Covid-19 containment strategy needs a change
Instead of having stricter restrictions to deal with the rising case numbers, our Economic Advisor, Frederik Paulus explains how government funds should be spent to tackle the pandemic.
PRESS ROOM
Malaysia’s Economic Recovery Remains Elusive without Clear Plans to Address Downside Risks
Adding to the chorus of caution surrounding BNM's optimistic GDP growth projections is the ADB's recent growth estimate of 6% for Malaysia in 2021 at the lower bound of BNM's range. Indeed, given the low vaccination rates and rising case numbers suggestive of a fourth wave, recovery remains elusive without clear plans to address downside risks. With this in mind, our Economics Team will be introducing 10 strategies to rebuild Malaysia better and address the downside risks to growth.
Think tank questions Bank Negara’s over-optimistic growth forecast
A recent Bank Negara report forecasts GDP growth of 6-7.5% for 2021. In response, the REFSA research team has raised questions about the assumptions underlying the estimate. This is because the downside economic risks are stronger than acknowledged, and actual GDP may be lower than forecast.
Is Southeast Asia waking up to the need for unity in South China Sea?
Our Research Director Ivy Kwek quoted on whether there’s unity among Southeast Asia countries on the South China Sea dispute.
ASTRO Tonight Interview: M’sia needs to ramp up spending, not slow it down
Is the government really running out of funds? Our Executive Director Tan E Hun shared her view about why the figures cited are misleading, whether it is too soon to talk about fiscal discipline and what sort of targeted injections should the government aim for when it comes to spending going forward.
Kerajaan masih ada ruang fiskal untuk perkenal suntikan baharu – Badan pemikir
Jaideep Singh, penyelidik REFSA berpendapat kerajaan perlu memperkenalkan suntikan baharu untuk menggalakkan penggunaan dan pelaburan swasta bagi memulihkan ekonomi negara. Suntikan baharu ini lebih penting berbanding dakwaan tidak berasas Perdana Menteri yang menyatakan kerajaan tidak mempunyai banyak wang selepas berbelanja untuk COVID-19.
Malaysia should ramp up, not slow down, spending
Recent reports of Malaysia’s insolvency are greatly exaggerated. On April 12, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin claimed that the government was running out of money, having spent RM340 billion on pandemic-related stimulus measures and RM322 billion on Budget 2021. This is misleading for two reasons.
Malaysia’s AirAsia aims to be ‘more than an airline’ as coronavirus cripples aviation
Frederik Paulus, Economic Advisor of REFSA weighs in on AirAsia's purported entry into ride-hailing and the benefits it may bring to the drivers.
Hishammuddin hails China as ‘elder brother’, miffed academics demand explanation
Academics urge Malaysian's Foreign Minister to explain his statement on addressing China as Malaysia's 'big brother' in the context of foreign diplomacy.
Spurred by pandemic, group calls for greater data openness
The group urges the government to engage with the research community and data scientists to formulate a comprehensive legal and policy framework that will strengthen Malaysia’s data governance and ensure citizens’ right to information.