Morning Brief

With another MRT line set to be operational tomorrow, the Klang Valley's transit system is starting to take shape. What will this mean for property development in the region? Should developers build at transit centres or should transit centres be built at where people already are? Datuk NK Tong, the Real Estate & Housing Developers' Association Malaysia's president breaks it down for us.

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The banking and crypto-currency sectors faced a triple whammy this past week, with the failure of Silvergate Capital, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in quick succession. The three were central banking partners to the crypto sector, acting as conduits between regulated financial institutions, centralised crypto services, and decentralised finance. How much of a setback are these developments for the growth of digital assets? Fintech expert Varun Mittal weighs in.

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Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced plans to allow those in dire financial straits to apply for personal loans using their EPF funds as a form of collateral. Would the proposal placate those calling for another round of EPF withdrawals? We discuss ideas to revamp Malaysia's retirement system to address demographic challenges with Dr. Lee Hwok-Aun of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

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Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced plans to allow those in dire financial straits to apply for personal loans using their EPF funds as a form of collateral. Would the proposal placate those calling for another round of EPF withdrawals? We discuss ideas to revamp Malaysia's retirement system to address demographic challenges with Dr. Lee Hwok-Aun of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

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Bersatu conducted their annual general meeting over the weekend, with the party rallying behind beleaguered party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. How will the corruption charges against Bersatu leaders impact their chances at the state elections? We discuss the scenarios with Adib Zalkapli of BowerGroup Asia.

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France's Senate has passed by a vote of 195 to 112, President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform plan to raise the retirement age by two years, from 62 to 64. It also proposes to increase the number of years of work required to claim a full pension. This proposal has sparked protests since 2018. Emeritus Professor of History Peter McPhee of the University of Melbourne breaks down how this might impact Macron's Renaissance party's fortunes and the country's social fabric.

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Silicon Valley Bank is the first US bank to collapse in a decade followed by New York's Signature Bank. We ask Christopher Whalen, investment banker and Chairman at Whalen Global Advisors about what gave rise to these fallouts and the key developments to watch out for.

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Since the reopening of the nation’s border in April last year, Malaysia has recorded more than 10 million tourist arrivals and 28 billion ringgit in tourist receipts but with a ban on luxury tax and shopping inclusion in tourists itinerary, we speak to Nigel Wong, Honorary Treasurer & Spokesperson, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) to get his perspective on the long term outlook

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Since the reopening of the nation’s border in April last year, Malaysia has recorded more than 10 million tourist arrivals and 28 billion ringgit in tourist receipts but with a ban on luxury tax and shopping inclusion in tourists itinerary, we speak to Nigel Wong, Honorary Treasurer & Spokesperson, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) to get his perspective on the long term outlook

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Indonesia's GDP growth climbed to its strongest in nine years last year, and has been betting big on the EV industry. We ask Anthony Nafte, Senior Economist at CLSA the outlook for ASEAN economies and Indonesia's progress to transform itself to an EV hub.

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