Morning Brief
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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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Big Education Budget But To What Ends?
Similar to previous years, the education sector is the biggest beneficiary under Budget 2026 with a headline allocation of RM66 billion. But are funds...
Is Bersatu Imploding?
Bersatu ranks have been shaken by the expulsion of key leaders, including Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Saiful Wan Jan and four division chiefs, as well as t...
China's EV Market at Inflexion Point
China’s EV companies are seeing slowdowns in their sales domestically, even though their numbers are positive overseas. What’s causing this downturn i...
Budget 2026: More Misses Than Hits
Business writer Pankaj C. Kumar says the lack of substantive tax reforms and the continued rise in debt service charges are among the key issues Budge...
Budget 2026: Healthcare Initiatives a Positive Step for the Sector
The government’s 40% increase in doctors’ and dentists’ on-call allowances under Budget 2026 is long overdue, says Dr. Khor Swee Kheng, CEO of Angsana...
Breakthrough in Gaza, but Palestine in Limbo
Two years after the events on October 7th, the remaining Israeli captives have been released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees under...
East Malaysia Infrastructure Boost in Budget 2026
East Malaysia took center stage in Budget 2026, with Sabah receiving RM6.9 billion ringgit and Sarawak RM6 billion ringgit in record allocations. But...
Tax Revenue Up But No New Taxes?
The government is targeting RM270 billion in tax revenue next year, but with no new taxes introduced, can this be achieved?
Sim Kwang Gek, Coun...
Budget 2026: Balancing Growth and Fiscal Discipline
Budget 2026 marks the first under the 13th Malaysia Plan and possibly the last before the next general election. With spending rising to RM419 billion...
Budget 2026: A Boost for SMEs?
Budget 2026 has been lauded as a positive and pragmatic plan for Malaysia’s small and medium enterprises, with billions channelled toward financing gu...
Budget 2026 for F&B: Tackling Rising Costs in Malaysia’s Food Industry
Malaysia’s F&B sector is facing mounting cost pressures from higher wages, ingredient prices, and the expanded 8% SST. Will Budget 2026 deliver the re...
Trump Pushes Limits of Presidential Power
This week President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops to Chicago in response to rising protests against immigration enforcement actions...
Insurance Industry Grapples with Inflation and Soaring Accident Expenses
Antony Lee, Deputy Chairman of the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM), explains the factors contributing to higher repair costs for elec...
Construction, A Budget 2026 Winner?
Malaysia’s construction sector has had a standout year so far. More than RM126 billion worth of contracts have already been awarded year-to-date. Will...
Whole Government Approach Needed For Elderly Welfare
The government has launched the Elderly Action Plan 2026–2030 to improve care and support for senior citizens across Malaysia. With life expectancy no...
Keir Starmer's Charm Offensive in India
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is visiting India this week to build upon the free trade agreement secured between London and New Delhi in July. How mi...
Chip Players Seek Talent Push in Budget 2026
The semiconductor sector makes up 70% of Malaysia’s total E&E exports accounting for nearly RM440 billion ringgit in 2024. With the threat of US tarif...
An Optimistic Outlook for Asian Equities
More funds are expected to flow into Asian equities if US interest rates continue to decline and the de-dollarisation trend persists. Michael Chang, H...
Malaysia, Turning Digital Progress into Real Economic Benefits
Malaysia has made major strides in digital infrastructure, data governance, and institutional coordination as guided by the Public Sector Digitalisati...
More Housing Incentives Likely in Upcoming Budget
Incentives for Budget 2025 introduced several incentives for homebuyers, including first-time owners, and similar measures could be on the way, says J...
What Happens If the AI Rally Loses Momentum?
The tech sector has been the main engine of recent U.S. growth, but a downturn could quickly rattle markets as tech stocks now account for around 40%...
Malaysian Football's Fraud Fiasco
Malaysian football has fallen to a new low after the FAM and seven foreign-born players were rapped by FIFA for forged documentation. What are the leg...
Tourism Industry Eyes Budget 2026 Boost
All eyes are on tourism as Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026. Nigel Wong, President of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MA...
Development Over Livabilty and Sustainability of KL?
On Saturday, residents of Bukit Damansara gathered to protest a proposed plan to redevelop Wisma Damansara into two 60-storey towers. We ask podcaste...
Singapore Banks, Still Resilient Despite Headwinds
Singapore’s three major banks turned in a mixed set of results for the second quarter of 2025, reflecting resilience in some areas but also pressure f...
The Battle for Sabah is a GO!
The 16th Sabah state assembly has been dissolved, setting the stage for state elections within 60 days. This will be a crucial test for Chief Minister...
Sanae Takaichi Poised to Make History for Japan
Sanae Takaichi is poised to become Japan’s first female prime minister. However, William Pesek, columnist at Nikkei Asia, says she is unlikely to cham...
Budget 2026 for Transport: Fix, Don’t Build
Budget 2026 for the transport sector should prioritise improving existing infrastructure rather than building more, says Transport Consultant Wan Agyl...
Stability vs Symbolism: Will GRS's PH Pact Pay Off?
The GRS ruling coalition in Sabah is facing turbulence ahead of the state elections, with the exit of two member parties, STAR and SAPP last week, on...
58 Years Old: Has MACC Delivered?
As the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) marks its 58th anniversary, the question remains whether it has truly lived up to its mandate of co...
Malaysia’s Human Trafficking Challenge : Moving
The US State Department’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, has kept Malaysia at Tier 2. Criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid of Universiti...
Directors Under Scrutiny: Lessons from the Iris Corp Ruling
Following the Court of Appeal’s landmark decision in the Iris Corp case, the role and accountability of company directors are once again in the spotli...
Big Pharma Relief Over Trump Tariff Reprieve
US President Donald Trump came into office vowing to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for the American consumer. But will that relief come at the...
Astroturfing: The Politics of Fake Online Support
A Malaysiakini investigation has uncovered a network of Facebook accounts allegedly used to artificially boost support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahi...
Indonesia Stimulus: Short-Term Relief?
The governments of Indonesia and Thailand have recently unveiled stimulus measures to boost consumer spending and investor sentiment, at a time when b...
Tax Leakages in Malaysia’s Shadow Economy
Dr Veerinderjeet Singh, Senior Advisor on Tax Policy at KPMG, explains the shadow or underground economy and how the government can tackle tax leakage...
Volatility Drives Gold to New Record
Gold has surged past $3,800 US dollars per ounce, breaking record as investors rush to secure safe havens. But how long can this rally last? For insig...
Will Hamas Accept The Latest Peace Plan?
Will Hamas Accept the Latest Peace Plan?
The White House has unveiled a 20-point plan to end the Gaza war, from a ceasefire to the release of ho...
Will Hamas Accept The Latest Peace Plan?
The White House has unveiled a 20-point plan to end the Gaza war, from a ceasefire to the release of hostages. But is this proposal truly feasible? We...
Is Malaysia Ready For Carbon Tax?
Earlier this week, the government unveiled the Steel Industry Roadmap 2035, introducing a carbon tax mechanism that makes steel one of the first targe...