Morning Brief

Malaysia has been working hard to enhance ties with the UK with a number of high-level working visits this year by Prime Minister Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim in January and the ongoing visit of the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Dr Benjamin Barton, Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, breaks down these visits as well as the UK's own approach to China.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has appointed career diplomat Tan Sri Shahrul Ikram Yaacob as Malaysia’s envoy to the US. What are the challenges he’ll be expected to navigate in the face of a mercurial White House? We discuss this with Dr Khoo Ying Hooi of Universiti Malaya.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s property slump continued in May, with major developers seeing an 8.6% drop in home sales. Weak demand, deflation, and cautious policy support suggest the sector’s recovery remains distant despite broader economic pressures. Kristy Hung, Senior Industry Analyst of Asia Real Estate, Bloomberg Intelligence gives us her perspective on the Chinese property market and outlook.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From rising tensions between local and federal powers to increasing demands for autonomy and justice under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Ariff Adi Putera Anwar, Research Associate at the Institute for Development Studies, offers a deep dive into Sabah’s evolving political landscape. We look into Sabah’s political landscape, examining public sentiment toward Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, shifting party alliances, and key issues shaping the state’s electoral future.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has officially stepped down from the party and announced his intention to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). This move was not a surprise, but we ask Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director, Viewfinder Global Affairs what this means for the dynamics between Umno and PH and the inevitable cabinet reshuffle.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue was recently held in Singapore gathering defense ministers, military chiefs, and senior officials from nearly 50 countries. Dr Malcolm Davis, a security analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, unpacks the key takeaways from this meeting with Beijing and Washington engaging in multiple diplomatic attacks during the event.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the back of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's civil case, there are now questions as to whether a sitting leader has legal immunity. Lim Wei Jiet, Constitutional Lawyer gives us his perspective whilst we also consider the appointment process of senior judges in this country.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 46th ASEAN Summit saw the bloc upgrade existing trade arrangements as well as explore new deals with China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Can these partnerships eventually offset the disruption caused by US tariffs? We discuss the ASEAN trade policies with Dr. Jayant Menon of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Gaza faces a growing humanitarian crisis, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the U.S. and Israel, has stepped in with new aid programs that have sparked debate and unrest. Will GHF be able to deliver aid fairly amid political tensions, and how will this shape the future of relief efforts in Gaza? We speak with Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of Mercy Malaysia, to get his perspective.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Malaysia, the cryptoasset market has been active, with total trading volume more than doubling in 2024 from the previous year. More broadly, digital assets have the potential to benefit the economy. As such, central banks, including Bank Negara Malaysia, have also been harnessing the potential of emerging technologies such as blockchain through initiatives like Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and asset tokenisation. Norasyikin Mohamad Razali, Deputy Director, Payment Services Policy Department, Bank Negara Malaysia tells us their priorities in this space.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the course of the ASEAN Summit, digitalization and AI were major focal points but how can this be championed? Calvin Woo, Director at MYCentre4IR tells us as a government agency how this can be achieved.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia began its latest round of airstrikes on Ukraine this week, launching its biggest air strikes since it invaded its neighbour in 2022, with over 700 drones and missiles in two nights. Dr Julia Roknifard, Senior Lecturer, School of Law and Governance at Taylor’s University talks about the latest developments including the name-calling between Washington and Moscow.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad have both tendered their resignation from their respective ministerial positions following their losses at the PKR internal elections. Dr Azmi Hassan of the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research joins us to unpack the political implications of these developments.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After applying for membership in 2011 and gaining observer status in 2022, Timor-Leste is set to become ASEAN’s 11th member this October. Despite challenges such as poverty and dependence on oil exports, can this young nation transform its membership into meaningful opportunities for itself and the region? To get insights on this, we speak with Chua Tian Chang, Director of Connect Timor.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent report by the Center for Market Education highlighted that migration presents investment opportunities, as governments across the world seek to maximise their tax base and stimulate their economies. We’ll be speaking with the author of the publication himself, Emile Phaneuf, Research Associate at the consulting firm, to discuss the benefits and challenges of investment migration in ASEAN.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian markets have been in a flux recently with geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainty. This was also felt in the bond market with yields rallying in Japan but what are the investment opportunities in this part of Asia? Christy Tan, Investment Strategist, Franklin Templeton Institute tells us her perspective.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s fiscal deficit narrowed by 17% in the Q1 of 2025, talks that a RON95 subsidy rationalisation may soon be happening and the ringgit strengthening the most in recent years. Yet the road ahead looks far from smooth. Dr Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, Chief Economist at Bank Muamalat, discusses these issues. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s economy shrank 0.6% in the first quarter, prompting recession concerns. Its banks may be showing early signs of strain as DBS, OCBC and UOB reported narrowing net interest margins. Sarah Jane Mahmud, Senior Industry Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence discusses the earnings trajectory of Singapore’s top banks amid current headwinds.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kuala Lumpur has seen a flurry of activity over the past few days with the 46th ASEAN Summit and related events taking place. We speak to Shannon Teoh, Malaysian Bureau Chief for the Straits Times for his observations of the high-level gathering and the expected outcomes.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PKR has chosen its new national leadership line-up, with Nurul Izzah Anwar defeating incumbent Dato’ Seri Rafizi Ramli for the post of deputy president, and a shake-up among elected vice-presidents. What does this mean for the direction of the party moving forward? We get analysis from Ibrahim Suffian of the Merdeka Centre.Image Creit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Sarawak’s recent push for greater autonomy, Penang is ramping up its own efforts to gain more control over its finances and governance by reactivating a committee on state-federal relations. This move highlights growing demands for a fairer share of resources to support the state’s development goals. YB Gooi Hsiao Leung, State Assemblyman for Bukit Tengah shares his insights on this matter.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian currencies, including the ringgit, are riding a wave of strength, buoyed by a sliding US dollar and improved regional sentiment. Christopher Wong, FX Strategist at OCBC, joins us to unpack the drivers behind the rally, from US fiscal concerns to China’s policy stance, and whether this momentum can last.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump’s $3.8 trillion tax bill narrowly cleared the House, exposing deep Republican divides over cuts to Medicaid and food aid. Despite GOP control, unity is fragile. As the bill heads to the Senate, questions remain over who benefits—and who pays the price. Sharing her insights is Dr Kathryn Robison, Lecturer in American Studies, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PKR members will vote today for a new central party leadership with key positions including the deputy presidency and vice-presidencies being contested. Dr Azmi Hassan, Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research, shares his perspectives, especially on the hotly contested deputy president post vying incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli against Nurul Izzah Anwar.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg appear to have buried the hatchet on the Petros-Petronas dispute, signing a joint declaration this week on the collaborative framework between the two entities. But does this fully resolve the friction between Putrajaya and Kuching on oil and gas rights? We get reactions from Dr. Tricia Yeoh of the University of Nottingham Malaysia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 46th ASEAN Summit is set to kick off in Kuala Lumpur from May 23 to 28, with Malaysia as chair. The regional gathering comes at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics and an uncertain economic outlook. We speak to Dr. Khoo Ying Hooi from Universiti Malaya about expectations for the summit Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te marked his first year in office amid increased political polarisation and heightened tensions with Beijing. How is Lai addressing the internal and external pressures? Brian Hioe of New Bloom Magazine weighs in on the president's performance. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minister Azalina Othman has renewed calls to raise the retirement age to 65, citing seniors’ desire to keep working. As Malaysia’s population ages and its workforce tightens, can reform balance worker choice, fiscal pressure, and youth opportunity? Joining us is Chai Sen Tyng, Senior Research Officer at the Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (myAgeing), Universiti Putra Malaysia.Image Credits: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade ties between the UK and Europe have been at best, strained, since Brexit happened and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has just inked a landmark deal with the EU aimed at restoring stability in trade, energy, and cross-border travel. Dr Benjamin Barton, Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, discusses what this means in today's geopolitical climate.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

P. Gunasegaram, Independent Business Writer, offers his analysis of Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi’s renewed efforts to recover misappropriated public funds and institutionalise accountability. Close to 1,900 government-linked entities are now under audit, with a dedicated task force targeting systemic financial misconduct.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the uncertainty created by tariff tensions, Chinese e-commerce players are proving resilient in first quarter earnings performance. That said, does the slowing retail sales growth of 5.1% point to tougher times ahead? We get updates on the outlook for Chinese online consumption with Catherine Lim of Bloomberg Intelligence. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first quarter of 2025, Malaysia’s labour market expanded to 9.1 million jobs. Yet, a 2.1% vacancy rate persists, prompting questions about whether our youth are adequately prepared for today’s workforce demands. Helping us unpack this is Shazrul Ariff Suhaimi, Research Associate at Khazanah Research Institute.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zeckqualine Melai, a teacher and researcher at Unimas Sarawak’s Faculty of Education, Language & Communication, shares her take on Sarawak’s move to pioneer free tertiary education for eligible residents from 2026. We unpack its potential impact, and whether access will truly be equitable as the initiative applies only to selected courses at state-run institutions.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last night, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a two-hour phone conversation on a possible truce between Russia and Ukraine, but no concrete commitments were made. This comes after Ukrainian and Russian officials met face-to-face in Istanbul for truce talks, which resulted in an agreement to return prisoners of war to each other. Dr Sonia Mycak, Research Fellow, ANU Centre for European Studies joins us in discussing whether peace is in sight after more than 3 years of bloodshed.