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Morning Brief

BFM Media

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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Today · 11 min
US Midterms: A Battle for Congress
Americans head to the polls on November 3 in midterm elections that will determine control of Congress for the remainder of President Donald Trump's term. With his approval ratings under pressure, rising living costs frustrating voters and Democrats seeking to overturn narrow Republican majorities, both parties face a critical electoral test. We examine the key battleground states, shifting voter demographics, the importance of turnout and how the results could reshape Trump's ability to govern, influence his legislative agenda and set the direction of American politics over the next two years. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today · 9 min
Perikatan Nasional Deregistered and What Happens Next
The Registrar of Societies has deregistered Perikatan Nasional after ruling that the coalition's response to a show-cause notice failed to adequately address the concerns raised. Dr Syaza Shukri, Associate Professor of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia, discusses how this latest development might reshape coalition politics and if it might impact upcoming elections. 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.
Today · 10 min
Haze: Are Plantation Companies Doing Enough?
Forest and peat fires in Indonesia have once again brought the regional haze crisis into focus, raising questions about the role of plantation companies and the effectiveness of fire prevention efforts. Rashyid Redza Anwarudin, Chief Sustainability Officer of SD Guthrie Bhd, discusses the company's response and what more the palm oil industry can do to prevent recurring fires. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yesterday · 7 min
China's Economy : Booming Exports, Cautious Consumers
China's economy grew 4.5% year-on-year in the third quarter, slightly ahead of expectations. Dig deeper and we see exports remaining a key growth driver, consumer spending is still subdued and the property downturn continues to weigh. Denise Cheok, Assistant Director and Economist at Moody's Analytics, examines China's economic outlook and the policy challenges facing Beijing. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yesterday · 11 min
What's Behind France's Protests
What began as student protests over teacher shortages and deteriorating school facilities has escalated into nationwide unrest, fuelled by anger over the cost of living and public services, leading to rioting and looting. Dr Benjamin Barton, Head of the School of Politics, International Relations & Economics, University of Nottingham Malaysia, shares his insights. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yesterday · 10 min
Tesla Roadster: RM1 Million to Reserve
Tesla's long-awaited Roadster is finally available for reservation in Malaysia, with deposits reaching more than RM1 million despite production not being expected until 2028. Promising extraordinary acceleration and even the ability to briefly leave the ground, the electric supercar raises questions about Tesla's ability to deliver after years of delays. We examine the financial risks for Malaysian buyers, potential import duties, regulatory hurdles and whether the Roadster can compete in Malaysia's luxury car market while Tesla faces growing competition from more affordable EVs. 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.
Yesterday · 9 min
Malaysia's Exposure To The AI Stock Sell-Off
Malaysia's tech stocks just had a rough week as a global AI sell-off spooked investors. The worry centres on how AI infrastructure is being financed, with CoreWeave's borrowing costs surging and questions mounting over whether debt-funded data centre spending can keep going. If that cycle slows, the question is how hard Malaysia's semiconductor supply chain gets hit, and how fast. Peter Lim, Chief Research Officer at Trident Analytics, breaks down the one financing detail he says actually matters for judging how risky this debt really is, and why he still isn't expecting a broader slowdown despite the volatility. He walks through which part of Malaysia's chip industry sits closest to the AI action, and which sits furthest from it. Along the way: why he thinks local tech valuations look expensive on one measure and attractive on another, and what that tension means for investors deciding whether to buy the dip. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monday · 7 min
Indonesia Market Plunge & South Korea's AI Chip Sell-Off
Indonesia's stock market plunged over 11% following an MSCI proposal to downgrade the country to Standalone Market status, alongside markets like Palestine and Lebanon, raising fears of billions in foreign capital outflows ahead of a final decision in June 2027. Meanwhile, South Korea's KOSPI remains under pressure, falling around 11% over the past week despite record earnings from semiconductor heavyweights Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Terence Ng, Associate Director of Equities at AIIMAN Asset Management, examines the catalysts behind these regional moves. He analyses the four macro forces pressuring the AI trade, explains why Samsung and SK Hynix's strong fundamentals failed to stem investor selling, and assesses whether Indonesia's MSCI review poses contagion risks for neighboring ASEAN markets. Plus, an evaluation of TSMC's record third-quarter results and what data center power availability reveals about the longevity of the AI buildout. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monday · 8 min
Asia Faces a Debt and Growth Squeeze
The IMF is warning of mounting global debt, rising borrowing costs and slowing growth across Asia, with the region's expansion forecast to ease from 4.8% this year to 4.4% in 2027. Higher energy prices, tighter financial conditions and uncertainty surrounding the AI investment boom are adding to the risks. We speak to Vishrut Rana, Senior Economist for Asia-Pacific at S&P Global Ratings, about the key concerns emerging from the IMF and World Bank meetings, China's economic slowdown, Malaysia's fiscal resilience and what lies ahead for the region. 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.
Monday · 11 min
Breaking Down Malaysia's Latest GDP Numbers
Malaysia's economy grew by a stronger-than-expected 5.3% in July and August, marking its second consecutive quarter of beating forecasts. Felicia Ling, Chief Economist at Hong Leong Investment Bank, discusses the key growth drivers, sectoral challenges and the outlook for economic growth and interest rates, amid current economic challenges. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Friday · 10 min
Fitch Ratings On Budget 2027
Budget 2027 trims Malaysia's fiscal deficit target to 3.3% of GDP from 3.6%, but credit rating agencies evaluate more than headline figures. With government debt projected near 74% of GDP in 2027, well above the 57% median for 'BBB'-rated sovereigns, The Morning Run speaks with Kathleen Chen, Associate Director in Fitch Ratings' Sovereigns team, to assess the budget. She breaks down the fiscal levers Fitch is monitoring most closely and outlines what separates a credible, sustainable fiscal path from a fragile one. 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.
