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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Unpacking the National Education Plan 2026-2035
Malaysia has launched its National Education Plan 2026-2035, introducing earlier school entry, new centralised assessments and changes across the enti...
Inside Vietnam’s 14th Communist Party Congress
Vietnam’s 14th Communist Party Congress is ongoing in Hanoi and will determine the country’s leadership and policy direction for the next five years....
KL MPs
Kuala Lumpur MPs will now play a more significant role in the city’s administration, as Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh has announced the for...
What’s Next for China’s Retail Sector?
China’s retail sector is showing signs of strain despite repeated stimulus measures. Catherine Lim, a senior analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence unpacks...
Greenland: A Test For Transatlantic Ties
President Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland "the easy way or the hard way" has triggered a transatlantic crisis. Dr Benjamin Barton, As...
Board of Peace, A Trump Dream or Reality?
Over the past week, US President Donald Trump has floated a proposal he calls a Board of Peace, a new international body linked to Gaza that would sit...
China's 2025 Economic Growth Meets Target, What's Next?
China closed 2025 meeting its headline GDP growth target of 5%, but beneath the surface the recovery looks uneven with the final quarter, expanding at...
Rethinking Kuala Lumpur’s Public Spaces
The Federal Territories Ministry is partnering with Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia to redesign key urban infrastructure, encompassing public housing layou...
Malaysian Q4 GDP Outperformed
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, beatin...
Viewing Affordable Housing Through A Holistic Lens
Recently, the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Institute announced that homeownership among Malaysia’s middle-income M40 group...
Can UMNO Lead a Grand Collabration for Malays?
Umno’s General Assembly has wrapped, but the political signals are still unfolding. Tough rhetoric on the floor, cooperation at the top, delayed party...
US-Taiwan Deal and Its Implications on Chips
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%. Ge...
Deferred Prosecution, Deferred Accountability?
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is proposing a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) mechanism for certain corruption cases, to allow those ac...
Trump's Greenland Ambitions: Why??
Greenland remains a fixation for President Donald Trump, who insists the United States needs the island for national security. A recent meeting betwee...
Is it Time for Black Gold to Shine?
Oil markets have been navigating a complex mix of geopolitics, supply dynamics and demand uncertainty with prices weak in 2025. Is the outlook differe...
Sanae Takachi Bets on a Snap Election
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve parliament next week, triggering a national election for all 465 seats, her first since taking...
UMNO: Di Persimpangan Dilema
As UMNO convenes its long-delayed general assembly, Malaysia’s oldest political party faces critical questions about its role within the unity governm...
Will 2026 Be a Repeat for 2025 for Markets?
Global markets are kicking off 2026 with record highs, shrugging off economic and political uncertainties. Gains in Japan and China, alongside surging...
The New Rules for Expats & Its Impacts
From June 2026, Malaysia is doubling the minimum salary thresholds for Employment Passes, reshaping eligibility, renewals, and the ability for expatri...
What Malaysia’s Judiciary Needs Next
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 se...
Singapore Property Outlook, A little Spotty
Singapore’s property market ended 2025 with price growth in the private residential segment moderating but what is the outlook for 2026? Will commerci...
Putrajaya's App-solute Solution to Streamline Digital Services
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 sin...
IJM- Sunway, the New Construction Powerhouse
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, M...
Grok and the Question of Regulating Generative AI
The Elon Musk-backed chatbot Grok is under global scrutiny after being linked to the generation of sexualised and non-consensual images, including of...
Analysing Iran’s Deadliest Unrest in Years
Iran is facing some of its deadliest unrest in years, with security forces reportedly using live ammunition against protesters, hundreds killed, and t...
What’s Next For Malaysian Education?
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 lea...
Zahid Hamidi's DNAA Sets A Negative Precedent
The Attorney-General’s Chambers has decided that no further action is required following the discharge not amounting to an acquittal in the Yayasan Ak...
Malaysia's Struggles To Keep Up With Rising Energy Demand
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 mo...
Will PN Be Able To Name Muhyiddin's Replacement?
Over the weekend, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has called for an urgent Perikatan Nasional supreme council meeting, following the recent resignation...
Johor Property Remains Robust Amid Worries In KL Market
Johor’s property market is booming, with residential transactions reaching RM9.9 billion ringgit in the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur’s...
Trade Opportunities to Accelerate with EU-MY FTA Deal
Malaysia is set to strengthen its economic ties with Europe as the long-awaited Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement nears completion this yea...
Singapore Economy Going from Strength to Strength
Singapore closed 2025 on a strong note - advance estimates show the economy expanded 4.8% for the full year, beating the government’s earlier forecas...
Multi-pronged Approach Needed to Tackle Cost of Living
A month from now, all Malaysian adults will receive the next 100 ringgit under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah, or Sara, initiative. We speak with Economist...
China, Japan and the Taiwan Factor
Tensions between China and Japan continue to heat up following Tokyo's comments about Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own province. Chong Ja Ian,...
Challenges Remains For The Auto Sector In 2026
2025 was a mixed year for the auto sector in Asia Pacific, despite growth in China, Japan and India with cost challenges and intense competition. Joan...
Inside Malaysia’s Military : Scandals & (Lack of) Oversight
Malaysia's Armed Forces are under heightened scrutiny following a string of recent controversies, including the suspension of its army chief over alle...
Can the US Take Greenland?
After the US’s dramatic abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump has reiterated his ambition to acquire Greenland, cit...
China, Japan and the Taiwan Factor
Tensions between China and Japan continue to heat up following Tokyo's comments about Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own province. Chong Ja Ian,...
E-Invoicing, Policy Flip Flop?
The government has delayed e-invoicing requirements by a year for small and medium enterprises with sales between RM1mn to RM 5mn a year, citing high...
Unrest in Iran & Its Implications
Iran has been facing widespread unrest since Dec 28, with economic hardship sparking protests across the country and policymakers attempting reforms a...