The Breakfast Grille

The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), established by the Construction Industry Development Act (Act 520), works to improve the construction industry's standards and capabilities. CEO Dato' Sr Mohd Zaid Zakaria addresses the sector’s current challenges, emerging opportunities, and future directions as well as helping us unpack who are the winners and losers in the recent construction boom experienced in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyndryl, the world's largest IT infrastructure player also had the title of world's largest start up after their separation from IBM in 2021. We speak to Effendi Azmi Hashim, Managing Director of its Malaysian and Indonesian operation about being agonistic when it comes to partners, their strategy for growth and how they intend to benefit from the secular trends of AI and Data Centres.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim took office on 24 November 2022 on a platform of sweeping reforms to strengthen Malaysia’s institutions. 20 months later, his unity government has been described as “the most dictatorial that the country has ever had”, according to prominent lawyer Dato' Ambiga Sreenevasan. What prompted this drastic change in sentiment towards the reformist government and is this a fair charge? We discuss the reform agenda versus actions of the Madani government with the former President of the Malaysian Bar and former Chairperson of Bersih.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been 26 years since the first LRT in Kuala Lumpur began its services, transforming how citizens of the city get around. Today there are nearly 140 kilometres of trains, served by the monorail, LRT and MRT lines, supplemented by a bus service under one agency, Prasarana Malaysia. Dato’ Ridza Abdoh Salleh, the former CEO of Prasarana and Afiq Daniel, a public transport activist give us an assessment of how far we have come and what improvements need to be put in place.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Institute for Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia was set up in 1983 as an autonomous non-profit research organisation functioning as the nation’s think tank. What role does this body play in influencing the policy decisions of the Madani Government? We discuss Malaysian foreign policy with Datuk Prof. Dr. Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Chairman and Chief Executive of ISIS Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Established in 1969, Agrobank, a DFI is crucial to Malaysia's agricultural development, offering specialised financial services tailored to the sector. CEO Dato' Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin tells us how the bank aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture's initiatives and how they manage the challenges of being a DFI and managing higher NPLs compared to conventional banks.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Records were broken for markets this week with a broad global selldown but an almost equally sharp rebound. Anand Pathmakanthan, Head of Regional Equity Research, Maybank Investment Banking Group and Steve Larson, Portfolio Manager for Principal Equities tells us what to expect for the rest of the second half of 2024, what investment strategy to adopt and where the opportunities are.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world's largest aeroplane manufacturer, Airbus, has navigated the post-Covid-19 years with increased demand for its aircraft as travel returns with a vengeance amid an increased awareness that sustainability needs to also be a driving force. Anand Stanley, president of Airbus Asia-Pacific, joins us to discuss the path this European multinational aerospace corporation is embarking on following its most recent quarterly results coming in below analysts' expectations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alps Global Holding Berhad aims to revolutionise healthcare through biotechnology research and wellness services, focusing on personalised and precision medicine to reduce costs. Group CEO Dr Tham Seng Kong discusses the challenges of high costs and failure rates in biotech, emphasising their strategy to control the entire supply chain for more affordable treatments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Malaysia has yet to win an Olympic gold medal, Malaysian Paralympic athletes have secured six golds since 2016. But these achievements have not been rewarded with greater investment into para sports. Paralympic Council of Malaysia President Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman makes the case for more funding for para sports development in line with performance merit and addresses controversies of the 2024 Paralympics season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penang has been hard at work wooing travelers back to the island ever since Covid-19 global travel restrictions were lifted, and these efforts are showing results with the number of visitors from China nearly trebling in the first half of 2024, as an example. Wong Hon Wai is the Penang executive councilor in charge of tourism & creative economy outlines his plans to continue to develop new tourism products for the state, covering everything from culture to nature and of course gastronomy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-opbank Pertama is Malaysia's first co-operative bank set up in 1950 but only having received its deposit-taking license from Bank Negara in 2014. Its CEO Khairil Anuar Mohammad Anuar, shares the bank's growth plans that he initiated when he took over the helm in 2021, while ensuring CBP's members continue to receive attractive dividends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC was born at a time when globalisation and free trade were fully embraced, but the conventional wisdom has changed since then. What does this then mean for APEC’s role and approach as an interlocutor platform for its 21 member economies, including Malaysia? We discuss trends in global trade with Tan Sri Dr. Rebecca Sta. Maria of the APEC Secretariat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarawak has come a long way since 1963 and is charting a seemingly independent economic future that hinges on greater autonomy from the federal government. What is the pathway to shared development and prosperity for Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole, in line with the Dayak phrase “segulai, sejalai” or onward together? We discuss this to mark Sarawak Day on 22 July.