Morning Brief

Johor's polls are seeing an unprecedented number of candidates, laying a potential template for soon-to-ensue GE15. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bernard Aw, Economist for Asia Pacific, Coface, spells out the trade and economic ramifications from the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beginning 1 March, people categorized as close contacts of positive Covid-19 cases will not have to undergo quarantine if they are asymptomatic and have received a third booster vaccine dose. We speak to epidemiologist Dr. Sanjay Rampal on the rationale for the policy as well as the challenge of balancing different interests as we head towards an endemic phase of Covid-19. Image Credit: Alen Thien / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A plethora of economic sanctions have been thrust upon Russia following its invasion of the Ukraine, but there remain serious concerns over an escalation, not to mention Europe's frail recovery. His Excellency Michalis Rokas, Ambassador the European Union to Malaysia, discusses. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine after months of troops on the border. H.E. Naiyl Latypov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Malaysia gives their position on why the incursion was necessary and can there be a diplomatic resolution. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Descriptor: The Election Commission has loosened campaigning rules for the Johor state elections compared to previous polls, but some argue that the flexibilities provided do not give adequate room for parties to engage with the public. We discuss whether the SOPs provide a level playing field and what needs to be done to ensure that campaigning can be conducted safely with Thomas Fann, Chairman of Bersih 2.0. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent revelations from the Roger Ng trial in New York has shone a spotlight on some of the details of the 1MDB corruption trial. Tom Wright, author of Billion Dollar Whale tells us what we should pay attention to and whether this has any bearings on the ongoing trials in Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Russia's invasion of the Ukraine, aviation's frail recovery is once again under serious derailment. Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Aviation Consultant, Frost & Sullivan, discusses. Image credit: Pexels.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week marks two years since the events of Langkah Sheraton, which saw a change in government and triggered the breakdown in established coalitions. We discuss the impact of political machinations on the electoral psyche, as well as expectations for the Johor state elections with Dr. Bridget Welsh of the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute-Malaysia. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Health recently issued a call to the Medical Device Authority to ensure the quality of Covid-19 self-test kits, following consumer complaints over the accuracy of testing results. We discuss the latest guidelines for self-testing with Datuk Dr. Kuljit Singh of the APHM, as well as find out his observations on the paediatric impact of Covid-19 and why it's important to vaccinate children. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gary Ng from Natixis highlights the key elements of Hong Kong’s budget and whether it will cushion the city from the worst of the Omicron economic impact. Image Credit: HUI YT/Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to 2020 data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), wages for graduate employees have seen declining trends. Young graduates under the age of 24 have been particularly impacted, with the median salary dropping 25% to RM1,550 a month. As the country debates the viability of raising minimum wages to RM1500, what implications does this have for graduate salaries? We discuss the issue with Zouhair Mohd Rosli of DM Analytics. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many countries in the world have embarked on carbon tax but how complicated is it to price it. Howie Lee, Economist, at OCBC Bank tells us whilst giving us a glimpse of how Malaysia should implement it. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The past year has seen the emergence of several new political parties as well as an independent movement, posing challenges to the dominant parties of yore. How much impact will this have on the dynamics of local politics? We discuss the changing landscape with political analyst Dr Hamidin Abdul Hamid. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2022 was supposed to the year of economic recovery but with rising covid cases due to Omicron, does this derail things? Is the solution government support or is it time for business to bite the bullet and pivot? Chin Chee Seong, National Secretary General of the SME Association of Malaysia tells us. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Member of Parliament for Batu Kawan, Kasthuri Patto, shares with us the gaps in accountability and lack of transparency over the circumstances of the nine custodial deaths that have taken place just this year alone. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alexey Muraviev from Curtin University, Perth, unpacks the latest developments taking place in the Russian-Ukraine border as President Vladimir Putin orders troops into the Eastern Ukraine. Image credit: Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin has announced that borders will reopen in the 2nd quarter of this year. But are we ready, what are the gaps in the health care system. Asst. Prof Dr Farhan Rusli, Public Health Medicine Specialist & Director of the Selangor Task Force (COVID-19) Operation weighs in with his views. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore has unveiled its budget for the year last Friday and it plans to boost income and property taxes, also GST to hike over 2 years, amongst other things being announced. But will the budget be able to address the rising inequality in Singapore as well as restore its coffers sustainably? Lee Ju Ye, Economist, Maybank Investment Bank shares her thoughts on this. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is expected to table an anti-hopping bill when Parliament reconvenes next week. However many elements remain to be ironed out, including how the bill defines “anti-hopping.” We discuss the stumbling blocks in the drafting process and the political stakes if the bill doesn't come through. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the debate rages on whether to adopt in-person versus online learning or even some hybrid version, Teo Nie Ching, former Deputy Education Minister, helps us identify the challenges and the resolutions needed to move forward. Image credit: NAUFAL ZAQUAN / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute published its annual State of Southeast Asia survey report, unpacking how the region views major foriegn policy and issues and the differences in priorities across countries. 70% of respondents expressed concern that ASEAN was slow and ineffective - does this indicate decreasing relevance of the regional bloc? We discuss the key findings of the report with the lead author, Sharon Seah Li-Lian. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cybersecurity threat is getting increasingly rampant and it has become a priority of our governments and corporations. Cybersecurity threats are borderless and increasingly more sophisticated, but how much do we understand about these threats and what can we do if we fall victim to cybersecurity attacks? Ho Siew Kei, Executive Director, Cyber Risk Advisory at Deloitte shares his advice with us. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uncertainties remain whether the government will greenlight the Single Wholesale Network (SWN) model for Malaysia's 5G deployment, amid objections by the main telco operators. Telecommunications and 5G expert Brett Haan makes a case why the SWN model is worth the investment. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hong Kong has imposed its toughest measures since the start of the pandemic, as daily case numbers climb exponentially. Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced that she has no plans to impose a complete lockdown, but President Xi Jinping has asked for Hong Kong to mobilize all available forces and resource and take all necessary measures to stabilize and control the pandemic as soon as possible. Professor Ben Cowling, Chair Professor of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong shares his observations with us. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a recovery on the horizon and the award of the 5 digital banking licenses, Edward Ling from The Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) shares his perspective. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysia 2020 Census Report was released which revealed data including population growth, urbanisation rates and even gender imbalance. The next step is using it for crafting national policies. Dr. Geoffrey Williams, Economist at Malaysia University of Science and Technology helps us understand why this is so important. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Korea has started the 22-day campaign period for the Presidential post that began last Tuesday with balloting on March 9. This election is closely watched by foreign countries as the candidates hold very different views. With just 6 weeks to go, what can we expect from the campaign season and how will the election likely pan out? William Pesek, Tokyo-based journalist and a columnist with Nikkei Asia tells us more. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Oh Ei Sun unpacks the latest developments taking place in the upcoming Johor state elections as more parties throw their hat into the ring and begin announcing their candidates. Image credit: Adi Haririe / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is planning to introduce a series of affordable home programmes as part of its "Liveable Malaysia" initiative. However Bank Negara Malaysia has said that attention should be given to the supply and demand mismatch in the housing market as well as focus on price transparency issues instead. What is the solution needed to enable the M40 and B40 groups to purchase a home? Dr Suraya Ismail, research director, Khazanah Research Institute shares her thoughts. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humanitarian aid and financial flows to Afghanistan have been halted since the Taliban’s return to government, with donors seeking to tie aid funding to conditions such as the upholding of human rights. But as countries haggle around the diplomatic table, the collapse of the economy in Afghanistan has plunged up to three-quarters of the population into acute poverty, and impacted the delivery of basic services such as education and health care. Can the international community act to prevent humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan without emboldening the Taliban government? We discuss the situation with Herizal Hezri, Chief Executive of ISIS Malaysia. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is planning to table a new Tobacco and Smoking Control Act in the upcoming Parliament session in replacement of the old and some of the proposed measures of the legislation is to prohibit the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products including vape and e-cigarettes to people born after 2005. But will this be effective? Dr. Helmy Haja Mydin, consultant respiratory physician and newly appointed technical advisor to the Ministry of Health on the tobacco & smoking legislation shares his thoughts. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Radio Day, which has been observed on 13 February since 2011 has just passed but this year's theme is “Radio and Trust". It’s still challenging times for traditional media, and radio is no exception. Meera Sivasothy, General Manager at BFM gives us the insider's view of how we as a station have pivoted in this new normal. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cabinet has approved the addition of 1,500 permanent positions for doctors annually from 2023 to 2025. Is this welcoming news for contract doctors? Dr Kevin Ng, the former chairman for Malaysian Medical Association’s Section Concerning House Officers and Medical Officers from 2018 to 2020 shares with us his views. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past month, protests against Covid-19 mandates have grown into a catch-all anti-government movement that has disrupted economic activity in Ottawa and also crippled US-Canada border movements. We discuss the factors driving the ongoing protests with Dr. Matthew Kerby of ANU. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Negara released GDP for the last quarter of 2021 which was above consensus expectations thanks in part to the removal of most lockdown measures. Yet the Central Bank Governor warned that the balance of the risks are tilted towards the downside amid the pandemic. Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist at MARC Ratings gives us his expectations for 2022 growth and whether inflation will be a risk to watch out for. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Seri Garry Chua, Immediate Past President of the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), addresses the woes of the F&B sector post-pandemic as the New Normal possibly heralds the end of one of Malaysia's most-loved pastimes: 24-7 dining. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian GDP numbers to be released today beholds and what would the story be for the other countries in the region? Khoon Goh, Head of Asia Research for ANZ speaks to us. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The internet is one of the greatest inventions of the modern age, but its widespread usage has created various challenges for governments, tech platforms and individuals alike. How should we balance the right to access to information and freedom of expression, with the duty to prevent misinformation and hate speech? We discuss the issues at hand with media rights expert Gayathry Venkiteswaran. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There has been some fresh developments in the usually muted utilities sector lately; Tenaga Nasional's legal win against the Inland Revenue Board and YTL Power International's disposal of their stake in Australia’s ElectraNet. Moreover, sustainability is the latest talk of the town (or sector). So, how will utility companies in Malaysia perform and develop with regards to the nation's aim of renewable energy generation? Chong Lee Len, analyst at UOB Kay Hian provides some insights on the current and future landscape of Malaysia's utilities sector. Image credit: Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Election Commission has confirmed that Johor state elections will be held on March 12th, with Nomination Day set for February 26th. Muda has aligned itself as a strategic partner to Pakatan Harapan, and will contest in at least 6 seats, potentially 9 pending negotiations with PKR. Can opposition parties form a united front against Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional parties? Political analyst Dr. Azmi Hassan weighs in. Image credit: MUDASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political analyst Andrea Chloe Wong discusses the Philippines’ national elections, where nearly 68 million Filipinos will vote in a new leader on May 9th. We discuss the prospects of the frontrunner candidates, including  Ferdinand Marcos Jr, fondly known as Bong Bong, and current Vice President Leni Robredo, as well as other names in the fray such as former boxer and senator Manny Pacquiao. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MARA is responsible for developing, encouraging, facilitating and fostering economic and social development in Malaysia's rural areas. So what happens when questions of integrity in MARA and its related agencies arise? Dr. Nungsari A. Radhi, Economist answers that question. Image credit: Mara CorpSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valentine's Day is just a few days away and many singles may be looking for their potential date on an online dating app. But how is the business of dating apps faring, especially during the pandemic? Matthew Martino, Technology Analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence discusses the prospects of the online matchmaking players Bumble and Match Group. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Recovery Council (NRC) announced plans to reopen borders to fully vaccinated travellers without mandatory quarantine on 1 March, subject to Cabinet approval. Meanwhile the Ministry of Health introduced measures to increase the take-up of booster shots to safeguard the healthcare system in the face of the Omicron wave. We discuss whether Malaysia is ready to enter the endemic phase with Azrul Mohd Khalib of the Galen Center. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri M. Saravanan has mooted for minimum wage levels to be increased to RM1500 by the end of the year. This has sparked a debate between labour unions and employer associations on the right timing for wage increases, given the precarious economic recovery. We discuss the economic considerations at play with business commentator Pankaj C. Kumar. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices have rallied to over USD90 per barrel this month, the highest level seen since 2014. What's driving up oil prices and is the rally sustainable? Bloomberg Intelligence senior analyst Horace Chan weighs in on the discussion. Image credit: Pexels.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Johor state elections will be closely watched with 56 seats up from grabs. This time round, will MCA able to recover from their disastrous loss in GE14? Dr James Chin, Lecturer in Asian Studies at University of Tasmania gives us his views whilst also rating DAP's chances. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Election Commission will announce the nomination and polling days for the Johor state elections this Wednesday. Umno is seen as the party with pole position in Johor, but how much of an advantage do they have? Dr. Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate at the University of Nottingham-Malaysia discusses the dynamics within Umno and also with erstwhile allies Perikatan Nasional. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week Meta stock took a plunge after it released results that were below expectations. But market sentiments picked up as more positive tech earnings got released. So will technology remain the darling sector in 2022? We speak to Dan Ives, Managing Director of Wedbush Securities to understand more. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.