Morning Brief
ਚੈਨਲ ਵਿਸਥਾਰ
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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Perak, the Silver State with a Growth Agenda
Perak is Malaysia’s sixth largest state economy, contributing just over five percent of national GDP. It is not a traditional growth engine, nor a de...
Focus on Quality in the Property Sector in 2026
As part of our industry outlook series, today we explore the trends that defined the property sector last year. Amy Wong Siew Fong, Executive Director...
Will PAS be at the driving seat of PN?
PAS looks set to take the lead in Perikatan Nasional following the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and several other senior leaders. But who w...
GST Back In The Spotlight
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is back in discussion to replace the Sales and Service Tax (SST) tax regime. Could this signal that GST will be reint...
FX and Fixed Income Outlook for 2026
Three Fed rate cuts and geopolitical tensions have meant volatile Fixed Income markets in the US. We ask Ang Beng Kuan, Head of Investment Strategy, O...
Can SMEs Bounce Back in 2026?
2025 was a challenging year for Malaysia's SMEs, as businesses grappled with higher operating costs, global trade uncertainty, and expanded compliance...
Global E-Commerce, A Tougher 2026
Global e-commerce is entering a more demanding phase with platforms having to deal with higher costs, tighter margins, tougher competition, and growin...
Stamp Duty Goes Digital : What It Means for You
Starting January 2026, Malaysia will implement a Self-Assessment Stamp Duty System, moving the process fully online via MyTax, intended to simplify pa...
Tourism: Can Visit Malaysia Year 2026 Deliver?
Malaysia’s tourism sector is rebounding strongly despite competition across ASEAN intensifying. MATTA President Nigel Wong discusses the outlook for t...
Lessons From Najib's 1MDB Verdict
Following the conclusion of the 1MDB trial, former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak can now expect to spend time behind bars until 2043, after be...
Indonesia, A Latecomer to a Market Rally
The Jakarta Composite Index is up by more than 20% on a year to date basis. One of the best performing in Asean. Jerry Goh, Asia Equities Investment D...
EVs, Incentives, and the Future of Malaysia's Auto Sector
2025 has been a year of change for Malaysia’s automotive industry, from soft sales to a surge in EV adoption. Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain, President of the...
What Myanmar's Election Amid A Civil War Means
Myanmar's ruling military government, while seized power from a democratically-elected one nearly 5 years ago wants to hold its first nationwide elect...
Thailand, Badly Need Growth
Thailand’s central bank cut its key interest rate last Wednesday to 1.25% as it looks to shore up a slowing economy facing multiple headwinds. With 20...
Asian Equities Ending Strong
As US equities are ending the year on a high note, Asian stocks have also outperformed - the MSCI Asia Pacific Index of the region’s equities is up 27...
Malaysia's F&B: What's Cooking in 2026
As competition intensifies and costs remain structurally high, Malaysia’s food and beverage sector heads into 2026 under tougher conditions. Patrick S...
The Najib Question & Today's Political Alliances
The High Court’s rejection of convicted felon Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest bid has sent ripples through Malaysia’s political landscape. Adib...
Optimism in Malaysia's Semiconductor Industry in 2026
2025 has been a volatile year for the global semiconductor industry, with tariffs, export controls and renewed US–China tensions putting technology fi...
Najib's Home Arrest Bid Dismissed
Yesterday, the High Court rejected former Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak’s bid for house arrest, ruling the royal decree invalid. Could this mar...
What's The Outlook For Indian Equities in 2026?
Indian equities continue to command attention. The Nifty 50 is up more than ten percent year to date, even as global investors grapple with slower gro...
How Will Malaysia's Retail Sector Do in 2026?
Malaysia’s retail industry grew faster than expected in the third quarter of 2025, expanding almost 5% on a y-o-y basis, significantly exceeding the p...
Thailand-Cambodia Border Tensions : The Way Ahead?
Tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border have escalated beyond a familiar bilateral dispute, drawing renewed regional and international attention....
2026, A Mixed Year for Planters
As the world’s second-largest producer, palm oil remains a cornerstone of Malaysia’s economy and its most important cash crop.
But despite that...
Still Choppy Seas for Global Shipping in 2026
Shipping companies in 2025 had to navigate geopolitical disruption, tighter environmental rules and uncertainty over future fuel choices. All of which...
New Mayor, New Minister: What's In It For KL's Future?
Kuala Lumpur is entering a critical phase, with a new Federal Territories Minister, a new Mayor, and a long-term vision like the KL Structure Plan 204...
Still Choppy Seas for Global Shipping in 2026
Shipping companies in 2025 had to navigate geopolitical disruption, tighter environmental rules and uncertainty over future fuel choices. All of which...
What's Next For Sabah?
Now that Sabah's state election is out of the way and the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is in charge,...
OSA, Making Changes to Online Platforms
Malaysia is about to see a significant shift in how online platforms are regulated. Under the Online Safety Act, global platforms with large Malaysian...
Can Australia Further Reform Its Gun Laws?
Following the recent mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, questions have been asked about how strict are Australia’s gun controls. Professor Andrew...
Preparing for Full Ban on Vape and E-Cigarrettes
Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad reaffirmed that a full ban on vape and e-cigarettes might happen as early as mid-2026, with i...
Asean's Fortunes in 2026
Asean equities are a tale of two halves with Singapore and Indonesia outperforming and Thailand and Philippines languishing while Malaysia is sandwich...
A Long Overdue Cabinet Reshuffle
After weeks of speculation, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim finally announced a cabinet reshuffle following 4 ministerial vacancies. Dr. Azmi...
Evaluating Malaysia’s Education Reforms
Malaysia’s education system is undergoing reforms aimed at improving teacher welfare, enhancing infrastructure, and addressing student discipline. Dat...
The Ayer Hitam Reserve Debate Highlights Development Decisions Transparency
A proposed development near Selangor’s Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve has captured national attention, touching on the broader issues of planning transpare...
2026, Time for Small-Mid Cap Stocks?
On a year-to-date basis, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Small Cap Index is down 13%. However are valuations in this space too attractive to ignore? Lee Meng...
Why the UEC Question Won’t Go Away
The debate over recognising the Unified Examination Certificate, or UEC, for entry into Malaysia’s public universities has resurfaced once again, with...
Ukraine: Is Peace Finally Possible?
Following recent peace talks in Berlin, both US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have expressed optimism for a real peace p...
Sabah's Budget Laying the Foundation for Transformation
The theme for Sabah's budget is ‘Driving Development, Prioritising the People’s Well-Being’. We ask Zafri Zulkeffeli, Deputy Chief Economist of BIMB S...
Malaysian Pharmacists Deserve Better
Over seven hundred contract pharmacists who were previously identified for eventual permanent roles recently had that status withdrawn, raising fresh...
Thailand Elections During The Border Conflict
With the border crisis with Cambodia still raging, Thailand plunges into early elections as Prime Minister Anu-tin Charn-vira-kul dissolves parliament...