Morning Brief

Bersatu President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has proposed for top posts to be negotiated rather than voted on during the party elections in October. Will this shore up support for the floundering party? We get an analysis from Dr. Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So far, the reign of King Dollar continues with markets still waiting for that elusive Fed rate cut. We speak to Stephen Chiu, Chief Asia FX and Rates Strategist, Bloomberg Intelligence for his outlook for Asian currencies for the rest of 2024 whilst taking a closer look at the Ringgit.Image Credit: EyeEm / Freepik.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Republican National Convention opened today in Milwaukee in the immediate aftermath of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. How will this shape the trajectory of the US elections this year? We discuss the themes with Mark J. Rozell of George Mason University.Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reports that Attorney-General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh is expected to be appointed as a Federal Court judge, with the possibility of later assuming the role of Chief Judge of Malaya, have raised concerns about executive influence in judicial appointments. Ramkarpal Singh, a former deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), shares his concerns on what this might mean for the independence of Malaysia's judiciary.Image Credit: vecstock / Freepik.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) foresees local e-commerce revenue achieving RM1.65 trillion by 2025. This is supported by Shopee's latest data indicating that Gen Zs prefer to shop online versus at physical stores. Ganesh Kumar Bangah, an advisor and former chairman of the National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM), shares his insights.Image Credit: freepik.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the 19th Indian General Elections in June, Narendra Modi has become prime minister for a third consecutive term. However, his National Democratic Alliance, while winning 294 seats in the 543-seat Lok Sabha, still garnered far fewer than they expected. Dr Rahul Mishra, Associate Professor at the Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi shares his analysis.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US election season has taken a dark turn, after former US President Donald Trump became the target of an attempted assassination at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. We get reactions on these developments and what it means for the presidential campaign moving forward from independent pollster John Zogby.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Zaliha Mustafa, Minister for the Federal Territories recently reaffirmed the government's commitment to the River of Life urban rejuvenation project, citing 81% completion. But with the latest Auditor General's report revealing shocking delays and missed objectives, what went wrong and how can this be fixed? We get reactions from Datuk Mumtaz Ali of Save Kuala Lumpur.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s top leaders will gather from July 15th to 18th for a highly anticipated meeting known as the Third Plenum, as this once-in-five-years conclave of top officials usually deals with major economic and political policy changes. Richard McGregor, Senior Fellow at Lowey Institute gives his perspective.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Negara Malaysia's Policy Document on Licensing and Regulatory Framework for Digital Insurers and Takaful Operators was released this week. It will no longer limit the number of licences to just 5, but will go to any digital insurer and takaful operator that meets its requirements. Vincent Fong, Chief Editor & Country Manager of Fintech News Malaysia, explains the impact of this on Malaysian consumers.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 75th anniversary of NATO is being marked by a three-day summit in Washington D.C. with the spotlight on the challenges in supporting Ukraine in the prolonged conflict with Russia, deepening relations with Indo-Pacific partners amid US-China tensions, and how the next US president could shape the future of the body. We discuss these themes with Chong Ja Ian of the NUS. Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul has ruled that the former 6 Bersatu MPs who pledged their support for Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can retain their seats. Does this then undermine the anti-party hopping law? We get reactions from political scientist Dr. Wong Chin Huat of Sunway University. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of the Sungai Bakap by-elections, former Penang deputy chief minister and Urimai chairman, P Ramasamy wrote in a Free Malaysia Today article that the level of support among Malaysian Chinese for the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and the ruling government in general has fallen. Discussing this issue with us today is James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies, the University of Tasmania.Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is China’s consumer spending showing signs of recovery or is it still beholden to a sluggish economy? We discuss what the trends in the e-commerce sector indicate about the health of the Chinese consumer and its major online retail platforms with Catherine Lim of Bloomberg Intelligence.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perikatan Nasional retained the Sungai Bakap state seat in Penang with an increased majority over the Pakatan Harapan candidate during last weekend's by-election, during which voter turnout was 63.45%. Ibrahim Suffian, Programme Director at Merdeka Centre analyses the outcome of the election and its impact on Malaysia's political landscape going forward.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second round of voting in the French elections resulted in a surprise outcome: the left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, was the biggest winner, followed by the centrist alliance of Emmanuel Macron, with the far-right National Rally coming in third. However, with no bloc winning a majority of seats in parliament, what does this mean for the formation of government? We get an analysis from Prof. Rainbow Murray of Queen Mary, University of London.Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ASEAN Express, a new international freight train service connecting Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and China, was launched this week to improve trade connectivity between the nations. How much could this contribute to economic growth? We discuss the impact with Dato Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, Vice Chancellor, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Singapore government seeks to strengthen money-laundering enforcement with the new Anti-Money Laundering and Other Matters Bill being tabled in parliament. Do the amendments go far enough to deter illicit crime? We discuss the implications of the bill with Cliff Lim of Dow Jones.Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As ballots are being tallied in the UK, what do early results tell us about the outcome? We catch up with Patrick Diamond, Professor of Public Policy at Queen Mary, University of London on whether projections of a Labour landslide are hitting the mark.Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All projections for the UK elections indicate that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservative party are on the cusp of defeat - but the question is, will it be a wipeout? Ahead of the polls, we catch-up with Philip See who’s in London to gauge the mood of UK voters.Image Credit: freepik.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced a crackdown on tour buses after a fatal bus crash in Genting Highlands that killed two Chinese tourists. We speak to transport consultant Wan Agyl Wan Hassan about why it had to take a tragic accident to expose the lack of  regulatory oversight on tour buses.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is among the few countries that have yet to ratified the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), despite its endorsement by 173 nations. The official explanation is due to conflicts with existing local laws. We ask Jerald Joseph, Chair of CSO Platform for Reform if this is indeed an impediment and what are the repercussions from this.Image Credit: fabrikasimf / Freepik.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents of Tokyo will be voting for their governor this week and the choice is down to incumbent Yuriko Koike of the Liberal Democratic Party, who is hoping to win the post for a third time, and Renho Saito from Japan’s main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party on the seat. William Pesek, a columnist with Nikkei Asia, helps us unpack what might happen in a very significant two-woman race in a very male-dominated political landscape.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that SPM students who score 10As, regardless of background, will be guaranteed entry to the matriculation programme without affecting the 90% Bumiputera quota. Will the lifting of restrictions for top scorers improve meritocracy in the education sector? We discuss meritocracy and fairness in pre-university pathways with Dr.Lee Hwok-Aun of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.Image Credit: Lens Hitam / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first round of France's snap parliamentary election has concluded with Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally leading with 34% of the vote, the left-wing New Popular Front coalition with 29%, and President Emmanuel Macron's centrist Ensemble third with 20.5%. Professor Peter McPhee, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Melbourne, analyzes what might happen when the second round takes place on July 7th.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first presidential debate between incumbent Democrat Joe Biden and his Republican challenger Donald Trump has concluded. Biden's performance was less than stellar as Trump spewed lie after lie, addressing few policy issues. Wendy Schiller, a professor of political science at Brown University, reviews what happened and what it might mean for the November presidential race.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China responding to the tightening restrictions on advanced technology exports from the US and Europe by increasing its self-sufficiency. But are there limits to how much it can build its own advanced tech sector without outside input? We speak to Yoko Kubota of the Wall Street Journal to find out more. Read her exclusive report here: The Goal for China’s Chip Giant: Cut Out the U.S. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In May 2023, the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) made the decision to withdraw Assunta Hospital’s tax exemption status,because the agency believed that the hospital had violated several conditions of its tax exemption status. Dr Veerinderjeet Singh, Senior Advisor on Tax Policy, KPMG explains who and how to qualify for tax exempt status comes under Section 44 (6) of the Income Tax Act 1967 (ITA).Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doubts lingered as China’s Chang’e 6 mission aimed to land on the far side of the moon. However, they’ve successfully brought back its rock and soil samples. This success has sparked an intense moon race with the US who has been prominently known to be at the top of its A-game in space exploration. We dive into the tensions of this space race with Clayton Swope, the Deputy Director of Aerospace Security Project at Centre for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS).Image Credit: Wirestock / Freepik.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. presidential debate, which is happening three months earlier than the usual cycle is likely to be a fiery event but will the outcome make a difference in this tightly contested race? Dr. Adrian Ang, Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies tells us what to expect and how these octogenarian candidates stack up.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government scored a hat-trick, but not the kind that is celebrated - instead it was a hat-trick of disappointments, as the new Election Commission Chair was announced without any parliamentary oversight as pledged in previous manifestos. We get reactions from Bersih on how the Madani government can make right on their pledges for electoral reform.Image Credit: Gwoeii / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) has launched its first-ever loan restructuring campaign,offering a minimum payment of RM300 to encourage borrowers to settle their arrears. Dr Hassanudin Mohd Thas Thaker, Associate Professor, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), joins us today in examining the campaign and whether it will successfully solicit more repayments.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent days, Brent crude oil prices have been on an upsurge after a slow start in June. We speak to Vandana Hari, Founder & CEO, Vanda Insights to find out what is driving black gold's price momentum. We also ask about EA's projection of an oil supply glut by 2029 and how that contrasts with OPEC's more optimistic outlook.Image Credit: wirestock / Freepik.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASEAN has become a beneficiary of trade diversion resulting from US-China tensions, especially in the semiconductor and green technology sectors. However with China being the largest trade partner and the US the biggest investor for most of the region, will ASEAN ultimately lose in prolonged trade tensions? We discuss this with Dr. Maria Monica Wihardja of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last month, the FBMKLCI has corrected by more than 2%.  