Morning Brief

Border control in Malaysia is now under the newly established Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), which started operations on February 1st. Its objectives include strengthening national security, protecting the economy, improving public health, and reducing congestion at key borders like Malaysia-Singapore. What needs to be in place for this unified agency to be effective? Munira Mustaffa, Executive Director at Chasseur Group weighs in.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Saturday, India tabled its Budget against a backdrop of a complex economic landscape, with global headwinds and domestic inflationary pressures putting pressure on the country’s GDP. Sanjay Mathur, Chief Economist for Southeast Asia and India, ANZ Bank gives us his initial impressions of the Budget and if it does hit the mark in terms of helping India achieve developed nation status.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Road safety is a pressing issue across ASEAN with over 97,000 deaths annually. This comes with significant human and economic costs to the countries in the region. With Malaysia as the Chair of ASEAN in 2025, are our leaders able to strengthen regional road safety measures? We discuss ways to make roads safer with Dr Nurrul Hafeezah Sahak, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Federal Reserve keeping rates higher for longer, the reign of King Dollar is undisputed. What does this mean for Asian currencies? Saktiandi Supaat, Head of FX Research, Global Markets, Maybank tells us the answer whilst diving specifically at the Ringgit.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since taking office less than two weeks ago, Donald Trump has signed a series of immigration-related executive orders, outlining a crackdown on migration in the U.S. From declaring an invasion at the border to ending birthright citizenship, these actions have sparked significant attention and pushback. We discuss the implications of these initiatives with Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh, Associate Policy Analyst at the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retailers in Malaysia are gearing up for a busy Chinese New Year season, with the government implementing price controls on essential items and expanding the Rahmah Madani Sales Program. These initiatives are designed to make shopping more affordable for consumers. We speak to Michael Liew, Secretary-General of the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), to get his insights on how these measures may affect the retail industry.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US stocks plunged on Monday with Wall Street darling Nvidia down 17% after the surprise emergence of a low-cost artificial intelligence model by Chinese start up, DeepSeek. Dan Ives, Managing Director, Wedbush Securities tells us whether this start up will cause the the end of the tech bull cycle whilst giving us a preview of the results of the Magnificent 7.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In less than a week since the start of his presidency, Donald Trump has made several controversial foreign policy announcements. From a 25% emergency tariff and visa restrictions against Colombia, to wanting Egypt and Jordan to take in Palestinians from Gaza and making claims on Greenland and the Panama Canal. Wes speak to Dr Prashanth Parameswaran, Fellow, Wilson Center & Founder, ASEAN Wonk Newsletter as to what to expect from US foreign policy.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli said that the government plans to introduce additional incentives in the 13th Malaysia Plan to stimulate the economy, based on policies aimed at driving changes in societal and behavioural economics to support national transformation. For more insights into how behavioural economics could work in Malaysia, we speak with Alex Clark, Head of International for APAC at The Behavioural Insights Team.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Typically, Chinese New Year is a busy time for the F&B but news that some outlets will be raising their service tax from 10% to 15% has not gone unnoticed. We speak to Jeremy Lim, Vice-President & Media Liaisons, Persatuan Pemilik Restoran & Bistro, for his views on this and also the outlook for 2025.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore has launched the process for its 2025 general election by forming the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee, with polls expected between May and November. The election could prove pivotal, as the rise of the Workers' Party in 2020 presents a growing challenge to the People’s Action Party. We speak with James Gomez to gain his insights on what the future holds for Singapore’s political landscape.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Malaysia’s data centre industry rapidly expanding, there’s growing concern over the rising demand for water, particularly in Johor and Selangor. Data centres use vast amounts of treated water for cooling, putting pressure on local resources. We speak to S. Piarapakaran, President of the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia, to discuss how this surge in demand could strain our water infrastructure and what steps can be taken to ensure sustainability.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Media Law Reform Blueprint by the Canadian NGO Centre for Law and Democracy, has called for RTM and the MCMC to be independent in the interest of freedom of expression and journalism in Malaysia. Dr Joanne Lim, Communications, Media and Cultural Studies Professor, University of Nottingham Malaysia, shares her input into how the proposed Malaysian Media Council bill might move the needle (or not).Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), by President Donald Trump, has sparked concern about the future of global health cooperation and the role of the U.S. in shaping health policies worldwide. Prof. Tikki Pangestu, Visiting Professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore shares his perspective on the potential consequences of this decision.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has revealed that while Putrajaya is not hastily pursuing developed nation status, Malaysia is still on the right track to becoming an advanced nation by 2028 to 2029. Dr Hafezali Iqbal Hussain, Professor at the School of Management & Marketing Faculty of Business & Law at Taylor’s University helps us understand what this means.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The upcoming ‘Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah’ rally has sparked a legal debate, with authorities declaring it unlawful due to an incomplete notice. However, legal advisers insist the rally adheres to the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012. N. Surendran, adviser at Lawyers for Liberty, clarifies assembly-goers' rights in such situations.