Morning Brief

Putrajaya has warned that the main contractor for the LRT3 Shah Alam Line could incur RM475 million in penalties for the continued delay in the operation of this line. Dato’ Professor Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah of Universiti Putra Malaysia explains how complex system integration and land acquisition to coordination challenges, might be behind these delays.

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As the Israel-Iran War intensifies, Europe is faced with big questions. University of Nottingham Malaysia's Dr. Benjamin Barton unpacks the continent's deep divide: Spain's refusal to aid US strikes, Germany's strategic silence to protect Ukraine funding, and Donald Trump's retaliatory tariff threats against the EU. Are we witnessing the limits of European strategic autonomy?

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The government has renewed Lynas’ operating license for 10 years, allowing the Australian firm to continue producing rare earths at its Gebeng plant. Datuk Chang Lih Kang, Science, Technology & Innovation Minister, explains the rationale for this decision from the need to secure a non-Chinese supply chain to explaining to voters why this decision was taken.

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Since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, Brent crude has surged past $80 a barrel, reigniting the geopolitical risk premium. Sim Moh Siong, a commodity strategist at OCBC explains how the protracted disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, OPEC+’s production response, and what elevated oil prices could mean for global growth and Asian economies.

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The debate for the bill to separate the AG and PP was put on hold after the government announced a Parliamentary Special Select Committee to discuss this matter after opposition from even within the government. Member of Parliament for Muar, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman who is also a member of this PSC gives us his views.

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Middle East tensions are driving oil higher, lifting volatility and reviving safe haven demand. How far could this shock spill into global growth, inflation and financial markets? And what does it mean for rate cuts, the US dollar, and Asean FX? We speak with Barnabas Gan, Group Chief Economist and Head of Market Research at RHB Bank, on the risks, scenarios and policy implications.

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With the launch of Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, the United States and Israel have moved beyond containment to a direct military campaign for regime change in Tehran - and Dr Malcolm Davis, Security Analyst, Australian Strategic Policy Institute will be joining us to discuss the military capabilities shown by the US, Israel and Iran.

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In 2025, more than 60,000 New Zealand citizen left the country including their former Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern and her family. Sharon Zollner, Chief Economist, ANZ Bank New Zealand, tells us the economic reasons for this and what measures have been put in place to slow the tide which, if left unchecked, could lead to negative consequences for this island country.

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Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s political reform agenda hit a setback yesterday, when the bill proposing constitutional amendments to cap the prime  minister’s tenure failed to secure enough votes for the bill to pass. What does this say about the unity of the Madani government? We discuss this and political trends in Malaysia with Dr. Oh Ei Sun of the Pacific Research Center.

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The escalating war in Iran perpetrated by the US and Israel have shut down airports and airspaces in the region, impacting Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, among the busiest in the world. Capt Mohd Radzi Mohd Alias of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, takes us through the passenger protection frameworks that are in place, when crises like these happen.

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