Morning Brief

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil drew flak for his remarks that the Cabinet would contact the Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s office over false statements issued by MPs, although this was later clarified. How can the separation of powers between the executive and legislative powers be better enforced? We discuss this with lawyer N. Surendran.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite slowing GDP growth, Bank Negara's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held interest rates at 3% for the fifth consecutive meeting. How is the central bank factoring in economic headwinds into its decision-making and what levers do they have to tackle the weak Ringgit? We discuss this with Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid, Deputy Governor of Bank Negara.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fate of TikTok in the US is once again in question, with the US House of Representatives set to vote this week on a bill that will force its parent company, China-owned ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face a US ban. We discuss the implications of this bill with Caitlin Chin, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a pivotal ruling by the Federal Court, a private hospital was held accountable for medical negligence, refuting claims of doctors acting as independent contractors. We talk to Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy to offer his insights on the implications of this ruling for our healthcare system.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Khazanah Research Institute's “Shifting Tides: Charting Career Progression of Malaysia’s Skilled Talent" report highlights that the gender pay gap and wage stagnation still persists. Female graduates also trail behind males when it comes to securing employment. Hawati Abdul Hamid, deputy director of research at KRI takes us through the salient points of the report.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Negara's Monetary Policy Committee has decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate at 3% for its fifth consecutive meeting; it last raised it by 25 basis points in May 2023. Meanwhile, BNM also believe the ringgit is currently undervalued. Julia Goh, a senior economist at UOB helps us unpack the implications of the decision and comments in the official statement that followed.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the World Bank Group's 2024 Women, Business, and Law report, women enjoy less than two-thirds of the legal rights available to men despite the introduction of equal opportunity laws over the past 5 decades. What explains the gap between legal reforms and implementation? We discuss insights from the report with Julia Braunmiller of the World Bank Group. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is looking to expand preschool education, starting with institutions under the Ministry of Education. What policies are needed to improve the quality of early childhood care and education in the country? We discuss recommendations with Dr. Lydia Foong of Taylor's University.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Super Tuesday, 16 states and 1 territory held primaries for the presidential race, with Joe Biden and Donald Trump winning comfortably. What does this mean for the November 2024 elections? We discuss this with political scientist Wendy Schiller of Brown University. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, the chairman of Bursa Malaysia has advocated for a mandatory disclosure of diversity, equity and inclusivity across all businesses. In a multiracial society where there could be varying availability of a diverse workforce based on different factors, How best can we cultivate a diverse workforce while maintaining a balance with competency? Deepa George, Managing Consultant of MYHRC Services tells us.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Currently in the palm oil sector, smallholders manage 27% of the total palm oil area in Malaysia. To increase yield, the government  has suggested consolidating them into clusters overseen by medium or large estates. Could this yield the desired results? Khor Yu Leng, Economist at Segi Enam Advisors shares her insights on the merits and drawbacks of this proposed strategy.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is currently considering implementing home detention for inmates to address prison overcrowding. However, there are concerns about whether this could inadvertently favour privileged or powerful criminals. Jerald Joseph, Chair of CSO Platform for Reform shares his insights on strategies and accountability needed for this implementationImage Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sabah's Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Noor recently highlighted the record gains in state revenue in 2023, amounting to RM7 billion ringgit. There are also targets of 4% GDP growth for 2024. We ask Dr. Janis Yasin, Senior Lecturer, UiTM Sabah if the Sabah Maju Jaya roadmap will help the state achieve its goals and where are the gaps.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this week, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed leaders from the ASEAN member states at a special summit in Melbourne. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also made his first official visit to the country to forge better bilateral ties. We will be speaking to Thomas Daniel, senior fellow at ISIS Malaysia for his take on the outcome of the summitImage Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) has unveiled "Reforming Our Institutions: Blueprint for Reforms," last week highlighting 13 priority institutional reforms for the country. How much of this is actually reflected in the government's reform agenda? We discuss this with Salsabila Abdul Manan, Senior Executive with IDEAS.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putrajaya wants to reinstate the cabotage policy exemption for foreign vessels conducting undersea cable repairs to help spur the growth of the digital economy and attract foreign investments in the data centre industry. Dr Rais Hussin, CEO of the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI), explains what this might mean for the shipping industry and Malaysia’s economy.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bersatu has passed a motion to amend its constitution that aims to nullify the membership of its MPs who support rival parties. It now requires the Registrar of Societies' approval. If that happens, the 6 Bersatu MPs who have stated their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, might see their memberships end and likely trigger by-elections. Dr Azmi Hassan, Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research helps us understand the issues at hand.