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s entry ban last year left over 17,000 Bangladeshi workers in limbo, but a recent agreement has cleared the way for nearly 8,000 to enter. Will this mark a turning point in how migrant workers are treated? We speak with Alex Ong, Country Representative of Migrant CARE, on the reforms still needed and the road ahead.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Container traffic along transpacific routes is expected to spike sharply in the coming weeks, as companies accelerate shipments during the 90-day suspension of U.S.-China tariffs. To help us understand what this temporary trade truce means for the short-term shipping outlook, we speak with Chris Rogers, Head of Supply Chain Research at S&P Global Market Intelligence for his insights.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a long-running legal saga that stems from 2015, the High Court last week struck out former Malaysian Merchant Marine Bhd (MMM) executive deputy chairman Datuk Ramesh Rajaratnam’s constitutional challenge of Malaysia’s insider trading law. Ranjit Singh, Partner at law firm Ranjit Singh & Yeoh helps unpack the key elements of the law and explains why white collar crime cases tend to be lengthy ordeals.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia gears up for a meaningful National Teachers’ Day celebration in Sarawak, the spotlight is on educators as key agents of reform. With new initiatives, digital upskilling efforts, and ongoing classroom challenges in focus, we speak to Chan Soon Seng, CEO of Teach For Malaysia, about what these changes mean for teachers on the ground.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E-hailing services have become a popular and convenient way for Malaysians to get around, with currently more than 20 such companies offering these services. Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, a transport consultant, talks to us about the role the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715) plays in ensuring a safe and competitive landscape, following the recent actions taken against Russian apps InDrive and Maxim.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has wrapped up his second visit to Russia in less than a year, this time with a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Dr Julia Roknifard, Senior Lecturer, School of Law and Governance, Taylor’s University, takes stock of what was discussed - from trade, energy, education and tourism, as well as the shooting down of MH17 in 2014, for which the UN has ruled that Russia is responsible.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. President Donald Trump is on an official tour of the Middle East, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. American and Arab officials have already confirmed billions of dollars in investments from Riyadh into the U.S., while Trump has announced that sanctions on Syria will be lifted. Dr. James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies shares his insights.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s rubber glove industry, which experienced significant growth during the pandemic, is now facing new hurdles. With US-China trade tensions easing and tariffs on Chinese gloves dropping, the $21 US dollars price gap is set to shrink to just $4 US dollars. What does this mean for the industry’s future? To analyze this, we speak with Oong Chun Sung, Equity Research Analyst at RHB Investment Bank.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UMobile is exiting Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) to fully focus on the roll out of the second 5G network, with the remaining shareholders taking over its stake. What does the new ownership structure mean for DNB and how might the second 5G network take shape? We discuss the scenarios with Alex Wong of SoyaCincau.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Universiti Malaya is intent to break free from federal funding, aiming for full control over governance, admissions, and finance. But with laws like AUKU still intact, questions remain about how far autonomy can realistically go. And what does “true autonomy” really look like in the Malaysian context today? Joining us to discuss this further is Dr. Wan Chang Da, former Director of National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN).Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat's leadership election, set to happen this May 23 will see 251 candidates vying for key positions, with the race for deputy president stealing the spotlight. This is because incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli will face off Nurul Izzah Anwar. Dr Syaza Shukri, Associate Professor of Political Science at IIUM analyses the issues at hand amid broader national implications.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Azam Baki’s third-term reappointment as MACC chief has drawn strong criticism from C4, Nurul Izzah, PAS and others, amid concerns over transparency, institutional independence, and ongoing investigations. As scrutiny grows, questions remain over the Madani Government’s commitment to reform and the future of anti-corruption efforts. Giving us clarity is Pushpan Murugiah, CEO of the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4).Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has won the mayoral election in his home Davao City from behind bars in the Hague where he faces charges of crimes against humanity over his war on drugs. Erin Cook, a journalist for Southeast Asian Affairs, shares her insights into how the midterm results might signal waning support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and if we are witnessing a reshuffling of power.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New rules are being introduced for foreign workers in Malaysia, with the government now requiring employers to be present at exit points when workers leave, or face penalties. Additionally, migrant workers can now switch employers across different sectors. Adrian Pereira, Executive Director, North-South Initiative shares insights on these changes and how they can be effectively implemented.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump’s plan to reverse Biden-era AI chip export controls could benefit Malaysia, offering new opportunities amid ongoing tariff talks and efforts to advance up the semiconductor value chain, attract investment, and strengthen its position in global supply chains. Analyst Farlina Said weighs in on the potential impact.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The long anticipated trade talks between the US and China came to a close on Sunday, and in a joint statement yesterday, both countries have agreed to roll back tariffs on each others’ goods for an initial 90-day period. Brock Silvers, CIO, Kaiyuan Capital gives us his perspective on how this could affect China’s economy moving forward.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.