Morning Brief

The directive by the Ministry of Education (MOE) for schools to hold a Palestine Solidarity Week sparked backlash after social media posts showing children and teachers brandishing weapons went viral. We discuss the fallout with Chan Soon Seng, CEO with Teach For Malaysia and how school children can be taught about conflict and humanitarian issues in an appropriate, meaningful way.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both the federal and state governments have signalled intentions to strengthen the care economy, with the latest comments from Selangor Menteri Besar Dato Seri Amiruddin Shari this week about introducing a state care economy framework. What kind of policies would ensure due recognition for care work, which is often treated as the unpaid burden of women? We discuss recommendations with Lee Min Hui of ISIS Malaysia.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia flew its first commercial flight using palm oil-blended jet fuel, carrying more than 100 passengers on the Boeing 737 for a journey of 550 kilometres. Steve Saxon, Partner, McKinsey & Company shares with us if flying can ever be green, and his recent report on the recovery of all aviation subsectors.Image credit: Shuttertstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat was held this week after a three year hiatus in Singapore. What are the key outcomes of the summit and how will this shape economic relations with our Causeway neighbour moving forward? We speak to economist Walter Theseira for his take on developments to watch.Image credit: BernamaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Accounts Committee’s latest report on pandemic procurement by the Ministry of Health revealed a RM505 million ringgit loss from the expiry of 8.5 million Covid-19 vaccine doses and the shoddy procurement of 136 ventilators by Pharmaniaga Logistics. We speak to Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy to understand why this happened and how to balance the need to be expedient in a health crisis yet not waste public funds.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, the speaker of the Dewan Negara, Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar proposed for the appointment age of senators to be lowered from 30 years to allow for more youth to be appointed to the upper house. How might changing the demographic composition of the Dewan Negara improve parliamentary democracy, and what other measures would help strengthen the upper house? We discuss proposed reforms with Dr. Lau Zhe Wei of IIUM.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To help businesses navigate global and local ESG standards, Capital Markets Malaysia recently introduced the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG) for SMEs operating within global supply chains. Faroze Nadar, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei discusses the challenges for SMEs to adopt ESG practices, and policies that could encourage ESG adoption.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s last attempt to accede to the Rome Statute, which sets up the International Criminal Court, ended in a U-turn in 2019 after intense public backlash. As the war in Gaza continues, is public opinion on Malaysia’s membership to the treaty shifting? We speak to lawyer Andrew Khoo about the implications of ratifying the Rome Statute for Malaysia.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the outlook for Southeast Asian tech giant with GoTo’s co-founder share sale and Delivery Hero confirming that some parts of Foodpanda are up for sale. Nathan Naidu of Bloomberg Intelligence tells us who's the most likely buyer and which tech giant is poised for a quicker full year breakeven?Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is working on streamlining the role of the 31 investment promotion agencies which include both federal and state bodies. Aside from reducing costs, this will supposedly help ease the process of foreign and domestic direct investments (FDI and DDI), from application to the realisation of investments. Nordin Abdullah, Vice Chairman of the Malaysia Australian Business Council (MABC) tells us if this is a much needed step.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have released a joint paper introducing a Shared Responsibility Framework (SRF) for phishing scams. This framework assigns responsibilities to financial institutions and telecommunication companies and mandates compensation to victims if these responsibilities are not met. Raymon Ram, Certified Fraud Examiner & Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, Graymatter Forensic Advisory tells us the mechanics of it and if Malaysia should implement a similar scheme.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The threshold for en-bloc sales will be lowered from the current 100% although the final figure has yet to be determined. Allan Soo, Principal of Allan Soo RE Consultants tells us if he thinks this initiative is a good idea and how the rights of property owners can be protected whilst weighing in the recent property initiatives announced in Budget 2024.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, Transport minister Anthony Loke said that an end of life vehicles policy couldn’t be implemented due to its impracticality and our high reliance on private vehicles. Yet, we still aspire to be a net-zero emissions country by 2050. Daniel Fernandez, Managing Editor of dsf.my tells us if there is a contradiction between these two policies?Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid the war in Gaza, a digital battle is unfolding on social media platforms. Tech giants have been accused of censoring accounts or actively reducing the reach of pro-Palestine content. In the meantime, fake news and misinformation surrounding this conflict also continues to spread. We speak to Professor Bradley Freeman, Professor of Digital Media, School of Arts at Sunway University about the challenges for social media platforms to battle misinformation while avoiding deliberate suppression of content.  Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Close to a third of water supply dams in Malaysia are over 50 years old while another seven dams are in critical condition with their structural integrity in need of urgent attention. With water supplies potential overstated, what should the country do to ensure water security? Charles Santiago, Chairman of the National Water Services Commission tells us.Image credit: BernamaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is considering introducing a mandatory monthly deduction for repaying PTPTN study loans through an automatic deduction facilitated by IRB. This is as the government agency is saddled with a total debt of RM66.9bn, with no easy solutions to reduce it. Dr Geoffrey Williams, Economist and Professor at Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST) suggests some radical solution for this conundrum and why free education is part of that plan.