Morning Brief

The Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2020 was passed to increase the minimum bankruptcy threshold from RM50,000 to RM100,000 for debts owed. Lua Ai Siew, a lawyer at Messrs. Soo Thien Ming & Nashrah helps us understand the impact of these amendments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on a European tour. We speak with Dr Pradeep Taneja, Lecturer in Asian Studies at the University of Melbourne on Wang’s likely agenda and desired outcomes. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Tengku Dato’ Sri Zafrul Aziz revealed that his predecessor had approved 101 projects worth over RM6 billion through direct negotiations. Dr. Juita Mohamad, Fellow at ISIS Malaysia comments if such arrangements are inappropriate, and much needed improvements in awarding contracts. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the rest of the world remains under some form of restriction to combat Covid-19, the situation in China appears to have reverted to pre-pandemic normal. Does China's economic bounce-back hold clues for how the rest of the world can recover? Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Barrett, Chief of Social Policy at Unicef Malaysia talks to us about the “Families On The Edge” study of how the Covid-19 crisis has affected low income families in Kuala Lumpur, and what more the government should do in the short-term to support vulnerable communities. Image Credit: Acip UNICEFSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Letters of support and GLC appointments are common political patronage practices. Dato’ Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Umno Youth Chief speaks up against such practices that lead to abuses. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, game developer Epic sued Apple after the company removed Fortnite from the App Store. This came after Epic’s attempt to go around Apple’s payment mechanisms to avoid the 30% cut of commissions earned.  While this continues to develop, Apple also hit the $2 trillion mark last week, so with all this in mind, we take a look at the possible market implications of these developments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Azmi Sharom, Deputy Chairman of the Election Commission explains the preparations for the upcoming Sabah state elections. Unfortunately those who live outside Sabah and in Malaysia cannot cast their votes through the post. Editorial credit: Lano Lan / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this exclusive interview with BFM, Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, President of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)and veteran politician disagrees with the court's ruling that the Sabah governor's actions are not justiciable. He also analyses Sabah politics as the state heads for nomination day on 12 September and explains why he supports Perikatan Nasional and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as Prime Minister. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We breakdown political headlines over the weekend with Oh Ei Sun, with a focus on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin officially announced as the president of Bersatu, a proposal for a multicultural chapter for the party, and Datuk Azmin Ali and his allies officially joining Bersatu. Image credit: EPASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore-based Aaron Connelly, Research Fellow at International Institute for Strategic Studies helps us understand what the US election means for Asean countries, and how we should play our cards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharon Yam, Managing Director of TMF Group Malaysia, a professional services firm, explains why Malaysia is the ninth most complex jurisdiction for foreign companies to do business in the world, and third most complex in Asia after Indonesia and China. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing and Local Government Ministry is formulating a tax that could be imposed on developers who fail to sell their properties in an effort to reduce overhang of residential units in the country. The rationale of this is so that developers become more sensible with their projects and not flood the market with particularly high-rise developments. We speak to Sarkunan Subramaniam, Managing Director, Knight Frank Malaysia whether this potential law will achieve its objective.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing and Local Government Ministry is formulating a tax that could be imposed on developers who fail to sell their properties in an effort to reduce overhang of residential units in the country. The rationale of this is so that developers become more sensible with their projects and not flood the market particularly high-rise developments. We speak to Sarkunan Subramaniam, Managing Director, Knight Frank Malaysia whether this potential law will achieve its objective.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has reportedly only met 9 times, compared to 60 times in the same period last year. This raises some questions, as to who is going to keep our government’s finances in check, because that is the main role of the PAC.  Wong Kah Woh, PAC Deputy Chairman and Ipoh Timur MP gives an update on the situation. Image Credit: Tengku Bahar / AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has reportedly only met 9 times, compared to 60 times in the same period last year. This raises some questions, as to who is going to keep our government’s finances in check, because that is the main role of the PAC.  