Morning Brief

12:09

Budget 2027: What Do Malaysia's Semicons Need?

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/06

With Budget 2027 set to be tabled this Friday, Malaysia's semiconductor industry is pushing for bold measures to keep multinational investors expanding and help local suppliers climb the tech ladder. Amid a global race for capital and specialised talent, the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) has laid out six core priorities.Dato' Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of MSIA, joins The Morning Run to detail what the chip sector needs from the upcoming budget. He addresses how to ease the

en-US

10:22

Brazil’s Right Surges Into the Runoff

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/05

Brazil’s presidential election is heading to a second round after Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, highlighting the enduring strength of the conservative movement built by his father. The October 25 runoff could have consequences well beyond Brazil, shaping its relationships with the US and China, its role in BRICS, and its approach to trade and climate policy.The Morning Brief is brought to you by CIMB Private Wealth. Move your wealth forward with personalised

en-US

9:12

Staying Ahead of Financial Crime

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/05

As financial crime becomes increasingly sophisticated across Southeast Asia, criminal networks are using legitimate businesses, property and financial channels to move illicit funds. Cliff Lim, Director of Risk & Compliance, Southeast Asia at Dow Jones, assesses Malaysia’s AML framework and what more can be done to tackle cross-border financial crime.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

9:36

Could F1's RM300 Million Price Tag Be Worth the Hype?

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/05

Formula 1’s surprise return to Sepang over the weekend delivered high-octane excitement, but behind the spectacle lies a bigger economic question. With hosting fees pegged at over RM300 million, if Malaysia rejoins the F1 calendar, can the event consistently draw the high-spending international tourists Malaysia would need to make this worthwhile?Hannah Pearson, Founder of tourism consultancy Pear Anderson, joins The Morning Run to break down what the early tourism numbers actually tell us. She

en-US

9:13

Malaysia Holds Its A-Minus Rating

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/05

S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Malaysia’s A-minus sovereign credit rating with a stable outlook, supported by steady economic growth and gradual fiscal consolidation. But the assessment also highlights vulnerabilities, including rising private-sector external borrowing and the risk that elevated oil prices could increase the government’s subsidy burden. We speak to S&P Global Ratings about what could strengthen or weaken Malaysia’s credit standing, and what it would take for the country to

en-US

7:59

Budget 2027 : What Does Malaysia’s Education System...

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/05

With Budget 2027 set to be tabled this Friday, education is once again expected to be a major priority. Chan Soon Seng, CEO of Teach For Malaysia, talks about where education spending should be directed, strengthening teachers and school leadership, closing socioeconomic and geographical gaps, and ensuring funding translates into better outcomes.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

9:44

Consumer Stocks and Rising Food Costs

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/04

Global food prices have climbed to their highest level in nearly four years, with wheat, sugar, palm oil and other key commodities rising sharply amid weather disruptions and geopolitical tensions. Imran Yassin Yusof, Head of Research at MBSB Research, talks about what’s driving input costs which consumer stocks could emerge as winners or losers.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

10:15

Where Should Malaysia Spend on Healthcare?

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/02

Malaysia allocated RM46.5 billion to the Health Ministry under Budget 2026, but calls are growing for Budget 2027 to tackle deeper structural pressures facing the healthcare system. From an ageing population and workforce shortages to primary care, long-term care and healthcare financing, the challenge is increasingly about how money is spent rather than simply how much. What should the government prioritise, and could reforms such as a Health Service Commission and national health insurance deliver

en-US

9:47

Gain Access To Two Exchanges With Just One Application

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/02

Companies can now apply to list on both Bursa Malaysia and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with one application and one listing document. The new process puts into effect the dual-listing framework that the Securities Commission Malaysia and Hong Kong's SFC agreed in July. So does this make Bursa more attractive, or do the bigger problems of liquidity, valuations and analyst coverage remain? We speak to Ng Zhu Hann, CEO & Founder of Tradeview Capital.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee

en-US

9:04

China’s Two-Speed Economy Tests Beijing

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/02

China is stepping up efforts to revive its economy with lower interest rates, expanded lending and mortgage subsidies aimed at supporting homebuyers. But while manufacturing and exports are showing resilience, domestic demand, investment and the property sector remain weak, leaving the economy increasingly reliant on external demand. Can Beijing’s latest measures restore confidence at home, and what happens if China can no longer depend on exports to compensate for sluggish domestic growth?Image

en-US

11:47

Is It Time for Malaysia to Go Nuclear?