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Tom Emmer, hours after being nominated by the Republican party as the third Speaker candidate in 3 weeks withdrawing from the race for House Speaker, we get reactions to these developments from YS pollster John Zogby on why the Republicans remain deeply divided in selecting their leader.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last weekend, PAS held its 69th annual congress, marking a political party at its zenith of popularity with 42 seats in Parliament and running 4 state governments. Can it expand its reach to non-Muslim voters whom the party alienated in the past? We discuss what lies ahead for PAS with Dr. Azmil Tayeb, Associate Professor at University Sains Malaysia.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite inflation declining to 1.9% in September and the economy accelerating to 3.3% in the third quarter of 2023, the Ringgit continues to weaken. We ask Nazmi Idrus, Head of Economics, CGS-CIMB Securities the reasons for this weakness ad his expectations at the next BNM MPC meeting.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war in Gaza has entered the third week with no respite in sight for the over 2 million Palestinians trapped there. A Peace Summit in Cairo over the weekend yielded no progress - who are the geopolitical power brokers that can affect a meaningful ceasefire? We get analysis and updates from Middle East expert Dr. James Dorsey.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia will hold its general elections on 14th February next year to elect the successor to President Joko Widodo, who is barred from running for a third term under the constitution. Who are the possible candidates and what are their prospects in one of the biggest exercises of democracy in the world? We discuss Indonesia’s political landscape with Maria Monica Wihardja of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The poor attendance records of MPs has prompted Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul to consider making public their attendance records or docking their allowances. Aira Azhari, Senior Manager at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) weighs in on whether these measures will make a difference and should there be other parliamentary reforms to enhance the legislative duties of an MP.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 2019 report by an independent committee appointed by the Pakatan Harapan government was published last week, highlighting issues surrounding the management and recruitment of foreign workers. Adrian Pereira, of the North South Initiative discusses the glaring discrepancies in Malaysia's foreign worker management and the reforms that the government should prioritise.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2024 was the first full term Budget for this Madani government but was it game changer? P. Gunasegaram, Independent Business Writer gives us his honest review and whether a very different Budget should have been tabled on October 13.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: BernamaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has allocated RM72 million ringgit to strengthen the competitive athlete ecosystem, including RM20 million for Malaysia’s Road to Gold programme and RM12 million to support para-athletes in international competitions. Will this be enough to secure the country’s first Olympic gold medal next year? Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh joins us in-studio to discuss her plans for sporting greatness.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s latest GDP figures came in higher than expected at 4.9% in the third quarter, a sign that many are hoping means that the worst is over for the world’s second largest economy. But with beleaguered property giant Country Garden on the brink of default, how much will the real estate sector weigh down on growth? We get analysis on the Chinese economic outlook with Gary Ng of Natixis.Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Thai government is pursuing a $27.4 billion land bridge project in the south that would link the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea through road and railway, giving shipping operators the option of bypassing the Straits of Malacca. How would this impact the Malaysian shipping industry? We get reactions on this and also initiatives to improve the maritime sector in Budget 2024 with Ooi Lean Hin, Chairman of the Shipping Association of Malaysia.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has allocated RM350 million ringgit in Budget 2024 to get ready for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, alongside other initiatives to boost tourist arrivals. We discuss how impactful these announcements are for the tourism and hospitality sector with travel analyst Hannah Pearson of Pear Anderson.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2024 included an interim payment of between RM1,000 and RM2,000 for civil servants Grade 56 and below, including those on contract. Retirees were not excluded while all public sector employees including uniformed personnel would receive an incentive payment of RM1,000. Economist, Dr Nungsari Radhi shares his thoughts on how this might improve the delivery of Malaysia's public services.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Ministry received the biggest slice of the 2024 Budget pie with an allocation of 58.7 billion ringgit. However, does it tackle the critical issues facing schools? Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, Chairman of Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) tells us.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World leaders have convened in Beijing to mark the 10th anniversary of the belt and road initiative. And some noteworthy attendees include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the sole head of state or government from the European Union. Angeline Tan, Researcher in the Foreign Policy and Security Studies Programme, ISIS Malaysia shares with us BRI’s journey so far, what does the future hold and whether Malaysia will see increased participation.Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As world leaders criss-cross the Middle East to contain the geopolitical fallout from Israel’s military escalation on Gaza, the humanitarian situation is becoming untenable. We speak to Tom Porteous of the Human Rights Watch for the latest on the ground situation.Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Budget 2024, the Health Ministry’s allocation rose by 13.5% to RM41.2 billion, the largest increase of allocation among ministries. How is funding being prioritised? Public health medicine specialist Dr. Farhan Rusli weighs in on how Budget 2024 is shaping healthcare policy.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Madani government tabled Budget 2024 on Friday, with the theme Economic Reform, Empowering People. The plan however does have its detractors who among others, called out its lack of focus as well as possibly increasing the cost of living with the hike hit SST. Dr Afif Bahardin, Secretary of Perikatan Nasional Selangor and the assemblyman for Taman Medan gives us his take.