Morning Brief

The government has agreed to a proposal by Amanat Lebuhraya Rakyat (ALR), a private and “not-for-profit” company to restructure four Klang Valley highway concessionaires, which will ensure that toll rates will not rise until their concessions expire. But is the price tag of RM5.5billion fair and who actually stands to benefit? P. Gunasegaram, independent writer and consultant gives us the answers. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our healthcare system struggled during the pandemic with the surge of patients and there have since been calls for reforms, even from within the industry. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin admitted in Parliament that the nation’s public healthcare system was chronically underfunded and announced that a white paper health care reform paper will be tabled in November. So, what is needed in order to reform our healthcare system to become more resilient? Professor Dato’ Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the University of Malaya shares her thoughts with us. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From outer space with SpaceX to his recent stake in Twitter, we ask Daniel Ives, Managing Director at Wedbush Securities what Elon Musk will conquer next and what his motivations were in acquiring a company famous for its 280 character limit. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With only 18 MPs having a perfect attendance record in parliament, we ask political scientist Dr. Wong Chin Huat about the consequences of missing parliament and why it's important for an MP to attend parliament sessions frequently. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pakistan has been thrown into political turmoil, after members of the ruling party led by Prime Minister Imran Khan blocked a no-confidence vote called by opposition MPs on Sunday, and subsequently moved to dissolve Parliament to pave the way for elections in 90 days. The prime minister was widely expected to lose the confidence vote, after a number of government coalition partners defected to the opposition. As the case goes to the Pakistani Supreme Court, we discuss the reasons behind the political upheaval with Dr. Zahid Ahmed of Deakin University. Image credit: Jahanzaib Naiyyer/Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions are heating up in Sri Lanka as it faces its worst economic and political crisis in decades. Protesters are calling for the resignation of President Gotobaya Rajapaksa, who came to power in 2019 with an overwhelming majority in elections, but has since seen a massive turnaround in popularity. We discuss the economic pressures driving public discontent and how the situation could unfold moving forward. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Khor Yu Leng, political economist from Segi Enam Advisers helps us unpack what the signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the recruitment and protection of Indonesian domestic workers between Malaysia and Indonesia mean and whether the planned One Channel System will be effective in facilitating the flow of workers cost effectively. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Friday, April 1st the land border between Malaysia and Singapore was fully reopened for the first time after two years of pandemic restrictions. We discuss the impact of the prolonged border closure and how soon traffic could return to pre-pandemic levels with economist Walter Theseira of the Singapore University of Social Sciences. Image credit: Roninjin/Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The oldguards of Malaysian politics, namely Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin have been meeting separately, setting tongues wagging on the likelihood of potential collaborations ahead of GE15. We decode the signals with political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin of the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA). Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Negara’s Financial Stability Review for Second Half of 2021 report revealed that household debt grew at a slower pace of 4.1% year-on-year as at December 2021 and the household debt-to-GDP ratio declined to 89%, however our household debt remains on the higher end as compared to our peers in this region. But what can we do to lift ourselves out of this debt situation? Dr Juita Mohamad, Director of Economics and Business Unit and Acting Director of Research of IDEAS shares her thoughts with us. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the US economy ended 2021 with its GDP expanding at a healthy 6.9% in the fourth quarter, the momentum has slowed significantly amid a surge in Covid-19 infections at the start of the year, disrupted supply chains and soaring inflation. All eyes are on the pace of Federal Reserve monetary tightening this year. We discuss the economic scenarios with Preston Caldwell of Morningstar. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 1st — April Fool's Day — sees Malaysia opening its international borders while loosening Covid-era restrictions, hopefully equating to more social activities, including at comedy clubs. Rizal van Geyzel, comedian & co-founder of Crackhouse Comedy Club, discusses. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Negara Malaysia, in the Economic & Monetary Review 2021 report released this week, said that the cost of living in Malaysia needs structural reforms on both income and cost aspects. It also stated that short term measures such as price controls may pose repercussions on a long term basis. But what structural reforms should we be considering? Dr. Geoffrey Williams, Economist at Malaysia University of Science and Technology shares his thoughts. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PWC has recently released the findings of their Act Now to Recover (“ANTR”) survey, that was conducted between June and July last year, which revealed how the pandemic has impacted business owners in Malaysia and how they have navigated through the challenges of recovery. So, what are the biggest issues that keep business leaders awake at night and are the concerns still primarily cash conservation? Surendran Seelan, Deals Director (Business Restructuring Services) at PwC Malaysia tells us more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Come April 1st, Malaysia begins its transition to the endemic phase of Covid-19, leading to much uncertainty over exactly what this entails. Associate Professor Dr Farhan Rusli, Public Health Medicine Specialist & Director, Selangor Task Force (COVID-19) Operation, shares his insights into the matter. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time this year, a big tech giant won the coveted Best Picture award at the Oscars with the film CODA distributed by Apple TV+. The pandemic and speed of digitalization has elevated streaming platforms and the balance of power in the movie industry seems to be shifting in favour of the disruptors. We discuss the trends in the media industry with Geetha Ranganathan of Bloomberg Intelligence. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BNM has released 3 reports yesterday namely The 2021 Annual Report, The Economic and Monetary Review 2021, and the Financial Stability Review for Second Half 2021. Economists and analyst are reviewing these reports keenly. Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist of Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC) unpacks the data rich report for us. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The MySejahtera saga continues with uncertainty over the ownership of the app. Foong Cheng Leong, Intellectual property and information technology lawyer helps us untangle this complex web, reminding us of the importance of contracts. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gary Ng from Natixis helps us unpack the latest economic challenges that China is facing as Shanghai, its major financial and trading hub, faces a staggered two-phase eight day lockdown for its 25 million citizens. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With PKR having set their elections for May, calls for reformation within the party have been louder especially as GE15 is just around the corner. Although former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli has announced that he intends to run for the deputy president role, he'll be going head-on with several other candidates who are also eyeing for the same position. What should we expect out of the May polls? Dr. Hamidin Abdul Hamid, Senior Fellow at Ilham Centre shares his thoughts with us. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been reviewing the government’s role in administering the MySejahtera app, putting forth a recommendation in December 2021 that the government should take over administering the app and should not pay additional costs. We discuss the governance issues that have arisen on the MySejahtera app since then with PAC Chairman YB Wong Kah Woh. Image credit: Alen thien/Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Israel played host to a historic meeting with four Arab countries as well as the US in the Negev desert. The UAE, Bahrain and Morocco normalised ties with Israel in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords brokered under President Trump. Among the issues on the agenda include developments on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, as well as the impact of plunging wheat prices on the Arab world. We discuss the significance of the meeting and broader geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine with expert Dr. James Dorsey. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2021 Securities Commission Annual Report was filled with a myriad of details which included the growth of the Asset management industry, the value of private equity deals and even the governance of related party transactions. Dr. Liew Chee Yoong, Research Fellow, Center for Market Education highlights the noteworthy points of the report. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ownership of the MySejahtera app used by 38 million users has come under intense scrutiny over the past few days. Who is Entomo? Who is MySJ Sdn Bhd? Who is the true owner of the app? We ask Boo Su-Lyn, Editor-in-Chief of CodeBlue, the author of several articles that unveiled many details of this important issue to help us understand this debacle. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should the government compel developers to control prices to make homes more affordable? Are compliance costs a large part of the high costs of houses and what can we do about this? Michael Kong, President of Association of Valuers, Property Managers, Estate Agents and Property Consultants in the Private Sector of Malaysia (PEPS Malaysia) shares his thoughts. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Joe Biden amped up rhetoric over the weekend appearing to call for Russian President Vladimir Putin's ouster. Although US officials have tried to walk back on these comments, has this damaged diplomatic efforts for a resolution? We discuss the latest geopolitical dynamics on the Ukraine war, including China's positioning on the issue as well as Russia's military strategy with political and security expert Alexy Muraviev of Curtin University. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill has been put into hiatus as the different stakeholders concluded that it is not robust enough. Betty Yeoh, Co-Founder of All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) and Training Consultant at ENGENDER Consultancy tell us what the gaps are and how the bill can be improved. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Joe Biden’s trip to Europe is said to be one of the highest stakes presidential trips in recent memory as he had back-to-back summits with NATO, the Group of Seven and the European Union discussing on the various issues on Russia and Ukraine. Dr. Adrian Ang, Research Fellow in the US Program at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies shares with us his thoughts on this. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad told parliament that over 38,000 students dropped out of or deferred from courses in public and private higher education institutions. What is the implication of this trend for Malaysia's labor force and the private higher education sector? We discuss the issues at hand with Dr. Premkumar Rajagopal of the Malaysia University of Science and Technology. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Malaysia's last four state elections costing a combined RM420 million, questions are now — rightly — being asked of the presence of fiscal transparency and sources of funding. Danesh Prakash Chacko, Director, Tindak Malaysia, addresses these issues. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, the Dewan Rakyat voted against a motion to extend the enforcement period of section 4(5) of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, or SOSMA. The provision allows for detention without trial for up to 28 days and must be renewed by both houses of parliament every five years to remain valid. The motion was defeated by 86 to 84, with 50 MPs absent from proceedings. We hear from YB Ramkarpal Singh, Member of Parliament for Bukit Gelugor on the events in Parliament and why the SOSMA provision should not be renewed. