Morning Brief

Malaysia’s Retail Industry Observations 15.09.2026 12min

The latest Malaysia Retail Industry Report shows the sector expanding by 2.5% in the second quarter of 2026, even as the country’s economy grew by a stronger 6% during the same period. Dr Afendi Dahlan, Vice President of the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), analyses these data points and what they say about strength of consumer demand.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can India and China Really Reset Relations? 15.09.2026 9min

Xi Jinping’s first visit to India in seven years has raised hopes of a thaw between Asia’s two biggest powers, with Xi and Narendra Modi pledging to stabilise ties and work towards resolving their long-running border dispute. But deep mistrust remains, alongside a widening trade imbalance and strategic competition across the region. Is the latest rapprochement the beginning of a genuine structural shift in India-China relations, or simply a pragmatic response to an increasingly uncertain global order?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crude Oil : Is US$120 Likely? 15.09.2026 11min

Oil markets are facing a renewed supply squeeze as Saudi Arabia shuts its East-West Pipeline following a drone attack, while global inventories have already fallen by more than 500 million barrels since February. Claudio Galimberti, Chief Economist at Rystad Energy, share his insights into where oil prices are heading with the Strait of Hormuz situation remaining unresolved.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Malaysia Sustain Its Investment Boom? 14.09.2026 9min

Malaysia attracted RM218.5 billion in approved investments in the first half of 2026, with foreign investors accounting for almost 60% of the total and AI-related projects continuing to drive interest. But investment remains concentrated among a handful of countries and states, while a tougher global environment could test whether recent momentum can be sustained. Can Malaysia reach its RM382 billion target for the year, and how much of today’s investment pipeline will ultimately translate into jobs and real economic activity?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Does BRICS Really Offer Malaysia? 14.09.2026 8min

The BRICS Summit in New Delhi brought together some of the world’s most powerful leaders, with members projecting unity despite divisions over conflicts in West Asia and the future of the global order. Malaysia, attending as a BRICS partner country, used the gathering to deepen bilateral ties, including growing cooperation with India in semiconductors and supply chains. What does Malaysia stand to gain from closer engagement with BRICS, and can Putrajaya strengthen these relationships without complicating its ties with Washington?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UMNO : Strategising Towrads GE16 14.09.2026 10min

UMNO has wrapped up its annual general assembly which saw PAS leaders attending, Pakatan Harapan partners notably absent, and UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi calling for GE16 to be brought forward. Adib Zalkapli, Managing Director of Viewfinder Global Affairs, helps us unpack what UMNO's latest moves could mean for Malaysia's political landscape ahead of GE16.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is MA63 Finally Being Delivered? 14.09.2026 10min

For decades, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 has been at the heart of Sabah and Sarawak's demands for greater rights, revenue and political representation. And now, we see Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chairing the latest MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting. Ariff Adi Putera Anwar, Research Associate at the Institute for Development Studies (Sabah), discusses the significance of this development.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Indonesia Restore Investor Confidence? 11.09.2026 8min

Indonesia’s economy grew by more than 5% in the first half of 2026, but strong headline growth has yet to convince financial markets. Capital outflows, a weakening rupiah and concerns over President Prabowo’s expansionary fiscal policies have forced Bank Indonesia into aggressive rate hikes, while higher fuel costs and the threat of El Niño add further pressure. Can Southeast Asia’s largest economy maintain its growth momentum while repairing investor confidence and keeping its fiscal ambitions in check?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can the US-Iran War Be Contained? 11.09.2026 13min

The US-Iran conflict has entered a more dangerous phase, with attacks widening across the region, oil prices surging past US$105 a barrel and uncertainty growing over the Strait of Hormuz. Inside Iran, sanctions, fuel rationing and shortages are adding to economic pressure, while the IAEA’s decision to refer Tehran to the UN Security Council raises the stakes over its nuclear programme. With President Trump suggesting the war could continue until after the US midterm elections, what is Iran’s strategy now, and is there still a path towards de-escalation?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morning Brief - Sep 11, 2026 11.09.2026 11min

Morning Brief - Sep 11, 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has Apple Made Smartphones Too Expensive? 10.09.2026 11min

Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, but its arrival comes with an eye-watering RM9,499 starting price and a broader shift upwards in iPhone pricing. With no base-model iPhone 18 and the previous generation remaining at RM4,299, Apple appears to be testing just how much consumers will pay for a premium smartphone. Has Apple delivered enough innovation to justify the higher prices, and could its strategy give Samsung, Google, Huawei and Xiaomi cover to raise their prices too?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why European Businesses Are Betting on ASEAN 10.09.2026 8min

European business confidence in ASEAN is rebounding, with 78% of surveyed companies expecting to increase trade and investment in the region. Yet expansion is becoming more selective, while non-tariff barriers, regulatory fragmentation and uncertainty over US trade policy continue to weigh on companies. With Malaysia among the preferred markets for expansion and 50 years of EU-ASEAN relations approaching, what needs to change for ASEAN to turn strong investor interest into broader and more sustainable growth?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who Really Funds Malaysia’s Political Parties? 10.09.2026 11min

Malaysia has spent years debating political financing reform, yet there is still no dedicated law governing how political parties raise, spend and disclose their funds. With the government now consulting all 72 registered parties on proposed legislation, questions remain over donor transparency, contribution limits, enforcement and who should regulate the system. Could public funding eventually reduce the influence of wealthy donors, and what safeguards must Malaysia put in place before taxpayers are asked to fund political parties?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Air India Becoming A Liability For Singapore Airlines? 10.09.2026 8min

Air India is seeking around US$1.1 billion in fresh equity from its owners, Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, after posting a record loss of more than US$2 billion for the 2025-26 financial year. The request has become a flashpoint in Singapore's parliament — SIA holds a 25% stake in the carrier and is itself majority-owned by Temasek, prompting opposition lawmakers to question whether state-linked funds should be propping up a loss-making Indian airline. Shukor Yusof, Founder and Primary Analyst at Endau Analytics, joins us to assess Air India's financial position, why SIA has lost money on every foreign airline investment it has made in over three decades, and at what point the national carrier should consider cutting its losses.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morning Brief - Sep 9, 2026 09.09.2026 13min

Morning Brief - Sep 9, 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aviation Disruption: Anak Krakatau’s Impact on Malaysia 09.09.2026 8min

Nearly 3,000 flights have been disrupted and more than 340,000 passengers affected, after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau caused widespread disruption to Indonesia’s aviation network. Although several airports have reopened, the situation highlights the wider risks volcanic eruptions can pose to air travel across Southeast Asia.With Malaysia connected to many regional routes, could continued volcanic activity affect our flights or airspace, and what measures are in place to manage the risk?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI: Malaysia Forced to Pick a Side? 09.09.2026 8min

Malaysia is reportedly considering Huawei’s AI chips for a RM2 billion national data initiative, despite US warnings over the use of advanced Chinese technology. The decision could test Malaysia’s long-standing strategy of balancing relations with Washington and Beijing, particularly as its booming data-centre industry remains heavily connected to American technology. Would embracing Huawei give Malaysia greater technological sovereignty, or risk retaliation from the US and deeper dependence on China’s AI ecosystem?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Malaysia Fix Its Inquest System? 08.09.2026 8min

Malaysia is set to introduce a Coroners Bill next year as the government seeks to create a more independent and transparent system for investigating deaths. The proposed reforms could go beyond determining how someone died, giving coroners a greater role in identifying systemic failures and preventing similar deaths in future. What are the weaknesses in the current inquest process, what safeguards are needed to ensure genuine independence, and can a new coronial system restore public confidence in death investigations?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.