Morning Brief

Ho Siew Kei, Cyber Risk Executive Director of Deloitte Malaysia, answers our questions about cybersecurity, and whether current measures are really up to the mark when it comes to avoiding future data breaches.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following his election as US President, Joe Biden and his envoys are meeting Japan, India and Australia as members of an anti-China alliance known as the “Quad”, before engaging with top Chinese diplomats in Alaska at the highest-level face-to-face talks between the two sides since Biden took office. Dr Adrian Ang, Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, discusses what's at stake. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Lau Cher Han, Chief Data Scientist at LEAD, briefs us on the features and efficacy of Malaysia's contact tracing app and the opportunities that could be tapped further. Image Credit: Ekahardiwito / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Hai Hsin, Managing Director of Retail Group Malaysia, dissects January retail sales data and offers a deeper dive into what many expect will be a recovery year for this much-beleaguered sector. Image Credit: Tooykrub / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite being ostensibly narrower than other fake news legislation, there's much to be concerned about with this latest ordinance, including its ambiguous interpretation and dearth of detail, according to Zaid Malek, Coordinator for Lawyers For Liberty. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are described as "one-of-a-kind" assets in the digital world that can be bought and sold like any other piece of property but have no tangible form of their own. Just as Bitcoin has been hailed as the digital answer to currency, this new star in the cryptocurrency world is seen as the future of collectibles. For a view on whether this is the next big thing or a bubble waiting to burst, we speak with Varun Mittal, Global Emerging Markets FinTech Leader at EY. Image Credit: archy13 / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Xavier Jayakumar's defection to 'govt-friendly independent', Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, observes that Anwar Ibrahim's PKR is looking increasingly fractured, boding poorly for the national political landscape. Image Credit: Ismiza binti Ishak / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, President of the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia, discusses how private hospitals could get involved in the nationwide vaccination programme while addressing inequity concerns that the rich will be prioritised over the poor and vulnerable. Image Credit: siam.pukkato / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Myanmar's death toll continues to rise as the military cracks down hard on protests across the country. More than 60 protesters have reportedly been killed and 2,000 detained since the February 1st coup, which saw the military seize power from the fledgeling democratic government. With unrest showing no signs of abating, is it still possible for there to be a peaceful resolution in Myanmar? We speak to Hunter Marston, Researcher at the Australian National University, to find out. Image Credit: Robert Bociaga Olk Bon / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It appears that work from home with flexi-options is here to stay post-pandemic. Sharmini Ann Jacob, Executive Director at People and Change in KPMG Malaysia, discusses the permanent shift, and suggests ways to measure and track productivity as well as navigate challenges. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the US, Congress has just passed a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill to aid those affected by the pandemic. But markets are concerned that massive fiscal spending will trigger inflation, sending 10-year Treasury yields above 1.6%. So to understand the effect the stimulus bill will have on the US economy and bond markets, we speak to Padhraic Garvey, Regional Head of Research for the Americas at ING Financial Markets. Image Credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has just concluded a 4-day visit to Saudi Arabia, from which we have reports that Saudi will be adding 10,000 places to Malaysia's haj quota. But more than that, does this signal a return to a more cordial Malaysia-Saudi relationship? What might Saudi Arabia have to gain from that? We speak to Anis Huszainey, Researcher at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, to find out. Image Credit: elic / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Siti Aiysyah Tumin, Research Associate at Khazanah Research Institute, discusses the structural reasons behind why young people are not saving enough and running up high credit card debts, whether the minimum wage should be raised, and the government’s mixed messages - encouraging people to save but at the same time loosening the criteria for EPF withdrawals. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chern Yeh Kwok, Deputy Head of Asia Pacific Equities at Aberdeen Standard Investments, discusses his outlook for the Japanese economy and sector picks, as well as the impact of the Tokyo Olympics. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Former Minister of Health and Chair of Selangor Task Force on Covid-19, discusses the pace of the Covid-19 vaccination and the reasons why Selangor is the slowest state in vaccinating its residents. Image Credit: Hezril Ismail / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pakatan Harapan has started its seat negotiation process, gearing up to face the next general election. But with the country's political landscape in flux, and UMNO now split from Bersatu, will the Opposition coalition stand a chance at the polls? Should they work together with UMNO to take on Bersatu? We speak to political scientist Wong Chin Huat to find out. Image Credit: YuriAbas / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why have Asian countries been slower to roll-out vaccines compared to counterparts in the West or the Middle East? We find out from Steve Cochrane, Chief APAC Economist at Moody’s Analytics, who also discusses the implications of a fragmented global rollout. