Morning Brief

Malaysia's oil and gas industry is a key pillar of the economy, making up approximately 20% of annual GDP. This year, the oil & gas, services and equipment, or OGSE industry anticipates a notable rise in capital expenditure, signalling positive growth prospects. Yet, attention is drawn to the Middle East, where potential conflict escalation could bring both uncertainties and potential advantages for oil and gas entities. Ts. Syed Saggaf Syed Ahmad, President of The Malaysian Oil, Gas & Energy Services Council (MOGSC) shares his analysis of the industry landscape for 2024.

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The government will be revising the guidelines on the appointment process for board members of Federal Statutory Bodies. Meanwhile, a new format for MPs and administrative officials to declare their assets will be tabled soon in a Cabinet meeting. Alissa Rode, Research Manager for Public Finance Unit, IDEAS shares her insights on whether these efforts will be able to foster better governance and transparency.

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The past year or so saw the US dollar reign supreme as the Federal Reserve kept interest rates elevated, and geopolitical uncertainty encouraged people to keep the greenback as a safe haven. Luca Santos, a currency analyst at ACY Securities, shares his views on how other major currencies that didn't do so well, including the Japanese yen, the euro and the sterling pound might fare in 2024.

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The Malaysia property sector is forecast to grow by as much as 15% this year compared to 2023, thanks to a positive macroeconomic environment, supportive government policies, and a rise in investment inflows. Amy Wong Siew Fong, Executive Director of Research & Consultancy with Knight Frank Malaysia, shares her thoughts on where she thinks these areas of growth might be.

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The headwinds of last year which includes geopolitical tensions and a slowdown in global growth, especially in China are likely to persist in 2024. So what is the outlook for mid-tier companies? Callum Chen, President of Malaysian Consortium of Mid-Tier Companies tells us whilst weighing in on what government policies will help their association members to thrive.

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E-Commerce giant Lazada recently retrenched a large number of staff at its Singaporean and Malaysian operations. This amidst tough competition in the e-commerce space as well as the streamlining of functions to remain agile and adapt to customer trends. We speak to Jianggan Li, CEO of Momentum Works to understand the implications of these layoffs to the sector and how they need to manoeuvre before more competitors enter the market.

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Organisational consulting firm Korn Ferry has been in the business of talent for decades. Country Managing Director, Anthony Raja Devadoss shares with us his expectations of the job market, what sectors are hiring, why do companies engage their recruitment services despite the existence of digital platforms as well as what percentage increments employees should look out for.

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The stage is set for Taiwan's presidential election on January 13, that is expected to shape future ties between the self-ruled island and mainland China. Three candidates will vie for the post - the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang, the more centre-left and US-friendly Democratic Progressive Party and the smaller Taiwan’s People Party. Brian Hioe, Co-Founding Editor of New Bloom Magazine shares his thoughts.

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Malaysia may be blessed with abundant water resources but supply disruptions continue to occur as a result of ageing infrastructure, pollution and sometimes bad management. Datuk Abdul Kadir Mohd Din, immediate past president of the Malaysian Water Association, explains how we can better manage this natural resource moving forward.

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From the Sheraton Move, the Dubai Move and now the Chow Kit Move, Members of Parliament from the Opposition parties are working hard to give the impression that they have the numbers to topple Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government. We speak with Dr Azmi Hassan, Senior Fellow with Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research to understand the implications of these actions and whether it is possible even with the Anti Hopping Law.

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