Morning Brief

As part of its annual report released last week, Bank Negara Malaysia included a special commentary to explain the role of international reserves. Khoon Goh, Head of Asia Research at ANZ Bank believes Malaysia could be maintaining a higher level of reserves, and gives his outlook and assumptions for the Ringgit. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the breakup of Umno and Bersatu, other political entities like Gabungan Parti Sarawak have become increasingly important, if Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's Perikatan Nasional coalition hopes to stay in power. After a two-day working visit to Sarawak, the prime minister emphasised what Sarawak had to gain from working with the federal government, saying that it could emerge as one of the most developed states in Malaysia. We speak to Professor James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmaina, about just how long this cooperation will last. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Cooper, Managing Director of Michael Page Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam discusses the firm’s report on talent trends as a result of the pandemic. Longer-term Cooper expects short-term contractual work to rise, and flexible work-from-home arrangements to remain. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Competition Commission, better known as MyCC, is seeking amendments to the Competition Act 2010. But in the first place what is the ambit of this government agency and does it have any teeth? Mervyn Lai, Senior Associate at Tommy Thomas Advocates gives us a 101 on the law. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unsold homes remain at worrisome levels, a situation rife with implications for listed property developers. Loong Kok Wen, Regional Head of Property, RHB Research, discusses. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com Unsold homes remain at worrisome levels, a situation rife with implications for listed property developers. Loong Kok Wen, Regional Head of Property, RHB Research, discusses. Image credit: PJ Kah Loong Lee / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a flurry of mergers and acquisitions expected as companies rationalize to gain market share and reduce cost, will this create monopolies that are detrimental to consumers. Iskandar Ismail, CEO of MyCC tells us why a change in the law is needed to address these concerns. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Azam Wan Hashim from IDEAS deliberates on recent and overlapping efforts pursued by the Government to attract higher quality investment and drive innovation-led growth particularly through the tech sector. Image credit: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Capital has rotated out of Big Tech into cyclicals but with the innovation, depth and breadth of the tech ecosystem, the sector's time in the sun is far from over, says Jonathan Curtis, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager from Franklin Templeton. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian government has revealed that the RM15 billion cost of developing 5G infrastructure will be borne by the private sector, with an open tender expected to be held soon via the government’s special purpose vehicle, Digital Nasional Berhad. So who wins and loses from this arrangement, and what does this mean for consumers?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get Dr Oh Ei Sun to navigate through the romantic dynamics and complicated love triangle taking place between PAS, UMNO and BERSATU with the latest political twist and turns following the UMNO General Assembly that took place last weekend. Image credit: Amiirullah Mansor / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dissecting BNM's 132-page 2020 Annual Report. Fear not as Julia Goh from UOB helps us distil the essence of this data-rich report, discusses trends, key economic indicators as well as shed light into what's driving the revised economic growth forecast. Image credit: Shutterstsock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claude Achcar helps us understand how the tech giants are making huge investments in undersea cable expansion across South East Asia through Indonesia and Singapore and what this means for internet penetration across the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever since the start of the pandemic, live events and performances have taken a huge hit. This includes the comedy scene. So how have comedy clubs pivoted in order to weather the crisis? We take a look at the business of comedy with Rizal van Geyzel, co-founder of one of the country’s longest-running full-time comedy clubs. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Malaysia losing the Foreign Direct Investment race? Dr Geoffrey Williams, Professor at the Malaysia University of Science and Technology tells us what needs to be done from a policy perspective to win this race and stand out from the regional competitors. Image credit: Manzrussali / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the increasing prominence of the gig economy, Wong Chen, MP for Subang, shares his perspective on the increasing dominance of Grab as well as discussing how the Government should address the market power impacting consumers and the gig workers. Image Credit: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Cochrane from Moody’s Analytics gives us insights into how the Suez Canal blockage impacted global GDP, which sectors were affected, the need to diversify our supply chain to remove future vulnerabilities, and whether this could impact the price of goods. Image Credit: EPA-EFE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fall of Archegos Capital with the forced liquidation of more than $20 billion of their holdings had led to losses by some of the largest global investment banks. Pankaj C. Kumar, financial market columnist and former Chief Investment Officer shed lights on this breaking story whilst telling us if there any repercussions on the broader market. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UMNO may have chosen to forsake its partnership with Bersatu for GE15, potentially a high-risk strategy that may or not pay off while leaving room for lots of unpredictable permutations, says Dr. Hamidin Abdul Hamid, Research Fellow at the Ilham Center. Image credit:EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prof. Dr. Moy Foong Ming discusses the progress of the phase 1 vaccination programme, her expectations of the phase 2 vaccine roll out and in particular whether it should be expanded to all or economic front-liners. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prof. Dr. Moy Foong Ming discusses the progress of the phase 1 vaccination programme, her expectations of the phase 2 vaccine roll out and in particular whether it should be expanded to all or economic front-liners. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A party that is celebrating its 75th Anniversary, UMNO Is at crossroads with increased factionalism within the party. Dr Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute-Malaysia breaks down the recently concluded General Assembly and what the outcome means for the PN coalition. Image credit: Shahjehan / ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ooi Lean Hin, chairman of the Shipping Association of Malaysia provides us with a status update on the stuck Ever Given mega-vessel in the Suez canal, its impact on global trade and logistics as the Egyptian government is frantically trying to unlodge the ship. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rusli Affandi, Secretary-General, National Union of Hotel, Bar & Restaurant Workers joins us to discuss the recent Federal Court ruling that hoteliers cannot use the service charges they collect from customers in order to pay their workers’ minimum wages. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent study published by the Global Development Policy Center of Boston University expects ASEAN to be a net loser of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) that is meant to create the largest free trade bloc in the world. Jayant Menon, Visiting Senior Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, shares his views about the potential benefits to Malaysia, and the limitations of forecasts. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After several Covid-19 quarantined cruise ships made a spate of bad headlines last year, it is estimated that the cruise industry saw revenue fall 15% last year. Some cruise liners have attempted to stay above water by offering round trips with no ports of call, but is that truly a sustainable measure to keep the industry afloat? We speak to Annie Chang, Director of Cruise at the Singapore Tourism Board, for more insight. Image Credit: Igor Grochev / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twice in one month, the Singapore Food Agency has issued recalls of eggs imported from Malaysia, following the discovery of a type of Salmonella bacteria in the batches. Considering some of the producers of the eggs have since been declared free of Salmonella by the Department of Veterinary Services, this has caused concern over what looks to be differences between Malaysia's food safety standards and Singapore's. For insight, we speak to Dr Chai Lay Ching, Senior Lecturer at the University of Malaya's Institute of Biological Sciences. Image Credit: Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Public Health gives an insider view on efforts to boost vaccination registration to achieve the inoculation target of 70% of the population. Dr. Jemilah sits on the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF), and the Special Committee On Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV). Image Stock: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the implementation of UNDI18 pushed to September 2022, The Morning Run speaks to MUDA Co-Founder and President YB Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman for their next steps, reactions, and MUDA’s plan to run in GE15. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Manufacturers of cars, computers and phones are feeling the pinch from a global shortage of semiconductor parts. Nick Marro, Lead, Global Trade, The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) discusses the underlying issues and when the situation might normalise. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, at Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy discusses the pros and cons of imposing a deadline for people to register for the vaccine, and the bigger problem of vaccine hesitancy. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, there were calls to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate an alleged cartel within the police. Lawyer Dato' Malik Imtiaz Sarwar explains how an RCI works and how much power it really has.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan, Executive Director of the Malaysian Employers Federation discusses the challenges employers face in meeting the deadline to screen all foreign workers, and also vaccination plans. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese tech companies such as Tencent and Alibaba flourished under China’s “light-touch” regulatory regime to become the giants they are today. However the regulatory environment appears to be changing, following the crackdown on Alibaba beginning in November of last year, and other big tech players are bracing themselves for greater scrutiny over uncompetitive practices. We discuss the motivations and implications of China’s antitrust enforcement with legal expert Dr. Angela Zhang, author of the book, “Chinese Antitrust Exceptionalism: How the Rise of China Will Challenge Global Regulation”. Image Credit: Koshiro K / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reports of a second fatal accident at the SUKE Highway construction site over the weekend have raised questions over construction safety standards in the country. Investigations are still ongoing into the causes of the incident, but ultimately why doe these accidents keep happening? Who is accountable? We speak to Mohamad Aliasman Morshidi, Vice President, Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health to find out. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fired the central bank governor again, the fourth in the last two years. Daniel Moss, Columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, unpacks what is going on in the country, and what to expect under the newly appointed governor, Sahap Kavcioglu, who favours a dovish stance in interest rates. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During his two-day visit to Sabah, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin outlined several measures to help the state close its socio-economic gap. But will these measures, and a new development plan announced by the state government, truly address the needs of Sabahans and bolster its ailing economy? We speak to Dr. Firdausi Suffian, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at UiTM Sabah, to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Korea and Malaysia have severed diplomatic ties following Malaysia’s extradition of a North Korean national to the US for money-laundering charges. Dr Hoo Chiew-Ping, Senior Lecturer, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia discusses the broader implications and the likelihood and need for both countries to resume diplomacy. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Korea and Malaysia have severed diplomatic ties following Malaysia’s extradition of a North Korean national to the US for money-laundering charges. Dr Hoo Chiew-Ping, Senior Lecturer, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia discusses the broader implications and the likelihood and need for both countries to resume diplomacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, discusses the possibility of DAP working with UMNO and its implications. Image Credits: Shahjehan / Shutterstock.com; Norel H / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In conjunction with World Water Day, we turn our attention to the disputed Mekong River Basin, where population growth, low rainfall, and relentless dam-building has placed a stranglehold on the resource-rich Mekong River, which runs from China all the way down through Thailand. Lives and livelihoods depend on the preservation of the Mekong - yet will political interests win out? We speak to Mark Zeitoun, Professor of Water Security at the University of East Anglia, for more insight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With news that a Social Work Profession Bill is in the final stages of drafting, we speak to Dr Suhaimi Mohamad, President of the Malaysian Association of Social Workers, about the purpose of the bill, and how it hopes to change the landscape of social work here in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pemerkasa is Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's second stimulus package of 2021 and his eighth since the Covid-19 crisis began. But the eternal question remains: is it enough to save the SMEs? Datuk Michael Kang, President of the SME Association of Malaysia, discusses. Image Credit: khoe / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made Japan his first overseas destination, while Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is set to visit the White House in April. We discuss what these visits signal for US-Japan ties moving forward with foreign policy expert Jonathan Berkshire Miller. We also get an update on the state of play of the Japanese vaccine roll-out, and as well as the outlook for the Tokyo Olympics in July. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Zhai Gen, Research Manager at the Asia School of Business, provides his perspective on whether the proposed initiatives under the Pemerkasa stimulus was meant to help the employer or the gig worker. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Bank has highlighted the need for Malaysia to diversify government sources of revenue, including broadening the tax base, in order to achieve its goal of becoming a high-income nation. What are the options available and what’s the appetite for tax reform? We discuss proposals for reform with tax expert Dr Veerinderjeet Singh. Image Credit: zesphiete / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to lawyer Andrew Khoo who gives his thoughts and concerns on the amount, discounts offered and applications of the RM10k fines imposed by the government for flouting pandemic-related regulations. Image Credit: MIFAS / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Juita Mohamad from ISIS Malaysia helps us unpack the recent RM20 billion PEMERKASA stimulus package announced by the Prime Minister and shares her concerns and challenges of execution, funding and designing effective initiatives. Image Credit: S.O / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several European countries like Germany and Italy have temporarily suspended the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccines over concerns that dozens of recipients of the shot have developed blood clots. So how concerning is this in the big picture? And how might it impact the public's trust in COVID-19 vaccines? For some insight, we speak with Benjamin Cowling, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the University of Hong Kong. Image Credit: rafapress / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the World Bank, Malaysia could transition into a high-income economy in the next five years. However, for this to become a reality, the country will have to undertake further reforms. For some insight into what this might entail, we speak with Richard Record, the World Bank's lead economist for Malaysia. Image Credit: OutdoorWorks / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With travel bans still tightly in place globally, the aviation industry continues the struggle to survive. McKinsey Partner Steve Saxon gives us an update on how airports have been surviving this past year, and how they will need to adapt moving forward. Image Credit: Milosz Maslanka / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.