Morning Brief

The early days of 2022 has been a volatile ride for the tech sector as the reality of 3 rate hikes by the Feds begins to be priced in. Daniel Ives, Managing Director of Wedbush Securities gives us his views as to whether this sector will continue to outperform and what are the names we should watch. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's booster jab campaign has been running since October 2021, with a patchy take-up rate. Why do people seem to be more skeptical of the need for a vaccine booster? We discuss measures to increase the booster dose rate and improve public confidence with public health expert Dr. Mark Cheong. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has seen a slew of new political parties enter the field, with the latest being Parti Bangsa Malaysia led by former PKR member and Julau MP Larry Sng. Can new parties such as PBM, Warisan, Pejuang and MUDA make a splash in GE15? We discuss the new political landscape with political commentator Dr. Oh Ei Sun. Image credit: Parti Bangsa Malaysia FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial services firm Morningstar forecasts that the global semiconductor industry could see a supply glut in 2024, as foundries heavily increase capital spending in response to the widespread chip shortage. Equity analyst Phelix Lee discusses the trends he sees affecting the demand-supply cycle for chips, and why TSMC remains the top stock pick. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cheong Yen Li from PwC shares her perspective on the impact of the lifting of the suspension of issuance of new courier service licenses in September. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researcher Lalitha Kunaratnam revealed that she has been issued a letter of demand by Tan Sri Azam Baki, over the publication of two articles on share purchases, we ask Dato' Mah Weng Kwai, Commissioner of SUHAKAM whether we are giving enough incentives and protections to whistleblowers who sound the alarm on corruption. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new year began with turbulence in Kazakhstan, after violent street protests erupted in response to rising gas prices. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sought help from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to quell the unrest. We discuss the political dynamics at play within Kazakhstan and in the broader region with international political commentator Dr. James Dorsey.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian government recently approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years old, following the footsteps of other countries such as the US, UK and Singapore. We discuss the safety concerns of the vaccine with consultant paediatrician Dato' Dr. Mohd Nordin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With supplies short and demand high, the global semiconductor industry is in a Goldilocks (read: ideal) period, begging the question of what's next. Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association, answers. Image credit: Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America remains deeply polarised one year after the January 6th Capitol Hill riots, which saw Donald Trump supporters break into Congress to protest the presidential elections. We discuss whether key actors will be held accountable for the event as well as President Joe Biden's one-year score card with US political expert Mark J. Rozell. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the decision by the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board to absolve Tan Sri Azam Baki, Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), many parties are calling for further scrutiny of the case. We speak to Tricia Yeoh of IDEAS on the importance of due process and accountability in public institutions. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following public furore over reports of millions of ringgit in MACC Chief Tan Sri Azam Baki's share trading account, the public is now rightly asking why conflict-of-interest obligations in public markets don't apply to civil service. As a primer, Devanesan Evanson, CEO, Minority Shareholders Watch Group, explains the corporate governance rules on conflict of interest in Bursa Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's five digital banks are expected to be announced soon, with the narrative now shifting to market strategy and path to profit. Vincent Fong, Chief Editor, Fintech News Malaysia, discusses. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As India experiences another wave of Covid, Pradeep Taneja from the University of Melbourne gives his perspective on how prepared are authorities for the present Covid-19 surge, and how has the management of the pandemic impacted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Khor Yu Leng, political economist from Segi Enam Advisers explains the rationale, or lack of, behind the exorbitant increase in costs to recruit domestic helpers. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2021 was a blockbuster year for cryptocurrencies, with both Bitcoin and Ethereum reaching new highs in November, even if it didn’t last long. However the asset class continues to be characterised by extreme volatility, making entry into mainstream markets difficult. We discuss the outlook for cryptocurrencies in the new year with Varun Mittal, Chief Growth Officer, Singlife with Aviva. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The severe flooding occurring across multiple states this monsoon season is a reckoning of our environmental policies. Many environmentalists argue that deforestation and excessive logging are the main reasons for these flooding disasters, and that both federal and state governments need to step up conservation efforts. Forestry researcher Lim Teck Wyn walk us through the gaps in the present land management policies, and argues for the implementation of the ecological fiscal transfer (EFT) between federal and state governments to strengthen forest conservation. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prices of daily essentials are on a rising trend due to supply chain shortages and inflationary pressure. This put undue hardship on some segments of society but are price controls the solutions. Professor Geoffrey Williams, economist, Malaysia University of Science and Technology tells us. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With increasing raw material prices and labour shortages, Jeremy Lim, Vice-President, Persatuan Pemilik Restoran dan Bistro gives his perspective on how the F&B industry has fared in 2021 and what's in store for 2022 as the industry seeks to recover from the past 2 years. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is the biggest international trade agreement to date, covering nearly a third of the global population and about 30 percent of global GDP. The agreement officially came into force on 1 January for 10 of the 15 signatory states. However four countries have yet to ratify the agreement, namely Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia. What do countries stand to gain from RCEP, and conversely how might countries lose out if they’re not part of the club? We discuss the implications of RCEP for regional trade with Rajiv Biswas, Chief Economist at IHS Markit. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Mahesh Appannan, Head of Data of the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre, Ministry of Health allays our concerns about the MySJ Trace app as this voluntary tool helps us detect and exchange proximity information with another activated user.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaludin warned over the weekend that Malaysia could see an Omicron wave, similar to what other countries are undergoing at the moment. In response, the overall public health strategy is to slow down Omicron through various protective measures, including extensive booster jab coverage. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout 2021, pandemic recovery in Asia has been patchy at best, with the emergence of the Delta and Omicron variants as well as rising inflation putting pressure on the economy. Amid persisting challenges, can Asia manage the delicate balancing act between health and the economy in the new year? We discuss the economic outlook for the region with OCBC Bank's Selena Ling. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If 2020 is remembered for the Sheraton Move, 2021 will likely be remembered for disastrous pandemic management that led to the fall of another Prime Minister, and later a landmark agreement between the government and PH opposition. Will we see more changes in the political landscape in the new year? We ask political commentator Dr. Hamidin Abd Hamid for the issues to watch in the coming months ahead. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Covid-19 pandemic severely disrupted education services, with Malaysian schools physically closed for 42 weeks of the year in 2021. Additionally, the pandemic also revealed gaps in system in terms of digital capacity, teaching skills and the ability to assist those falling behind in learning. What policies need to be considered to recoup for lost time? We discuss the outlook for education in 2022 with Shahnaz Al-Sadat of LeapEd Services. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After two straight challenging years, Tan Hai Hsin from Malaysian Retail Group shares his perspective on how the retail sector fared in 2021 and if there is light at the end of the tunnel in 2022? Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carmelo Ferlito from the Center for Market Education calls for more thoughtful and structural reforms in the economy in order to drive more private investment as the government grapples with dealing the short term financial pressures caused by the floods. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent floods have left many car owners in despair with big bills but what are the options to ease the pain from the government and also the private sector. Danny Tan from www.paultan.org tells us. Image credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Azrul Mohd Khalib from the Galen Centre reflects on the challenges our healthcare industry faced and what the outlook for 2022 as concerns linger about the state of our healthcare infrastructure. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past 2 weeks, MUDA has managed to galvanize public support for its flood relief efforts, raising over RM2 million to date and involving over 10,000 volunteers. Will this translate into votes during the general elections? We speak to MUDA Information Chief Zaidel Baharuddin about their relief initiatives and measures to ensure transparency in administering funds. Image credit: MUDASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the recent heavy rain, landslides are happening across the country. Datuk Ezumi Harzani Ismail, President of The Malaysian Institute of Architects tells us what the building safety codes are and what the rules are with regards to maintenance. He also tells us what we as individual homeowners can do to avoid landslides. Image credit: The StarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest Hong Kong Legislative Council election, pro-Beijing candidates won an overwhelming majority out of the 90 seats. However the race was stacked against the opposition following the electoral changes introduced earlier this year. What do these political developments mean for the pro-democracy movement and Hong Kong's status as an international financial hub? China expert Prof. Steve Tsang of SOAS weighs in. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State borders have reopened and domestic travel is encouraged with even the Government offering a tax relief of up to RM1000 for this. But is this enough to help the travel industry and can it compensate for the lack of foreign tourist. Nigel Wong, Honorary Secretary-General of The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents tells us whilst giving us his outlook for 2022. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datin Noraida Saludin from the Malaysian Institute of Planners shares her perspective on the severe flooding that happened more than a week ago has taken away lives, livelihoods and homes. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year witnessed several changes in Middle Eastern political dynamics. As countries focus on economic recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a clear shift towards de-escalating tensions within Gulf countries. This has been taking place amidst a perceived withdrawal of US influence in the region under the Biden administration. We discuss key developments and issues to watch in the coming year with Middle East expert Dr. James Dorsey. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liyana Yahaya from NielsenIQ shares her perspective on whether the double festive momentum of Christmas and Chinese New Year will sustain the uptrend for retail activity. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week it came to light that Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam experienced severe floods in the past, indicating that government authorities did have record of the flood vulnerabilities of the area. In light of increasingly erratic weather patterns due to climate change, what policy measures should be put in place to better cope with flooding moving forward? Water engineering expert Dr. Teo Fang Yen shares his recommendations. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has reiterated plans to hold a fresh general election in August 2023 sticking to the military government’s timeline and defying pressure from the U.S. to hold polls earlier. Moe Thuzar from IISEAS, Yusof-Ishak Institute deep dives on this brewing crisis. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, Director, Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) assesses how will the recent events affect the Prime Minister’s political cachet and does this change the calculations for GE15. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a series of studies suggesting it to be less severe, we ask Dale Fisher from the National University of Singapore on how severe the Omicron variant is and the efficacy of vaccines against this variant. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With confusion over the chain of command in addressing disaster situations, we speak to Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, Director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health and also the founder of Mercy Malaysia, with also more than 20 years of experience in helping governments prepare and respond to disasters on what went wrong. We also ask her how can fellow Malaysians help the community to recover. Image credit: PDRMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ooi Lean Hin, Chairman of the Shipping Association of Malaysia shares with us the impact the floods have had on the shipping industry as well as the extend of the damage on Port Klang, one of Malaysia key logistics gateways. Image credit: Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apurva Sanghi, World Bank Lead Economist for Malaysia explains it economic growth projections of 5.8% by 2022 and why it urgently needs to address the widening learning gaps between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the Annual Transaction Trail Report by Duff & Phelps, A Kroll Business consultancy, global deal-making activity surged to a record USD4.4 trillion this year, with USD280 billion worth of activity taking place in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. How do the different countries compare in terms of deal-making activities, and which sectors drew the most investments? We discuss insights from the report with Managing Director Srividya Gopal. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Wira Ameer Ali Mydin tells us his side of the story as to why he forgives the looters of his store in Sri Muda. He also tells us that better coordination between individuals, corporates, NGOs and government is much needed during this crisis. Image credit: Shah Alam PoliceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has postponed the tabling of the controversial bill to amend the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, also known as Act 342. We speak to YB Dr. Kelvin Yii, chair of Parliamentary Select Committee on health, science and innovation to discuss concerns over the bill in its present form, and the consultation process moving forward. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The massive flooding in the Klang Valley and elsewhere this week has shone a spotlight on insurance coverage in the face of natural disasters. We speak to PIAM President Antony Lee on how insurance players are adapting to increasing climate change risk. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

he global aviation industry was buoyed by the reopening of borders earlier in the year, but the new Omicron variant has thrown a spanner into the recovery path. We speak to Shantanu Gangakhedkar of Frost & Sullivan on the outlook for travel and aviation in the coming year. Image credit: Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With SMEs already struggling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we ask Chin Chee Seong from SME Association of Malaysia how are they handling this flood and what assistance do they need. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fikri Faisal from the Centre unpacks the gaps in the government's response to the floods and what lessons can we avoid in the future to avoid such disasters from occurring again. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.