Morning Brief

Hotels have been badly hit during the pandemic but will the re-opening of Langkawi herald a new beginning for the industry? James Buckley, Executive Director for Capital Markets, Knight Frank Malaysia discusses the challenges faced by hotel owners, their options and his Budget 2022 wishlist. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week the US, UK and Australia announced a new defence pact, dubbed AUKUS, which would see Australia equipped with nuclear-powered submarines. The deal comes at the cost of a USD30 billion agreement between Australia and France, which has blindsided the French government and created a diplomatic furor. Meanwhile China has also criticized the "Cold War mentality" of the AUKUS members, warning of a potential arms race. We discuss the implications of the agreement with Susannah Patton, Research Fellow at the University of Sydney. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Firdausi Suffian, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at UiTM Sabah discusses the reasons why rural infrastructure lag and how we could be more effective in spending. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talk of a windfall tax has resurfaced in Malaysia but is it a good idea for the economy and is it actually regressive? Dr. Veerinderjeet Singh, President of the Malaysian Institute of Accountant tells us. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has long championed for 30% representation of women in leadership positions, but the actual results in our political and legislative spheres remain lacking. Barely 15% of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat are women, while only 9 women occupy ministerial positions in the current government, out of 69 posts. Tengku Nur Qistina, Researcher from the Socio-Policy Department at ISIS Malaysia gives us some policy suggestions to correct this. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Ben Cowling helps us unpack the latest developments and research taking the global stage about the need for Booster jabs, as debates continue to rage about the importance of prioritizing vaccine equity with billions still unvaccinated worldwide. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask Dr. Arnold Puyok on whether this new government will be able to move the MA63 agreement forward as the same issues around MA63 keep resurfacing every year during Malaysia Day. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poverty levels in East Malaysia are the highest in the country which has been made worse by the economic scarring caused by Covid-19. We ask Dr. Dayang Affizzah Awang Marikan, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak what the government priorities should be in terms of economic policy when it comes to Budget 2020 and the 12th Malaysia Plan. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hunter Marston from ANU shares his perspective on the tussle taking place between Myanmar's military junta and the country's shadow government for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly and its potential implications on the ground as ASEAN's envoy tries to bridge the divide between both groups. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datin Noor Azimah, Chairperson of the Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) shares her perspective on the recent phased reopening of schools, as the government plans to reopen schools with tighter SOPs and allowing parents to have the final say. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Brendan Sobie to get his insights into global travel outlook and which airlines are likely to survive post pandemic, as travel restrictions continue especially in the Asia Pacific. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Malaysia hit a significant political milestone with an MOU signed between PH and the Government. 6 key areas were agreed upon with specific timelines for delivery. Wong Chen, MP for Subang and PKR member tells us the rationale behind this MOU and does it affect their ability to be a formidable opposition. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Malaysia hit a significant political milestone with an MOU signed between PH and the Government. 6 key areas were agreed upon with specific timelines for delivery. Wong Chen, MP for Subang and PKR member tells us the rationale behind this MOU and does it affect their ability to be a formidable opposition. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Siti Aiysyah Tumin from Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) unpacks for us the recent SOCSO scheme for informal care workers and discusses what improvements can be made to broaden social protection coverage for those in the informal care economy. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Gary Ng from Natixis about the recent China's private debt implosion with Huarong and Evergrande and will the Chinese Government bail out these corporates that are potentially too big to fail. Image credit: Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is scheduled to officiate the opening of the 14th Parliament session later today. This will be the first session under the government led by new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Dr Hamidin Abdul Hamid, Research Fellow at Ilham Centre tells us what to expect from this session and will this MOU that is being signed by the government and PH hold? Image credit: zmpixes / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Global War on Terror was launched in response to the September 11 terror attacks in New York, activating multi-lateral international action and cooperation to counter-terrorism. But have these initiatives had the intended effect? We discuss the lessons that can be drawn from the Global War on Terror two decades post 9/11. Image credit: Lars Mudler / Pexels.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The MySejahtera app has been improved in terms of user experience with a check-out feature. How else can the app be used and upgraded to improve our pandemic response? Dr. Kelvin Yii, the Member of Parliament of Bandar Kuching weighs in on the conversation including why cases have been rising rapidly in Sarawak despite high vaccination rate. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the recent Global Education Conference and Postgraduate Colloquium hosted by UNIRAZAK, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz the finance minister said that the government has to consider unorthodox economic solutions to respond to extraordinary situations like the pandemic. We deep dive with Professor Geoffrey Williams at Malaysia University of Science and Technology on possible unorthodox prescriptions for Malaysia in the longer-term. Image credit: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask Loong Kok Wen, Head of Regional Property Sector at RHB Investment Bank to dissect how property counters performed this 2Q and get her take on outlook, as well as whether she expects to see the sector consolidate in these challenging times. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Tengku Dato’ Sri Zafrul Aziz recently commented on the important role that development financial institutions (DFIs) play in Malaysia’s post-pandemic economic recovery. But how much development progress has been made by the 18 DFIs in the country so far? We discuss how to make DFIs more effective with Dato’ Sri Nazir Razak, Chair of Bank Pembangunan. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Thavalingam Thavarajah, Managing Partner at T Thavalingam & Co discusses legal and non-legal options available to employers to create a safe and comfortable working environment. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

El Salvador recently became the first country to adopt bitcoin as its national currency, replacing the dollar. Professor Antonio Fatas, Professor of Economics, INSEAD discusses the readiness of bitcoin as legal tender, and the case for digital currencies going forward. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz proposes to raise the debt ceiling from 60% to 65% of GDP to have more buffer to fight the pandemic. Carmelo Ferlito, CEO, Center for Market Education discusses why borrowing more is a bad idea and the alternative including fiscal measures. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much control does PKR leadership exert over state governments, and how does this affect policy-making and governance? We discuss the ramifications of PKR infighting in Negeri Sembilan, as well as the uproar over the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve degazettement with political scientist Dr. Wong Chin Huat. We also ask him for his prescription for the opposition to show that they're a viable alternative to the present ruling government. Image credit: Ismiza Binti Ishak / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As approval ratings tank in the aftermath of the Tokyo Olympics and poor pandemic management, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has announced that he will not stand for re-election. This has opened up a race within the Liberal Democratic Party for the top post. We discuss the potential candidates with Jonathan Berkshire Miller, Senior Fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following dissatisfaction amongst grassroots in Negeri Sembilan, and the Selangor state’s decision to degazette the KL North Forest Reserve land, Fahmi Fadzil, Communications Director, PKR discusses internal factionalism within the party and the bigger question on succession. Image credit: msyaraafiq / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Langkawi is expected to open for interstate tourists starting from Malaysia Day. Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib, CEO of the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) discusses the island’s readiness and projected number of visitors. Image credit: Safiamycentrio / Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All eyes will be on whether Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri opts to hold a confidence vote when Parliament reconvenes next week, as recommended by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The initial indications aren't reassuring, especially as the Attorney-General has come out to say that a confidence vote is not necessary. What would be the potential implications for Ismail Sabri's government if they forego the vote? We discuss this with political analyst Dr. Azmi Hassan. Image credit: Adam Yusof / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global automakers expect to grapple with chip shortages for another two years. How are they responding in the meantime? And if shortage normalises in 2023, what’s the likelihood of excess supply as the US, Europe and China commit billions of dollars to ramp up fabrication capacity? James Teo, Asian Equities Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence discusses. Image credit: Jeremy Waterhouse / Pexels.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apple has loosened its restrictions on in-app payments, by allowing some developers to direct users to alternative methods of payment and offer lower prices through channels outside the App Store. We discuss with Daniel Ives of Wedbush Securities whether this move will alleviate the regulatory pressures faced by Apple. Dan also weighs in on expectations for Apple’s fall launch event, with the eagerly anticipated iPhone 13 launch. Image credit: Framesira / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nigel Wong, Honorary Secretary-General, The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), discusses Langkawi's soon-to-occur travel bubble in terms of expected arrivals, SOPs and success rate, as well as the tourism sector's Budget '22 wishlist. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Affin Hwang Asset Management discusses the challenges and safeguards of digital payment systems. This interview is in collaboration with Standard Chartered Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s GDP projection has been adjusted upwards to 6.6% this year as analysts are banking on reopening borders to international travel, and the effective containment of the Covid-19 outbreak. Geoff Howie, Market Strategist at the Singapore Exchange tells us what sectors might benefit. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newly minted Minister of Health, Khairy Jamaluddin held his first press conference where he outlined a number of things his ministry will be carrying out. Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy gives us his views on these initiatives. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia's turns 64, we ask if GLCs and GLICs still have a role to play in Malaysia's economy. Dato' Rauf Rashid, Managing Partner at Ernst & Young Malaysia tells us how and why. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angeline Tan, researcher for ISIS Malaysia, helps us understand President Xi Jin Ping's Common Prosperity agenda and what it means to China's broader society and economy as children from primary school age will begin learning “Xi Jinping Thought” as part of the national education syllabus. Image credit: pcruciatti / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PwC Malaysia is bringing back the Building Trust Awards this year and it is the first to be held virtually. Participating companies will be assessed on the quality of companies’ corporate reporting, and how they are perceived by their stakeholders. This year, all constituents of both the FBM KLCI 30 and FBM Mid 70 on Bursa Malaysia are qualified for the shortlisting stage. In addition, the general public will be able to take part in the public poll to weigh in on which companies they feel have done the most to build trust. Join the poll to vote on companies that you trust at https://bit.ly/pwctrustpoll21.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Finance issued a Pre-Budget Statement (PBS) for Budget 2022, the first in our country’s history. With this, specific metrics can be tracked such as the economic outlook, tax revenue performance status and the public expenditure status for 2021. It also revealed the priorities of Budget 2022. Julia Goh, Senior Economist from UOB gives us her views on this maiden report. Image credit: Gracethang2 / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk to Petaling Jaya MP, Maria Chin Abdullah on the recent Selangor State Government's decision to de-gazette half of the Kuala Langat North forest as a permanent reserve which has been met with heavy criticism for the lack of transparency. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrea Chloe Wong, a Philippines’ political analyst helps us understand the twist and turns as well as the leading contenders in the upcoming 2022 Philippines elections as President Rodrigo Duterte is poised to step down after 6 years in office. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adrian Ang, Research Fellow from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies helps us unpack how the US Afghanistan pullout has short term and long term ramifications on US foreign policy and how will this impact Joe Biden's popularity in the US. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Vinod Balasubramaniam from the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine & Health Sciences provides detailed explanation on the rationale, process and approvals required if Malaysia does begin manufacturing its own vaccines as the pandemic lingers on. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia once had the largest weightage on the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at 33% but that has dropped to a 2.5% weight. Even from a market capitalisation perspective, Malaysia has been eclipsed by almost all other Asean countries except for the Philippines and Vietnam. Pankaj C. Kumar, business commentator tells us the hard truth as to how vibrancy can be returned to our capital markets. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia once had the largest weightage on the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at 33% but that has dropped to a 2.5% weight. Even from a market capitalisation perspective, Malaysia has been eclipsed by almost all other Asean countries except for the Philippines and Vietnam. Pankaj C. Kumar, business commentator tells us the hard truth as to how vibrancy can be returned to our capital markets. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies, University of Tasmania helps us unpack the political implications of the new cabinet line up announced last Friday by the Prime Minister Ismail Sabri as the new leadership bench has given each of them 100 days to tackle the health crisis and heal the economy. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jackson Hole Symposium meeting happened over the weekend, where prominent central bankers, finance ministers, academics, and financial market participants from around the world converged to discuss economic developments and policies albeit virtually. The highlight was the speech by Fed Chair, Jerome Powell. Prof. Hans Genberg, Professor of Economics at Asia School of Business weighs in on what was the key takeaways from this event. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Datuk Aishah Ahmad, President, Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA) on how the industry is faring after 2 months of closure and how the recovery looks like as show rooms reopen for sales and production of motor vehicles resumes nationwide. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economy and capital markets have seen a resurgence in India in the first half of 2021, despite a deadly second wave of Covid-19 and a slow pace of its vaccination programme. How will the 2nd half of the year look like for India - continued upward momentum or a correction? We discuss the latest developments in India's economic growth with Sanjay Marthur, Chief Economist of Southeast Asia and India at ANZ Bank. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All eyes are on the Cabinet announcement by Prime Minister Dato' Seri Ismail Sabri this morning. Will the Cabinet appointments be based on merit and competency, or will political loyalties and appeasement win over? We discuss the possible permutations with political geostrategist Dr. Azmi Hassan of University Technology Malaysia. Image credit: zmpixes / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.