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's two main political parties - the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) - have begun their annual meeting. This is the time legislators will approve new laws, political appointments, and government work reports, among others. Richard McGregor, Senior Fellow at The Lowy Institute gives us an idea of what to expect during these sessions.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The seventh Bumiputera Economic Congress 2024 aimed to course-correct government policies on bumi empowerment and participation. Does the newly announced Bumiputera Economic Transformation Policy introduce anything new and innovative on this front? We get reactions from Azlan Awang, Senior Fellow with Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Malaysia (MTEM).Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Employees' Provident Fund will pay out a 2023 dividend rate of 5.5% for conventional savings and 5.4% for shariah. This compares with the 5.35% for conventional and 4.75% for shariah in 2022. Ng Zhu Hann, the CEO and founder of Tradeview Capital shares his views on EPF's performance the past year and what might we expect in 2024.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this year, Inland Revenue Board has a tax collection target of RM197 billion. With Individual and non-individual taxpayers eligible to submit their Tax Return Form through e-Filing starting last Friday, 1 March, what are some of the exemptions and tax allowances that you are entitled to? SM Thanneermalai, Managing Director, Thannees Tax Consulting Services walks us through that process.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With there only being weeks left until Ramadan, peace talks between mediators from several countries have continued in Qatar, with US President Joe Biden praying for a deal as early as next week. We ask Middle East expert Dr. James Dorsey for his take on the recent developments in the Israel-Hamas war.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the next two weekends, Taylor Swift will be performing 6 sold out shows in the lion city with over 300 thousand tickets sold. Dr. Lau Kong Cheen, Associate Professor from the School of Business at Singapore University of Social Sciences tells us the multiplier effect these concerts have on the economy and why concerts are a core component of their tourism strategy.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Currently there are only 100,000 EV cars on the road. Yet the government has target of 20% ownership by 2030. Is providing a one-off subsidy the solution? Lee Yuen How, Managing Director, EV Connection gives us his views whilst telling us what other measures the government should consider.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's government is working out a legal system that will provide a kill switch to automatically act against fraudulent activities on any online domain or platform. Dr Selvakumar Manickam, an associate professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia helps us understand how effective current efforts are even as online scam cases continue to rise and what else could be done to address the situation.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Monday, Cambodia’s ruling party won the Senate elections, paving the way for former prime minister Hun Sen to be the president of the upper chambers. The Senate President serves as the head of state when the King is absent from the country. We get insights from Jakarta-based journalist Erin Cook on Hun Sen’s return to front-line politics and it means for Cambodian politics moving forward.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government recently announced that there are no plans to enforce a mandatory build then sell concept for housing developers, but as the nation continues to battle with abandoned housing projects, what is the best method moving forward? We ask Datuk NK Tong, President, Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association on his perspective as well as the outlook for the real estate market.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 15th Parliament reconvened for its first meeting of the third session on Monday, with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim delivering his inaugural royal address. What were the key takeaways and how does this set the tone for this sitting's parliamentary proceedings? Political scientist Dr. Syaza Syukri of UIA discusses the expectations for parliament and the Madani government.Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legal fraternity is convening in Sabah this week for the Borneo Rainforest Law Conference 2024, spotlighting issues related to environmental conservation. As rising climate change risk underscores the importance of conserving the environment, are Malaysia’s environmental laws sufficient to meet these challenges and how can our legal framework be strengthened? We get recommendations from lawyer Kwong Chiew Ee of the Bar Council Environment and Climate Change Committee.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Japanese contradiction is leaving many observers scratching their heads: despite its economy falling into a technical recession and weak economic data, the stock market has never been stronger with the Nikkei surpassing 1989 highs. What explains the dissonance between markets and the economy? We ask economist Norihiro Yamaguchi from Oxford Economics for his analysis.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 1st of March will see the sales and services tax (SST) rate rising from 6 to 8%. With two days to go, the government has announced an expansion in the scope of SST to include most categories of maintenance and repair jobs. We ask Alan Chung, Senior Executive Director of Indirect Tax and Transfer Pricing Practices, Grant Thornton Malaysia to clarify the implications of this amendment on SST, and if there has been enough transparency.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US-China trade tensions are showing no signs of abating. And the rivalry between the two major powers are putting pressure on the smaller nations, particularly in Southeast Asia. We will be speaking to Chong Ja Ian, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, National University of Singapore on how Malaysia and other nations can leverage on this position amid the contending narratives. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is emerging as a major hub for higher education with the establishment of foreign university branch campuses, many ranked in the top 100 globally. How do these international branch campuses (IBC) impact the academic landscape? We speak to Dr. Sharifah Munirah Alatas, Independent Scholar and Deputy Chair of the Malaysian Academic Movement (GERAK) on the pros and cons of the burgeoning presence of foreign universities in the market.