General

Regional stock markets were off to a great start in 2023 where most markets show outperformance in January. Since then markets have given up some gains largely due to the hot US January jobs report. Meanwhile, the FBM KLCI Index has lagged its regional counterparts and is down slightly YTD. What does 2023 hold for the Asia Equity Markets and should investors be looking abroad to other markets to diversify their portfolios? For answers we speak to Simon Lim, Head of Equities, Hong Leong Asset Management.

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Six states are heading to state elections this year. Will this be the first test for the unity government? Dr James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies, University of Tasmania gives us his views on how seats will be allocated and will there be a green wave for PH controlled states?

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In conjunction with World Radio Day, the founder of this station, BFM 89.9, Malek Ali shares with us how radio will survive the age of disruption for traditional media, Malaysia’s media landscape with the changing of governments and the editorial independence of the station. And how does a station like this make money? 

Malaysia’s GDP in 2022 recorded the highest annual growth rate in more than 2 decades at 8.7%, which was higher than the median estimate of 8.6% in a Bloomberg survey. As for the last quarter of the year, the economy expanded by 7% y-o-y. The services sector recorded the highest growth in 2022 at 10.9%. Can Malaysia be shielded from a challenging global environment and what growth can we expect for 2023? For answers we speak to Woon Khai Jhek, Head of Economic Research and Senior Economist at RAM Ratings.

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How is humanitarian aid being channelled to those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria? We get updates from Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Faizal Perdaus, President of Mercy Malaysia of the situation on the ground.

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Markets took a stumble last week, we ask Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer, Jevons Global if this a precursor of further correction. We also ask him for his views whether there will be significant change to Japan's monetary policy if monetary policy expert Kazuo Ueda is the next central bank governor.

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Patrick Teoh takes you on another foot-stomping, hand-clapping ride down memory lane as he blows dust off his vinyl collection to bring you a selection of hits from the 60s to 80s.

Man City ended last weekend with a defeat against Spurs, failing to capitalise on Arsenal's loss against Everton in their chase for the title. But that's not the end of their awful week, as they were then greeted with the news that they've been charged with more than 100 financial rule breaches by the Premier League early last Monday. Our pundits, Bob Holmes and Dez Corkhil join debutant Ali Johan, sitting in for Kam, to respond to this shocking news and its potential ramifications to Man City, the Premier League, and European football. This, and our usual look ahead to the weekend's matches, and more, on Just For Kicks.

DBKL and Think City has signed their third MoU to accelerate the rejuvenation of Downtown Kuala Lumpur as a creative and cultural district, the KLCCD initiative. So first, we discussed this with Think City, and what it’s all going to mean. Then, we get thoughts from some cultural practitioners about whether this is going to actually help the arts in our capital city.

We hear thoughts from:

- Blankmalaysia, artist

- Joseph Foo, President of KongsiKL Malaysia

- Azmyl Yunor, singer-songwriter

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Transport minister Anthony Loke has announced that private vehicle owners will no longer have to use road tax stickers or physically carry their driving licenses. We get into how people are responding to this.

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