Morning Brief

Malaysians who are eligible to receive Covid-19 booster shots have started to receive their jabs last week, with the roll-out beginning in Sarawak. How are third doses being administered and could this be extended to the rest of the population? We discuss this issue and other challenges of post-pandemic living with Azrul Mohd Khalib of the Galen Centre. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pandemic has triggered a dramatic increase in the number of Malaysians entering the gig economy, either by choice or forced by circumstances. Although they enjoy flexibility in their job, there are concerns on the labour rights for gig workers. As there have been calls to amend the Employment Act 1955 that was drafted over 60 years ago, what changes are needed to benefit the gig workers in the long term? Tan Zhai Gen of the Asia School of Business weighs in on proposed reforms. Image Credit: Hasim Ramle / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tamma Febrian from Fitch Ratings guides us to how digital banks are transforming the landscape of the banking sector, how profitable will they be, and how it will impact the incumbent traditional banks. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Election Commission has decided that polling day for the Malacca state election will be held on November 20th, with nomination day set for November 8th. As the various coalitions negotiate on their candidates for the 28 seats at stake, we discuss the political dynamics within Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional, and which side has the upper hand with political commentator Dr. Oh Ei Sun. Image credit: Edy Kasim / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The courts have given permission to several high profile figures undergoing trials for the temporary return of their passports for travel abroad, including former Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Razak and his spouse, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor as well as Umno President Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi. These decisions are raising eyebrows, given that all three are facing corruption charges - does this set an unwanted precedent? We discuss how the law operates in these scenarios with criminal lawyer Goh Cia Yee. Image credit: Izzuddin Radzak / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fahmi Fadzil, MP for Lembah Pantai sheds light on the complex challenges of urban developments in KL and shares with us the issues his residents want the government and DBKL to fix urgently. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christina Zhu from Moody's Analytics explains how China's Q3 GDP numbers have lost its steam due to recently reporting an economic growth of just 4.9% as the energy crisis, Covid-19, and the property crisis looms large. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jerald Joseph from SUHAKAM explains whether Malaysia's election to the United Nations Human Rights Council is an opportunity to bolster its human rights credentials at home. Image credit: Giorgio Caracciolo / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick Diamond from Queen Mary University of London helps unpack a Covid-19 report by UK MPs highlighting the country’s failure to do more to stop the virus from spreading early in the pandemic. Image credit: groovelanddesigns / Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global supply chain disruptions are expected to last until at least next year. And according to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Malaysia has not been spared. Alvin Chua, President, Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders tells us the issues on the ground whilst giving us his opinion on the Bumi equity issue for his industry. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Teo, Transport & Logistics Analyst from Bloomberg gives us a sense on whether airline stocks are worth investing now after more than a year of struggle, as airlines in Asia-Pacific are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Image credit: Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremy Lim from Persatuan Pemilik Restoran dan Bistro shares his perspectives on the challenges faced by the F&B industry from the pandemic and how recovery will look for eateries and restaurants as we finish the final stretch of 2021. Image credit: Farrel Arissa / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The supply chain crunch may have caused Apple to dial in iPhone sales targets but that doesn't detract from its long term potential, says Dan Ives, Managing Director of Wedbush Securities. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Langkah Sheraton in February 2020 has unfortunately set a precedent for change of government outside of the typical electoral process, exacerbated by the pandemic situation. How can we strengthen our parliamentary framework to prevent the democratic process being held hostage by the whims of politics? We discuss the Melaka state elections and parliamentary reforms with Thomas Fann of Bersih 2.0. Image Credit: Gwoeii / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the economy reopens and the country transitions to an endemic Covid-19 strategy, employers are faced with the conundrum of how to manage the return of unvaccinated employees to the workplace. How are businesses approaching this issue? We get the position of the Malaysia Employers Federation (MEF), as well as their wishlist for Budget 2022. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is reportedly looking to tighten Malaysian cybersecurity laws, and is preparing recommendations for Cabinet consideration, according to comments by Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions). What will governments and businesses need to do to bolster cybersecurity efforts? We discuss the cybersecurity landscape and potential policy measures with Dr. Aswami Ariffin of CyberSecurity Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Khoon Goh, Head of Asia Research at ANZ Bank, discusses Singapore monetary policy, the impact of inflation, and expected growth for the next year. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Professor Steve Tsang, Director of SOAS China Institute on how China-Taiwan tensions will play out and whether China will be able to “reunite” with Taiwan by peaceful means or will it all end by force? Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Juita Mohamad from the Perth USAsia Centre gives her insights on Malaysia's increase in its debt-to-GDP limit to 65% and distils the consequences of a higher debt ceiling and how the proceeds should be directed to help Malaysians in need. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Theiva Lingam from Sahabat Alam Malaysia gives her perspective on the latest amendments being run through on the Wildlife Conservation Bill 2021 in Parliament and what needs to be done in terms of awareness enforcement. Image credit: murrayfisher / Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government lifted the ban on interstate travel this week on Monday 11 October. We take the pulse of the domestic travel and tourism sector as travel resumes, and also look ahead to wishlist items for Budget 2022 that would aid the recovery of Malaysian tour and travel operators. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recently tabled 12th Malaysia Plan acknowledged that more needed to be done to improve transport infrastructure and set out the targets of increasing usage of public transport as well as promote green mobility. The goals in themselves are laudable, but is there sufficient clarity on how we’re going to achieve these targets? We review the 12MP with Ziad Razak, Research Advisor at The Centre. Image credit: TK Kurikawa / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Philip Goh from IATA on how the airline industry will navigate these future storms and whether we'll finally see a light at the end of the tunnel as Malaysia begins to reopen to domestic tourism. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF), in its latest findings, reported that a majority of its members in the low- and middle-income groups, are likely to live in poverty in old age unless mitigation measures are taken. Pankaj C. Kumar, business commentator tells us what policy measures can be adopted to rectify this serious issue. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss with Kuching MP Dr. Kelvin Yii on how we can better support mental health for Malaysians with the Government's launch of the National Strategic Plan for Mental Health 2020 - 2025, as we celebrate World Mental Health day.  Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Health Minister Khairy Jamaludin said that the government would procure 150,000 treatment packages of a Covid-19 anti-viral drug produced by Merck called Molnupiravir. The drug is being described by many quarters as a gamechanger in the fight against Covid-19. Based on trials conducted so far, the medication was shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by around 50% in patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms of the virus. We get the lowdown on Molnupiravir from Sam Fazeli, Director of Research at Bloomberg Intelligence. Image credit: Quality Stock Arts / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Health Minister Khairy Jamaludin said that the government would procure 150,000 treatment packages of a Covid-19 anti-viral drug produced by Merck called Molnupiravir. The drug is being described by many quarters as a gamechanger in the fight against Covid-19. Based on trials conducted so far, the medication was shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by around 50% in patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms of the virus. We get the lowdown on Molnupiravir from Sam Fazeli, Director of Research at Bloomberg Intelligence. Image credit: Quality Stock Arts / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US-China relations appear to remain cool under the Biden administration while Taiwan’s fate is the biggest uncertainty in the region, says Dr. Pradeep Taneja, Senior Lecturer In Asian Studies from the University of Melbourne. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Covid-19 pandemic has inarguably set back efforts to eliminate poverty among Malaysian society. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the pandemic raised the incidence of absolute poverty to 8.4% in 2020, compared to 5.6% in 2019. The government has reiterated its commitment to tackle poverty and income inequality under the 12th Malaysia Plan, with the aim of eradicating hardcore poverty by 2025. But does the 12MP provide a sufficiently clear roadmap towards that aim? We discuss this with World Bank economist Ririn Salwa Purnamasari. Image Credit: Lens Hitam / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Helmy Haja Mydin, Consultant Respiratory Physician, talks about Malaysia’s readiness for interstate travel and indeed, whether international borders can reopen. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s small businesses have withered in the face of the full fury of the pandemic, prompting the question of what more can be done to save them, with Budget ‘22 looming. Image credit: Carlos Huang / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Melaka state assembly has been thrown into turmoil after four assemblymen withdrew support from the ruling government coalition this week. In response, the Melaka Governor Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam dissolved the state assembly paving the way for elections in 60 days, but will this lead to a resurgence in cases? We discuss the political ramifications of the chaos in Melaka with political commentator Dr. Hamidin Abdul Hamid. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Kim Kyung Hyun gives us his perspective behind the success of South Korean soft power and the leverage it gives South Korea in the global economy and geopolitics. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 10 hours of debate on Monday in the Singaporean parliament, a controversial law aimed at countering foreign interference in domestic affairs was passed. Dubbed the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act aka (FICA), the law allows authorities to order social media sites and Internet providers to disclose user information or block content that they deem hostile. James Gomez, Director of Asia Centre tells us the implications of such a law. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is raising the average household income to 10,000 ringgit per month by 2025 realistic? Calvin Cheng from ISIS provides a reality check, his perspective on minimum wage, and social protection goals under the 12th Malaysia Plan. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the government has allocated nearly RM3 billion towards prioritizing green growth. They have also pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 45% by 2030. How viable are these targets and what's missing from the 12MP in terms of environmental sustainability? We assess the government's commitment to the green agenda with Alizan Mahadi of ISIS Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Leung from Bloomberg Intelligence Asia explains how serious the power crunch currently is, the major causes for such a severe power shortage in China, and what they can do to prevent another energy crisis in the future. Image credit: stevepb / Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Veerinderjeet Singh helps us explain the significance of the Pandora Papers leak and how this intricate web of setting up offshore firms works, as well as whether the Malaysian government can stop these loopholes since it's been under mounting pressure to widen the tax base. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 12th Malaysia Plan has stated that 50 percent of the total basic development expenditure, will be channelled to the states of Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak. The rationale being to narrow the development gap. Dr Francis Hutchinson, Senior Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute gives a history lesson whilst telling us what the solutions are. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‪Dr. Le Dinh Tinh shares his assessment on Vietnam's latest Q3 GDP numbers, the country's linkages to the global supply chain, and how it tends to accelerate their current vaccination programme as it lags behind regional peers. Image credit: dangquangn / Pixabay.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bersatu and Umno have both stated their readiness to contest GE15 seats, without compromising with the other. Given their similarities and with the addition of PAS as another potential element splitting the Malay vote, which party is more likely to come out on top? Dr. Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate at the University of Nottingham-Malaysia weighs in with her analysis. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent survey by Ipsos Malaysia titled, "Are We Ready To Be Back In Office?” found that 33 percent of Malaysians prefer working from home completely, while another 32% were prepared to return to the office. We discuss the findings of the survey as well as how the pandemic will impact post-pandemic working arrangements for employers and employees alike. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YB Nurul Izzah Anwar shares her perspective on the reason behind the low take-up of TVET and proposes the structural reforms necessary to strengthen this much needed programme. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the government pledged to transform the public sector, calling it out as a critical policy enabler in the delivery of the plan. Patrick Tay from PwC Malaysia tells us what the roadblocks are and what needs to be done to achieve this. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The digital divide has been exacerbated by Covid 19. The 12th Malaysia Plan does attempt to address this but does it go far enough? Dr. Rachel Gong, Senior Research Associate at the Khazanah Research Institute tells us. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

William Pesek uncovers who Fumio Kishida is and what to expect for Japan under his administration as Japan's 100th Prime Minister. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems we never learn the lessons of the past as Dr. Muhammad Mohan from Transparency International-Malaysia explains the challenge of accountability, as more skeletons in the cupboard are unearthed and listed from the 2019 Auditor-General’s report. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RM400 billion has been set aside for development expenditure under the 12MP but some of that is also for GLC rehabilitation. Dr. Nungsari A. Radhi, Economist tells us if this is a step in the right direction. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salih Yilmaz, Oil Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence shares his perspective on how the fast recovery in demand and whether the supply shortage is attributed to the price surge in both oil and gas prices, as policy makers grapple between energy security and environmental sustainability? Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chin Chee Seong, Vice President, SME Association of Malaysia shares his perspective on how SMEs would react to the 12th Malaysia Plan and his hopes for Budget 2022 as SMEs struggle to survive. Image credit: YuriAbas / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.