Morning Brief

Starting August 1, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) will take over both safety and economic oversight by absorbing the Malaysian Aviation Commission’s (MAVCOM) functions. What does this merger mean for the aviation sector? We speak with Khair Mirza, Head of Airport Investor Resource at Modalis Infrastructure Partners Inc.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NATO Summit is taking place this week amid changing dynamics within the bloc, especially with the return of US President Donald Trump to the White House. We discuss expectations for the summit with Dr. Reuben Wong, Deputy Head of the Political Science Department at the National University of Singapore.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In April 2024, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) initiated a comprehensive review of Malaysia’s e-commerce laws, which should be completed by August. Ganesh Kumar Bangah, Current Advisor, National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) and Chairman of its think-tank Future Digital tells the challenges of balancing the needs to all stakeholders and what are the current challenges faced by the industry with impending US tarrifs and an expanded SST list.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a year-to-date basis the USD is down almost 8% but with recent attacks on Iran, investors have ploughed back into the greenback. We ask Stephen Chiu, Chief Asia FX and Rates Strategist, Bloomberg Intelligence if the US dollar still remains the dominant currency whilst taking a look at the Yen, Euro and the Ringgit.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia continues to lag behind the region in education rights, scoring just 67.5% and ranking among the lowest in ASEAN in the 2025 Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) report. What are the human rights gaps in the government's education policies? We discuss this with Keshia Mahmood, Southeast Asia Consultant with HRMI.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump made a gamble when he approved US strikes on Iran nuclear facilities in aid of Israel, despite a campaign pledge to avoid forever wars. Has his subsequent ceasefire declaration staved a broader political fallout? We discuss the implications for Trump's domestic base with pollster John Zogby. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's total auto industry volume from January to May fell 5%. We ask Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain, President, Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) for the reasons to this and if the outlook will remain as dim for the rest of the year against a backdrop of SST expansion, US tariffs and the RON95 petrol subsidy rationalisation.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASEAN economies are contending with various external headwinds. As we head into the second half of the year, the 90-day pause on US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs is set to expire, amid escalating geopolitical tensions and a potential war in the Middle East. We’ll be speaking with Lavanya Venkateswaran, Senior ASEAN Economist at OCBC, about how these developments are shaping the outlook for Southeast Asian economies.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the weekend the US launched airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in a bid to cripple Tehran's nuclear arms ambitions. What are the implications of this for dynamics in the Middle East and how might Iran retaliate? We discuss the scenarios with Middle East expert Dr. James Dorsey.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last Friday, former PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) over three money laundering charges involving RM27 million linked to SRC International after prosecutors failed to provide key documents. We discuss the outcome of the case with independent business writer P. Gunasegaram and how this reflects on the Madani Government's commitment to tackle corruption.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The retail industry has joined calls for the government to defer the upcoming expansion of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) citing rising cost and implementation hurdles. We speak to Michael Liew, Secretary-General, Malaysia Retail Chain Association to find out if their concerns are legitimate and what assistance they require from the government for a smooth implementation of the expanded SST list.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s residential property market remains under pressure, with over 23,500 completed but unsold units worth around RM15 billion ringgit recorded in the first quarter of 2025. As measures like Penang’s 5% discount and the revised Sales and Service Tax (SST) come into effect, concerns persist over whether these interventions can effectively address the overhang issue. We speak to Dr. Consilz Tan, Research Fellow at the Centre for Market Education, to unpack the implications. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces calls to resign after a leaked call led 69 MPs from Bhumjaithai to quit the coalition. Dr. Greg Raymond, Senior Lecturer, Australian National University joins us to discuss the potential outcomes from this political crisis.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2025 G7 Summit, held in Canada, brought together leaders from the world’s major economies to tackle pressing global issues including economic uncertainty, security threats, and climate change. However, the summit was overshadowed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s sudden early departure to address escalating tensions in the Middle East. We discuss the key takeaways from the summit with Paul Samson, President of the Centre for International Governance Innovation.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government plans to make SOCSO contributions mandatory for gig workers by January 2026, starting with a 1.25% per-ride deduction. Jose Rizal, Chief Activist of the Malaysian eHailing Association (GEM), shares the reaction from drivers and riders to this change as well as what’s missing in the upcoming Gig Workers Bill.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India’s economy expanded at a faster-than-expected annual rate of 7.4% in the quarter ending March but is the outlook dimmer for the rest of the year on the back of trade tensions and uncertain tariffs. Sanjay Mathur, Chief Economist for Southeast Asia and India, ANZ Bank gives us his perspective whilst telling us if India can be the next manufacturing powerhouse of the world.