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A coalition of NGOs has started a ‘Kakak Juga Perkerja’ campaign, fighting for domestic helpers to be recognised as formal workers and urging the government to amend the Employment Act 1955 which exempts them from certain basic labour rights available to domestic workers. For more insight, The Morning Run speaks with Irene Xavier, Executive Director of Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor, one of the groups behind this campaign. Image Credit: VioletNur / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tricia Yeoh, CEO of the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), discusses the importance of the to-be-launched 12th Malaysia Plan, what its priorities could be, and her reservations about any social re-engineering efforts and instead calls for an industry-needs approach. Image Credit: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Umno has declared its political breakup with Bersatu. Bersatu has acknowledged, saying that it will move on. What's next for these two parties and where does this put PAS? The Morning Run dives into this with political analyst Dr Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute-Malaysia. Image Credit: Hafiz Johari / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Umno has declared its political breakup with Bersatu. Bersatu has acknowledged, saying that it will move on. What's next for these two parties and where does this put PAS? The Morning Run dives into this with political analyst Dr Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute-Malaysia. Image Credit: Hafiz Johari / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Development economist Dr Haniza Khalid unpacks the reasons for food price increases, whether this trend will continue, and what needs to be done to protect food security in Malaysia. Image Credit: YuriAbas / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Sri Teo Chiang Kok from the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association shares how the pandemic has impacted shopping malls and whether there is a future despite digital retail and more malls coming online in the foreseeable future. Image Credit: Ankor Light / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Negara Malaysia declined to lower Overnight Policy Rates in its latest confab, raising intriguing questions on the health of the local economy as the vaccination program kicks on. Julia Goh, UOB Malaysia's Senior Economist, discusses. Image Credit: zmpixes / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK’s Budget 2021, which was unveiled on Wednesday, has been labelled a ‘spend now, pay later’ budget. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is extending many economic measures including the furlough scheme but is also raising corporation tax in 2023 from 19% to 23%. Kenneth Wattret, Chief Europe Economist at IHS Markit, gives us his views on whether the Budget will help recover the economy, the worst in 300 years. Image Credit: Ilyas Tayfun Salci / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Department of Environment (DOE) announced that it will implement a pilot project for sustainable vehicle disposals called the Authorised Automotive Treatment Facility. However, Malaysia has had many false starts with the end-of-life vehicle policy, so will it really take off this time? Hezeri Samsuri, Managing Editor of careta.my, gives us his view. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After settling with AmBank for RM2.83 billion, the Malaysian government has now agreed to a settlement of about RM320 million with Deloitte in relation to the 1MDB scandal. P. Gunasegaram, Editorial Consultant at The Vibes and author of , tells us whether the settlement sums are fair and if we can expect more to come.1MDB: The Scandal That Brought Down A Government Image Credit: KeongDaGreat / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Antonio Fatas from INSEAD gives us an excellent primer on digital currencies, in particular CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currencies), progress made by governments and its impact on the existing financial services industry. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YB Dr Ong Kian Ming vexes on the lack of clarity, data and logic from the government in their economic reopening approach and tells us whether he thinks politicians should be among the first to be vaccinated.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarawak is confident in getting 2.2 million of its population vaccinated by August this year but isn’t sure when it can hold its state elections. The state assembly’s term expires on June 6th and a state election will need to be held within 60 days of dissolution. But with an emergency order in place that prevents elections from happening, what option does Sarawak have? For some insight, we speak with Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Secretary-General. Image Credit: Ismunazif Fendy / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Fazeli from Bloomberg Intelligence discusses the commercial aspects of vaccine pricing and the various considerations to ensure equitable distribution globally. Image Credit: ALDECA studio / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nell Omar from The Centre paints a comprehensive picture and offers practical solutions as to how we can support gig workers immediately and in the long-term. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laurence Todd from IDEAS discusses the merits and demerits of the tiered dividend being proposed for the EPF as well as brings up the broader conversation on the scale and role EPF has to play in providing social protection. Image Credit: syam fireshark / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hang Seng will be making major changes to ensure the index better reflects the range of firms listed in Hong Kong. The index will raise the number of constituents from 52 currently to 80 by mid-2022 with an eventual target of 100 companies. A stock’s weighting will also now be limited to 8% from 10%. Wong Chi Man, Head of Research at China Galaxy International, tells us the rationale for these changes and which companies stand to win or lose. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr James Chin, political commentator and Professor at the University of Tasmania, shares his perspectives on recent political developments in Sarawak and the different political movements taking place. Image Credit: Magic Orb Studio / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we celebrate the centenary of China's Communist Party (CCP), Gary Ng from Natixis gives us some colour on China's ambitious infrastructure plans to double its economy by 2035. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yap Lip Seng from the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) shares his concerns and solutions to get the hotel industry back to recovery mode following the news of the 70% vaccination threshold required before inter-state / inter-district travel resumes. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) declared a 5.2% dividend for conventional savings and a 4.9% dividend for shariah savings for 2020. Pankaj C Kumar, a financial market columnist and former Chief Investment Officer, gives us his views on whether the dividends met his expectations and the challenges in replicating these returns in 2021. Image Credit: Ismail Sadiron Pictures / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The onus now seems to be on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to call for a Parliament sitting, following remarks from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. How likely is it that we'll see a sitting and beyond that, what options does the PM have to ease the pressure on him? Dr Hamidin Hamid, Research Fellow at the Ilham Centre, shares his thoughts on this, as well as where PAS' allegiance lies, expectation from the UMNO AGM at the end of March, and Pakatan Harapan's strategy. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One month since the military coup in Myanmar, it has become apparent that the economic costs are mounting. The government, now controlled by the military junta, are facing the possibility of further sanctions from Western countries, which would place a dampener on an economy already hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. We speak to Linda Liu, Economist at Maybank Kim Eng, about how the Myanmar economy is expected to hold up amidst these headwinds. Image Credit: Robert Bociaga Olk Bon / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Firdaos Rosli, Head of Economic Research at the Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC), discusses his report that investments in 2021 are unlikely to return to pre-Covid level and also his economic outlook for Malaysia. Image Credit: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Helmy Haja Mydin, Internal Medicine Specialist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, discusses measures to persuade “vaccine-hesitants” and anti-vaxxers to be vaccinated in order for Malaysia to reach herd immunity. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent spate of cold weather, which crippled Texas’ energy and water infrastructure, has put a spotlight on ageing US infrastructure systems. DJ Gribbin, Senior Operating Partner at private equity firm Stonepeak helps us understand why the US underinvests in public infrastructure, the complexities of federal and state spending, and whether President Joe Biden will make headway in pushing his infrastructure bill. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Sri M Ramachelvam, Co-Chairperson of the Bar Council Migrants, Refugees and Immigration Affairs Committee, discusses if it was a contempt of court when the Immigration Department deported 1,000 Burmese undocumented migrants despite a stay order from the court. Image Credit: Mamunur Rashid / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With overseas travel on the back burner for now, many 2020 holidaymakers are still waiting to hear back from airline companies on their flight ticket refunds. MAVCOM is pushing this point by saying airlines ought to make full refunds of flight tickets cancelled due to current restrictions, but can airlines afford it? The Morning Run speaks to Khair Mirza, Director of Airport Investor Resource at Modalis Infrastructure Partners, to find out. Image Credit: gracethang2 / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell indicated that inflation is soft and there are no immediate plans to start tapering on bond repurchases. Joe Kalish, Chief Global Macro Strategist at Ned Davis Research, discusses the implications of Powell’s statement including Ned Davis’ asset allocation strategies, and the likelihood of a taper tantrum again. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has announced that the provision of 5G infrastructure in the country will be led by a government-owned special purpose vehicle (SPV). To find out whether this is a viable plan for the country's 5G ambitions and what it means for all of us moving forward, we speak with Alexander Wong, Managing Editor and co-founder of the tech news portal SoyaCincau. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The move to reopen schools from March 1st has been met with backlash from parents, who raise virus concerns as well as frustration over money spent on digital devices to enable homeschooling. Opposition lawmakers have also called on the government to have teachers and school staff vaccinated as soon as possible. For some insight into the dilemma parents are facing, we speak to Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, Chairperson of the Parents Action Group for Education (PAGE). Image Credit: Sharif Putra / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Daniel, Fellow for Foreign Policy and Security Studies at the Institute Of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, discusses concerns about Malaysia’s plans to deport some 1,200 Myanmar citizens, and in the long-term, practical strategies to take in and resettle refugees. Image Credit: YuriAbas / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hottest name in social media at the moment is none other than Clubhouse, an audio-based platform where users are able to hold or listen in on live conversations with others — whether that’s your best friend or Elon Musk. The app has seen such an explosion of growth in recent months, with Clubhouse’s proponents calling it the future of social media, while sceptics say it’s a fad that won’t survive once the pandemic recedes. So who’s right? The Morning Run speaks to Jeremiah Owyang, tech industry analyst with Kaleido Insights, to find out. Image Credit: rafapress / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.