General

The tender for the MRT3 Circle Line is expected to be opened by August, this year. The ultimate cost of the project is as yet unclear, but reports have emerged that MRT Corp is also considering a private funding arrangement of around 10-30%. We speak to Pankaj C. Kumar, Financial market columnist and a former chief investment officer, about the feasibility of this plan.

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The IMF has upgraded its GDP forecasts for developed economies but what is the outlook like for developing economies in South-East Asia? The Morning Run asks Tony Nash, CEO of Complete Intelligence. They also get into insights from the earnings out of JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs, as well as how traditional automakers will have to adapt in light of the EV boom.

We get you out of bed, to your first cup of coffee or to your first destination of your day with thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping all our lives.

3:08 - Are you more creative alone or among others?

8:53 - What parenting tips would you give from your childhood experience?

16:36 - International headlines

24:02 - Local headlines

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Local post-punk alternative band LUST have just concluded Club Vantablack which served as an extension to their album, Vantablack. It happened from 29th March to 9th April and featured exclusive lineups including the Silika short film, remixes, and more. Indie duo Azfar and Faris joins us on the show to talk through the thought process of producing the album, stories behind the different shows, and ways bands could possibly adapt to promote their craft.

IMAGE SOURCE: LUST

The rise of music streaming applications has changed how one consumes music. These days, with the convenience and access to almost any song at one’s fingertips, music streaming has been proved to be the preferred way to consume music. This week on the show, we discuss the different platforms that are present, what these platforms have got to offer, and different features that are made available for their subscribers.

IMAGE SOURCE: Koshiro K / SHUTTERSTOCK

By The Way is a rapid-fire segment that gives you a snapshot of developing stories in the music world. This week, Spotify announced their latest product “Car Thing”, a smart music player that aims to enhance your Spotify listening experience. Prominent composer Hans Zimmer partnered up with leading electronics and mobile communications company Oppo to create phone sounds for their latest product, the Oppo FIND X3 PRO. Lastly, iconic NOWMusic announced their latest volume of their multiple-artist album series featuring hit songs by Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, and many more.

We've all been home a lot more over the pandemic, and that means more meals at home! So to get you cooking a little more (even if you've never done so), our host Jun is dishing up some simple and fun recipes to try. This week, he's making a recipe from his blog, spicy umami popcorn. Tired of the conventional sweet or salty popcorn flavours? Here's a flavour bomb of a recipe to bust through all your popcorn expectations! So join us through this ASMR journey, and let Jun know on Instagram (@jun.and.tonic) if you made it!

Recipe link - junandtonic.com

IMAGE SOURCE: junandtonic.com

In the news this week, we discuss Vietnamese carmaker VinFast's consideration of an IPO in the U.S., the World Car Person of the Year, Akio Toyoda, and two new SUVs worth around RM250k - the all-new 2021 Toyota Harrier, and the entry-level BMW X3 sDrive 20i. 

In Part 2, we look at the odd introduction of the BMW 330Li and the RM2.25 million ultimate Porsche 911 - the Turbo S. In our car review, Daniel gives his first impressions of the new-to-Malaysia Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4 Boosterjet. Priced at RM140,000, it may be seem expensive, but it's a small, sporty and excitable hatchback that ticks every enthusiast's box.

Director/writer Emerald Fennell and star Carey Mulligan have been generating plenty of awards-season buzz with Promising Young Woman. The candy-coloured black comedy thriller tells the story of Cassie Thomas (Mulligan) who seeks to avenge the death of her best friend. We review the movie and discuss how it uses a specific visual language and storytelling technique to comment on the #MeToo age.

During a recent working visit to Sarawak, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin purportedly said that Sabah and Sarawak had higher status as regions (wilayah) rather than states. We speak with Tawau MP Datuk Christina Liew about the distinctions between state and territory, and whether a new title could bring about other changes that have been long called for by East Malaysia.

Image Source: Fahrul Azmi, Unsplash