Friday · 9 min
Budget 2027: Can Developers Still Build Affordable Homes?
Budget 2027 extends the stamp duty waiver for first-time buyers of homes up to RM500,000, and widens it to cover purchases from abandoned housing projects. Developers have welcomed the incentives, but say rising construction costs, compliance charges and a higher minimum wage threaten to squeeze margins and push prices up. So will these measures actually make homes more affordable, or just cushion demand? We speak to Datuk Zaini Yusoff, President of the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) Malaysia. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Friday · 7 min
TSMC Record Q3: Profit Surge on AI Chip Demand
TSMC reported another record-breaking quarter driven by relentless demand for AI chips, with Q3 revenue surging 41% year-on-year to US$46.7 billion and net profit margins reaching an extraordinary 51%. The Morning Run team breaks down TSMC’s latest earnings numbers. The conversation examines the massive US$60 billion to US$64 billion capex budget, aggressive global expansion, and production bottlenecks, as well as what these developments mean for Malaysia's OSAT ecosystem. Plus, a look at the quiet cost behind TSMC's US expansion. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thursday · 9 min
Budget 2027: A Boost for SMEs?
Budget 2027 has been dubbed an SME-friendly budget, with RM57 billion in financing and guarantees, lower corporate tax rates and exemptions from the upcoming minimum wage increase. But with smaller businesses facing rising operating costs and tight profit margins, will these measures provide meaningful relief? We hear from Datuk William Ng, National President of SAMENTA, about access to financing, wage pressures, AI adoption and what the government must prioritise to help Malaysian SMEs become more competitive. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thursday · 9 min
Should Malaysia Let Refugees Work Legally?
Malaysia is considering allowing registered refugees to work in sectors facing critical labour shortages, potentially offering businesses much-needed workers while giving refugees a legal means of supporting themselves. But previous attempts have faced implementation challenges, and concerns remain over exploitation, job competition and border management. We speak to Joanne Chua, Executive Director of Asylum Access Malaysia, about the safeguards needed to make refugee employment viable, the gaps in Malaysia’s refugee protection framework and the implications of proposed repatriation arrangements with Myanmar. 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.
Thursday · 9 min
The Mag 7 Split: Dan Ives on Nvidia, Apple & Tesla
The Magnificent 7 label is cracking. Between 2023 and 2025, these mega-cap tech stocks returned roughly double the S&P 500 and accounted for a third of the index by weight. Today, that unified trajectory has reversed, the group is trailing the broader benchmark and stock performances are diverging, with Nvidia and Apple surging while Tesla remains in negative territory. Dan Ives, Senior Managing Director and Analyst at Yorkville Ives & Co, joins us to break down why these tech giants now follow individual narratives rather than a single group trade. He examines the tug-of-war between Meta's heavy AI CapEx and investor patience, Apple’s strategy to monetise AI without hyperscaler spending, and why Microsoft holds the edge over Amazon and Google. Plus, a look at Nvidia’s valuation metrics and why a potential SpaceX deal could fundamentally redefine Tesla's future. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 14 · 11 min
Budget 2027: What More Can Malaysia Do for Its Schools?
Education remains the largest recipient of government spending in Budget 2027, with the Education Ministry allocated nearly RM69 billion, 4% more from 2026. Nina Adlan Disney, Managing Director of LeapEd Services, shares her insights into whether or not Budget 2027 adequately addresses the needs of students and teachers and what more is needed to improve the quality of education in Malaysia. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 14 · 10 min
Whose Heads Should Roll For This Haze!?
Forest and peatland fires in Indonesia continue to damage the environment and send haze across Southeast Asia. A recent report by Greenpeace and Pantau Gambut has identified Malaysian and Singapore-linked companies among the entities connected to the fires. Albert Bansa, Greenpeace Malaysia Environmental Campaigner, takes us through the report. 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.
October 14 · 7 min
Can Budget 2027 Spending Lift the Construction Sector?
Budget 2027 sets Malaysia’s development expenditure at RM83 billion, a bump up from last year, yet below the 13th Malaysia Plan's annual average. UOB Kay Hian Senior Equity Analyst Jack Goh joins us to evaluate where contract flow actually lands. The conversation dives into the post-election timing of major infrastructure rollouts, the distinct edge Borneo-based contractors hold over peninsular rivals for Sabah and Sarawak allocations, and how minimum wage hikes will hit builder margins. Plus, an examination of the two private-sector segments driving record order books while mega-projects remain on hold. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 14 · 8 min
Why Amova Bought AHAM: CEO Weighs In
In June, Amova Asset Management completed its acquisition of AHAM Capital. The Japanese asset manager now controls a business with over RM100 billion in assets under administration. Stefanie Drews, President and CEO of Amova Asset Management Group, joins us to explain why an acquisition in Malaysia made sense over other Asian markets, what role AHAM will play in the group's broader regional strategy, and whether we could see the brands eventually merge under Amova. Amova's CEO views Malaysia much like Japan: a market where household wealth sits largely in bank deposits rather than capital markets, presenting enormous long-term upside. She also details the functional capabilities Amova plans to expand in Malaysia, the brand strategy ahead, and how key Shariah-compliant investment capabilities factor into Amova's bigger global plans. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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