Morning Brief

Budget 2027 is expected to focus on easing the cost of living and strengthening household incomes, but the government faces limited fiscal room to deliver meaningful relief. With middle-income Malaysians feeling increasingly squeezed, attention is turning to personal income tax reforms, housing affordability, cash transfers and the burden of SST. We speak to tax consultant SM Thanneermalai about which measures could make the biggest difference to household finances, and whether the government can balance immediate relief with longer-term fiscal sustainability. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Budget 2027 set to be tabled, Malaysia’s live entertainment industry is calling for more than just additional funding. Industry players want the government to abolish outdated entertainment duties, simplify concert approvals and address inconsistent regulations across states. We speak to Rizal Kamal of ALIFE Malaysia about how these reforms could lower costs for promoters and consumers, attract more international events and strengthen Malaysia’s position as a regional destination for live entertainment and tourism. The Morning Brief is brought to you by CIMB Private Wealth. Move your wealth forward with personalised wealth advisory and priority access to investment opportunities. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hang Seng Biotech Index has outperformed the broader market this year, fuelled by a wave of out-licensing deals with Western drugmakers, stronger R&D capabilities and attractive valuations. Eight years after the first biotech listing in Hong Kong, a growing number of these companies are turning profitable and moving from clinical-stage developers into commercial drugmakers. But profitability remains uneven across the sector, and a new round of Fed tightening could weigh on valuations. Herald van der Linde, Head of Equity Strategy for Asia Pacific at HSBC, discusses how to value the sector, which healthcare sub-sectors he prefers, and the key catalysts and risks ahead. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank of India has raised its benchmark repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.5%, its first hike in nearly four years, and signalled that more tightening could follow. Inflation has stayed above the RBI’s 4% target for three straight months, driven by higher oil prices from the Iran war and a weak monsoon, while the rupee hovers near record lows. Yet the economy grew 7.8% in the April to June quarter, and India is on track to overtake Japan as the world’s fourth-largest economy. Lavanya Venkateswaran, Senior ASEAN and India Economist at OCBC Bank, discusses how far the RBI will go, the risks from energy prices and stalled US-India trade talks, and whether India can sustain its growth momentum. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sabah got RM6.9 billion in federal development money under Budget 2026. Even so, the Auditor-General found that only four of the 35 Pan Borneo Highway packages in Sabah were finished as of March 2026, and the project's cost has risen by RM1.1 billion to RM19 billion. With 16 of the 29 MA63 issues now resolved and Budget 2027 coming up, the state wants the rest of its 40% revenue entitlement, more doctors in rural areas, and private investment that creates better jobs for young people. We speak to Ariff Adi Putera Anwar, Research Associate at the Institute for Development Studies (Sabah), about what Putrajaya should deliver next. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paramount Skydance has completed its US$110 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery, creating a Hollywood giant with franchises including Harry Potter, DC and Game of Thrones. But the combined company faces an enormous US$80 billion debt burden, ambitious cost-cutting targets and declining traditional television audiences. Can Skydance successfully integrate HBO Max and Paramount+, compete with streaming rivals such as Netflix and Disney, and deliver the financial returns investors expect? The Morning Brief is brought to you by CIMB Private Wealth. Move your wealth forward with personalised wealth advisory and priority access to investment opportunities. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s Parliamentary Services Act is now in force, with appointments to the new Parliamentary Service Council expected to move forward next week. The reform aims to give Parliament greater control over its staffing, finances and institutional resources, reducing its dependence on the Executive. But how quickly can these changes be implemented, what will they mean for MPs and parliamentary staff, and will greater administrative autonomy translate into meaningful legislative independence? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s tourism industry entered 2026 with ambitious targets and substantial government support, but higher travel costs and geopolitical disruption have weighed on international arrivals. With Budget 2027 approaching and the Visit Malaysia campaign extended into next year, the industry is seeking further support ranging from promotion and infrastructure to tax relief and lower operating costs. Where should the government direct its tourism spending, and does Malaysia need to rethink its strategy for attracting visitors? Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

34 years after it was repealed, the Parliamentary Services Act came back into force on October 1st, promising to free Parliament's administration from Executive control. But with key details still missing, from how "sufficient funding" is defined to who actually belongs to the parliamentary service, questions remain over whether the legislature has truly gained genuine independence. Wo Chang Xi, Research Analyst at Sustainable Development Solutions Network Asia Asia and member of Projek SAMA, joins The Morning Run to break down why the Act is an important milestone that still falls short. He discusses the urgent need for dedicated research services like an independent Parliamentary Budget Office, why the Parliamentary Service Council remains vulnerable to Executive influence, and what further standing order and funding reforms are needed to strengthen parliamentary scrutiny The Morning Brief is brought to you by CIMB Private Wealth. Move your wealth forward with personalised wealth advisory and priority…