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will Paris 2024 see Malaysia end its Olympic gold medal drought? What are the policies being considered to make the sports economy more vibrant in Malaysia? We discuss these themes and more with Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh at the start of the Summer Olympics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Engie Services Malaysia is the local arm of a European and world leader in low-carbon electricity production that also provides B2B solutions to achieve carbon-neutral targets. We speak to their managing director, Wong Yin Kee who will tell us their strategy for growth and how they stack up against the competition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the surprising withdrawal of Joe Biden from the race and the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the landscape for the US November presidential elections has shifted dramatically. As the Republican nominee is now confirmed, what strategies might the Democratic Party employ to counter a resurgent Trump campaign? We explore these developments with Mark J. Rozell of George Mason University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farm Price has significantly transformed its business model to focus on the wholesale and distribution of fresh vegetables. This strategic shift led to a successful listing on the ACE Market. We speak with Lawrence Tiong Lee Chian their Managing Director to discuss whether this price appreciation is justified and how the company plans to utilise the proceeds from the listing to drive future growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Data centres and SEZ are the buzzwords for Johor which benefits UEM Sunrise which owns almost 7000 acres in that state. We speak to Sufian Abdullah, their CEO as to how they intend to monetise this opportunity whilst overcoming the challenges of competition whilst examining their transformation plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penang, Malaysia's second smallest state punches above its weight when it comes to GDP contribution and FDI inflow but what is the next phase of growth for the Silicon Island of the East? Dato’ Loo Lee Lian, CEO of InvestPenang tells us their plans, how they overcome the challenges of talent shortage and manage the competition even from other states.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is the 12th largest furniture exporter in the world based on 2021 data, with a total export value of some RM13 billion ringgit in 2022. This is the landscape that Synergy House operates in, a pure-play e-commerce furniture design, development and distribution company that listed on the ACE Market in June last year. How have they put their RM34 million IPO proceeds to use? We get updates from Executive Director Tan Eu Tah.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 18th every year is celebrated as Nelson Mandela International Day honouring the first post-apartheid president of South Africa. Its High Commissioner to Malaysia, Dave Malcomson, discusses how the past 30 years of post-apartheid has led to the country accusing Israel of genocide for its actions in Gaza, balancing it out with its continued engagement with Russia and how the BRICS intergovernmental organisation might bring some balance to an inequitable world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

French ambassador to Malaysia His Excellency Axel Cruau joins us in the studio for a wide-ranging conversation on the recently concluded French legislative elections, bilateral ties in Malaysia, geo-politics and how the upcoming Olympics will be more economically and environmentally sustainable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2024 is the year the global airline industry turned the page on the Covid-19 pandemic - traffic has returned to pre-pandemic levels and airlines are making profits once again. But the positive numbers belie the many headwinds that could still weigh down on future growth. How are airlines navigating these challenges? We discuss these themes with Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President for Economics & Sustainability at the International Air Transport Association (IATA).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The shifting political landscape since 2018 has meant that the dynamics in Parliament have changed - to what extent are the present rules and conventions in keeping with this new reality? Do the current electoral laws allow for the maximum public participation? We discuss priority reforms for parliament and elections to strengthen Malaysian democracy with our expert panel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Town, Penang, has celebrated its 16th anniversary of being jointly inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List with Malacca. Think City, a Khazanah Nasional subsidiary, was instrumental in helping to develop George Town since 2009, helping to maintain its status as a living heritage city. Hamdan Abdul Majeed, shares his experience as Think City's managing director as well as a Penangite.