Morning Brief

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security recently announced several reforms to the agri-food sector, including the potential removal of egg subsidies and the consolidation of enforcement agencies. How effective will these measures be in strengthening Malaysia’s agricultural productivity and food security? We discuss the issues at play with food security expert Prof. Dr. Fatimah Arshad.

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Yesterday marked the Opening Ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Meetings in Vientiane, Laos. Regional leaders, including our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, have arrived to participate in the discussions. This year’s summit tagline is “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” Bunn Nagara, Director and Senior Fellow at the BRI Caucus for Asia-Pacific, will join us to share his perspective on the summit. He is also the Honorary Fellow at Perak Academy.

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This year's theme for World Mental Health Day emphasizes ‘Mental Health At Work’, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealing that approximately 12 billion working days are lost to depression and anxiety each year. What kind of policies would strengthen mental health resilience in the workplace? We discuss the level of awareness and interventions needed with Anita Abu Bakar, President & Founder of the Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association Malaysia (MIASA).

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A viral video of Palestinian refugees expressing frustration after being denied permission to leave their accommodations has prompted discussions among Malaysians about the country’s stance on the cause. Although this incident underscores that the actions of a few do not represent the entire community, it does highlight the need for better policies and support systems to address the holistic needs of refugees. Dr. Melati Nungsari, Associate Professor of Economics, Asia School of Business shares her insights on the essential changes required to tackle these challenges.

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Vietnam’s economy grew by 7.4% in the third quarter of this year, marking its strongest growth in two years. Hanoi's economic performance exceeded expectations, with strong exports and industrial production helping to offset the impacts of Typhoon Yagi—considered the worst in seven decades. Brian Lee, an economist from Maybank Investment Banking Group discusses the outlook for Vietnam’s economy

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Last month, the Asian Development Bank has forecast that India’s economic growth will remain robust with GDP expected to increase by 7% this year and 7.2% next year. The Nifty 50 Index is also at historical highs, having breached the 26,000-point level in late September. Avi Satwalekar, President of Franklin Templeton Asset Management India shares some insights.

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Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia has re-elected Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as president, while secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin is elected deputy president, both uncontested. Dr Azmi Hassan, Senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research gives some insights into the party's direction with the vice-presidency still up for grabs, and the losses faced from the recent Mahkota and Nenggiri by-elections.

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The digital creative industry in Malaysia is flourishing, making some RM6.3 billion ringgit in revenue in 2022 and attracting RM1.6 billion in investments. What kind of policies would further advance the industry in the age of A.I. and amid fierce competition? Irwan Junaidy, Co-founder & Chief Creative Officer of The R&D Studio, discusses the future potential and innovative trends shaping this vibrant market.

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In an effort to elevate Malaysia’s rankings in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), the government has formed a Special Task Force, which met for the first time last week. We speak to Dr Muhammad Mohan, President of Transparency International Malaysia who is a part of the task force, for more information on the group's mandate and the initiatives needed to boost Malaysia's CPI ranking.

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The Control of Cigarette Products Act, effective 1 October, aims to safeguard children and teenagers by regulating the sale of tobacco and vape products while prohibiting smoking in 28 locations. The government has introduced a two-phase plan for implementation that includes immediate enforcement alongside an educational campaign. Roslizawati Mohd Ali, Executive Board Member, Malaysian Council of Tobacco Control shares her insights on the effectiveness of these new regulations.

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