General

Chin Chee Seong, Vice President, SME Association of Malaysia shares his perspective on how SMEs would react to the 12th Malaysia Plan and his hopes for Budget 2022 as SMEs struggle to survive.

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The banking sector has faced many challenges from a prolonged Covid-19 pandemic whilst structural changes are fast approaching. Joel Kornreich, Group CEO of Alliance Bank tells us the strategy for growth and are M&A opportunities being considered.

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Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the government allocated RM400 billion for development expenditure. This is a 61% increase from the 11th plan yet keeping a fiscal deficit target of 3% to 3.5% of GDP by 2025. Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist at Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad tells us if this ambitious targets are achievable.

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A country's healthcare sector has always been at the forefront and is now even more so because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We all realise its importance now because so many of us depend on it.

Find out how Sunway Medical Centre - one of Malaysia's top private hospitals - aims to do even better going forward with the knowledge it has gained when Keith Kam talks to its CEO Bryan Lin.

Nydia Ngiow from Bower Group Asia gives up an update on recent developments in Singapore as they grapple with a surge in new COVID-19 cases, the recent debate over inequality, as well as proposals of a potential wealth tax.

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US markets had the sharpest correction since March due to a confluence of factors from rising bond yields, high oil prices, and Washington questioning the renomination of Fed Chair, Jerome Powell. Jack Kouzi, Director for Strategy at VFS Group tells us if we should buy the dips especially in the tech space.

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Often hailed as one of science fiction’s seminal books, Foundation is the first of Isaac Asimov’s series set in a distant future of interplanetary travel and galactic empires. In this novel, we’re introduced to mathematician Hari Seldon, and the concept of psychohistory, a field of mathematics that allows for the prediction of future events. We discuss the book, the particular kind of sci fi it pioneered, and whether it still has something new to offer. We close off the conversation with other recommendations of books set in space!

This 1951 classic features some Hollywood greats: Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, and directed by John Huston. Set in Africa during World War I, Bogart plays a steamer captain who offers Hepburn’s character safe passage out - leading to a clash of personalities between the two, amidst what is often described as some of the most influential action scenes in Hollywood. We throwback to the movie and discuss the power of personality on screen.

The pandemic has affected many families and couples, as the travel restrictions have made it hard for them to reunite. As national borders remain closed, this is so much worse for people in long-distance, international relationships.

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There’s been a lot of talk about whether we have enough money in our coffers, especially with the 12th Malaysia Plan being so ambitious. So first, we look at the pros and cons of raising taxes for high income earners. Then, we talk about alternative taxes that might work. And finally, what should be in place to ensure Malaysia’s financial security?

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