Are We OK?

In this episode of Are We OK, we sit down with YB Ng Sze Han (Selangor Exco for Investment, Trade, and Mobility) and Yong Kai Ping (CEO of SIDEC) to unpack Selangor's aggressive transformation into a regional high-tech powerhouse. We explore how the state is moving rapidly into high-value sectors, from aerospace manufacturing and autonomous transport to setting up groundbreaking tech hubs.

We dive deep into the success behind Selangor's IC Design Park and the Advanced Semiconductor College of Malaysia (ASCM), detailing the massive resource investments required to train top-tier chip engineers. Finally, our guests share exclusive details on major upcoming initiatives for 2026. They break down the upcoming launch of the Rancangan Selangor Kedua (RS2) five-year plan, the expansion of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) to Bandung, Indonesia, and Selangor's strict new 30% local content requirement and industrial water conditions for incoming data centers.

Chapter Marker:

00:00 - Intro

05:07 - Selangor’s Economic Mindset: "Continuity with Evolution"

07:01 - Building an Ecosystem for the Selangor Aerospace Industry

08:10 - Yong Kai Ping & SIDEC: Driving E-Commerce & Startups to Global Standards

11:09 - The Semiconductor Leap: Scaling Fresh IC Design Engineers

12:13 - Shifting from AI Nusantara to the Advanced Semiconductor College of Malaysia (ASCM)

17:53 - Complementing Penang & Executing the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS)

23:38 - Silicon Valley Mission & Leveraging Overseas Malaysian Professionals

25:28 - MB Amirrudin Shari's Visionary Leadership & "Selangor Speed" Execution

29:20 - Testing Autonomous Transport, Robot Trucks & Drone Tech

33:04 - Preparing for the Aging Society & the Care Economy via Rancangan Selangor Kedua (RS2)

35:53 - SIBS 2026: Scaling the ASEAN Talent Hub & Expanding to Bandung

40:52 - Managing Data Centers: Water Reserve Strategies & 30% Local Content (LED) Policy

45:50 - Cheap GPU Tokens & Training SMEs with the Vira AI Program

47:26 - Combating Negative Viral News Through Direct Youth Engagement

51:28 - Re-strategizing Selangor's Economy for Global Resilience with Financial Experts

#AreWeOK #SelangorEconomy #YBNgSzeHan #YongKaiPing #SIDEC #ICDesign #SemiconductorMalaysia #DataCenters #MalaysianPolitics #RancanganSelangor #RS2 #SIBS2026 #AutonomousTransport #DigitalEconomy #MalaysiaTech #AmirrudinShari

In this episode of Are We OK, we sit down with Yun Liu, Senior ASEAN Economist at HSBC, to discuss why Malaysia is Asia’s "quiet overachiever". We break down the hard fiscal truths behind Malaysia's massive petrol subsidies as global oil prices surge past $100 , and examine what international investors are looking for ahead of the upcoming GE16 election.

We also dive into "durian economics" explaining how Vietnam rapidly captured China's massive market over Malaysia —and look at the structural hurdles and shifting supply chains shaping the future of ASEAN.

00:00 - Trailer

00:26 - Intro & Guest Introduction: Meeting HSBC's Yun Liu

01:45 - From the IMF to Hong Kong: Yun Liu's Global Background

12:37 - Mapping the ASEAN Economy: Who is Leading the Race?

14:31 - The Massive Footprint of Chinese FDI in Southeast Asia

16:17 - What Does an Economist Actually Do?

21:57 - Durian Economics: Why Vietnam is Crushing Malaysia in Exports

31:04 - Diversity in ASEAN & Penang as the Silicon Valley of the East

34:10 - Deep Dive into Vietnam's Rapid Economic Rise & Energy Risks

41:10 - Malaysia: Asia's Quiet Overachiever?

43:23 - The Ticking Fiscal Cost of RM1.99 Petrol

48:32 - Prediction Time: What Global Investors Expect From GE16

52:17 - Outro: Ipoh Dreams & Unforgettable Malaysian Hospitality

#AreWeOK #MalaysiaEconomy #GE16 #HSBC #YunLiu #DurianEconomics #MusangKing #Subsidies #ASEAN #FDI #PenangSiliconValley #VietnamEconomy #MalaysianPolitics #FiscalReform

In this episode of Are We OK, former minister Nik Nazmi opens up about the massive internal fractures shaking the government and PKR. We dive into the behind-the-scenes drama.We also break down the high-stakes launch of Bersama, the brand-new political party founded by Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi. Why did these long-time reformists abandon the party they spent 20 years building? Finally, we discuss the heavy policy battles that defined his time in office including the shift away from blanket subsidies and how Malaysia's rare earth minerals are getting caught in a global US-China Cold War.

