Morning Brief

Prices for soft and hard commodities having been rising put pressure on margins and raising the question as to whether inflation is here. Alejandra Grindal, Chief International Economist at Ned Davis Research gives us her view as to whether the supercycle is here to stay. Image Credit: Bakhtiar Zein | Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As covid cases in Malaysia surpass 500,000, the race to vaccinate accelerates. Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, at Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy gives us the details of the progress the country is making and the interplay between the private sector, states and the federal government. Image Credit: Safuan Salahudin | Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As covid cases in Malaysia surpass 500,000, the race to vaccinate accelerates. Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, at Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy gives us the details of the progress the country is making and the interplay between the private sector, states and the federal government. Image Credit: Safuan Salahudin | Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Varun Mittal gives some context behind the roller-coaster price movements of Bitcoin amid regulatory pressures but also helps explain how its long-term future is contingent on its ability to evolve and adapt. Image credit: Wit Olszewski / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Varun Mittal gives some context behind the roller-coaster price movements of Bitcoin amid regulatory pressures but also helps explain how its long-term future is contingent on its ability to evolve and adapt. Image credit: Wit Olszewski / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putrajaya announced new and tighter restrictions in a redoubled efforts to cut the spread of Covid-19 with reduced working hours and a shift for more to work from home. Calvin Cheng, Analyst in the Economics Programme, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia tells us what this impact will have on the economy and also what needs to be done for the most economic vulnerable in the country. Image credit: Melvin Lai / ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With an exponential increase in Covid-19 cases we ask Paul Huang, from the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation to explain how did the current situation reverse so significantly, its vaccination programme and how the restrictions have impacted the economy. Image Credit: Jack Hong / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will chair a meeting later today to discuss a full-scale nationwide MCO. We speak to Dr Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of Center for Market Education, for his views on lockdowns, how to tackle and manage the pandemic, and the economic implications. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will chair a meeting later today to discuss a full-scale nationwide MCO. We speak to Dr Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of Center for Market Education, for his views on lockdowns, how to tackle and manage the pandemic, and the economic implications. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roman Schorr, Director of Corporates - APAC, at Fitch Ratings discusses the impact of a shortage on semiconductor components on automakers, and whether this situation could be prolonged due to an uptick of Covid-19 cases in Taiwan and South Korea, and why the US and Europe would be most affected.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lai Pei Si, Country Head of Consumer, Private and Business Banking, at Standard Chartered Malaysia, discusses how banks are adapting digitally and how traditional banks like StanChart are competing with fintechs and pure digital banks. This report is in collaboration with Standard Chartered Malaysia. Image Credit: Black Jack | Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In just two months, Thailand recorded a 100x more cases per day to about 2,000 on 18 May from 20 on 1st April. Charnon Boonnuch, South East Asia Economist at Nomura discusses the impact of this new wave on the country's economic outlook. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In its report "Enhancing Government Effectiveness and Transparency: The Fight Against Corruption”, the World Bank Group highlights Malaysia’s success in dealing with corruption as well as its failings. Rajni Bajpai, Lead Public Sector Specialist, at World Bank Group compares anti-corruption efforts across the world and much-needed reforms in Malaysia. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Kelvin Yii, Member of Parliament for Kuching discusses Sarawak’s motivation and request to procure its own vaccines to help accelerate the immunisation program, and the resources the state has to do its own rollout. We also discuss if the vaccination purchase is being politicised. Image Credit: Hazreen Mohd / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Selangor government has announced that employers will be able to buy the Covid-19 vaccine for their workers through the Selangkah app. We speak to Dr Abed Onn, an Occupational Health Physician representing the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Malaysia (AOEMM) for insight into how Covid-19 is changing the face of workplace safety. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schools have been subjected to intermittent closures for more than a year, with students suffering from the constant interruptions. What would a consistent and effective system for online learning during the closures look like? We speak to Chan Soon Seng, CEO of Teach For Malaysia to find out. Image Credit: NAUFAL ZAQUAN | Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does rising global debt mean for global recovery? Should we be concerned? The Morning Run speaks to Steve Cochrane, the Chief APAC Economist at Moody's Analytics, to break down the debt situation, what we should be watching, and at what point do we need to sound the alarm for global debt. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mass testing in Selangor state is underway, to identify potential asymptomatic carriers of the Covid-19 virus. This is as the state has consistently recorded the highest number of new daily cases in the country. We check in with Dr Farhan Rusli, Public Health Medicine Specialist and Director of Selangor Task Force (COVID-19) Operations to understand the reason for the mass screenings, and to get to the bottom of reports of heavily congested assessment centres in the state. Image credit: Hafiz Othman / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel carried out dozens of airstrikes on the Gaza strip yesterday after Palestinian forces fired rockets into southern Israel. The UN has called the escalating conflict a burgeoning humanitarian crisis, but it's one that has been brewing for decades. To help us understand the history and the potential avenues of resolution to this conflict, we reach out to Dr. Liyana Kayali, Lecturer for the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies at Australian National University. Image credit: hosny f. salah / ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Department of Statistics Malaysia, or DOSM, revealed that Malaysia will be an ageing nation by 2030, with people aged 60 years and over surpassing 15% of the population. The Morning Run speaks to Hawati Abdul Hamid, Senior Research Associate with the Khazanah Research Institute, about the possible implications of these demographics, economic policy, and the job market. Image Credit: AhXiong | shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UNICEF, United Nations Population Fund, and DM Analytics recently produced the final installment of their report "Families on the Edge". Based on this, Stephen Barrett, UNICEF's Chief of Social Policy discusses much-needed policy responses and reveals that B40 families still need cash assistance and that 4 in 10 surveyed are vaccine-hesitant. Image credit: Try_my_best / Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarawak's State Assembly is set to dissolve in less than a month, with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg seeking an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to discuss the subject. In tandem with that, there has been growing upset over the government's implementation of MCO3.0, culminating in #KerajaanGagal trending on Twitter over the Raya weekend. We speak to Professor James Chin, Professor of the Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania for a look at both Sarawak and the security of the Perikatan Nasional government. Image Credit: Balang Jepo | shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the US is relaxing its measures for vaccinated persons, countries like India and Brazil are still in the midst of a shocking surge in Covid-19 infections. In addition, concerns have risen over a "black fungus" affecting recovered Covid-19 patients in India. We speak to Benjamin Cowling, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology from the University of Hong Kong about this new complication, and whether India's variant is truly a cause for concern. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we head into MCO 3.0, we speak to Tricia Yeoh, CEO of independent think tank, The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) on the implications of this lockdown and whether there are any fiscal headroom left. Image credit: MUHAMMAD IZZAT TERMIZIE / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UOB Economist Julia Goh unpacks the recent GDP numbers and its bright spots, Q2 perspective in view of MCO 3.0 and the potential implications of higher inflation on consumers and businesses. Image credit: Shutterstsock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aaron Tang from Luno Malaysia helps us understand the different cryptocurrencies, their respective applications as well as the potential to disrupt financial markets and how investors should approach investing in cryptocurrencies. Image Credit: lucadp |shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is allowing the resumption of the 2011 RM9 billion project to construct littoral combat ships helmed by Boustead Naval Shipyard to protect economic livelihoods, according to Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Ismail Sabri. The project is being probed for corruption after it stalled in 2019. Why has this project been delayed for so long? We tap writer and defense blogger Marhalim Abas for insight. Image Credit: hkhtt hj / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who would qualify as economic frontliners? When and how will they be getting their vaccination? We speak to Edwin Ho, Occupational Health Physician and Council member of the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Malaysia on this. Image credit: Daniel Schludi on Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who would qualify as economic frontliners? When and how will they be getting their vaccination? We speak to Edwin Ho, Occupational Health Physician and Council member of the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Malaysia on this. Image credit: Daniel Schludi on Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who would qualify as economic frontliners? When and how will they be getting their vaccination? We speak to Edwin Ho, Occupational Health Physician and Council member of the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Malaysia on this. Image credit: Daniel Schludi on Unsplash.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With glaring inequities in the supply and distribution of vaccines, the Biden administration has backed a plan to waive intellectual property rights for Covid-19 vaccines and treatments. We speak to Dr. Lindsay Newman, Director of Economics & Country Risk from IHS Markit on whether this could provide a solution to help end the pandemic. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pakatan Harapan's frustration at the govt's handling of the pandemic and the economy has prompted the formation of a series of shadow committees in the belief that it do a better job. Sunway University's political scientist Dr Wong Chin Huat discusses the implications. Image Credit: Jasni / ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's key industries, including plantations, timber and manufacturing, are caught in a conundrum, as a govt freeze on foreign workers curtail their fortunes, as calls for the freeze to be lifted gain momentum. Credit: ayarx oren \ shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Wira Ameer Ali Mydin from, Malaysia Retail Association discusses why the lack of consultation and inaccurate data will hamper the good intentions set out with HIDE. Image credit: JiaChengg / ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Ong from HAPA explains the issues and logic behind why the current restaurant closures leaves a lot more to be desired and the implications this will have to the industry in terms of business and job losses. Image credit: TY Lim / ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The domestic clamour for the Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled is growing louder, as Japan extends its third state of emergency until the end of May. With the Games around 10 weeks away, can the government bring the rising case numbers under control and speed up the vaccine roll-out in order to hold the event safely? We ask Tokyo-based journalist William Pesek for his thoughts. Image Credit: Sayuri Inoue / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year, the European Union and China finally concluded negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, intended to promote market access between the two. However, Sino-European ties have become more fraught of late, with concerns rising in the EU over China's treatment of its Uighur minority. Will this mean the end of this long-awaited agreement? We speak to Nick Marro, Lead Analyst on Global Trade from The Economist Intelligence Unit to find out. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Khoon Goh, Head of Asia Research at ANZ Bank discusses Bank Negara Malaysia’s decision to leave the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged, and the implications of imposing MCO 3.0 and delaying Phase 3 of the National Immunisation Programme. Image Credit: Gwoeii / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wendy Ang, Country Head of Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia shares the findings of the bank’s survey on the impact of the pandemic on SMEs, and how they are adapting digitally. Image Credit: Wright Studio | shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The opt-in AstraZeneca vaccination programme commenced yesterday in four centres in the Klang Valley. However, at the same time Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, cautioned that Phase 3 of the National Covid Immunisation Programme could be delayed due to a supply shortage. We reached out to Asst Prof Dr Farhan Rusli, Public Health Medicine Specialist from International Islamic University Malaysia to shed some light on the progress of the rollouts. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Savills Asia Pacific Investment Q1 report this year, which looked at the real estate market in the APAC region, found that transaction volumes are on the rise. Does this signal grow confidence among real estate investors in the region? We speak to Simon Smith, Asia-Pacific Regional Head of research and Consultancy from Savills to find out. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The various movement control orders have significantly dampened the tourism industry. Nigel Wong, Honorary Secretary-General of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents discusses the potential impact of MCO 3.0 on his members, and wonders when the bottom will be. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The courtroom showdown between Epic Games and Apple began this week, with Epic Games saying they deliberately violated Apple's marketplace rules to showcase the disproportionate power that Apple wields over developers. So the question is: Does Epic Games have a case? We speak to Professor David Olson, associate professor, Boston College Law School to find out. Image credit: Camilo Concha / Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, it came to light that the accreditation for more than 20 courses under LimKokWing University have been revoked. Teo Nie Ching, Kulai MP and former Deputy Education Minister discusses the implications and how students can better protect themselves before enrolling into universities. Image Credit: Nirat.pix | Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transparency International Corruption Perception Index indicates that Malaysians perceive politicians and the police to be most corrupt. Dr Muhammad Mohan, President, Transparency International-Malaysia discusses the priorities for stamping out corruption, making a case for introducing a Misconduct In Public Office Act and having a more powerful Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the midst of a massive Covid-19 surge in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP party have been defeated in state elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Mass campaign rallies have been blamed for the spike in coronavirus cases, giving rise to questions over whether this is the beginning of the end of Modi's political journey. We speak to X to find out. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In March, the World Bank said that Malaysia would become a high-income economy between 2024 and 2028. Geoffrey Williams, Professor at Malaysia University of Science and Technology discusses how the pandemic sets us back, and other more pressing issues to address. Image Credit: f11photo | Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hot on social media was tweets about Better Malaysia Foundation’s affordable housing project. We discuss with Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Managing Director, Think City on the challenges of providing affordable homes in Klang Valley and possible solutions for this long-standing problem. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, the Securities Commission of Malaysia updated the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance, focusing on the nomination of board members and sustainability, among others. Another addition discouraged public-listed companies from appointing active politicians to their board of directors. We speak to Azmir Zain, private investment director and frequent commentator on corporate governance, for more insight. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're now seeing uneven 5G development as policymakers’ across the world have taken varying approaches on spectrum management. How does Malaysia's shared 5G infrastructure framework compare with the more typical spectrum auction method? The Morning run speaks to Janice Chong, Senior Director at Fitch Ratings, on this, as well as thoughts on Digital National Berhad, the effectiveness of spectrum auctions to raise government revenue, why South Korea and China are ahead of the curve, and more. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.