Morning Brief

Under the National Energy Transition Roadmap or NETR, Malaysia plans to achieve 70% renewable energy capacity by 2040. How far have we progressed towards that path this year, and can global momentum for renewable energy be sustained under the incoming Trump presidency? We review the year in energy with Dhana Raj Markandu of ISIS Malaysia.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With 2024, eventually seeing challenges for the transportation sector - both aviation and maritime - despite positive expectations when the year began, what fortunes will 2025 bring? Ahmad Maghfur Usman, Equity Analyst at Nomura Malaysia, talks about some of the factors that had played a part in the sector's performance this year and what his expectations will be next year.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the first meeting on the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council after GE14 in 2018, the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Bill 2024 is now expected to be tabled for a second reading in February next year, nearly 5 years on. Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director of the Centre for Independent Journalism, talks about how to make an imperfect bill as perfect as possible.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tech sector has boomed this year driven by investor exuberance over AI tech, with the Magnificent 7 dominating the equity markets. Will this momentum be sustained in the new year, when variables change under a second Trump administration? We get analysis from Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Bank Negara Malaysia as the financial regulator for the insurance sector announced interim measures to limit the hike in insurance premiums resulting from medical inflation. While broadly welcome by stakeholders, the announcement is but a temporary band aid for what ails healthcare financing. What policies need to be considered to address the issue more holistically? We discuss this with Azrul Mohd Khalib of the Galen Centre.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chinese equity markets started on a soft note in 2024 until a raft of stimulus measures were announced in mid-September, resulting in a 35% jump. But as markets normalised and are now only around 14% up on a year-to-date basis, Yu Junqiang, Acting Head of Equity, Hong Leong Asset Management, shares his insights on what we can expect in 2025.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian public healthcare system is at its breaking point, with medical staff overstretched and burnt out due to the various demands on their time and expertise without commensurate reward. What policy measures are needed to resolve the long-term crisis in public sector healthcare staffing? We discuss a proposal to introduce a rotational system in medical placement and other recommendations with Dr. Timothy Cheng of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Korean markets have had a dismal 2024, as the country’s benchmark stock index, the Kospi, has lost over 9% on year-to-date basis making one of the worst performing main exchange in Asia. This was made worse by the recent declaration of martial law which was rescinded. Marvin Chen, Senior Asia Equity Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence tells us if it's time to bottom fish or will that perennial Korean discount continue.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controversial figure Tun Musa Aman, who served as Sabah’s Chief Minister from 2003 till 2018, has been appointed as the state’s governor with the backing of the current Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. What does this development signal about the evolving landscape of Sabah politics? We get analysis from  Ariff Adi Putera of the Institute for Development Studies (Sabah).

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International ratings agency, Fitch has reaffirmed Malaysia’s long term currency issuer default rating at BBB+ with a stable outlook. We speak to Kathleen Chen, Associate Director Fitch Ratings’ Asia-Pacific Sovereigns who is also the primary Sovereign analyst for Malaysia as to the reasons for this and what is required for us to achieve an upgrade.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.