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has the second-highest road fatality rate in Asean with some statistics saying that a road accident occurs every 50 seconds. What makes Malaysian roads so dangerous - is it education, attitude or the lack of enforcement? Dr Law Teik Hua, Associate Professor, Universiti Putra Malaysia, highlights what the current issues are and what needs urgent reforms.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ASEAN Power Grid is shaping up to be a potential game changer for Southeast Asia’s energy future, aiming to connect national electricity grids and enable renewable energy to move more freely across borders. But what are the challenges to its implementation. Dr. Renard Siew, a Climate Change & Sustainability Expert gives us his perspective.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Isreal-Iran conflict has caused oil prices to surge since the attacks began last week but is there more upside to prices if there is an escalation? Vandana Hari, Founder & CEO, Vanda Insights tells us her perspective whilst weighing in on the fundamental demand-supply conditions of this black gold.Image Credits: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Online Safety Act 2024 has been passed and gazetted, with enforcement just around the corner. It is touted as a milestone in protecting Malaysians, especially children, from online harm but the law has also raised serious concerns about vague definitions and unchecked regulatory powers. Dr Benjamin Loh, Course Director for the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communication at Monash University Malaysia shares his thoughts.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How liveable is Kuala Lumpur? Dato' Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Datuk Bandar of Kuala Lumpur, Dato’ Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Managing Director of Think City and Cha-Ly Koh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of UrbanMetry join BFM’s Shazana Mokhtar to discuss what makes a city liveable, the challenges KL faces in this pursuit, and the potential solutions to move us closer to this goal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warner Bros. Discovery will split into two firms to separate streaming from legacy TV, aiming to cut debt and boost flexibility. Meanwhile, Netflix’s strong quarter highlights its dominance as media companies face pressure to adapt or consolidate. Geetha Ranganathan, Senior Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence gives us her insights on the media sector in the US.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Malaysian government prepares to expand the Sales and Service Tax (SST) on a variety of goods starting July 1st, many are concerned about how this will affect their ability to afford everyday staples, given that Malaysia relies heavily on food imports. Nik Syafiah Anis, Research Associate at Khazanah Research Institute weighs in on the implications of the expanded tax on food security.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As tensions between Israel and Iran exploded into open conflict following Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and with Tehran responding in kind, concerns have surfaced if this could spiral into a full-blown regional war. Dr Shahram Akbarzadeh of Deakin University helps us unpack how we got here and what each side hopes to achieve and if there is still hope for a de-escalation.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perikatan Nasional's unusual leadership structure is raising questions about who and which party is steering the coalition. We discuss the internal dynamics with political analyst Adib Zalkapli.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting July 1, Malaysia’s expanded SST will impact construction firms earning over 1.5 million ringgit, adding strain to an industry already facing cost hikes and labour shortages. Industry players like MBAM stress the need for clearer direction and stronger government support; we’ll speak to Oliver Wee Hiang Chyn, President of the Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM).Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The delay as well as lack of transparency over decisions extending the tenure of the Chief Justice and other top judges is creating speculation that could affect public perception of judicial integrity. We speak to constitutional lawyer Dato' Malik Imtiaz Sarwar about the implications of this impasse for the Malaysian judicial system.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fitch Ratings has downgraded its 2025 outlook for the APAC tech sector from 'neutral' to ‘deteriorating’ as global demand weakens and consumer confidence slips.  Steve Durose, Managing Director at Fitch Ratings weighs in on which companies could be most impacted.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jetstar Asia’s has just announced a sudden exit from Singapore skies raising alarm bells across the region’s aviation industry. However, AirAsia is looking to come out of PN17 status and wants to buy at least 100 Airbus planes. Brendan Sobie, an independent analyst and consultant at Sobie Aviation shares his insights into this very competitive sector.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a deadly military clash last month near the Preah Vihear temple, claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia, which has once again spotlighted the unresolved border dispute between the neighbours. Sebastian Strangio, Southeast Asia Editor at The Diplomat, helps us understand the long-running dispute and if there might be a resolution to it.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Malaysia, palm oil stockpiles climbed to their highest level in eight months this May, while exports hit a six-month high but what does this mean for CPO prices? Alvin Tai, Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence gives us his perspective and weighs in how tariffs impact supply-demand dynamics.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has completed 10 key sub-strategies under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024–2028. Still, concerns persist over the slow pace of wider institutional reforms. Raymon Ram, President of Transparency International Malaysia, shares his insights on the effectiveness of these efforts and the road ahead.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested that "Muslim countries" should give up some of their land to create a future Palestinian state. Do his remarks indicate that the US is backing away from being the peace broker in the Middle East conflict?  Mohd Amirul Asraf bin Othman of the Australian National University (ANU) weighs in.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's expanded Sales & Service Tax (SST) is set to take effect on July 1st and SMEs in the country are sounding alarm bells. Datuk William Ng, Chairman of the Small & Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA), joins us to discuss industry reactions, the push for a higher SST threshold and whether or not another GST regime might be a better option.