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Gaza Strip is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe as over 2 million Palestinians are trapped by an Israeli blockade with an imminent ground invasion by the IDF military. Can the international community bring any pressure to bear on belligerent parties, in particular Tel Aviv? The Ambassador of Palestine to Malaysia, H.E. Walid Abu Ali weighs in on the crisis.Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2024 had incentives to help Malaysia's MSMEs. These include RM44 billion in loans and financing guarantees, as well as RM2.2 billion in total funding to support them automate their business processes, digitalise their operations and increase their international footprint. Datuk William Ng, National President, Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SAMENTA), tells us how these incentives might work going forward.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Budget 2024, revenue projections are at RM307bn. What new taxes were introduced for that purpose and were there any goodies for the rakyat considering the fiscal consolidation pressures? Sim Kwang Gek, Country Tax Leader, Deloitte Malaysia shares with us her perspective.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RM393.8 billion ringgit Budget 2024 hopes to see Malaysia's fiscal deficit narrow from 5% this year to 4.3% of GDP for 2024. Julia Goh, Senior Economist at UOB Malaysia breaks the details down further for us as she assesses how the phasing out of diesel subsidies, the end of chicken and egg price controls and the continuation of targeted electricity subsidies based on consumption might affect Malaysia's economic fortunes.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All eyes are on the Budget 2024 tabling this Friday, with a lot of scrutiny on how the government plans to narrow the fiscal deficit in line with recently passed Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act. How will this new law and Budget 2024 shape Malaysia’s economic policies moving forward? Economist Dr. Afzanizam Abdul Rashid gives us a preview of expectations for the budget.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second reading of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023, also known as the generation end game initiative was postponed to a date to be announced later. As a refresher, the bill was tabled for its first reading in June this year before being sent to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) for further review. And then on Wednesday, the health ministry announced the launching of a survey to get public feedback on the anti-smoking Bill. Boo Su-Lyn, Editor-in-Chief, CodeBlue shares with us the latest developments in this ambitious legislation.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On October 14th, Australia will hold a referendum on whether the constitution should be amended to give recognition to Indigenous Australians and create a body, known as the Voice, that would provide a channel of communication to the government. We’ll discuss what the debate on this proposal reveals about Australian society and politics with Paul Strangio, Emeritus Professor at Monash University.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has long grappled with the challenge of broadening its tax base without alienating the people. How will the government navigate this balancing act? We speak to Soh Lian Seng, Head of Tax at KPMG for his expectations of Budget 2024 and the different levers available for broadening the tax base.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has the business of MyAirline crash landed in less than a year? Early this morning, the low cost carrier announced it is temporarily suspending all operations until further notice, due to financial difficulties. We get reactions from independent aviation analyst Brendan Sobie on the challenges of keeping a budget airline afloat and the role of the regulator in this scenario.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Service Training Programme is making a comeback, with a mid-2024 target. This time around the government will use existing military camps, spend a fifth less than it did the first time around and shorter training period of 45 days. Architects of Diversity has prepared a white paper on its review and recommendations for PLKN 3.0. AOD co-founder, Jason Wee, shares his views.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin embarked on his maiden visit to Malaysia this week after assuming office last month. How might Malaysia-Thailand bilateral relations take shape under his government? Thomas Daniel of ISIS Malaysia discusses the synergies between our two countries. Image credit: BernamaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Monday, the government tabled the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill, also known as the EECA, for the first reading in Parliament. The proposed law is part of broader efforts to reduce Malaysia’s carbon emissions by mandating high-intensive energy users to manage energy consumption. How might this law work in practice? We discuss the implications of the bill with sustainability and climate change expert Dr. Renard Siew.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Monday, oil prices recorded their highest jump in six months in reaction to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. We discuss with Ho Pei Hwa, Regional Energy Analyst, DBS Bank whether the price rally is temporary and other factors that will influence oil markets for the remainder of the year.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism players are keeping their fingers crossed for incentives to be included when Budget 2024 is unveiled on October 13th, to give a much needed boost to the snail-paced recovery of the sector post-Covid-19. Dato' Sri Naresh Mohan, Group President & CEO of Trinidad Group Malaysia and an exco member with the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Association, shares with us what the industry is hoping for that might help it achieve the levels of tourist arrivals seen before the pandemic.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's semiconductor industry, a major contributor to the country's exports with a global market share of 7%, has been plagued by issues ranging from supply chain disruptions and labour shortages. Dato' Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association shares what the problems its members are facing and what they hope they will see when Budget 2024 is tabled this October 13th.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer data coming out of China's eight-day Golden Week holiday indicate that spending per capita has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. What does this mean for Chinese economic recovery? Does this mean recovery is full steam ahead for China? Marvin Chen, China and North Asia Equity Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence discusses key trends and headwinds for China and emerging markets. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.