Morning Brief

Last week, the outgoing Perikatan Nasional government announced the launching of ‘Perkukuh’, a three-year programme that targets to reform and future-proof six GLICs (PNB, Khazanah, EPF, LTAT, LTH and KWAP). We ask economist, Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi on the urgency and purpose of this programme, and what will happen now with the collapsed PN government. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We turn to James Dorsey to get his perspective on the recent United States withdrawal from Afghanistan resulting in the Taliban seizing Kabul paving the way for them to take control of the country after 20 years in exile. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Felicia Ling, Economist from Hong Leong Investment Bank shares her perspective as Malaysia's GDP for the second quarter came in at 16.1% year-on-year although BNM has revised their 2021 growth estimates of between 3 to 4 percent, compared to its previous forecast of between 6 to 7.5%. Image Credit: Ismail Sadiron Pictures / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia labors through yet another political quagmire with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's Perikatan Nasional govt on the ropes, Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, discusses the political permutations and ramifications for Malaysia's long-suffering population. Image credit: Abdul Razak Latif / ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With many media reports saying that Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is resigning, the question of who will be the 9th Prime Minister arises. Ong Kian Ming, MP for Bangi tells us what is DAP's position on the matter, and can they form the next government with their allies? Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With China's release of a five-year blueprint calling for greater regulation of vast parts of the economy, we speak to Gary Ng, Asia-Pacific Economist from Natixis to get their perspective follows the recent clampdown on industries ranging from internet platforms and bitcoin to ride-hailing giant DiDi Global and tutoring. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced this week that the Malaysia My Second Home programme will resume in October, more than a year after it was suspended due to the pandemic. However there will be updated conditions that apply for all applicants, including higher financial thresholds. Will the new rules serve to attract the desired foreign demographic to make Malaysia their second home, or will it push prospective residents to other neighboring countries? We discuss this with Anthony Liew, president of the industry association. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If lockdowns continue on to Q3 and Q4, what is the likelihood of Malaysia falling into a technical recession? And as Malaysia recovers from the pandemic, what does it need to prioritise to tackle structural challenges like deindustrialisation? Ridzuan Mohamed, Senior Vice President of Research at Khazanah Nasional discusses. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few days ago, some hackers stole US$613 million worth of digital coins from Poly Network, and only returned US$260 million worth of tokens after less than 24 hours. So we ask Varun Mittal, Global Emerging Markets FinTech Leader of EY what are the impacts of this incident and will we be seeing more regulatory oversight on cryptocurrencies. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unsurprisingly, Malaysia's unemployment rate grew to 4.8% in June, reversing a downward trend in the first half of the year, due to the latest round of pandemic restrictions. Similarly, graduate unemployment is also increasing, resulting in graduates opting for jobs that are below their qualifications. What broader impact will this have on the Malaysian economy, and what policy measures are needed to mitigate the fallout? We discuss these issues with economist Dr. Melati Nungsari. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Xue Gong, Assistant Professor of the China Programme of S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies discusses China’s engagement with Southeast Asian countries through the BRI (Belt & Road Initiative) as Western countries consider funding a BRI equivalent. Image Credit: Gil Corzo - Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sobering report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that human activity is unequivocally changing the climate in unprecedented and irreversible ways. But is this adequate to influence the goals of COP26 in November? And how well is Malaysia doing in tackling climate change? Alizan Mahadi, Senior Director of Research, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) discusses. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sobering report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that human activity is unequivocally changing the climate in unprecedented and irreversible ways. But is this adequate to influence the goals of COP26 in November? And how well is Malaysia doing in tackling climate change? Alizan Mahadi, Senior Director of Research, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) discusses. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The current UMNO internal wrangling is reminiscent of the schism in the 1980s, which saw a splinter party form under the banner of Semangat 46. However, analysts say the present infighting is worse than previous occasions, with the party split between those who think UMNO should go at it alone and those who want to remain in government under Perikatan Nasional. How will these dynamics play out in the lead-up to the Parliamentary sitting in September and the long-awaited confidence vote in the Prime Minister? We discuss this with Adib Zalkapli of BowerGroupAsia. Image Credit: Aisyaqilumaranas / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Statistics confirmed that 2020 was the worst year on record for the airline industry, we speak to the regional director at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on the outlook of this industry. The Morning Run also asked him about IATA’s digital app pass and the challenges in implementing this. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk William Ng, Chairman, Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA) discusses the situation on the ground for small and medium-sized businesses, and how best to re-open the economy in light of high Covid cases. Image credit: YuriAbas / ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Muar MP Syed Saddiq speaks to The Morning Run about parti MUDA's stance on the September confidence vote and Tan Sri Muhyiddin's support in parliament, the need for political compromises, claims and concerns of party hopping, MUDA's political allies and partners, and thoughts on his charges. