Morning Brief

With Malaysia’s core inflation remaining high, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has called for a collective effort to battle inflation. Recently, he has received flak for stating consumers are partly to be blamed for high food prices, and for suggesting them to avoid buying staple food such as chicken when food prices go up. However, is this the right advice for consumers feeling pinched by rising food prices? We speak to Dr Geoffrey Williams, Economist, Malaysia University of Science and Technology, for some answers.

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With Malaysia’s core inflation remaining high, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has called for a collective effort to battle inflation. Recently, he has received flak for stating consumers are partly to be blamed for high food prices, and for suggesting them to avoid buying staple food such as chicken when food prices go up. However, is this the right advice for consumers feeling pinched by rising food prices? We speak to Dr Geoffrey Williams, Economist, Malaysia University of Science and Technology, for some answers.

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In a surprising move, China overturned its zero Covid policy by removing almost all the restrictions, including reopening its borders. However, this coincides with a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in China. Countries such as the US, Italy, Japan and India have taken preemptive measures to contain the spread of the virus by announcing test requirements for inbound travellers from China. How impactful would international travel restrictions be on the spreading of Covid-19, and are there other policies that should be considered by governments? We speak to Prof. Ben Cowling, Chair of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, for answers.

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For the last 10 years, the return of the FBMKLCI has been a dismal -11%. Will 2023 prove to be a turning point for Malaysia? Imran Yusof, Head of Research at MIDF Amanah Investment Bank tells us while giving us his FBMKLCI target and top stock picks.

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Recently, health news portal Code Blue has raised the alarm on overcrowding at emergency wards in public hospitals. This can be seen in hospitals such as the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, where critically ill non-Covid patients had to wait for up to six days in the emergency department. In response to this, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced that the ministry will address this. So what are the long term initiatives needed for the public healthcare sector? For insights, we speak to Assistant Professor Dr Farhan Rusli, Public Health Medicine Specialist.

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After winning just 30 seats at the GE15, what will be the mood at Umno's General Assembly? We ask Dr Azmi Hassan, Senior Fellow, Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research that question and who might throw their hat into the ring to be the next President of the party.

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The Nikkei 225 is down 10% for the year while Japan’s GDP shrank an annualised 0.8 percent in the third quarter, as global recession risks and higher import costs weighed on consumption. Also, core inflation climbed 3.7 percent in November which is at its four-decade high and raising pressure on the central bank to roll back its massive stimulus. Japan has bucked the trend and continues to keep interest rates at ultra-low levels. How will all this play out in 2023 and what investment strategy should investors consider? For answers we speak to Zui Shiromoto, Investment Manager, Neuberger Berman.

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Recently, health news portal Code Blue has raised the alarm on overcrowding at emergency wards in public hospitals. This can be seen in hospitals such as the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, where critically ill non-Covid patients had to wait for up to six days in the emergency department. In response to this, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced that the ministry will address this. So what are the long term initiatives needed for the public healthcare sector? For insights, we speak to Assistant Professor Dr Farhan Rusli, Public Health Medicine Specialist.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently on social media, renowned healthcare expert Prof. Dr. Adeeba Kamaruzzaman lamented the fact that Malaysia was losing its best and brightest medical graduates to Singapore every year. This reignited a long, ongoing debate on how to tackle the pervasive brain drain in key economic sectors. Dr Niaz Asadullah, Southeast Asia Lead at the Global Labor Organisation, Professor of Economics, at Monash University Malaysia tells us if we can reverse this structural issue.

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Recently on social media, renowned healthcare expert Prof. Dr. Adeeba Kamaruzzaman lamented the fact that Malaysia was losing its best and brightest medical graduates to Singapore every year. This reignited a long, ongoing debate on how to tackle the pervasive brain drain in key economic sectors. Dr Niaz Asadullah, Southeast Asia Lead at the Global Labor Organisation, Professor of Economics, at Monash University Malaysia tells us if we can reverse this structural issue.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.