgrades to the national airport? We discuss this with aviation infrastructure specialist Khair Mirza, Modalis Infrastructure Partners. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.