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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Can the World Contain the Latest Ebola Outbreak?
The WHO has declared the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a global public health emergency, with hundreds of suspe...
Is Malaysia Finally Moving on UEC Recognition?
The government’s latest move to open limited public university pathways for UEC graduates has reignited one of Malaysia’s longest-running education de...
LEAP Market 2.0: Better Access, Better Liquidity?
The Securities Commission and Bursa Malaysia have proposed allowing retail investors to participate in the LEAP Market, along with other measures to m...
Bersama: Aiming to Become Malaysia’s Next Reformist Force
Parti Bersama Malaysia, formed by former ministers Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, is the latest addition to the Malaysian political...
Why Isn’t Malaysia Creating Enough Quality Jobs?
Malaysia’s labour market may appear resilient on the surface, but a new World Bank report warns of deeper structural weaknesses, from stagnant wage gr...
Is Britain Entering a New Political Realignment?
The UK political landscape is becoming increasingly fragmented after Labour’s heavy local election losses, mounting pressure on Prime Minister Keir St...
What Did the Trump-Xi Summit Really Achieve?
The latest Trump-Xi summit delivered carefully managed optics and promises of continued dialogue, but left major questions over trade, Taiwan, technol...
Signs of Political Realignment Ahead of GE16
Malaysia’s political landscape is shifting again, with PN appointing a new Opposition Leader, Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi moving to take over Parti Ber...
Slowdown in Malaysia's Economic Momentum
The Malaysian economy grew 5.4% in the first quarter of 2026, but cooling domestic spending and a global supply shock threaten to slow momentum for th...
Are Malaysia’s Schools Safe Enough for Students?
Recent fatal accidents involving students have renewed scrutiny over school safety standards in Malaysia, prompting the Education Ministry to review e...
Can Malaysia’s Tourism Boom Withstand Global Uncertainty?
Malaysia’s tourism sector continues to post strong arrival numbers supported by regional demand and a rebound in visitors from China. But with geopoli...
Political Tensions Deepen in the Philippines
Political tensions in the Philippines have intensified following gunfire near the Senate amid a standoff involving Senator Ronald dela Rosa and ICC-li...
Jho Low’s Pardon Bid Revives Questions Over 1MDB
More than a decade after the 1MDB scandal erupted, fugitive financier Jho Low has resurfaced through a reported bid for a US presidential pardon despi...
Supply Chain Crisis: Why SMEs Must Band Together
How prepared are Malaysian SMEs for a prolonged supply chain crisis?
SMEs are currently facing a dual threat of supply chain disruptions...
China’s Consumer Recovery Still Looks Uneven
China’s retail sector continues to show pockets of resilience, particularly in online consumption and services, but broader domestic demand remains su...
Trump-Xi Summit: What's On the Table
Beginning today in Beijing, the meeting of the heads of the two most powerful nations comes at a delicate moment in US-China relations, with both side...
Markets Climb Despite Inflation and Geopolitical Risks
US inflation is running hotter again, geopolitical tensions remain elevated, and leadership at the Federal Reserve is about to change, yet markets con...
ASEAN’s Auto Industry Faces a New Competitive Era
ASEAN’s automotive sector is being reshaped by electrification, shifting consumer demand, and the rapid rise of Chinese automakers across the region....
Cheap Fuel: An Eternal Entitlement?
For decades, Malaysia’s fuel subsidy system has largely been broad based, with pump prices kept lower for everyone regardless of income level. It has...
Myanmar: ASEAN’s Intractable Problem
At the recently concluded 48th ASEAN Summit the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Chair, called for a more “aggressive and effective” approac...
Should Caring for Parents Become a Legal Duty?
Malaysia is studying a proposed Parents Care Act that could legally require children to care for their ageing parents as the country moves towards bec...
Piercing the Opaque Veil of Political Party Funding
The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) recently published a policy paper examining the costs of running a political party in Malaysi...
ASEAN Weighs Bloc Options Amidst Energy Crisis
The 48th ASEAN Summit hosted by the Philippines in Cebu last week took place against the backdrop of an energy crisis squeezing the economic outlook f...
Fuel Supplies: ‘Stay Calm But Be Aware’
As we enter the third month of the conflicts in the Middle East, Malaysia finds itself at a complex economic crossroads, balancing the demands of a vo...
Singapore-NZ Pledge Trade Access in Crisis
Singapore and New Zealand have signed The Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies, a move aimed at keeping trade channels open even when global disru...
Bank Negara: OPR Holds, GDP Outlook Cautious But Positive
Yesterday, Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee maintained the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75%. According to the MPC’s statement, whi...
Malaysia Tightens the Rules on Imported EVs
Malaysia’s latest EV import rules are set to reshape the market by raising entry thresholds for fully imported electric vehicles in a bid to encourage...
AirAsia’s Big Bet on the Future of Budget Flying
AirAsia’s massive Airbus A220 order comes at a time when the global aviation industry is facing rising fuel costs, geopolitical disruption, and growin...
Are Highways Still the Backbone of Malaysia’s Growth?
Malaysia’s highways are increasingly being viewed not just as transport links, but as critical economic infrastructure supporting logistics, supply ch...
Indonesia's Growth Surprise: Can the Momentum Last?
Indonesia’s economy expanded 5.61% in the first quarter, its fastest pace in more than three years and well ahead of market expectations, boosted by g...
Can Rain Rave Become Malaysia’s Next Tourism Success Story?
The Rain Rave Water Music Festival drew huge crowds, major online attention, and claims of significant tourism revenue, but also sparked debate over c...
Upcoming Polls: Dynamics on the Ground
As the GE-16 approaches, scrutiny is intensifying across Johor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan. In Melaka and Johor, where state polls are expected by Fe...
Will Stars Remain Aligned for the Banking Sector?
Malaysia’s banking sector shown resilience in the first quarter of this year, but rising energy costs from the Middle East conflict now threaten domes...
Malaysia’s Media Under Pressure
Malaysia fell seven places in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, signalling growing concerns over censorship and legal pressure on media organisation...
AI Power, Access and the New Competitive Divide
As leading AI firms limit access to their most advanced models while scaling investment and deployment, questions are emerging over who controls the t...
Thailand Navigates Slower Growth and Rising Pressures
Thailand’s economic outlook has weakened amid rising oil prices, softer growth expectations, and a weakening baht, even as the central bank holds rate...
Malaysia Sets the Direction for Its Carbon Market
Malaysia has introduced its National Carbon Market Policy to build on the existing voluntary carbon exchange and prepare for a broader carbon pricing...
Budget 2026: Deep Cuts, Readjustments To Come
Last week, Putrajaya issued a directive for all ministries to cut operating expenditures amid the escalating Middle East conflict. The move follows a...
Cuba: Washington Squeezes Havana Again
Last Friday, Washington escalated its anti-Cuba policy again, with President Donald Trump signing an executive order broadening sanctions on the tiny...
Malaysia’s Healthcare System Under Growing Pressure
Malaysia’s healthcare system is under mounting pressure as rising utilisation, rather than pricing, drives medical cost inflation. With hospitals near...