Morning Brief

After years of political and legal uncertainty, TikTok has struck a deal allowing it to continue operating in the US under a majority American-owned joint venture. Dr Bradley Freeman, Professor of Creative Arts & Media, School of Arts, Sunway University, examines what this means for data security, algorithmic control, and if  this model addresses the original issue.

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Applications to Malaysia’s civil service are falling even as the Public Service Commission plans to hire more in 2026. Syafiq Ridzwan, Chief of Information, Malaysian Youth Council, shares his insights into how changing entry requirements and attitudes of civil servants towards corruption, shape the quality of public service.

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Earlier this month, Sunway Berhad launched a conditional takeover offer for IJM Corporation Berhad, valued about 11 billion ringgit, largely through a share swap. The deal is framed to create a larger ‘national champion’ in construction and property, but it comes at a tricky time as MACC has launched a probe on IJM. We ask Pankaj C. Kumar, Business Commentator for his view on the valuations and if the deal will materialise.

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Private healthcare costs are rising, insurance premiums have jumped, and the central bank has published a whitepaper proposing a base medical and health insurance plan (also known as MHIT) as part of a broader effort to rein in costs. We ask if this offers adequate protection and whether it can meaningfully address medical inflation. Dr. Khor Swee Kheng, Chief Executive Officer of Angsana Health and a specialist in health systems, will help us break this down.

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Yesterday, Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee announced that the Overnight Policy Rate remains unchanged at 2.75%, saying the current policy setting remains appropriate and supportive amid price stability. Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist, Ambank will be sharing his perspective on BNM’s OPR decision, and the outlook for Malaysia’s economy.

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Earlier this week, we saw a wipeout of about 700 billion US dollars from Magnificent 7 stocks due to US-Greenland uncertainty - though there’s been some recovery since. Be that as it may, the episode does call into question what the outlook of US tech stocks is, and Jonathan Curtis, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Equity will be sharing his thoughts with us.

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Malaysia’s rail ambitions are back in the spotlight, not just what we build, but how it performs and what it costs. In the Klang Valley, Rapid Rail carries millions of passengers on core urban routes, even as financial losses persist. At the national level, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is nearing operations, raising fresh questions about how big rail projects should ultimately be priced. For perspectives on our rail system, we’ll be speaking to Dato' Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd. Sadullah, Vice Chancellor, Universiti Putra Malaysia.

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Malaysia is pushing forward with the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, with 70% of the framework already completed. But can it truly keep the waters safe and accessible when it does not resolve territorial disputes? For better understanding, we speak with Dr. Abdul Rahman Yaacob, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at Verve Research, Australia.

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The US Supreme Court is expected to deliver its ruling on President Donald Trump’s tariffs only by Feb 20, leaving importers, markets, and international partners in suspense. Dr Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation, unpacks the impact on businesses and global commerce, as well as how the US and Europe are navigating a tense trade landscape.

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Financial markets are currently navigating what has been dubbed the 'Greenland Tariff Gambit', a significant geopolitical shock triggered by President Trump’s threat to impose 10% tariffs on eight European nations. We ask Christopher Wong, FX Strategist at OCBC Bank what impact all these geopolitical risks have on the FX market.

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