Wong Kah Woh, PAC Deputy Chairman and Ipoh Timur MP gives an update on the situation. Image Credit: Tengku Bahar / AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The High Court will decide today whether to allow the judicial review filed by former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and 32 Sabah assemblymen. The group is contesting the decision by the Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly on 30 July. Lim Wei Jiet, a constitutional lawyer weighs in on whether this move is justiciable, and also discusses whether an anti-party hopping law should be enacted. Image Credit: Mohd Rasfan/AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The High Court will decide today whether to allow the judicial review filed by former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and 32 Sabah assemblymen. The group is contesting the decision by the Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly on 30 July. Lim Wei Jiet, a constitutional lawyer weighs in on whether this move is justiciable, and also discusses whether an anti-party hopping law should be enacted. Image Credit: Tengku Bahar/AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tamma Febrian, Associate Director, Fitch Ratings, notes data that shows lockdowns and physical distancing have accelerated the rise of digital banking, rewarding large, well-capitalised franchises with strong brands who made early inroads into the sector.Photo by Dylan Gillis on UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tamma Febrian, Associate Director, Fitch Ratings, notes data that shows lockdowns and physical distancing have accelerated the rise of digital banking, rewarding large, well-capitalised franchises with strong brands who made early inroads into the sector.Photo by Dylan Gillis on UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With urban poverty and economic recession looming, Hafiz Noor Shams, Visiting Fellow at REFSA gives us his view on how Malaysia should move forward and whether a new reindustrialisation policy is required. Image Credit: AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy gives us his view on whether the RMCO will be extended as it is due to expire at end of August. He also weighs in whether there should be better clarity on the SOPs and if Malaysians are doing their part to keep the infection rates low. Image Credit: Mohd RASFAN / AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America is headed for elections with a record 76% of the population eligible for postal voting. But critics like President Trump say the process will be slow and open to fraud. Matt Dickinson, Professor of Political Science, Middlebury College, discusses. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covid has exacerbated an already lacklustre property sector now made worse by cautious lending among banks. Datuk Paul Khong, Managing Director, Savills Malaysia offers his outlook on the Malaysian property sector, including what he thinks are potential growth sectors and where the govt might be able to step in to help.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accepted economic theory suggests that borrowing more in times of distress is a good way forward for governments to reinvigorate the economy. But is it? And how it should be spent efficiently? Lau Zheng Zhou, Research Manager in the Economics and Business unit at the  Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs or IDEAS, discusses. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Israel and the UAE putting pen to paper in a historical and potentially lucrative peace accord, lingering doubts remain over the pact, incuding simmering territorial disputes. Rodger Shanahan, a Research Fellow at the Lowy Institute, discusses. Image Credit: Jack GUEZ / AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telecommunication companies are racing to transform and meet the changing needs of both retail and enterprise customers, amidst accelerating technological trends, including 5G and digitalization. In this regard, fintech has become a space that more and more telco players are dabbling in. We speak to Jasmine Lee, U Mobile’s Chief Marketing Officer on what their newly launched platforms bring to the table, as well as the potential opportunities for digital innovation that come with the shift to 5G networks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the weekend announcement that Bersatu has agreed to join the UMNO/PAS alliance Muafakat Nasional, observers are asking what this means for Bersatu's position on the political landscape, especially with ex-PM and Bersatu founder Tun Dr Mahathir's formation of a new party named 'Pejuang'. Ibrahim Suffian, Program Director, Merdeka Center, analyses. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's economy saw its steepest ever contraction in the second quarter of 2020, due to the measures imposed under the movement control order. But is the worst behind us, as many expect? What might help or hinder our recovery trajectory? We speak to Khoon Goh for insights on the Malaysian economy and how it compares with the rest of the region. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In its closely watched Monthly Oil Market Report, OPEC projected a lower demand for 2020, compared with its July estimates. Yong-liang Por, consultant for the Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis (IEEFA), discusses the global energy outlook in the medium- as well as the long-term, as climate change forces the transition to clean energy. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Covid-19 casting a pall over the global economy, it seems a foregone conclusion that Malaysia will eventually see an economic contraction. Ahead of the second quarter GDP announcement today, we reached out to Julia Goh, Senior Economist with UOB Malaysia, for her expectations. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lee Shih, dispute resolution lawyer, weighs in on the Covid-19 bill that was recently tabled in Parliament. Is it too late? The devil is in the details. Image Credit: Mohd Rasfan / AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to a study by AMCHAM Hong Kong from 6-9 July, 76% of respondents expressed concern about the new security law, and of this, about 41% was “extremely concerned,” while 37% was “somewhat concerned. However, more than 64% of the respondents indicated that their companies have no plans to move out of Hong Kong. Michael Frank, Senior Analyst of Public Policy at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) discusses the future of Hong Kong as a financial centre in light of US sanctions, and the possibility of China’s exclusion from dollar settlements. