Morning Brief

The arrest and subsequent imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has sparked protests across Turkey. Some claim it is politically motivated, seeing his arrest as a move by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to silence his strongest rival. We unpack this with Dr. James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

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Malaysia is expected to become an ‘aged nation’ much sooner than previous estimates, posing critical challenges not only to economic activity but also to the capital market. Ng Zhu Hann, CEO & Founder, Tradeview Capital explains why this is an issue and suggestions on how it rectified.

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PM Anwar Ibrahim urges closure of unprofitable GLCs, citing unsustainable practices and calling for stricter monitoring. While acknowledging GLCs' non-profit goals like the Bumiputera agenda, he stresses profitability. Past reforms, sought improvements, but questions remain on ensuring GLC performance and avoiding losses. P Gunasegaram offers insights.

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The Securities Commission issued the Annual Report for 2024 showing that capital markets are in the pink of health. That however cannot be said for their financials. We speak to Pankaj C. Kumar, a business commentator if it’s time to relook at their fees and levies and what should be included in the new capital master plan.

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The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia or FINAS Act 1981 is being revised to adapt to the changing film industry. The updates aim to modernize regulations, strengthen worker protections, and foster industry growth. We discuss the amendments needed with Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, CEO of FINAS.

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Malaysia’s ‘Sekolah Angkat Madani’ initiative aims to have corporate and GLC partners adopt 500 public schools, guided by the Ministry of Education. As stakeholders push for clear frameworks that balance values and expertise, Shahnaz Al-Sadat, Chairperson of LeapEd Services, shares her insights on its potential impact.

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What does Israel gain from reneging on the ceasefire deal with Hamas brokered by US President Donald Trump? We discuss the developments in the war in Gaza with Prof. Amin Saikal of the Australian National University.

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This week, the Jakarta equity market experienced a sharp correction, down by 7% at one point. This is driven in part over the economic concerns over a budget deficit and weakening Rupiah. We speak to Brian Lee, an economist from Maybank Investment Banking Group about why the central bank decided to keep rates unchanged and what is his outlook for Indonesia's GDP.

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The proposed Urban Renewal Act continues to spark debate. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reassures homeowners they’ll receive upgraded properties, fair compensation, and living support. Advocates, like Sim Tze Tzin, see it as a lifeline for the urban poor, citing the Mahsuri project. Yet, critics warn of potential land grabs. Will this Act truly drive equitable redevelopment and economic growth? Discussing this topic is Dr. Consilz Tan, Research Fellow at Centre for Market Education.

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Last November, the Defence Ministry scrapped its Black Hawk helicopter lease deal after the contractor failed to meet delivery deadlines. Now, the government is retendering the project, keeping the original terms—a five-year lease for four helicopters worth RM200 million. What does this indicate about Malaysian defense procurement and the accountability process? Giving us some clarity and insight is Marhalim Abas, a freelance writer on defense & national security issues.

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