Terengganu Tops Budget Transparency, Selangor Leads on Oversight

Think tank IDEAS released its Malaysia Open Budget Index 2026, evaluating all 13 states. Ahmad Abi Shifa Mohd Hassan, Assistant Manager for Research at IDEAS, joins BFM’s Morning Brief to unpack why Terengganu led in transparency while Selangor topped legislative oversight, and how a methodology ov…

Another Review of Malaysia's Minimum Wage Policy

The government is reviewing the RM1,700 monthly minimum wage to determine whether it still meets workers’ needs. Dr Geoffrey Williams, an economist, founder and director of Williams Business Consulting, shares his views on this and if the latest proposal have its desired effect of raising workers’ …

Is Trump Becoming a Midterm Liability?

Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 33% in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, the lowest of his presidency, as frustration grows over the Iran war, fuel prices and the cost of living. With Democrats needing only modest gains to retake the House and signs of discontent emerging even among Repub…

Tian Chua on Returning to PKR & Party Unity

Prime Minister and PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended an open invitation to former party veterans and the otai-otai old guard to return to the fold. Tian Chua, former PKR Vice-President and former MP for Batu, joins BFM’s Morning Brief to discuss his readiness to rejoin the party. …

Charles Santiago on DAP Strategy & Key Reforms

Following DAP's National Congress vote to remain in the unity government, questions remain over how the party should leverage its position. Charles Santiago, former DAP lawmaker and former MP for Klang, joins BFM’s Morning Brief to analyse the 48% delegate turnout at the Congress and explain why th…

Malaysia's Inflation in Check : What's Next?

July’s consumer inflation of 1.8% came in slightly below consensus expectations and despite uncertainties surrounding the war in the Middle East, the overall impact on inflation in 2026 is expected to remain under control. Julia Goh, Senior Economist at UOB Malaysia, helps us make sense of the late…

The US-Iran Deal Is Dead. What Now?

The 60-day US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding has expired without a permanent agreement, leaving both sides once again confronting the possibility of a deeper conflict. Washington and Tehran remain divided over sanctions, the Strait of Hormuz and the terms for renewed negotiations, while increasin…

Morning Brief - Aug 17, 2026

PKR wrapped up its national congress over the weekend, during which party president and prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced several reforms, in the aftermath of election losses and high-profile departures. Dr Khoo Ying Hooi, Associate Professor at the Department of International & Str…

DAP Votes to Stay: What’s Next for Reforms?

DAP delegates voted overwhelmingly at the National Congress to remain in the federal Unity government through the end of the parliamentary term. Kasthuri Patto, Central Executive Committee Member of DAP, joins BFM’s Morning Brief to discuss the mood on the ground, the internal debates between leavi…

Repealing AUKU Is Not Enough

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced the government’s decision to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, after decades of calls for its abolition. Dr Sharifah Munirah Alatas, an independent scholar, author and researcher, shares her thoughts on this development …