Morning Brief

Ongoing negotiations between Petros and Petronas have signaled a major shift in Malaysia’s oil and gas sector. With Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledging Sarawak’s ambitions, questions have been raised about federal-state power dynamics and their impact on investors. What then will be the outcome of talks between the national and Sarawak oil and gas company? Prof. Tricia Yeoh, Associate Professor of Practice, Uni of Nottingham Malaysia's School of Politics & Intl Relations joins us to share her analysis and the outlook arising from this.

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The rally in the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) last week was a welcome break after four straight weeks of decline in February. Is this momentum sustainable and are there opportunities for investors in this market? We discuss the trends with Alfred Dy of CLSA.

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Mark Carney, former central banker, has been elected leader of the Liberal Party and will become Canada’s 24th Prime Minister, securing 86% of the vote. Dr. Cristine de Clercy, Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership at Trent University shares her insights on how his leadership may shape Canada’s political landscape.

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The Trump Administration has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, while granting a temporary reprieve to the auto industry. The one-month pause under the USMCA trade agreement offers short-term relief, but rising costs and supply chain disruptions are forcing automakers to reassess production, innovation, and investment strategies. As companies navigate tighter margins and shifting trade policies, Vivek Vaidya, Associate Partner and Senior Vice President of Mobility at Frost & Sullivan, joins us to unpack the broader implications for the industry.

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Last week, the Dewan Rakyat passed a bill making EPF contributions mandatory for non-citizen workers. Set to be implemented in the fourth quarter of 2025, the policy will require employers and workers to contribute 2% each to the retirement fund. Adrian Pereira, Executive Director of the North-South Initiative, will join us to discuss the importance of this move and what else is required to improve social protection for our migrant workers so that we are on par with international standards.

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Environmental crimes are on the rise in Malaysia and to counter this, the police will be granted enforcement authority under the Environmental Quality Act 1974. But is this enough to crack down on illegal activities, including e-waste smuggling? We discuss the government's strategy on this with Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability.

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Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dato' Sri Azalina Othman recently affirmed in Parliament that the Prisons Act 1995 already allows for home arrest sentences. Is a standalone Home Detention Bill then required? We unpack the law with criminal lawyer Goh Cia Yee.

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The Women, Family & Community Development Ministry recently reported that cases of domestic violence have hit a three-year high, with over 7,000 cases in 2024. It is also important to note that violence against women and girls can be perpetrated physically or online. Jayamalar Samuel, Capacity Building Director, at the All Women's Action Society (AWAM), shares her thoughts on what needs to be done to address this.

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In Malaysia, only 20% of enterprises are women-owned, despite government programmes designed to help kickstart women-led businesses. Andal Krishnan from the NGO, NAWEM (National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia) helps us understand the reasons behind this and what could be done to improve the situation.

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Bank Negara Malaysia has maintained the overnight policy rate (OPR) at 3% after its most recent Monetary Policy Committee meeting, while signalling that inflation remains under control despite uncertainties from major economies and geopolitical developments. Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, the chief economist at Bank Muamalat, shares his assessment.

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