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia is home to around 63% of the world’s commercial laying hens, but the vast majority of them are confined to battery cages. How do different countries stack-up in terms of encouraging cage-free practices and regulating for better welfare conditions in the poultry industry? We get insights from the latest Asia Cage-Free Benchmark report with Jonathon Tree of the Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has secured another Republican nomination to be the GOP candidate for president after winning the South Carolina primary. However, the only contender left, Nikki Haley, isn't giving up. John S Jackson, Visiting Professor at Southern Illinois University, analyses if the former South Carolina governor still stands a chance and what a Trump-Biden rematch might look like.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia may have invaded Ukraine on Feb 24, 2022, but the war really started ten years ago in 2014, with the annexation of Crimea. Denys Mykhailiuk, Chargé d'Affaires at the Ukrainian Embassy in Malaysia talks to us about his countrymen's fight to expel Russian troops and take back its territory, as military aid from its western allies begin to hit roadblocks.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently a restaurant chain came under fire for deducting salaries due to medical leave taken or frequent visits to the washrooms during working hours. Sunitha Ruthram, Advocate & Solicitor of Sunitha Ruthram & Co tells us what are the rights of the employees under the Act and what are the remedial actions they can take if those rights are infringed on.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is expected to table a raft of amendments to the constitution on the issue of citizenship, which civil society and human rights observers criticise will exacerbate the issue of statelessness in the country. We speak to Dr. Farah Nini Dusuki, Children's Commissioner of SUHAKAM about the implications of these proposals for vulnerable groups such as foundlings and abandoned children.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s Budget 2024 recently unveiled saw a renewed focus on skills training and income support. What are the some of the measures to emulate here in Malaysia to address the current skill gaps we have. Anthony Raja Devadoss, Country Managing Director at Korn Ferry Malaysia gives us his suggestions.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nurses in Malaysia are frequently described as overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. But in countries like Singapore, long-term retention incentive schemes are being introduced for both local and foreign nurses in the public healthcare system. Dr. Timothy Cheng, Vice Chairman, Malaysian Medical Association or SCHOMOS breaks down why this might amplify brain drain, and how to nurse working conditions to better health.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Economist Intelligence Unit released their annual democracy index which provides a snapshot of the state of democracy in 165 countries and 2 territories. This year’s report title which is “AGE of Conflict” is not an auspicious one but aptly describes the current state with Wars in Ukraine and Gaza still raging with no end to the cycle of violence. We speak to Sumedha Dasgupta, Senior Analyst at EIU to find out how Malaysia ranks and is the world becoming more or less democratic.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We delve into how far Sarawak has come and the economic potential that lies ahead with Adam Mohamed Rahim, Equity Research Analyst, RHB Research as the Land of the Hornbills aims to achieve a GDP of 282 billion ringgit by 2030, double of the value achieved in 2023.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even with its relaunch last December through a collaboration with Tokopedia, TikTok Shop remains under regulatory scrutiny in Indonesia. The platform's allowance of direct transactions on social media continues to breach local regulations. Nathan Naidu, Equity Research Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence shares his insights into the implications of this regulatory scrutiny and potential measures to mitigate its impact on their business.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How should regulating misinformation and protecting media freedoms be balanced, especially in social and digital media? The new code of ethics for journalists was launched this week, sparking concerns over the generic wording which could grant unwarranted powers to the Communications Ministry. We get reactions from media expert Dr. Benjamin Loh of Taylor's University.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Israel-Palestine issue is in the spotlight again this week, as hearings on the legality of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories run from February 19th to 26th at the International Court of Justice. We discuss what to expect from the proceedings with Juliette McIntyre, Law Lecturer, University of South Australia, and whether a ruling can have any material impact on the ground.Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ringgit continues to slide against the USD despite the strength of the economy inching perilously close to the all time low seen during the Asian Financial crisis in 1998. We explore reasons for this two decade decline and what should be done to restore the Ringgit's fortunes with P Gunasegaram, independent business writer.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The widespread availability of unregistered medical devices, notably on e-commerce platforms, is a significant concern for public health and safety. These products may lack adherence to essential quality and safety standards, potentially posing health risks to its users. Dr. Muralitharan Paramasua, CEO, Medical Device Authority shares his insights into these hazards and how they are addressing this issue.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Historically, markets do well in the Year of the Dragon. Could we expect similar trend in 2024? Francis Tan, Investment Strategist at UOB shares his views whilst weighing in on how the world’s two largest economies; US and China will fare.Wealth Advice That Matters is brought to you by UOB Privilege Banking. Visit www.uob.com.my/bfm to find out more about upcoming topics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustainable fuels are paramount for the aviation space amid the green transition. Most recently, Singapore has announced an initiative mandating that its flights use at least 1% sustainable aviation fuel by 2026. We get comments from Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Aviation Consultant, Frost & Sullivan, who will also weigh in on the aviation industry’s postpandemic recovery status.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite a striking 47.3% surge in domestic tourism spending during the Lunar New Year Holidays totalling a substantial 632.7 billion yuan or 87.96 billion dollars, is the Chinese economy on track to recovery? Tommy Xie, Head of Asia Macro Research at OCBC Bank tells us how views whilst weighing in what are the other levers the government can pull to revive the economy and restore confidence.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.