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Negara Malaysia has maintained the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 3%, signaling confidence in Malaysia’s economic stability. The country continues to benefit from manageable inflation, strong domestic spending, and ongoing structural reforms. Julia Goh, Senior Economist, UOB shares her views on what this means for Malaysia’s economic future.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the Myanmar military government, which ousted a democratically one in 2021, agreeing a ceasefire with the Beijing-backed Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), a return to stability is still ways away. Lucas Myers, Senior Associate for Southeast Asia at the Wilson Centre's Asia Programme gives us some context about the various factions involved in the current conflict as well as Asean's role in any potential resolution.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unemployment and underemployment among graduates in Malaysia is on the rise, with many highly qualified individuals struggling to secure jobs that match their skills. What kind of policies are needed to close the mismatch? We discuss this with Wan Amirah Wan Usamah of Khazanah Research Institute.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After his inauguration, President Donald Trump wasted no time in implementing major changes to U.S. policy. He focused on reversing many of President Joe Biden’s initiatives, from addressing inflation and energy production to tighter immigration policies. John Zogby, Founder of John Zogby Strategies shares his insights into how these changes could shape the future of the U.S.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following delays in Gateway Development Alliance's offer to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd private at RM11 per share, the conditional acceptance level for the deal was recently lowered from 90% to 85%. Khair Mirza, Head of Airport Investor Resource at Modalis Infrastructure Partners Inc, shares his perspectives.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the Nikkei 225 rallied by almost 20% last year, has the easy money been made for Japanese equities? Ken Nagano, Senior Portfolio Manager at Nomura Asset Management tells us his views, the investment strategy to adopt and their top ideas for 2025.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim recently called for the Electoral Commission to look into ways that would ensure all Malaysians can exercise their right to vote, including those residing abroad. What kind of reforms should be considered? We discuss this with Danesh Prakash Chacko of Tindak Malaysia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently visited Brussels, where he announced the revival of Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Can the two sides bring the FTA to fruition after more than a decade in hiatus? We discuss the opportunities and challenges in bilateral ties with Karl Godderis of EUROCHAM Malaysia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian economies are set to face an uncertain 2025 as they grapple with domestic challenges and "America First" policies under the Donald Trump administration. This is reflected in the weakening of many Asian currencies against a stronger U.S. dollar. We’ll be speaking with Khoon Goh, Head of Asia Research at ANZ Bank, about what these developments mean for economies in Asia and their respective monetary policies. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The High Court has ruled that pensions for retired civil servants should be adjusted based on their final salary, in line with the 2016 Public Services Department circular. This decision challenges the previous 2% flat annual increase introduced by the 2013 Pension Adjustment Act and requires the government to settle outstanding pension arrears within three months. We discuss the implications of this decision with Dr Lee Hwok-Aun, Senior Fellow, Malaysian Studies Programme, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the government considering a digital finance policy which could pave the way for Malaysia to recognize the use of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, financial experts warn that this could present unnecessary risks. Aaron Tang, President of the Malaysian Digital Asset Platform Association (MDAPA) helps us unpack the implications of this potential policy change.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

January 20th marks the official inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th US President, and the lead-up to his second term is vastly different from 2017. What are the immediate moves expected once Trump returns to the White House? We discuss expectations for Trump 2.0 with Wendy Schiller of Brown University. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) launched the Belanjawanku Guide 2024/2025 in tandem with its new Retirement Income Adequacy (RIA) Framework to help Malaysians improve their financial management towards a decent living post-retirement. We speak to Balqais Yusoff, Head of Policy and Strategy Department at EPF for insights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Joe Biden leaves the White House after one term in office with an approval rating at the lowest point of his presidency. Dr Adrian Ang, Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, takes a look at some of Biden's achievements and how he thinks the oldest US president ever will be remembered in the annals of history.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the world seeks cleaner energy options, nuclear power is gaining attention as a potential solution to meet rising demands and reduce carbon emissions. While some countries like Germany are moving away from it, others including Malaysia are considering nuclear energy with an emphasis on safety and sustainability. We discuss these developments with Dr Alvin Chew, Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annually, CLSA, a Hong Kong-based capital markets and investment group releases a tongue-in-cheek Feng Shui guide on how the Hang Seng index will perform. Susan Zhang, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice from CLSA, shares her tips on what zodiac signs and elements might do well or otherwise when the Year of the Snake slithers in next week.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has formed a committee to review the Contracts Act 1950 and bring it up to date with modern economic developments. What are the gaps in the law that need to be addressed? We discuss this with Dr. Adnan Trakic, Director of the Centre for Commercial Law and Regulatory Studies, Malaysia Hub, Monash University. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After months of negotiations, a ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel has finally been agreed on, brokered by Qatar, the US, and Egypt. Will this agreement provide a foundation for stability in Gaza, or is the region facing more uncertainty ahead? We speak to Dr. James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies for immediate reactions.