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Morning Brief

Opinion and analysis of today’s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

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All Episodes

10:20

Malaysian Q4 GDP Outperformed

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/18

Malaysia wrapped up 2025 on a stronger footing than expected. Flash estimates show the economy growing 5.7% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, beating market expectations and bringing full-year growth to around 4.9%. Can this momentum be sustained, and what is our growth outlook in 2026? Questions we pose to Julia Goh, Senior Economist, UOBThis episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly EmiratesImage Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

en-US

10:28

Viewing Affordable Housing Through A Holistic Lens

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/18

Recently, the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Institute announced that homeownership among Malaysia’s middle-income M40 group has fallen below that of the low-income B40 rate. Dr Consilz Tan, Research Fellow, Centre for Market Education & Senior Lecturer, Xiamen University Malaysia helps us make sense of the data and if there is any validity to claims that the drop is due to a housing model that depends on cross-subsidisation.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee

en-US

11:57

Can UMNO Lead a Grand Collabration for Malays?

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/18

Umno’s General Assembly has wrapped, but the political signals are still unfolding. Tough rhetoric on the floor, cooperation at the top, delayed party elections and quiet symbolism around who appeared where all raise fresh questions about Umno’s direction as GE16 approaches. What really changed and what was just theatre? We’ll break it down with Dr. Azmil Mohd Tayeb, Political Scientist and Associate Professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for

en-US

11:49

US-Taiwan Deal and Its Implications on Chips

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/18

Taiwan will invest $250 billion dollars in US semiconductor manufacturing under a new trade deal, as tariffs on its goods are cut from 20% to 15%. George Chen, Partner & Co-chair of the Digital Practice at The Asia Group gives us his insights on this and what it means for the wider semiconductor industry.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

13:23

Deferred Prosecution, Deferred Accountability?

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/15

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is proposing a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) mechanism for certain corruption cases, to allow those accused to pause criminal proceedings while repaying misappropriated funds and potentially avoiding lengthy trials. Criminal lawyer Goh Cia Yee helps us unpack the proposal, and what it could mean for the fight against corruption.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

11:35

Trump's Greenland Ambitions: Why??

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/15

Greenland remains a fixation for President Donald Trump, who insists the United States needs the island for national security. A recent meeting between the foreign ministers of Denmark, Greenland and the US produced little sign of compromise. John Zogby, founder of Zogby Strategies, unpacks what this standoff reveals about shifting global politics.This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly EmiratesImage Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for

en-US

10:30

Is it Time for Black Gold to Shine?

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/15

Oil markets have been navigating a complex mix of geopolitics, supply dynamics and demand uncertainty with prices weak in 2025. Is the outlook different in 2026 due to possible regime change in Iran and the removal of President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. Sim Moh Siong, Commodity Strategist, OCBC Bank gives us his views.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

11:26

Sanae Takachi Bets on a Snap Election

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/14

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve parliament next week, triggering a national election for all 465 seats, her first since taking office.The ruling party says details will be announced on Monday, with polling expected in February. The move comes as Japan enters a key policy period, with budget discussions underway and continued pressure on the yen. Markets have already begun reacting. To help us understand what’s unfolding and what to watch next, we speak to William Pesek,

en-US

10:48

UMNO: Di Persimpangan Dilema

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/14

As UMNO convenes its long-delayed general assembly, Malaysia’s oldest political party faces critical questions about its role within the unity government and its identity ahead of GE16. Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director, Viewfinder Global Affairs, shares his insights on what discussions will dominate at this year's gathering, and who stands to gain in the months ahead.This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly EmiratesImage Credit: Shutterstock.comSee

en-US

8:55

Will 2026 Be a Repeat for 2025 for Markets?

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/14

Global markets are kicking off 2026 with record highs, shrugging off economic and political uncertainties. Gains in Japan and China, alongside surging silver and gold, have investors questioning whether this rally can be sustained. For analysis, we speak with Aidan YAO, Senior Investment Strategist, Asia, Amundi.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

11:03

The New Rules for Expats & Its Impacts

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/14

From June 2026, Malaysia is doubling the minimum salary thresholds for Employment Passes, reshaping eligibility, renewals, and the ability for expatriates to bring their families. Andy Davison of the Expat Group Media unpacks what this means for employers, foreign talent, and Malaysia’s competitiveness in the region.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

10:40

What Malaysia’s Judiciary Needs Next

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/13

Malaysia’s court system is under mounting pressure with criminal cases surging more than 60% and yet the country has just 147 superior court judges serving a population of 36 million, far below global benchmarks. Constitutional lawyer Lim Wei Jiet talks about the impact of judge shortages and whether Malaysia’s courts can realistically catch up.This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly EmiratesImage Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

en-US

11:47

Singapore Property Outlook, A little Spotty

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/13

Singapore’s property market ended 2025 with price growth in the private residential segment moderating but what is the outlook for 2026? Will commercial property and also REITs be positively impacted by lower interest rates and stronger economic growth? Ken Foong, Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence gives us his insights.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

14:13

Putrajaya's App-solute Solution to Streamline Digital...

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/13

The Malaysian government has been pushing to streamline its digital services, this time hoping that its MyDigital ID can do that job, serving as a single hub where users can access multiple government services with one login. Amin Ashaari, CEO and Co-Founder of SoyaCincau, talks about the practical aspects of these ambitions.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

8:45

IJM- Sunway, the New Construction Powerhouse

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/12

After much speculation, Sunway Bhd will acquire rival IJM in a cash and share deal worth over RM11 billion. We ask Royce Tan, Senior Analyst, MBSB Research, if the deal is synergistic or value accretive, and what this means for the construction sector. We also ask him for his broad views on the sector and his top buy ideas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

9:41

Grok and the Question of Regulating Generative AI

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/12

The Elon Musk-backed chatbot Grok is under global scrutiny after being linked to the generation of sexualised and non-consensual images, including of minors, resulting in Malaysia and Indonesia imposing temporary blocks. Dr Benjamin Loh, Course Director, Bachelor of Digital Media & Communication at Monash University, shares his perspective.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

12:05

Analysing Iran’s Deadliest Unrest in Years

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/12

Iran is facing some of its deadliest unrest in years, with security forces reportedly using live ammunition against protesters, hundreds killed, and thousands detained. Washington has also weighed in, even suggesting military intervention. Dr James Dorsey of the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies gives his take on what might happen in the coming days.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

11:12

What’s Next For Malaysian Education?

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/12

There's news that the Education Ministry plans to bring back the UPSR and PT3 exams, as they unveil Malaysia's Education Blueprint that will shape learning up to 2036. Shahnaz Al-Sadat, Chairperson of LeapEd Services, shares her views on these assessments making a comeback as well as what meaningful education reform should look like going forward.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

11:41

Zahid Hamidi's DNAA Sets A Negative Precedent

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/11

The Attorney-General’s Chambers has decided that no further action is required following the discharge not amounting to an acquittal in the Yayasan Akalbudi case involving Umno President and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ragunath Kesavan, Former President of the Malaysian Bar Council, provides insight into the AGC’s decision.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

10:37

Malaysia's Struggles To Keep Up With Rising Energy...

Morning Brief ·

2026/01/11

Electricity demand in Malaysia is rising, but changes in the energy mix are moving more slowly. Coal’s share has gone up, gas is expected to matter more only after 2030. At the same time, data centres are adding pressure and regional power sharing is back on the agenda. So is Malaysia ready for these changes? We’ll tap Cheah Wai Seng, Energy, Resources and Industrials Leader at Deloitte Malaysia, for his insights.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

5,595 results

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