Morning Brief

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.

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.