Morning Brief

Silver surged to their highest level since 2012, driven by expectations of further interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. while gold recently hit a new high. Are there still legs to this rally? Christopher Wong, FX Strategist, OCBC gives us that answer and what their house view is on their respective year-end prices.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sri Lanka's political future appears clearer and hopefully more promising after Anura Kumara Dissanayake won last month's presidential election, the first candidate not connected to a political dynasty. Dr Ahilan Kadirgamar, a political economist and senior lecturer at the University of Jaffna, shares his take on how a Dissanayake administration might address the current economic state the country is experiencing after it declared bankruptcy in 2022.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran's missile attack on Israel, involving nearly 200 projectiles, significantly escalates tensions in the Middle East. Despite most missiles being intercepted, the incident highlights the region's precarious security amid ongoing conflicts and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. For insights, we speak to Dr. James Dorsey, adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The two vice-presidential candidates are set to debate each other. The Democrat candidate Tim Walz is expected to focus on social equity and policies that support families and small businesses, while the Republican JD Vance will likely champion increased tariffs and lower corporate taxes. Bryan DeAngelis, partner & head of the Washington office of the Penta Group share his insights into what we can expect from the exchange.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has outlined five key strategies to eradicate poverty in Malaysia. One of the standout measures is the use of net disposable income as a tool to identify those eligible for poverty relief assistance. For further insights into the effectiveness of these strategies, we speak to Prof. Dr. Yeah Kim Leng, Deputy President of the Malaysian Economic Association.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selangor has revealed that there are more than 200 illegal e-waste recycling facilities across Malaysia, with several identified in Rawang and Hulu Selangor. There are concerns also that these plants use hazardous methods, such as open burning or unsafe chemical processes, to extract valuable metals from electronic waste. Mohamed el-Fatatry, CEO & Founder of ERTH or Electronic Recycling Through Heroes, shares his thoughts on the current situation.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ringgit has been the dark horse this year, appreciating by 11% on a year-to-date basis. In fact, the best performing in Asia. We speak to Saktiandi Supaat, Head of FX Research, Global Markets, Maybank Singapore to understand why and if this trend can continue whilst looking at the Yen, Yuan, Pound and even the Greenback.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest State of the Household 2024 report from the Khazanah Research Institute revealed that 90% of EPF members under the age of 30 are not projected to meet the RM240,000 savings target by retirement age, with income and expenditure trends exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. What are the factors that need to be addressed to avert a generational retirement crisis? We discuss findings from the report as well as policies to consider with Shazrul Ariff Suhaimi of Khazanah Research Institute.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mahkota state by-election saw the Barisan Nasional secure 79% of the votes trouncing Perikatan Nasional, ensuring the state remains firmly under the BN administration. Dr Syaza Shukri, Associate Professor at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, analyses the results.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan is set to elect a new Prime Minister on Tuesday after Shigeru Ishiba won the leadership election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). What challenges will he need to overcome ahead of the mandated general election within a year? We discuss this with Tokyo-based journalist William Pesek.Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, education minister Fadhlina Sidek confirmed that the UPSR primary school assessment and the PT3 form 3 exams which were abolished in 2022 will not be reinstated. However, the deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi believes these national exams provide a necessary benchmark to measure education levels. Nina Adlan Disney, Executive Director at LeapEd Services, weighs in on this debate.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's energy landscape is at a crucial crossroads, with Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli highlighting that natural gas is expected to account for 56% of the country’s energy mix by 2050. In addition, Malaysia is advancing in carbon capture, utilisation, and storage with the CCUS Progressive Regulatory Framework Bill set to be tabled in November. As Malaysia charts this path, how can the country ensure a smooth transition without jeopardising economic stability and jobs in the fossil fuel sector? Ts. Syed Saggaf Syed Ahmad of the Malaysian Oil, Gas and Energy Services Council (MOGSC) weighs in. Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel has signalled it is ready to invade Lebanon following weeks of intense bombardment, ostensible against Hezbollah targets. Hezbollah has responded with rocket attacks which were mostly intercepted by Israel's defences. Dr James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, shares insights into how the current conflict is escalating. Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Ministry wants to expand private wings at public hospitals as part of a hybrid model termed “Rakan KKM” to address the financial sustainability of public healthcare. Critics argue that this could undermine universal healthcare which the government assures won't happen. Anwar Anis, Honorary Secretary at the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia shares his insights.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets in China and Hong Kong rallied more than 4% following the People's Bank of China's announcement of plans to lower borrowing costs and allow banks to increase their lending. These measures are aimed at reviving the country's flagging economy. Tommy Xie, the head of Asia Macro Research at OCBC Bank, shares his thoughts on whether or not these measures will do the job.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bid-rigging remains a critical issue in Malaysia, leading to substantial financial losses and diminished public service quality. In response, the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) is set to amend the Competition Act 2010, implementing incentives for individuals who report these unethical practices to foster greater transparency. For a clearer perspective on this initiative, we speak to MyCC CEO Iskandar Ismail.