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adrian Pereira, Director of North South Initiative, expands on the implications of Malaysia formally ratifying the International Labour Organisation forced labour convention, also known as Protocol 29 or P29. Image credit: Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Krystal Tan, economist with ANZ Bank, expands on the triple whammy of rising Covid cases, inflation, and geopolitical risks, which will likely send Thailand into a back-to-back current account deficit this year, the first time since 1997. Image credit: Zephyr_p/Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Seri Rina Harun recently said the government did not intend to legislate against child marriage, opting for other measures to curb the practice. We speak to women's rights activist and lawyer Meera Samanther on why legislative reform is necessary alongside poverty reduction efforts to protect children, especially girls. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2022 has had an ominous start with the war in Ukraine uprooting the optimism that this was the year of global economic recovery. Julia Goh, Senior Economist at UOB tells if global growth will be impacted by the war and the subsequent price shocks that have followed as a consequences. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the face of it, the amended Employment Act does seem to improve workers' rights since there is an increase in length of paternity and maternity leave. However, Donovan Cheah, partner at Donovan & Ho gives us the details of this Act and its shortcomings. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aaron Tang, Country Manager at Luno Malaysia weighs the pros and cons of adopting crypto as legal tender and helps us understand how easy is it for a country to implement, as well as whether Malaysia is ready for such a move in the first place. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, Bank Negara Malaysia and the World Bank published a report on nature-related financial risks for Malaysian banks. We speak to Rekha Reddy, Senior Financial Sector Specialist at the World Bank as to the significance of the report and the consequences if these risks are ignored. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Replacing Howard Lee, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has been elected the new chief of DAP Socialist Youth or DAPSY. What role will DAPSY play in DAP’s new future? Dr Kelvin Yii speaks to us and shares his thoughts and plans. Image credit: Dr Kelvin YiiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, helps us navigate the outcome of DAP's central executive committee (CEC) election and what DAP's new leadership team needs to do to reverse its fortunes for GE15. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Biden Administration has formally declared that Myanmar’s years-long repression of the Rohingya Muslim population as a “genocide", the eighth time such a designation has been used. This designation has been long-anticipated by many and advocates think that this would bolster efforts to hold the junta accountable. Hunter Marston, Researcher at Australian National University tells us more. Image credit: Pexels.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the UMNO General Assembly, Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri said that any decision to call for snap general elections will be done in concert with the top 5 leaders of Umno. On the back of a triumphant general assembly, we speak to UMNO Youth Chief Dato' Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki on the state of unity within the party and why he's advocating for GE15 sooner rather than later. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With an inflation rate of 15% which is the highest in Asia, Sri Lanka is facing the brunt of rising oil prices and border closures. Bernard Aw, APAC Economist at Coface tells us what options the government has when it comes to repaying its foreign debt and how dire the economic situation is. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only 35% of children in Malaysia aged 5 to 11 have received their first dose of the covid-19 vaccine which is below the 50% target set by the Ministry of Health. Why is that the case when there are 400 walk in vaccination centers? Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, Consultant Paediatrician tells us how we can improve the vaccination rate and why it's important for all children to do so. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Umno headquarters, the World Trade Centre, was a sea of red and white over the weekend as the party faithful gathered for the annual general assembly. The mood at this year’s assembly was in stark contrast to previous years, coming on the back of triumphant wins in the Johor and Melaka state elections. We discuss the key takeaways from the political summit with Adib Zalkapli of BowerGroupAsia. Image credit: Adam AmrHmzh/Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The movement control orders imposed during two years of the pandemic have had a significant impact on the Malaysian economy, with GDP contracting by 5.6% in 2020 and unemployment hitting a high of 5.3%. As we head into the endemic phase, has Malaysia's policy response been sufficient to minimize economic scarring? We discuss the economic reforms needed with Tricia Yeoh of IDEAS. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The lockdowns imposed in March 2020 were the start of a steep learning curve for students and educators to transition to online learning. The effectiveness of PdPR has been mixed at best, with learning outcomes dependent on the availability of technology equipment, internet access and parental supervision. What are the lessons learned from lockdown learning? We discuss policy considerations for education with Dr. Niaz Asadullah of Universiti Malaya. Image Credit: Din Mohd Yaman/Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The lockdown in Malaysia started on 18 March 2020 but what were the gaps in our healthcare system? Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy does a review with us whilst making recommendations for the future. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cryptocurrencies have garnered significant attention amidst the war in Ukraine. As Russia becomes more excluded in the global financial system, many have raised questions as to whether Russia will turn to cryptocurrencies to bypass the sanctions imposed. Varun Mittal, Chief Growth Officer of Singlife with Aviva and author of Singapore: The Fintech Nation tells us more. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The final piece of connectivity in the Kuala Lumpur public transport system, or MRT3, has been recently resuscitated with limited information from the government. While waiting for more details to be shared by the government and the open tender in May, we ponder on what can be improved upon to ensure that the project is future-proofed. Chung Yi Fan, Independent Transport Policy Analyst shares his analysis on this. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.