Morning Brief

During US President Joe Biden's visit to Hanoi this week, the US and Vietnam elevated their bilateral relations to that of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Journalist and author Sebastian Strangio joins us to discuss what this means and also how this development sits with Beijing.

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The Dewan Rakyat has kicked off a 6-day special session to table the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-term Review with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealing that there will be a higher spending ceiling of RM15 billion taking the total amount to RM415 billion, and still remaining within the 3.5% deficit target by 2025. Chehan Perera, Head of Research & Strategist at CGS- CIMB Securities explores what this means for the equity markets.

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Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made history by becoming the first Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president to attend a DAP congress, during which 9 resolutions that included recognition of Malay special rights were passed. Dr Azmil Tayeb, Associate Professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia also talks about how other recent local political developments might reshape the landscape.

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Bank Negara Malaysia kept the overnight policy rate at 3% in line with expectations. However what impact does that have on the bond market in light of the high foreign shareholding of MGS. Ang Beng Kuan, Head of Investments at Hong Leong Islamic Asset Management tells us.

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Malaysia had its first by-elections after the recent state polls with twin elections in Johor for the state seat of Simpang Jeram and Parliamentary seat of Pulai after the death of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub. Turnout was poor and PH did win both seats as expected.

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Bernas has recently increased the price of imported white rice by 36% in the face of a global rice shortage, as Malaysia still needs to import 30% of its requirements. Professor Datin Paduka Dr Fatimah Arshad, Research Fellow with the Institute of Agricultural and Food Policy Studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia explains what Putrajaya is doing right (or wrong) in its efforts to reach 100% self-sufficiency in rice production.

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Bank Negara Malaysia kept the overnight policy rate at 3% in line with expectations. However what impact does that have on the bond market in light of the high foreign shareholding of MGS. Ang Beng Kuan, Head of Investments at Hong Leong Islamic Asset Management tells us.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The G20 summit meeting concluded in New Delhi, India yesterday and after initial concerns on member states refusing to sign the joint declaration, a “100% consensus from all countries” was reached. But with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi JinPing absent from the G20 summit, is the G20 still significant? We speak with Bunn Nagara, Director and Senior Fellow, BRI Caucus for Asia-Pacific, and Honorary Fellow, Perak Academy for his insights.

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The electrical and electronic industry has been identified as one of the 5 priority sectors in the New Industrial Master Plan to help Malaysia drive its economic growth, create new employment opportunities, and increase the median salary levels. We speak with Dato' Lim Yong Jin, Vice President of Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association, to get his views on whether the announced action plans will be able to meet the ambitious 2030 targets and move the country up the value chain.

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The electrical and electronic industry has been identified as one of the 5 priority sectors in the New Industrial Master Plan to help Malaysia drive its economic growth, create new employment opportunities, and increase the median salary levels. We speak with Dato' Lim Yong Jin, Vice President of Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association, to get his views on whether the announced action plans will be able to meet the ambitious 2030 targets and move the country up the value chain.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.