More than two decades after ASEAN adopted its transboundary haze agreement, fires in Indonesia are once again affecting air quality across the region, with Sarawak particularly badly hit. Malaysia is pushing for stronger regional coordination, while attention is also turning to the responsibility of companies linked to plantation fires across borders. We examine whether ASEAN’s existing approach has reached its limits, how corporate accountability could be strengthened, and what it would take to stop haze from becoming a recurring regional crisis. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Budget 2027 set to be tabled this Friday, Malaysia's semiconductor industry is pushing for bold measures to keep multinational investors expanding and help local suppliers climb the tech ladder. Amid a global race for capital and specialised talent, the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) has laid out six core priorities. Dato' Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of MSIA, joins The Morning Run to detail what the chip sector needs from the upcoming budget. He addresses how to ease the friction of doing business, the urgency of expanding the STEM talent pool with foreign graduates, and why he remains confident in the AI boom despite warning shots of a global market correction. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brazil’s presidential election is heading to a second round after Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, highlighting the enduring strength of the conservative movement built by his father. The October 25 runoff could have consequences well beyond Brazil, shaping its relationships with the US and China, its role in BRICS, and its approach to trade and climate policy. The Morning Brief is brought to you by CIMB Private Wealth. Move your wealth forward with personalised wealth advisory and priority access to investment opportunities. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As financial crime becomes increasingly sophisticated across Southeast Asia, criminal networks are using legitimate businesses, property and financial channels to move illicit funds. Cliff Lim, Director of Risk & Compliance, Southeast Asia at Dow Jones, assesses Malaysia’s AML framework and what more can be done to tackle cross-border financial crime. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Formula 1’s surprise return to Sepang over the weekend delivered high-octane excitement, but behind the spectacle lies a bigger economic question. With hosting fees pegged at over RM300 million, if Malaysia rejoins the F1 calendar, can the event consistently draw the high-spending international tourists Malaysia would need to make this worthwhile? Hannah Pearson, Founder of tourism consultancy Pear Anderson, joins The Morning Run to break down what the early tourism numbers actually tell us. She weighs in on whether viral complaints over 2-hour walks, gridlocked shuttle buses, and crowd control hurt Malaysia's reputation, and what it will take to make F1 financially worth it in the long run. The Morning Brief is brought to you by CIMB Private Wealth. Move your wealth forward with personalised wealth advisory and priority access to investment opportunities. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Malaysia’s A-minus sovereign credit rating with a stable outlook, supported by steady economic growth and gradual fiscal consolidation. But the assessment also highlights vulnerabilities, including rising private-sector external borrowing and the risk that elevated oil prices could increase the government’s subsidy burden. We speak to S&P Global Ratings about what could strengthen or weaken Malaysia’s credit standing, and what it would take for the country to secure a ratings upgrade. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Budget 2027 set to be tabled this Friday, education is once again expected to be a major priority. Chan Soon Seng, CEO of Teach For Malaysia, talks about where education spending should be directed, strengthening teachers and school leadership, closing socioeconomic and geographical gaps, and ensuring funding translates into better outcomes. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global food prices have climbed to their highest level in nearly four years, with wheat, sugar, palm oil and other key commodities rising sharply amid weather disruptions and geopolitical tensions. Imran Yassin Yusof, Head of Research at MBSB Research, talks about what’s driving input costs which consumer stocks could emerge as winners or losers. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia allocated RM46.5 billion to the Health Ministry under Budget 2026, but calls are growing for Budget 2027 to tackle deeper structural pressures facing the healthcare system. From an ageing population and workforce shortages to primary care, long-term care and healthcare financing, the challenge is increasingly about how money is spent rather than simply how much. What should the government prioritise, and could reforms such as a Health Service Commission and national health insurance deliver lasting change? Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Companies can now apply to list on both Bursa Malaysia and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with one application and one listing document. The new process puts into effect the dual-listing framework that the Securities Commission Malaysia and Hong Kong's SFC agreed in July. So does this make Bursa more attractive, or do the bigger problems of liquidity, valuations and analyst coverage remain? We speak to Ng Zhu Hann, CEO & Founder of Tradeview Capital. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China is stepping up efforts to revive its economy with lower interest rates, expanded lending and mortgage subsidies aimed at supporting homebuyers. But while manufacturing and exports are showing resilience, domestic demand, investment and the property sector remain weak, leaving the economy increasingly reliant on external demand. Can Beijing’s latest measures restore confidence at home, and what happens if China can no longer depend on exports to compensate for sluggish domestic growth? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nuclear power often conjures images of Chernobyl, Fukushima, and atomic weapons, but as Malaysia’s energy demand surges, is it time to reconsider nuclear power? Datuk N.K. Tong, Nuclear Energy Advocate, joins The Morning Run to discuss why shifting public perception away from fear and toward facts is crucial for the nation's energy security. Datuk N.K. Tong breaks down why he thinks nuclear is one of the safest and most reliable base load energy sources, how small modular reactors (SMRs) could power industrial hubs, and why Malaysia is more prepared for nuclear adoption than most realise. Plus, he outlines what Budget 2027 should prioritise, funding regulators and talent over concrete, before a single reactor is built. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US-China trade tensions are redrawing Asia’s shipping map, with container lines shifting capacity towards intra-Asian routes and Southeast Asia handling a growing share of Chinese trade. Malaysia could benefit from rising cargo flows and manufacturing relocation, but tariff changes, vessel oversupply and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz are making the outlook increasingly unpredictable. Can Southeast Asia turn these shifting trade flows into lasting investment, and what happens to shipping rates when geopolitical disruption eventually eases? We speak with Kenneth Loh (APAC Shipping & Logistics Analyst) from Bloomberg Intelligence for more insights. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cartels and bid-rigging happen behind closed doors, so the people most likely to catch them are insiders. Until now, though, they've had little to gain from speaking up and a job to lose. Amendments to Malaysia's competition laws are set to change that, with stronger protection and rewards for whistleblowers, and they're expected to be gazetted this year. We speak to Datuk Iskandar Ismail, CEO of the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) on the matter. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASEAN and Canada are pushing to conclude negotiations on a long-awaited free trade agreement by November, with a deal covering not only tariffs but investment, services, digital trade and regional supply chains. But several ASEAN economies, including Malaysia, already enjoy preferential access to Canada through the CPTPP. What additional opportunities could an ASEAN-wide agreement create, who stands to benefit most, and will businesses actually use it? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How could a single weekend of Formula 1 racing deliver over RM1 billion to Malaysia’s economy? Hong Leong Investment Bank economist Felicia Ling breaks down the numbers. As Sepang steps in to host the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix during China’s lucrative Golden Week, Malaysia gets a rare, low-risk preview of F1’s revamped commercial power, without footing the usual USD 80 million price tag. Felicia weighs in on which sectors stand to capture the biggest windfall, how high-spending foreign fans alter the traditional tourism equation, and what long-term branding value Malaysia actually gains from the global spotlight. Plus, what would it realistically take for an annual Malaysian Grand Prix to make financial sense on a permanent basis? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised interest rates to a 15-year high of 4.60%, its fourth increase this year, as inflation remains stubbornly elevated despite weakening household spending and housing activity. Higher fuel prices and strong construction demand are complicating the central bank’s efforts to bring prices under control, while markets anticipate further tightening. How much more pain can Australian households absorb, and will interest rates need to reach 5% before inflation finally eases? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian equities are having a strong year, but the headline gains mask increasingly divergent performances across the region. Raj Singh, Portfolio Manager at Principal Asset Management, looks at what is driving the differences between China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, and where he sees investment opportunities amid the AI boom. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s proposed Freedom of Information Bill is under renewed scrutiny after civil society groups raised concerns over broad exemptions, existing secrecy laws and the effectiveness of its appeals process. A parliamentary townhall has now given stakeholders another opportunity to shape the legislation before it returns to Parliament. What needs to change for the Bill to deliver genuine access to information, and can Malaysia balance greater government transparency with legitimate safeguards? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The explosion of global e-commerce platforms has transformed Malaysian retail, offering consumers unprecedented choice, but also flooding the domestic market with cheap foreign direct sellers. As local SMEs struggle to keep up, Dr. Chin Chee Seong, National President of the SME Association of Malaysia, joins The Morning Run to assess the real impact on domestic businesses. Dr. Chin highlights which sectors are hitting a breaking point, pinpoints critical gaps in Malaysia's current regulatory framework, and shares insights on what must be done to level the playing field. He also outlines key asks for SMEs ahead of Budget 2027. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s new 134-kilometre Pinglu Canal gives its southwestern provinces a much shorter route to the sea and potentially closer access to Southeast Asian markets. For ASEAN, the waterway could open new opportunities to reach consumers in China’s interior, but it could also deepen a trade imbalance that already heavily favours Beijing. What will determine who benefits from this new trade corridor, and what does it mean for Malaysia and ASEAN’s economic relationship with China? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met twice this year, with the latest talks producing agreements on trade, tariffs and AI. But major disagreements over technology, rare earths and Taiwan remain unresolved. Dr Benjamin Barton of the University of Nottingham Malaysia shares his insights into what the summit tells us about the direction of US-China relations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's proposed Freedom of Information Bill has come under scrutiny from civil society groups and Parliament's Special Select Committee is now gathering public feedback. Arief Hamizan, an independent researcher on governance and civic space in Southeast Asia, shares his views on the FOI Bill's scope, exemptions, secrecy provisions and appeals process, and what would make it a meaningful right to information. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia approaches Budget 2027 tabling amid pre-election expectations, the government faces a delicate balancing act between expanding fiscal support and maintaining medium-term discipline. Dr Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, Chief Economist at Bank Muamalat, joins The Morning Run to evaluate the Madani government’s true fiscal room. Dr Afzanizam examines how the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) binds spending targets, assesses whether high fuel subsidy bills threaten deficit consolidation, and analyses whether strong first-half GDP growth offsets revenue pressures. He also provides his outlook for the Ringgit and Malaysian bond yields. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's redesigned MyKad hit an immediate snag: digital services including Touch 'n Go eWallet, three digital banks, and MyDigitalID all failed to recognise the new card during verification. Amin Ashaari, CEO and Co-Founder of SoyaCincau, joins The Morning Run to discuss the friction surrounding Malaysia’s updated national ID. He breaks down what his team's testing uncovered, where accountability lies between JPN and digital service providers, and why the reactive nature of every fix announced so far points to a preparation gap. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has revamped its Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme, or CRESS, the programme that lets businesses buy green electricity straight from renewable energy developers. The changes include lower grid usage fees, a new 10-year power purchase agreement, and a deadline for plants to start operating by end-2028. That could improve developers' margins and meet the green power demand coming from data centres, but the timeline is tight. We speak to Royce Tan, Senior Analyst at MBSB Research, about whether the changes will get more companies buying green power, and his top picks in the utilities sector. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prolonged hot and dry weather is putting Malaysia’s poultry farms under growing pressure, with heat stress potentially slowing chicken growth, reducing egg production and increasing the cost of keeping birds cool. While extreme temperatures do not automatically mean shortages, more frequent and prolonged heat could test the resilience of the wider food supply chain. How vulnerable is Malaysia’s poultry industry, and what investments and government support are needed to help farmers adapt to a hotter climate? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Indonesia has kept its benchmark interest rate at 5.75% for a third consecutive meeting, balancing pressure on the rupiah against the need to support domestic growth. With oil above US$100, elevated US Treasury yields and lingering concerns over Indonesia’s policy direction weighing on investor confidence, the central bank faces a difficult external environment. Can it stabilise the rupiah without further tightening, and what could force another change in interest rates before the end of the year? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melaka's state assembly has been dissolved, setting up Malaysia's third state election this year. Barisan Nasional is defending the state after big wins in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, while Pakatan Harapan, which left the state government in July, is talking to Bersatu about a possible "PH Plus" alliance. We speak to Dr Syaza Shukri, Associate Professor of Political Science at International Islamic University Malaysia, about the shifting alliances, what Najib's conditional pardon means for UMNO, and the stakes for Anwar and Pakatan Harapan. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plantation stocks have beaten the KLCI by almost 20 per cent this year, helped by higher CPO prices and better June-quarter earnings. But palm oil exports are slowing and El Nino is shaping up to be the strongest on record, so can the rally last? We speak to Nadia Subhan, Research Analyst at Affin Hwang Investment Bank, about the second-quarter results, her CPO price forecasts for 2026 and 2027, and her top picks in the sector. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe’s trade deficit with China has surpassed €1 billion a day, fuelling concerns that growing Chinese competition could accelerate the erosion of Europe’s industrial base. While the pressure is particularly visible in the automotive sector, Brussels argues the challenge is spreading across manufacturing and has promised to use its trade-policy tools to respond. With an October deadline approaching, can Europe address the imbalance without provoking Chinese retaliation and a broader trade war? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Ministry’s decision to remove the 30% Bumiputera equity requirement for private educational institutions under its purview has reignited a much broader debate over Malaysia’s Bumiputera economic policies. Dr Lee Hwok-Aun, Senior Fellow with the Malaysian Studies Programme at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, takes a look at this five-decade-old policy. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World leaders have gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly against the backdrop of the US-Iran conflict, the war in Ukraine and deepening divisions between the major powers. Donald Trump has used his address to defend American sovereignty and criticise international institutions, while China’s Xi Jinping is prioritising direct talks with Trump over attending the gathering. Can the UN still build meaningful consensus in an increasingly fragmented world, and what would genuine progress from this year’s General Debate actually look like? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House, with trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence and the war in Iran all adding to an already complex US-China relationship. Chong Ja Ian, Associate Professor of Political Science at the National University of Singapore, shares his insights. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Negeri Sembilan is caught in a deepening constitutional standoff after Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir revoked the appointments of all state executive councillors, a move Menteri Besar Dato' Ismail Lasim argues should have no legal effect without the Menteri Besar’s advice. The dispute hinges on competing interpretations of Article 38 of the State Constitution, further complicated by unresolved questions surrounding earlier attempts to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar under Article 10. Constitutional and litigation lawyer Surendra Ananth joins The Morning Run to unpack the cascading legal questions at play. Drawing on Federal Court precedent, including the landmark 1998 Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim ruling, Surendra examines which side holds the stronger legal position and outlines potential paths toward a definitive resolution. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's average monthly salary rose 4% to RM3,803 in 2025, but the headline figure masks a deeper trend: Wage growth is decelerating, the gender pay gap is widening slightly, and youth unemployment sits at 10.2%, more than three times the national rate. Wan Amirah Wan Usamah, Research Associate at the Khazanah Research Institute, joins The Morning Run to unpack the structural fault lines behind these numbers. She details geographic wage concentration in the Klang Valley, the career penalties women face during prime caregiving years, and what targeted wage policy, employer-linked training, and progressive pay structures could mean for Malaysia's labor market moving forward. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Convicted felon Dato' Seri Najib Razak's conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest has exposed fresh tensions within Malaysia's Unity Government. Dr Azmi Hassan, Senior Fellow at Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research, analyses these developments and the implications for Anwar Ibrahim's coalition. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Germany’s political establishment is under growing pressure after another bruising set of state elections for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU. The far-right AfD emerged strongest in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while the far-left Die Linke topped the vote in Berlin, highlighting growing fragmentation at both ends of the political spectrum. What is driving voters away from Germany’s mainstream parties, can the political firewall against the AfD hold, and what could these shifts mean for the country’s direction ahead of the 2029 federal election? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As global trade fault lines deepen, Europe is quietly doubling down on Southeast Asia to build its economic resilience. With the EU-ASEAN relationship nearing the 50-year mark and Brussels' $10 billion Global Gateway pledge still to be fully deployed, Chris Humphrey, Executive Director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council, joins The Morning Run to preview the 12th EU-ASEAN Business Summit in Manila. Chris outlines how European corporate optimism can be converted into tangible investment as ASEAN upgrades trade frameworks and negotiates digital trade principles with Brussels. He also examines where European capital can plug into the ASEAN Power Grid, imminent breakthroughs on the Philippines FTA alongside first-half 2027 timelines for Malaysia and Thailand, and how cross-border issues like haze impact investor perception. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twelve years became six. RM210 million became RM50 million. And now the convicted felon and corrupt criminal Datuk Seri Najib Razak could be going home to serve his sentence. Anand Raj, President of the Malaysian Bar Council, talks to us about what exactly does "house arrest" mean in Malaysia and if this creates a template that other prisoners could use. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has temporarily raised the electricity subsidy threshold from 600kWh to 800kWh as hotter weather and the haze push household consumption higher. Associate Prof Ts Dr Amar Hisham Jaaffar, Programme Coordinator of Master in Energy Management at Universiti Tenaga Nasional, discusses the implications of this development. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.