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Opinion and analysis of today’s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.
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When cloud network services company, Cloudflare, crashed this week, there was a worldwide outage taking major websites offline and exposed the fragility of the internet. CF Fong, CEO of LGMS Berhad shares his view on what went wrong and how businesses can build stronger cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Malaysia is set to introduce the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system, allowing vehicles to pass tolls without stopping. To implement this, amendments to key transport laws are required, but challenges like technology reliability and highway operator cooperation remain. We delve into these and other developments with Transport Consultant, Wan Agyl Wan Hassan.This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly EmiratesImage Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Erin Cook, a journalist covering Southeast Asian affairs, explains the massive Manila protest that drew up to 650,000 people over alleged multibillion-dollar kickbacks in flood-control projects and whether this unrest could spark a leadership shake-up.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1.8 million people will be voting in the Sabah elections, of which more than half a million will be under the age of 30. However, voter turnout for this segment is low at just 55%. We speak to grassroots movement HAI MANDAK, as to why this is the case and what are the issues facing young Sabahans.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Asia is in the middle of a rapid data centre boom, driven by accelerating digitalisation, cloud demand and the spillover from Singapore’s capacity constraints. Malaysia has been a beneficiary of this but what are the bottlenecks we face? Linda Zeng, Senior Power & Renewables Analyst, BMI gives us that answer and some solutions so we can stay ahead of the competition.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
EPF has just posted one of its strongest performances in years for the first nine months of 2025. With two-tier pension reforms, rising voluntary contributions, and the growing influence of social media and finfluencers, the investment landscape is shifting. Ng Tzu Hann, CEO of Tradeview Capital, joins us to unpack it all.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr Azmil Tayeb, Political Scientist at Universiti Sains Malaysia, discusses MIC’s potential exit from Barisan Nasional after nearly seven decades, where the party might head next, and whether it still holds relevance among Indian voters.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
China and Japan are locked in a new confrontation, sparked by Tokyo’s comments on Taiwan and escalated by Beijing’s tourism bans, market pressure, and military moves near the Senkaku Islands. Professor Alexis Dudden, a visiting professor at the Department of Japanese Studies, National University of Singapore, helps us understand what's at stake.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Australian markets have been like a yoyo this year, dropping by 10% in April to 7,343 points to then recover and hit a year to date high of 9,094 points in late October. However recent selling of late has meant the ASX 200 year to date gains are currently just 5.3%. Matt Ingram, Senior Industry Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence gives us the 2026 outlook and also if banks are the sector that will outperform.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Following the departure of Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Sharif as Kuala Lumpur mayor, 9 months short of her 2-year term, questions abound as to why this has happened, especially as she has been one of the most qualified persons for this job. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, MP for Setiawangsa, shares his thoughts on working with Maimunah and whether or not local council elections might be a feasible future solution.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Vietnam’s property market is entering a new phase as sweeping land and housing reforms reshape investment flows and urban growth. Trang Le, Country Head & Head of Research and Consulting at JLL Vietnam talks about where demand is rising, and how foreign developers are positioning themselves, and what lies ahead for the next property cycle.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bank Negara Malaysia reported the country’s economy grew 5.2% in the third quarter, which suggest that Malaysia is on course to hit the upper end of the 4% to 4.8% growth target for this year. Dr Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, Chief Economist, Bank Muamalat tells us the house view of GDP growth and Ringgit outlook for 2026.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yesterday, the Federal Court dismissed Semantan Estate’s appeal to reclaim ownership of the 263-acre plot in Bukit Semantan, Kuala Lumpur. Haniff Khatri, practising lawyer explains why the court made that decision and how compensation might be determined.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sabah heads to the polls at the end of this month with nomination day tomorrow. We break down the shifting alliances and explore what’s at stake with Professor James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If successful, Visit Malaysia Year 2026 could contribute as much as 16% to Malaysia’s GDP next year. Imran Yusof, Head of Research at MBSB Research, discusses the key growth drivers, potential risks, the sectors poised to benefit, and shares his top five stock picks tied to this theme.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Private credit has expanded rapidly since the global financial crisis, growing into a US 1.7 trillion dollar market as tighter banking regulations pushed more lending activity outside traditional finance. Thomas Cheong, President of Principal APAC & Middle East and Executive Vice President of Principal Financial Group helps us understand where the opportunities are in this asset class and what investment strategy to adopt.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Felix Neoh, Director of Financial Planning at Finwealth Management, explains the objectives and expected impact of the new 15-minute financial education module that consumers applying for personal loans above RM100,000 will be required to complete starting in 2027. Nonetheless, there isn’t a test at the end.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The BBC’s ongoing controversy comes amid rising licensing fees paid by UK viewers and increasing scrutiny over the company’s editorial integrity. Dr. Benjamin Barton, Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, outlines the challenges facing the broadcaster and believes it is unlikely to settle former US President Trump’s US$1 billion lawsuit threat.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There is news that the government plans to amend the MARA Act 1966 to improve governance and centralise oversight. The 59-year-old agency has faced scrutiny over transparency, overlapping functions, and underperformance. Ahmad Yazid Othman, Senior Fellow at the Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Melayu (MTEM), shares his views on this.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Malaysia has had some recent wins from the strength of the Ringgit to strong economic growth despite the geopolitical tensions and trade war. So, has Malaysia found its glory days again. A question that was posed by Daniel Moss, a Bloomberg commentator in his op-ed piece entitled "Malaysia Got Its Mojo Back. But for How Long?" . We ask him why he wrote the article and if there are challenges ahead.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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