Morning Brief

Malaysia’s F&B sector is facing mounting cost pressures from higher wages, ingredient prices, and the expanded 8% SST. Will Budget 2026 deliver the relief the industry needs? Patrick Sim, Council Member of the Food & Beverage Division at the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), shares his insights on what measures he hopes to see in the upcoming budget.

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This week President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops to Chicago in response to rising protests against immigration enforcement actions by federal authorities. How far can Trump push the limits of his Presidential office? We discuss the potential scenarios with Dr. Kathryn Robison of the United States Studies Centre under the University of Sydney.

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Antony Lee, Deputy Chairman of the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM), explains the factors contributing to higher repair costs for electric vehicles and their implications for long-term ownership and insurance premiums. He also highlights how medical costs are rising faster than insurance premiums.

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Malaysia’s construction sector has had a standout year so far. More than RM126 billion worth of contracts have already been awarded year-to-date. Will 2026 Budget see the rollout of more projects? Chong Tjen San, Director, CGS International  gives us his view and also his top stock picks.

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• The government has launched the Elderly Action Plan 2026–2030 to improve care and support for senior citizens across Malaysia. With life expectancy now at 76, up from 63, fifty years ago, how prepared are we to meet the needs of our ageing population? We speak with Delren Douglas, President, Association for Residential Aged Care Operators of Malaysia (AGECOPE).

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is visiting India this week to build upon the free trade agreement secured between London and New Delhi in July. How might geopolitics shape the nature of UK-India relations in the future? We discuss expectations with Dr. Benjamin Barton of the University of Nottingham Malaysia.

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The semiconductor sector makes up 70% of Malaysia’s total E&E exports accounting for nearly RM440 billion ringgit in 2024. With the threat of US tariffs still looming, can Budget 2026 provide measures to fortify the Malaysian semiconductor industry to weather economic storms? We discuss Budget 2026 expectations with Andrew Chan, Executive Director of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association.

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More funds are expected to flow into Asian equities if US interest rates continue to decline and the de-dollarisation trend persists. Michael Chang, Head of Investments at Eastspring Investments Bhd, says he favours the technology and industrial sectors in North Asian markets, adding that corporate earnings in China are beginning to show signs of stabilisation.

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Malaysia has made major strides in digital infrastructure, data governance, and institutional coordination as guided by the Public Sector Digitalisation Strategic Plan (PSDSP) 2021–2025. Ayesha Khurshid,  Public Sector Specialist for the World Bank tells us if our  digital capabilities have started translating into real economic payoffs.

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Incentives for Budget 2025 introduced several incentives for homebuyers, including first-time owners, and similar measures could be on the way, says Jamie Tan, Managing Director of JLL Malaysia. With housing affordability still a key concern, he notes that additional incentives may also be needed to offset the impact of the expanded SST on developers, landlords, and ultimately, buyers and tenants.

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