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/01

Nuclear power often conjures images of Chernobyl, Fukushima, and atomic weapons, but as Malaysia’s energy demand surges, is it time to reconsider nuclear power? Datuk N.K. Tong, Nuclear Energy Advocate, joins The Morning Run to discuss why shifting public perception away from fear and toward facts is crucial for the nation's energy security.Datuk N.K. Tong breaks down why he thinks nuclear is one of the safest and most reliable base load energy sources, how small modular reactors (SMRs) could power

en-US

9:58

Trade Tensions Reshape Asia’s Shipping Routes

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/01

US-China trade tensions are redrawing Asia’s shipping map, with container lines shifting capacity towards intra-Asian routes and Southeast Asia handling a growing share of Chinese trade. Malaysia could benefit from rising cargo flows and manufacturing relocation, but tariff changes, vessel oversupply and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz are making the outlook increasingly unpredictable. Can Southeast Asia turn these shifting trade flows into lasting investment, and what happens to shipping rates

en-US

13:02

Getting Paid to Expose Cartels

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/01

Cartels and bid-rigging happen behind closed doors, so the people most likely to catch them are insiders. Until now, though, they've had little to gain from speaking up and a job to lose. Amendments to Malaysia's competition laws are set to change that, with stronger protection and rewards for whistleblowers, and they're expected to be gazetted this year. We speak to Datuk Iskandar Ismail, CEO of the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) on the matter.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee

en-US

9:59

ASEAN and Canada Close In on a Trade Deal

Morning Brief ·

2026/10/01

ASEAN and Canada are pushing to conclude negotiations on a long-awaited free trade agreement by November, with a deal covering not only tariffs but investment, services, digital trade and regional supply chains. But several ASEAN economies, including Malaysia, already enjoy preferential access to Canada through the CPTPP. What additional opportunities could an ASEAN-wide agreement create, who stands to benefit most, and will businesses actually use it?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee

en-US

11:36

Does a Permanent F1 Return Make Economic Sense?

Morning Brief ·

2026/09/30

How could a single weekend of Formula 1 racing deliver over RM1 billion to Malaysia’s economy? Hong Leong Investment Bank economist Felicia Ling breaks down the numbers.As Sepang steps in to host the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix during China’s lucrative Golden Week, Malaysia gets a rare, low-risk preview of F1’s revamped commercial power, without footing the usual USD 80 million price tag.Felicia weighs in on which sectors stand to capture the biggest windfall, how high-spending foreign fans alter

en-US

13:29

Australia’s Inflation Fight Gets Tougher

Morning Brief ·

2026/09/30

The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised interest rates to a 15-year high of 4.60%, its fourth increase this year, as inflation remains stubbornly elevated despite weakening household spending and housing activity. Higher fuel prices and strong construction demand are complicating the central bank’s efforts to bring prices under control, while markets anticipate further tightening. How much more pain can Australian households absorb, and will interest rates need to reach 5% before inflation finally

en-US

8:40

Asia’s Markets : Finding Opportunities

Morning Brief ·

2026/09/30

Asian equities are having a strong year, but the headline gains mask increasingly divergent performances across the region. Raj Singh, Portfolio Manager at Principal Asset Management, looks at what is driving the differences between China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, and where he sees investment opportunities amid the AI boom.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

12:07

Malaysia’s Freedom of Information Test

Morning Brief ·

2026/09/29

Malaysia’s proposed Freedom of Information Bill is under renewed scrutiny after civil society groups raised concerns over broad exemptions, existing secrecy laws and the effectiveness of its appeals process. A parliamentary townhall has now given stakeholders another opportunity to shape the legislation before it returns to Parliament. What needs to change for the Bill to deliver genuine access to information, and can Malaysia balance greater government transparency with legitimate safeguards?Image

en-US

10:39

How Can SMEs Survive Cheap Foreign Sellers?

Morning Brief ·

2026/09/28

The explosion of global e-commerce platforms has transformed Malaysian retail, offering consumers unprecedented choice, but also flooding the domestic market with cheap foreign direct sellers. As local SMEs struggle to keep up, Dr. Chin Chee Seong, National President of the SME Association of Malaysia, joins The Morning Run to assess the real impact on domestic businesses.Dr. Chin highlights which sectors are hitting a breaking point, pinpoints critical gaps in Malaysia's current regulatory

en-US

10:36

China’s New Canal Reshapes ASEAN Trade

Morning Brief ·

2026/09/28

China’s new 134-kilometre Pinglu Canal gives its southwestern provinces a much shorter route to the sea and potentially closer access to Southeast Asian markets. For ASEAN, the waterway could open new opportunities to reach consumers in China’s interior, but it could also deepen a trade imbalance that already heavily favours Beijing. What will determine who benefits from this new trade corridor, and what does it mean for Malaysia and ASEAN’s economic relationship with China?Image Credit:

en-US

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

WSJ What’s News

The Wall Street Journal

iHeartRadio 24/7 News: The Latest

iHeartPodcasts and TTWN

Sarnia News Today

Blackburn Media

CNN 5 Things

CNN Podcasts