Andrew San, Head of ASEAN Equities, Amundi Malaysia tells us if there are reasons to be worried or if this presents a buying opportunity. We also try to understand why markets like the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia are all in negative territory on a year to date basis.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seismic changes are happening at social media platforms, X and TikTok for different reasons. We examine each in detail with Dr. Fahizah Shamsuddin, Programme Director, School of Media and Communication, Taylor’s University to uncover if both can survive in the midst of intense competition and regulatory scrutiny.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dual Language Programme (DLP) for the teaching of science and mathematics in English has sparked controversy since it was launched in its current iteration in 2016. Do the new guidelines that require DLP schools to have one class that teaches the two subjects in Bahasa Malaysia strengthen or weaken the aims of the programme? We discuss the issue with Chan Soon Seng of Teach for Malaysia.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sg. Bakap polls will see a straight fight between educator Dr. Joohari Ariffin of PKR and businessman Abidin Ismail of PAS. What might the demographic make-up of the constituency reveal about who holds decision-making power? We discuss expectations for the Sg. Bakap by-elections and expectations for the Parliament session that opens today with Danesh Prakash Chacko of Tindak Malaysia.Image Credit:  Djohan Shahrin / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Southeast Asia, elections don’t necessarily guarantee stability, as seen in Thailand and the Philippines where fragile alliances are on the brink. We unpack the political developments and what to watch with journalist Erin Cook.Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sungai Bakap by-election is set for July 6th, with nomination day this Saturday. Both Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalitions have unveiled their candidates, setting the stage for a closely fought contest due to a narrow 1,563-vote margin in 2023. We gaze into the crystal ball to discuss potential outcomes with Arinah Najwa Ahmad Said, Director, BowerGroup Asia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly 30% of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia are children, but they are barred from access to the public schooling system. On World Refugee Day, we speak to Deborah Henry, founder of the Fugee School to discuss the importance of providing education pathways for refugee children.Image Credit: Gaie Uchel / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang's official visit to Malaysia to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, resulted in the exchange of 14 MOUs, covering a wide range of cooperation including the export of fresh durians and visa exemptions. Collins Chong Yew Keat, Foreign Affairs, Security & Strategy Analyst at Universiti Malaya, analyses the implications and significance of all these. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Vladimir Putin was welcomed in Pyongyang this week with much fanfare in his first visit to North Korea in 24 years. Together with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-Un, they signed a strategic partnership to assist each other in the event of aggression against their countries. What does this renewed relationship mean for international stability and security? Dr. Hoo Chiew Ping, Senior Fellow, at the East Asian International Relations (EAIR) Caucus weighs in on these developments.Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday dissolved the war cabinet, following the departure of key figures last week over the lack of a post-war strategy. The developments come as the two sides of the war consider a ceasefire proposal presented by US President Joe Biden earlier this month. What does this mean for the trajectory of the war? Middle East expert Dr. James Dorsey weighs in.Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) announced that they conducted a special operation to reduce tax leakage in cryptocurrency trading. We speak to SM Thanneermalai, Founder & Managing Director of Thannees Tax Consulting Services as to who and when is a person liable for this based on the guidelines.Image Credit: fabrikasimf / Freepik.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this week signaled that Malaysia was looking to join BRICS, the bloc of emerging economies led by Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa. We discuss the why and the how with foreign policy analysis from Bunn Nagara, Honorary Fellow at the Perak Academy.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 16th is the International Day of Domestic Workers, a labourforce that many Malaysian households rely on. However despite our reliance on domestic workers, the sector remains under-regulated, and something as basic as mandatory leave days are not guaranteed for domestic workers here. We speak to Nasrikah Paidin, coordinator of the Indonesian domestic worker NGO PERTIMIG on why they are advocating for 24-hour days-off to be made mandatory for domestic workers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia recognises its heavy reliance on food imports and the consequences it brings, it is intensifying efforts to encourage urban farming to address national food security amid global supply chain disruptions that impact food availability. Dato’ Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, the Vice-chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia talks to us about the university's Food Security Blueprint and how it can be aligned to these objectives.Image Credit: Drazen Zigic / Freepik.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China saw a strong start to their economy in the first two months of 2024, but the lustre has faded since. Now, the world’s 2nd biggest economy is seeing deflation, a highly indebted property sector, a gloomy job market, and on top of everything, a new tariff by the EU on China electric vehicles (EVs). To bring clarity to this murky situation, we have Tommy Xie, Head of Greater China Research, OCBC Bank with us on the Morning Brief. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has seen a significant rise in dengue cases, accompanied by a 79% increase in related deaths, concentrated in Selangor. But there is a new Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine aimed at tackling the dengue epidemic. Professor Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman, Public Health Medicine Specialist shares his insights on this new vaccine and other essential strategies for preventing this disease.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.