The (Slow) Progress Of The Malaysian Media Council

Since the first meeting on the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council after GE14 in 2018, the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Bill 2024 is now expected to be tabled for a second reading in February next year, nearly 5 years on. Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director of the Centre for Independent J…

US Tech Sector Remains Bullish In 2025

The tech sector has boomed this year driven by investor exuberance over AI tech, with the Magnificent 7 dominating the equity markets. Will this momentum be sustained in the new year, when variables change under a second Trump administration? We get analysis from Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities. …

Temporary Band Aid Measures For Medical Insurance

Last week, Bank Negara Malaysia as the financial regulator for the insurance sector announced interim measures to limit the hike in insurance premiums resulting from medical inflation. While broadly welcome by stakeholders, the announcement is but a temporary band aid for what ails healthcare finan…

Where Chinese Equities Might Head In 2025

The Chinese equity markets started on a soft note in 2024 until a raft of stimulus measures were announced in mid-September, resulting in a 35% jump. But as markets normalised and are now only around 14% up on a year-to-date basis, Yu Junqiang, Acting Head of Equity, Hong Leong Asset Management, sh…

Public Healthcare Medics On The Brink

The Malaysian public healthcare system is at its breaking point, with medical staff overstretched and burnt out due to the various demands on their time and expertise without commensurate reward. What policy measures are needed to resolve the long-term crisis in public sector healthcare staffing? W…

Overcoming The Korean Market Discount Is Challenging

South Korean markets have had a dismal 2024, as the country’s benchmark stock index, the Kospi, has lost over 9% on year-to-date basis making one of the worst performing main exchange in Asia. This was made worse by the recent declaration of martial law which was rescinded. Marvin Chen, Senior Asia…

Sabah Politics: Old Faces, New Positions

Controversial figure Tun Musa Aman, who served as Sabah’s Chief Minister from 2003 till 2018, has been appointed as the state’s governor with the backing of the current Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. What does this development signal about the evolving landscape of Sabah politics? We get an…

Fitch Reaffirms BBB+ For Malaysia

International ratings agency, Fitch has reaffirmed Malaysia’s long term currency issuer default rating at BBB+ with a stable outlook. We speak to Kathleen Chen, Associate Director Fitch Ratings’ Asia-Pacific Sovereigns who is also the primary Sovereign analyst for Malaysia as to the reasons for thi…

Will NAIO Be Effective?

The government launched a National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO), which is a brand-new agency under the Digital Ministry. According to its website, the office is expected to serve as a centralised agency for AI, providing strategic planning, R&D, as well as regulatory oversight, among other…

DRG Might Be Good For Listed Healthcare Providers

The healthcare sector has been making headlines recently, with many calling for regulatory and systemic reforms as insurance premiums are expected to rise by up to 70% next year. As a result, the Health Ministry has proposed that diagnosis-related group pricing system, (DRG) be implemented. Oong…