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What initially started as small protests over raids by US Immigration & Customs Enforcement officers to round up undocumented migrants, has now erupted into explosive clashes involving the National Guard and military, called in unilaterally by President Donald Trump. Dr Adrian Ang, a research fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, explains the implications of these developments.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following news that graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza had been recently barred from leaving Malaysia, despite no official travel ban being issued, questions have been raised about what authorities can or cannot do. Lawyer Kee Hui Yee from Kanesalingam & Co joins us to unpack the legal grounds for travel restrictions and what recourse individuals have when their constitutional rights are infringed.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission had to hold a media briefing to clarify its Mobile Phone Data initiative, after the South China Morning Post reported that MCMC had ordered local telcos to hand over specific data that could be easily misconstrued as personal or private. Amin Ashaari, CEO and Co-Founder, SoyaCincau.com, shares his concerns despite MCMC insisting all data requested are strictly anonymised and contain no Personally Identifiable Information.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From non-revenue water to ensuring sustainable supply amid booming data centre investments, Malaysia has its fair share of water-related challenges. We speak to Adam Saffian Ghazali, CEO of Air Selangor, about how the country’s largest water services provider is managing this vital resource.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) will take effect on July 1st, aiming to broaden the tax base and boost revenue for public services. We speak to Soh Lian Seng, President, Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia as to implementation of this and how IRB can ensure a smooth rollout to avoid negatively impacting businesses and consumers alike.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached an unprecedented scale with people there on the brink of famine. However, the US-Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation ostensibly intended to provide aid, has resulted in more Gazans shot on and killed by Israeli military. Akshaya Kumar, Director of Crisis Advocacy at Human Rights Watch explains why HRW views it a as a front for broader crimes under international law, including genocide.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petronas announced last week that it will be reducing its global headcount by 10%, amounting to about 5,000 people, as well as implementing a hiring freeze until December 2026. How will these moves affect local oil and gas services and equipment companies? Jamalludin Obeng, President of Malaysia OSV Owners’ Association shares his perspective.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) has once again pushed back the e-Invoice rollout to next year, giving businesses more time to prepare. But how will this delay impact tax compliance, and what improvements are needed to prevent further postponements? We speak with Eugene Chow, Business Process Solutions Leader at Deloitte Malaysia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior U.S. officials are set to meet with a Chinese delegation later today in London for the next round of trade negotiations. In addition to tariffs and technology, both countries are now also attempting to break an impasse over global supplies of rare earth minerals. How will this latest round of talks impact the world’s two largest economies? For answers, we’ll speak with Sarah Tan, Economist at Moody's Analytics.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As digital transformation accelerates across Southeast Asia, the future of payments is becoming increasingly cashless, connected, and inclusive. Join us for an exclusive panel discussion featuring experts and leaders driving change in the region's financial ecosystem.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM) has called on the government to address critical issues affecting operators’ profit margins before rationalising RON95 fuel subsidies. We speak to Dato' Khairul Annuar, President of PDAM about the pain points being experienced and the potential impact on consumers.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia’s political tensions are rising as Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka faces impeachment calls over alleged nepotism. President Prabowo, meanwhile, confronts cabinet reshuffle pressure amid economic woes and coalition tensions, while advancing major programmes like free meals and stimulus efforts. Erin Cook, Journalist, Southeast Asian Affairs shares her perspective on these development. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim entered office in 2022 pledging to review political appointments to federal statutory bodies (FSB) and GLCs. But his recent comments defending the practice have raised eyebrows and cast doubt on the government's commitment to reform. We speak to Aira Azhari of IDEAS on why the practice of political appointments should be phased out.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US tariffs on imported steel and aluminum officially doubled from 25% to 50% on June 4th, affecting all countries exporting these metals to the US, except the UK. Michelle Leung, Head of Asia Metals & Mining at Bloomberg Intelligence, explains the impact of this on industries and consumers from the US, all the way to Asia and Malaysia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Korea has a new president following the victory of left-wing candidate Lee Jae-Myung of the Democratic Party, capping the drama that began when former president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law back in December 2024. Professor Donald Leslie Baker of the Asian Studies Department at the University of British Columbia, breaks down the challenges President-elect Lee can expect in addition to his own ongoing legal issues.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal government has announced plans for a major urban development in Putrajaya, called Kota MADANI which will be developed vertically and at high density integrating AI technology. We hear from Hj. Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar, Registered Town Planner at IZM Consult as he unpacks the vision behind this ambitious development and the challenges that lie ahead.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.