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 August marks 54 years since the establishment of ASEAN. While the bloc has been a useful forum for cooperation and engagement among the 10 member states, there have been questions about the effectiveness of ASEAN in light of the pandemic experience. We reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of ASEAN with analyst Muhd Sinatra. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced some relaxation of restrictions for fully vaccinated people. For example, allowing long-distance couples to meet and for parents to cross districts and states to visit children under 18 years old. Dr. Khoo Yoong Khean, Managing Editor, Malaysian Medical Gazette discusses how we could continue to re-open while balancing public health needs and resources. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK has faced one challenge after another, from Brexit to escalating Covid-19 cases last year, and now the Delta variant. Thomas Moore, Senior Investment Director at Aberdeen Standard Investments discusses his outlook and stock picks. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin maintains that he has majority support in Parliament, and will be tabling a vote of confidence in his premiership when the Dewan Rakyat reconvenes in September. Pakatan Harapan stresses that the issue of legitimacy should be dealt with immediately. We speak to Subang MP Wong Chen on PH’s position on the political impasse. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As investor interest in the environment, social and governance (ESG) priorities increase, there’s debate about whether linking executive pay to sustainability goals would encourage better outcomes. PwC recently conducted a study on this issue, and we discuss the findings with Indra Dhanu Dipak, Director of People & Organisation at PwC Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pankaj C. Kumar, financial market columnist, fields questions on whether Malaysia's beleaguered stock market is a 'buy', in the midst of a political crisis and record-high daily Covid cases. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China has seen a sudden surge in Covid cases with the government taking a hard stance by stepping up restrictions, cutting flights and increasing testing. Professor Ben Cowling, Epidemiologist from Hong Kong University tells us if this approach will work, whilst discussing the vaccination rollout program in the country. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Malaysia a key trading hub and a critical manufacturing hub that is tightly bound by global industry value chains, government-imposed lockdowns have significant global consequences on the semiconductor industry, impacting the car industry and chipmakers. We speak to Dato Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association on the impact of current lockdowns to the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although recent GDP results for Eurozone economies have been mixed, the overall outlook remains positive compared to other parts of the world coping with a surge in the Delta variant of Covid-19. Economist Daniela Ordonez walks us through the factors keeping Eurozone economies afloat, as well as the potential downside risks on the horizon. Image Credit: MikeDotta / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Dr Bridget Welsh about the 4Ds, Deflection, Defiance, Denial and Disrespect, adopted by our political masters following Prime Minister Muhyiddin's assertion that he still retains a majority as he pushes the confidence vote to September. Image credit: Adam Yusof/Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sensing weakness in the Perikatan government, UMNO is split down the middle: stay in a shaky coalition or forge a new and possibly more lucrative one?  Dr Hamidin Abdul Hamid, Research Fellow from the Ilham Centre discusses with us. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sensing weakness in the Perikatan government, UMNO is split down the middle: stay in a shaky coalition or forge a new and possibly more lucrative one?  Dr Hamidin Abdul Hamid, Research Fellow from the Ilham Centre discusses with us. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Previndran Singhe CEO of Zerin Properties on the current situation of commercial properties, how landlords and developers are evolving as trends such as WFH are likely to stick. We further deep dive into the dire situation of the hotel sector as we see more properties on sale. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short of beds and medical personnel, deaths and Covid casualties at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang is mounting, even as the political crisis rolls on. Klang MP Charles Santiago explains.  Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The start of August marked 6 months since the military coup in Myanmar, which saw the ouster of National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the return of a junta governing body. The junta chief, General Min Aung Hlaing has extended the timeline for elections to August 2023, and also named himself as caretaker Prime Minister. Meanwhile, ASEAN is no closer to appointing a special envoy to mediate the crisis. We discuss the implications of these developments with research fellow Aaron Connelly. Image Credit: R. Bociaga / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last Friday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong announced that the state of emergency will be extended in Sarawak until February 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This means that the state elections will not be held until the Emergency is lifted. We discuss the political implications of the election delay, as well as how Sarawak politics figure in the tussle for power at the federal level. Dr. James Chin also cautions about the consequences of political intervention from the monarchy. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Iskandar Ismail from MYCC (Malaysia Competition Commission) on the P-hailing industry following the recent announcement that the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry is giving Foodpanda and Grab 14-days to present suggestions to improve their services. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we're seeing a flurry of visits from the Biden administration to Asia, we ask Michael Kugelman, Deputy Director of the Wilson Centre what do these trips signify. The Morning Run also asks him Biden's current strategy against China and whether Southeast Asian nations can maintain a balance in relations between the US and China. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Bridget Welsh about the political implications from recent Parliamentary proceedings and the rebuke by the Yang Di Pertuan Agong. With the situation in flux, we ask her who will likely emerge victoriously and be the kingmaker to decide whether Perikatan Nasional can hang on to power? Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawmakers were informed on Saturday afternoon that the special parliamentary sitting that was supposed to resume today, will be postponed for two weeks from July 29th. To help, break down the constitutional aspect of this parliamentary postponement is constitutional lawyer, New Sin Yew. Image Credit: Jaggat Rashidi | Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has introduced a total of eight stimulus packages worth RM530 billion to combat the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, including fiscal injections of around RM83 billion. How effective has this aid actually been for businesses and households? We pose this question to Sri Murniati of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) and discuss her expectations for Budget 2022 and the 12th Malaysia Plan. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Beijing continues its clampdown across multiple economic sectors, we speak to Tom Westbrook from Reuters on the longer-term implications of how tech companies plan to access global capital markets and China's forecasted 2H GDP numbers. Image credit: Poring studio / ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday's parliamentary sitting was marked by shocking announcements from the Palace, as well as sudden postponements and claims of Covid-19 cases amongst parliament staff. As we try to make sense of the constitutional crisis the country is now facing, we speak to YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, PKR’s Organising Secretary, and Setiawangsa MP for an on-the-ground view of yesterday's proceedings in the Dewan Rakyat. Image credit: Calvin Chan / ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As companies and governments around the world begin mandating employees and contractors to be vaccinated, the Malaysian government has not yet made the vaccination mandatory, although there are discussions to do so. So questions remain whether employers can make vaccinations mandatory and what happens if employees refuse to be vaccinated? We ask Vijayan Venugopal, Employment & Administrative Lawyer at Shearn Delamore & Co to help us clear the air on this issue. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indonesia has the highest number of Covid-19 cases in Asia, already charting 3.3 million cases and close to 89,000 deaths. The government has been under fire for not acting fast enough. Media Wahyudi Askar, Researcher at Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) analyses. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has said he is deeply disappointed with how the government acted. What are the political ramifications of this? The Morning Run speaks to Dr. Hamidin Abd Hamid, Research Fellow with the Ilham Centre, about this, as well as the biggest winners and losers, the growing UMNO tussle between Dato Seri Ismail Sabri and Dato Seri Zahid Hamidi, and where Dato Seri Anwar stands. Recap: Yang di-Pertuan Agong is disappointed that the Cabinet had decided to revoke the Emergency Ordinances promulgated during the state of emergency without receiving his consent, but the Prime Minister's Office says that "all actions taken were orderly and in line with the requirements of the law and the Federal Constitution". Image credit: NAUFAL ZAQUAN | Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last November, an exemption allowing foreign vessels to conduct undersea cable repairs was revoked by the Transport Ministry - a move that has stalled efforts to make Malaysia attractive to investors as a digital hub. Despite assurances that the issue would be resolved by the end of April, to date, no resolution is to be found. We speak to Dr. Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff, Chairman, MDEC about the status of negotiations, and also ask him what the implications could be if this situation continues any longer. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vaccine Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin said that we still have a long way to go to immunise 80% of Malaysians. Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of the Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy discusses the ongoing challenges especially in reaching out to niche groups like inmates and Orang Aslis, and other ways to measure the severity of the pandemic and make better decisions. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The year 2021 might be a record year for global IPOs (initial public offerings), according to a recent report by EY. But how will Beijing’s regulatory changes affect the pipeline of Chinese companies listing in the US and Hong Kong? And will investor interest in SPACs (Special Purpose Acquisition Companies) hold? What are hot IPOs to look out for in Southeast Asia? Max Loh, ASEAN IPO Leader at EY discusses his outlook including what is driving demand and supply. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day two of Parliament saw agenda items public health and the response to Covid-19 overshadowed somewhat by the revocation of emergency ordinances revealed on Monday. However, questions still remain over the government's strategy to fight the virus. We speak to Dr. Kelvin Yii, Bandar Kuching MP for more insight. Image Credit: Abdul Aziz B Mohamed | Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From coffee to soybeans, and wheat to sugar, soft commodities around the world have seen sharp increases and that’s reflected in food prices at the market and grocery stores. The Morning Run speaks to commodities consultant Judith Ganes for reasons behind the rising prices and their implications. Image Credit: Bakhtiar Zein | Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Ministry is placing Lembaga Tabung Haji, the pilgrim’s fund under the purview of Bank Negara Malaysia, saying it’s on an interim solution. Some political representatives are questioning this move. Dr. Nungsari Ahmad Radhi, Economist discusses the merits and how best to oversee LTH going forward. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain's call to rewrite the Northern Ireland protocol has once again brought post-Brexit talks with the EU to a standstill. The EU, meanwhile, says that Britain needs to respect its international obligations- particularly one which was such a key tenet of the original divorce from the EU. So where will post-Brexit negotiations go from here? We speak to Michael Gasiorek, Professor of Economics from Sussex University to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.