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro

01:20 - The Launch of Bersama: A Political Startup

10:45 - Reality of Power: Missing the Cabinet Cut in 2018

23:30 - Breaking Stigmas: Mental Health in Malaysian Politics

48:20 - Rare Earths & Geopolitics: Navigating US vs. China

58:08 - Losing Anwar’s Inner Circle & Splitting the Ministry

1:01:20 - "Fixed" Party Polls & Resigning From Cabinet

1:20:32 - Fantasy Politics: Could KJ Ever Join Bersama?

1:34:10 - Defensive Strategies & The Battle for Pandan

#AreWeOK #MalaysianPolitics #NikNazmi #RafiziRamli #AnwarIbrahim #Bersama #PKR #UnityGovernment #RareEarthMinerals #CabinetDrama #MalaysiaNews

In this episode of Are We OK?, things get real. We’re diving straight into a massive political bombshell: Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi have officially resigned as MPs to start a brand-new political party. Is this a bold move for change, or a chaotic play that will tear the government apart?

Next, we look at the sudden uproar surrounding Tony Pua. Finally, the battle lines are being drawn for an explosive election season. We talk about the tense situation on the ground in Johor , why the usual political attacks aren't working anymore , and our exact timeline for when we head back to the ballot box.

00:00 - Teaser

03:34 - The Resignation Shockwave: Rafizi’s Huge Gamble

12:01 - Tony Pua’s Post: Did He Just Cross the Line?

20:58 - Johor PH Convention: Why the Strategy is Backfiring

31:09 - Prediction Time: The Secret Election Timeline

34:02 - Outro & Next Guest Announcement

#AreWeOK #MalaysianPolitics #RafiziRamli #NikNazmi #TonyPua #PakatanHarapan #BarisanNasional #JohorElections #MalaysiaNews

In this episode of Are We OK, we break down the growing political speculation surrounding Rafizi Ramli and whether a high-stakes contest in Bandar Tun Razak could signal deeper tensions within the government. Is this a real political battle or just noise?We also examine Rafizi’s evolving role as a political figure: Is he more effective as an opposition voice rather than an insider within the system?

The discussion expands into broader questions about governance, political strategy, and whether personality-driven politics is overshadowing real policy debates.

Finally, we explore key economic and policy issues shaping Malaysia today from taxation and fiscal decisions to the wider economic direction of the country and what it means for everyday Malaysians.

In this episode of Are We OK, we dive into the high-stakes world of Malaysian politics and pressing social issues.

We debate the strategic timing of the next General Election, analyzing whether a "sooner rather than later" approach favors Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim amidst global economic instability.

We also explore the impact of political "superstar" return to UMNO and the shifting dynamics between major political coalitions.

Finally, the conversation shifts to public policy, addressing the controversial "coffee fiasco" and the critical brain drain crisis currently hollowing out Malaysia’s medical sector.

In this episode of Are We OK, we dive into the high-stakes world of Malaysian politics and pressing social issues.

We debate the strategic timing of the next General Election, analyzing whether a "sooner rather than later" approach favors Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim amidst global economic instability.

We also explore the impact of political "superstar" return to UMNO and the shifting dynamics between major political coalitions.

Finally, the conversation shifts to public policy, addressing the controversial "coffee fiasco" and the critical brain drain crisis currently hollowing out Malaysia’s medical sector.

In this episode, Dr Ong Kian Ming is joined by Soh Rui Yong, a celebrated professional runner from Singapore, recognized as the nation's fastest marathoner and a two-time SEA Games gold medallist. They discuss Rui Yong’s journey to represent Singapore, his entanglement with sports governing bodies, and his controversies with other athletes.

In this special episode of Are We OK, we break down several major developments in Malaysian politics, from the investigation involving James Chai and the potential response from Rafizi Ramli, to the failed proposal to limit the Prime Minister’s term to 10 years.

We also discuss the upcoming vote on separating the Attorney General’s Chambers from the Public Prosecutor, the implications of the DAP Special Congress in July 2026, and the government’s decision to cancel Raya celebrations for government agencies and GLCs.

00:00 — Highlight

02:15 — Investigation Against James Chai & Political Implications

04:25 — Rafizi Ramli’s Team and the ARM Deal Controversy

30:17 — DAP Special Congress in July 2026 & Its Implications

32:07 — Is the DAP Congress a Signal to the Prime Minister?

42:49 — Government & GLC Raya Celebrations Cancellation

#AreWeOK #MalaysianPolitics #JamesChai #RafiziRamli #DAP #MalaysiaGovernment #MadaniGovernment #Politics

#MalaysianEconomy

This week Rajiv and Peter discuss the recent DBKL moves, the government’s announcement of a Base Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT), subsidizing of the M50 Pass, Pig Farm Ban in Selangor and the new EV import rules set by the government.