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Negara Malaysia and the Finance Ministry have now approved all five licensed digital banks, with three of them - GXBank, AEON Bank and Boost Bank - already up and running. Ryt Bank and KAF Digital will follow soon. Ravi Kittane, Partner, Ernst & Young Consulting, assesses the impact of these 5 entities in shaping Malaysia's digital banking space.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a viral video where someone questioned the police for detaining a person and checking their phone, IGP Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has clarified that this is allowed under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998. Criminal lawyer, Sreekant Pillai, helps us understand the legality of mobile phone inspections and what your rights are.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Absenteeism in schools has become a growing concern in Malaysia, with many students missing out on crucial educational opportunities. In response, the government is set to introduce a compulsory secondary education policy next month to reduce dropout rates and enhance the quality of education. Prof. Dr. Ismi Arif Ismail, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and International at Universiti Putra Malaysia, shares his insights on this issue.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Biden administration plans to introduce new export restrictions on artificial intelligence chips under a three-tier system based on country, in addition to limiting AI computing power coming out of providers based in the US to other countries. How will these restrictions impact global supply chains and the growth of Malaysia’s digital economy? Farlina Said, Senior Analyst, ISIS Malaysia shares her insights with us.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wildfires in Los Angeles and the floods in Malaysia have underscored the escalating effects of climate change on urban areas. What's needed to build climate resilience against future threats? We discuss this with Dr. Camelia May Li Kusumo of Taylor's University.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government plans to review proposals to amend digital-related laws to address online scams, including making telcos one of the entities responsible for combating such crimes, along with financial institutions. CF Fong, Executive Chairman of Malaysian cybersecurity firm LGMS Berhad share his views on how these law might look going forward.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Supreme Court will soon considers the constitutionality of a law that would ban TikTok in the country if its China-based owner, ByteDance, doesn't sell off its American operation by January 19. Bradley Freeman, Professor of Creative Arts & Media, School of Arts, Sunway University helps us understand the issues at stake.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASEAN has benefited from the US-China trade tensions as countries opt for a China-plus-one strategy to diversify their supply chains, but will this continue under a second Trump administration? We discuss the global trade landscape with economist Jayant Menon of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penang’s transportation future depends on the successful integration of the LRT system, Mutiara Line and the Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) highway. With the increasing traffic congestion, it’s crucial that both projects are developed to improve connectivity and create a more efficient, sustainable transport network. We discuss the impact of these developments with Transport Consultant Dr Rosli Azad.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Incoming US President Donald Trump has made headlines recently for reiterating his desire for the US to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, calling both critical to American national security. How serious is this rhetoric and what are the implications of this for partner countries? We discuss this with Dr. Kathryn Robison from the University of Sydney.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Licensed childcare centres nationwide have been facing rising costs especially when the new RM1,700 minimum wage policy starts on Feb 1st, adding on to already escalating financial commitments. These will of course be passed down to parents. Norsheila Abdullah, President of the Malaysia Association of Registered Early Child Care and Development shares her thoughts on the challenges to the industry.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited Malaysia for the first time since taking office, aiming to enhance trade ties. His leadership is focused on major projects, including Indonesia joining BRICS and relocating the capital to Nusantara. We discuss how these initiatives will shape Indonesia's future and its role on the global stage with Julia Lau, Senior Fellow and Co-coordinator, Indonesia Studies Programme, ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The semiconductor industry has become a driving force behind Malaysia’s economic growth, contributing an estimated 25% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). However, 2025 is expected to be a volatile year, especially for the semiconductor sector, due to escalating US-China trade tensions and the incoming deregulation policies under American President Donald Trump. So, what is the outlook for local semiconductor players, and how should they navigate the expected turbulent times? Andrew Chan, Director of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA), tells us.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers’ organisations and civil society groups are urging the government to not table the Plant/Crop Seed Quality Bill in Parliament, citing the lack of consultations with stakeholders and the detrimental impact on small scale farmers. Nurfitri Amir Muhammad, the head coordinator of Forum Kedaulatan Makanan Malaysia, explain the issues.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat witnessed the official agreement to establish the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which is expected to catalyse economic returns on both sides of the Causeway. We speak to Dr. Walter Theseira of the Singapore University of Social Sciences on the potential growth levers and challenges to overcome in making the SEZ a success.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest development in the media industry is the merger of Walt Disney’s Hulu Plus Live TV streaming service with the online sports-focused company FuboTV Inc, creating the second-largest digital pay-TV provider. Geetha Ranganathan, a senior analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, shares her insights on how streaming media might progress going forward.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.