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Commission has announced its newly appointed team of 26 commissioners, marking a shift in dynamics after a divisive parliamentary election. A key issue facing the Commission is the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), set to take effect at the end of the year, which has raised concerns among Malaysian stakeholders about potential fines and market exclusion for small farmers, leading to calls for a delay. We delve into these developments with Dr. Frederick Kleim, Managing Director of Episteme Consultants.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Forest City Special Financial Zone (SFZ) in Johor was launched last Friday and is set to offer a range of investment incentives, including a reduced corporate income tax rate of between 0% and 5%, as well as a 0% tax rate for family wealth offices, which is a first in Malaysia. Are these tax breaks sufficient to accelerate investments in Forest City after a slow start? Business commentator Pankaj C. Kumar weighs in.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) is set to take legal actions against 430,000 borrowers who still owe about RM6 billion in unpaid student loans. Some have been accused of being irresponsible but could they be suffering from the impact of stagnant wages and/or rising cost of living? Dr Amirul Rafiq Abu Rahim, a research associate at Khazanah Research Institute gives us some perspectives.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite China’s New Energy Vehicle deliveries hitting a record in the first half of this year, major Chinese EV makers delivered mixed results in August, even with continued government incentives. Ray Kwok, Director of Research Department, CGS International Securities Hong Kong Limited, helps us understand the EV landscape in China along with the challenges he is anticipating.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sri Lankans have elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake as their new president, following a second tally of preferential votes, the first time in the country's history. Dr Chulanee Attanayake, a researcher at Swinburne University of Technology, explains why this is significant as also for the first time, the president is not from a political dynasty. Plus, he will also navigate the country out of the economic collapse it experienced in 2022.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Penang DAP elections were held over the weekend and saw Human Resource Minister Steven Sim named its chairman, replacing Chow Kon Yeow, who did not contest. Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh was elected deputy chairman. Dr Oh Ei Sun, Principal Adviser at the Pacific Research Centre, takes a look at the outcome of the vote and helps us make sense of the party's path forward.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, Thailand’s cabinet approved a cash handout plan totaling almost THB146 billion , or USD4.4 billion. The baht is also seeing its biggest rally since 1998. Poon Panichpibool, Markets Strategist at Krung Thai Bank helps put these developments into perspective and what it might mean for Thailand's economy with a new prime minister now in place.Image Credit: Shutter StockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With under 2 months before Americans vote for the next president of the United States, campaigning has already been marred by two assassination attempts on the Republican candidate, Donald Trump. John Zogby, the founder of political survey companies John Zogby Strategies, shares his views on how heated campaigning has become as a result of rhetoric and how both the Harris and Trump teams might adjust their strategies in the final lap.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Federal Reserve has kicked off a historic easing cycle with a 50 basis point cut in its benchmark interest rate. What does this mean for the outlook of the US economy  and how will this factor into the subsequent trajectory of Fed monetary policy as we head into the final quarter of the year? Olu Sonola, Head of US Economic Research at Fitch Ratings gives us his analysis.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent operational challenges faced by Malaysia Airlines in recent weeks have highlighted the talent retention issue in the country. This is amid reports that more than 60 of the local carrier's engineers had left for better-paying jobs in Singapore. Nic Chambers, Managing Director of recruitment agency Michael Page Malaysia helps put into context the problems Malaysia faces in retaining talent in an increasingly competitive market.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perikatan Nasional has rejected the MOU offered by the Madani government to resolve the issue of equal constituency development funds for the opposition. PN claims the MOU could threaten the rights of Malays and Bumiputeras, clash with cultural values, and limit MPs' freedom of speech. Independent political analyst, Adib Zalkapli, shares his insights into this development along with his take on the upcoming Mahkota by-election.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As climate change wreaks havoc on weather patterns in Southeast Asia, how has this affected perceptions of climate change action amongst its diverse population? We discuss the findings of the 2024 Southeast Asia Climate Outlook with Sharon Seah of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sri Lanka will hold its presidential election this Saturday, September 21st, following the country's 2022 economic collapse which saw the president at the time having to flee amid mass protests. Faraz Shauketaly, an independent broadcaster and investigative journalist talks to us about the sentiments going into election day as 17 million eligible voters select from 38 candidates, who will lead their country for the next 5 years.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The news that JAKIM is considering making halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food establishments that do not serve pork or alcohol, has sparked debate highlighting the complexity and importance of this move. Prof Dr Abdul Malik Musharat, Chairman of Global Halal Malaysia Traders and Consumer Association shares his insights on this issue.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The price of crude palm oil is currently hovering above the RM3,800 level as Malaysia’s August palm oil stockpile rose to a six-month high since February, driven by seasonally higher production and lower exports. Alvin Tai, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, shares his views on the direction of the commodity amid the strengthening of the ringgit, weakening soybean oil prices and even the prospect of another Donald Trump presidency.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is developing new regulations to support the integration of autonomous vehicles (AVs) into public transport. What can Malaysia learn from the experience of other countries in integrating this technology in transport systems? We get insights from economist Dr. Walter Theseira about the potential of AVs to transform the transport landscape.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DAP will hold state elections on 22 September, with incumbent Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow stating that he will not defend his post as state party chair. What does that say about the internal dynamics of DAP? We discuss this with political analyst Dr. Azmi Hassan.