Morning Brief

The recent attack on Iran by the US and Israel has not only caused oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices to soar, but also shipping carrier rates as the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed off. We speak to Kenneth Loh, Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence about the outlook for the shipping sector and what it means for global trade.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran is confronting its most serious leadership crisis since 1979 after the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israel air strikes on Saturday. What options does Tehran have to ensure regime survival and how are neighbours in the Gulf region reacting to the crisis? We discuss this with Middle East expert Dr. James Dorsey.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the American public onboard with President Donald Trump's military strikes on Iran? We discuss public sentiment and how the Middle East conflict could influence voter decisions in the November mid-term elections with independent pollster John Zogby.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

News that the government is setting aside RM480 million from the 2025 development budget to support loss-making Vantris Energy Bhd, ostensibly to safeguard vendors and industry capacity, has raised some questions. Independent business writer, P Gunasegaram, talks about the implications of this development.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Employees' Provident Fund has declared a 6.15% dividend for 2025 for both its shariah and conventional accounts, which some contend as being below expectations. Ng Zhu Hann, founder & CEO of Tradeview Capital shares his perspectives on the payout amid a stronger ringgit, shifting membership dynamics, and overall equities performance in 2025.

The First Look is brought to you by HLB Priority. We know what your real priorities are.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is set to revamp its pre-university admissions with a “single window, single offer” system and standardise First Class degree awards. But will these changes really level the playing field and improve our higher education system? We get insights from Prof. Zaharom Nain, Director & Adjunct Professor, Allianz Centre for Governance at Universiti Malaya.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The start of 2026 has signalled a diplomatic "thaw" as a parade of world leaders, including those from the UK, Canada, and Germany, descend on Beijing. What do these visits signal? Angeline Tan, Analyst, Institute Of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, gives us her perspective whilst we also discuss the upcoming US-China meeting at the end of March.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telekom Malaysia is switching its 5G wholesale partner from Digital Nasional Berhad, to U Mobile, a move that comes as Malaysia advances its shift from a single to a dual network model. The announcement has unsettled the market and raised fresh questions about ownership, competition and the economics of 5G. We unpack the implications with Alex Wong, Managing Editor and Co-Founder of SoyaCincau.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DAP is pushing for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into allegations of a “corporate mafia” involving businessmen and senior MACC officials. Syahredzan Johan, DAP's national vice-chairman and MP for Bangi, explains why the party views the corporate mafia allegations as serious and what an RCI can realistically achieve, and how the government should respond.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The escalating bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery is heating up as Paramount Skydance has made a "best and final" $31-per-share all-cash offer, officially pressuring the Warner Bros. board to reconsider its existing merger agreement with Netflix. Geetha Ranganathan, Senior Media Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence, tells us who might emerge victorious and what the outlook is for the rest of the sector in 2026.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.