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia has announced a Covid-19 vaccine, raising questions over the drug's safety and efficacy. Few details of the research have yet been released to the public, fuelling concerns that Russia's vaccine may not have fulfilled the required safety standards. So to help us answer the question of is this really the vaccine we're waiting for, we reached out to Dr. Jean-Louis Excler, Program Director at the International Vaccine Institute, an independent international organisation based in Seoul. Image credit: AFP PHOTO / RUSSIAN DIRECT INVESTMENT FUNDSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Parliament, Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin raised the question about the appointment of politicians to statutory bodies and GLCs. Laurence Todd, Director of Research of IDEAS discusses the merits of such appointments, the need for political donations regulations, and how GLCs should evolve to become more competitive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Juita Mohamad, Fellow of ISIS Malaysia discusses the Supplementary Supply Bill that was passed by Parliament to allocate an additional RM7 billion for expenses incurred last year. Image Credit: KIXTHVISUALS / UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government intends to set up a Special Council instead of a Parliamentary Select Committee (that Pakatan Harapan had mooted) to review the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement or MA63. James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies, University of Tasmania weighs in on how the government is approaching discussions, and in light of the upcoming Sabah state elections, what does he make of Datuk Seri Anifah Aman’s call for senior political leaders to pave the way for younger politicians.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has signed several executive orders in order to provide relief to American facing economic pressure due to Covid-19. The new measures have attracted criticism over how actionable they are, as well as for bypassing Congress, which is still deadlocked on a Covid-19 bill. So this morning, we speak to Kathryn Dunn Tenpas, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute to get more insight on the current stalemate, as well as on Democratic Nominee Joe Biden's choice of Kamala Harris as his running mate. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aidonna Jan Ayub, Deputy Director of Research, Khazanah Research Institute reviews the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership) and compares it to RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership).  Find out more about trade issues in KRI's publication: Malaysia's Trade Governance at Crossroads Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The blast in Lebanon has thrown the country into political and economic turmoil. James Dorsey, Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies & the Middle East Institute helps us understand what ails Lebanon and what gives its people hope. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has claimed trial to a count each of bribery, and using his position as Chief Minister at the time for personal gratification, in relation to the Penang undersea tunnel project. Amid wide speculation over whether this trial is set to be a political ploy, or whether it is simply justice served, we ask Dr. Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute, what effect this trial will have Pakatan Harapan. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Datin Paduka Fatimah Mohamed Arshad, Research Fellow at the Institute of Agricultural and Food Policy Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia is calling for the government to review Bernas’ role as the gatekeeper for rice imports and to allow for market deregulation, in order to create more opportunities for smaller rice players and promote innovation. Together with IDEAS, she co-authored a paper on the “Effectiveness of State Trading Enterprises in Achieving Food Security”. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, analyses what impact Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s new party might have, if any, and what alliances he would still need to form. Image source: VINCENT THIAN / POOL / AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tun Dr Mahathir and his Bersatu breakaway group plan to set up a new party to represent Malay interests. Apparently they are receiving grassroot support from Bersatu members. We get an update from Tun’s legal advisor, Haniff Khatri Abdullah, and discuss the party’s intentions and level of support thus far. Image Credit: Mohd Rasfan/AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calls for reform have gained strength after the Thai government arrested two pro-democracy activists over the weekend, on charges of sedition and breaking coronavirus gathering rules. Thailand has seen rallies almost every day for the past few weeks, with mainly young protesters denouncing the government of former military leader and current Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-O-Cha. For more insight, we speak to Dr. James Gomez, Regional Director at the Asia Centre, about Thailand's lese majeste laws, and what's really driving these protests. Image Credit: LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz is tabling a long-awaited Covid-19 bill that seeks to increase the government’s self-imposed debt ceiling to 60% of GDP. But can Malaysia afford it? And should it spend more to avoid a recession? Subang MP Wong Chen discusses. Image Credit: FUAD ABDULLAH / Malaysia's Department of Information / AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philippines is the South East Asian country with the most Covid - 19 cases despite going into an early and long lockdown. Cleve Arguelles, Department of Political and Social Change with the Australian National University tells us why the race to flatten the infection curve appears to have lost it way. He also weighs in on President Rodrigo Duterte’s approach to fighting this pandemic and what is the view on the ground of his presidency as a result. Image Credit : HANDOUT / PHILIPPINES' PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS DIVISION (PPD) / AFPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia counts some 180,000 officially documented refugees as certified by the UNHCR, though the government is reluctant to recognise this status. Should Malaysia take better care of refugees and afford them more protection and the ability to work? Elise Arya Chen, Refugee Action Programme Officer, Tenaganita, discusses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government wants to revive JASA, its much-maligned Special Affairs Unit, but first it must convince the public that the new incarnation will not be the propaganda machine it once was. Shahril Hamdan, Deputy Umno Youth and Information Chief, speaks. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hong Kong wants to delay election on coronavirus grounds but the opposition isn’t buying it, saying it’s effectively a postponement of democracy. Bunn Nagara, Consultant on Asian Security and Strategy, expands on the issue. Image credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.