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the US debate, it appeared that Kamala Harris had the upper hand. But what were the economic policies of both candidates? Vasu Menon, Managing Director, Investment Strategy, OCBC weighs in and also tells how volatile markets will be until polling day on November 5th.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Water pollution is a continuous issue in our country. Most recently, residents in Selangor experienced unscheduled water cuts caused by water contamination and a new case of illegal waste dumping is also causing odour pollution in Johor. We speak to Dr Zaki Zainudin, Water Quality and Water Quality Modeling Specialist about the legal framework on water pollution in Malaysia, and what can be done to stem this problem.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government recently agreed to amend both the Trustee Act and the Trustee (Incorporation) Act to prevent the misappropriation of funds by established trustees for purposes such as religious, social, and welfare activities. Given past cases of public fund misuse, including in the Aman Palestin scandal, are these legal reforms the way forward for enhanced governance? Alliff Benjamin Suhaimi, Partner at Thomas Philip, offers his perspective.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This new law offers better protection for platform workers like private hire drivers and freelance delivery workers, by creating a new legal category between employees and the self-employed. Dr. Walter Theseira, Associate Professor of Economics, Singapore University of Social Sciences explains the details of this bill and how it impacts the future of platform work.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Education has identified 28% of Year 1 pupils are lagging in 3R skills i.e. reading, writing and arithmetic, and require additional support. What kind of interventions would work best to shore up the basic skills needed by primary students? Shahnaz Al-Sadat of LeapEd gives us her insights. Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the government’s National Property Information Centre (NAPIC), there was the highest property sales growth since 2019 during the first half of 2024, increasing by 23.8% year-on-year to approximately RM105.7 billion. Chan Ai Cheng, Immediate Past-President of the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents tells us if this positive momentum can be sustained for the rest of 2024 and what are the key trends to watch for.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vice President Kamala Harris of the Democratic party and Republican contender former President Donald Trump face off in a historic presidential debate for the first and likely only time in this election campaign. We discuss expectations for the debate with Bryan DeAngelis of Penta Group. Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The issue of statelessness and undocumented residents in Sabah is particularly acute and complex. Last week, the Sabah state government announced that it will set up an inter-agency special committee and a task force to address these issues. What are the key challenges that need to be addressed? Suriani Kempe of Family Frontiers weighs in. Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China is removing the last remaining barriers to foreign investment in manufacturing and healthcare, starting November 1st. Tommy Xie, Head, Greater China Research, OCBC Bank tells us the rationale for this and if it will attract FDI. We also look at the recent economic data to determine if there is risk of serious deflation in the world's second largest economy.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, news emerged that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) directed all Internet service providers to implement public DNS (Domain Name System) redirection for businesses, enterprises, and government agencies by September 30. Although Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil defended the decision, he has asked MCMC to put the plan on hold pending stakeholder engagement. We discuss the rationale and implication of the policy with Alex Wong of SoyaCincau.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hong Kong, which houses some of the most expensive properties in the world, is currently experiencing a crisis, with owners being forced to slash prices. The downturn in the city has persisted for around five years. Patrick Wong, Head of Bloomberg Intelligence Hong Kong & Senior Analyst - Asia Pacific Real Estate tells us if we can expect any government support and which listed players will survive this downturn.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fraud in the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) has led to the government implementing a comprehensive overhaul of the claims system. They are also rolling out a nationwide operation to identify and address additional fraudulent activities. Lim Zi-Han, Partner, Donovan & Ho shares his insights on the strategies and reforms required to tackle these issues effectively.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shares around the world fell on Wednesday, pummelled by a drop in tech stocks following a record sell-off of Wall Street darling Nvidia. Analysts cited a confluence of factors behind the rout, which also impacted Asian and European tech stocks. Is this recent sell-off merely a temporary market correction, or has the Magnificent Seven reached its peak? For more analysis, we’ll be speaking with Dan Ives, Managing Director at Wedbush Securities.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Indian regulators cleared the way for an $8.5 billion US dollar merger of Disney and Reliance, creating India’s biggest entertainment player to compete with Sony, Netflix and Amazon. How does this benefit Disney, and what are the trends shaping the broader entertainment streaming sector? We get analysis from Geetha Ranganathan of Bloomberg Intelligence.Image Credit: BizAsiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia, on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum where the Malaysian leader is the main attraction. Julia Roknifard, an independent expert on international relations talks to us about the significance of this meeting with Moscow continuing to remain under sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid reports from the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission having received almost 6,600 cases of cyberbullying involving youths, a 20-fold increase from three years ago, action needs to be taken immediately to address this. Datin PH Wong, Executive Director of Childline Foundation shares some insights into this worrying trend as social media and online games become increasingly prolific.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Venezuela remains at a political impasse more than a month after Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner in the presidential elections. This outcome is disputed by the opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez and sparked on-going mass street demonstrations. We get updates on the situation in Venezuela with Dr. Raul Sanchez-Urribarri of La Trobe University.Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.