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were conceived in 2015 as a pathway to galvanise the whole international community towards the common aims of economic development, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. With 6 years to go until the 2030 deadline, how far have we progressed in achieving the 17 distinct targets - and why has investment in education consistently been overlooked? We discuss these themes with Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad has just announced an ambitious plan to acquire a stake in a Brunei gas asset. Will this be a value accretive acquisition for this oil and gas exploration and production company with a price tag of nearly USD200mn. We speak to their managing director, Kenneth Gerard Pereira to find out whilst asking why this company appears to be overlooked by the investment community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Optimax, which specializes in a wide range of ophthalmology medical services has now expanded to the aesthetic care industry and set up shop in Cambodia. We ask Sandy Tan, their CEO, about the synergies of their expansion and the challenges of running a business that is capex and human resource intensive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HE Group Berhad a electrical engineering services company, listed on the Ace Market earlier this year. Since then the share price has tripled. We speak to Managing Director Amos Haw Chee Seng to explore what strategies will fuel the company's future growth and assess the potential for further appreciation in their share price.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The music industry has evolved from the days of cassettes, vinyl and CDs, to streaming and social media over the last four decades or so.  Dinesh Ratnam, the Managing Director of Warner Music Malaysia sits down to talk about how this company now operates in an increasingly digital world where the consumption and promotion of music and creativity are at levels never dreamed of before. Is this a boon or bane for record labels?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kucingko Berhad will become Malaysia's first animation company to list on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market by the end of July. It started life as Inspidea back in 2002 and has chalked up production credits from the Cartoon Network's Johnny Bravo to the BAFTA-nominated BBC series, Pet Squad. Its co-founder and executive director iCJ See talks about how this IPO might be the next step in this company's ambition to become the Dreamworks of Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year, Malaysia-China celebrates 50 years of relations. We speak to Peter T. C. Chang, Deputy Director of the Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya on the evolution of this relationship and what the future may hold in this era of increased geopolitical tensions amidst integrated economic ties.Image Credit: shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), a government agency under the Ministry of Digital has been tasked since 1996 to ensure that Malaysia becomes a digital economy. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC tells us if they are on path to achieve their goals despite the plethora of government agencies involved and what are the challenges ahead considering the digital divide and talent shortage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 was a banner year for Malaysian cinema in terms of international recognition, however the local industry was bogged down by low box office sales and film censorship controversies. Additionally the consequences of a shift to digitalisation continue to reverberate across the global industry. What role does FINAS play in this changing industry landscape? We discuss this with Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, CEO of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Twelfth Malaysia Plan targets to grow the economic contribution of MSMEs to 45% of GDP by 2025 from just under 40% currently. But do the policies at hand recognise the nuances of the MSME landscape, including those related to women entrepreneurs? To mark World MSME Day, we discuss these themes  with: Chin Chee Seong, National Secretary General of the SME Association and Gaya Subramaniam, co-founder of Bungalow18, a multi-space boutique featuring local and handcrafted products.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Islamic Finance market is small in comparison to its conventional counterpart but that also means that there are plenty of opportunities for innovation and growth. We speak to Mustafa Adil, Head of Islamic Finance at London Stock Exchange (LSEG) to understand the dynamic landscape, the importance of Shariah compliance, the global sukuk market and Malaysia's role in this field.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MyDigital ID is a national identity and transaction signing platform that hopes to address current vulnerabilities like insecure communication channels and the storage of user credentials. Mohd Mirza Mohamed Noor, CEO of My Digital ID Sdn Bhd, highlights its purpose, integration with existing systems, and goals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Go Hub Capital specialises in enterprise IT services, with a particular focus on the transportation sector. Tan Cherng Thong, their CEO tells us why they are electing for an ACE listing, the usage of their proceeds, the competition and is their IPO priced to perfection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poland and Malaysia have had diplomatic relations since 1971 and since the last half-century, trade between the two nations have been chugging along and could be better. Przemysław Zaręba, the Head of the Polish Investment & Trade Agency's Foreign Trade Office In Malaysia, shares with us what he sees could be areas to develop between our countries' businesses as well as challenges he foresees on the horizon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices have been volatile in the last two decades affecting all oil and gas players. We speak to T7 Global as to what their outlook is for the industry especially on the back of the shift towards renewable energy. Tan Kay Zhuin, Group CEO, will also share with us the operating landscape, the competition and do they have regional ambitions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For over 32 years, International Medical University Malaysia has provided private tertiary education for those keen to pursue a career in healthcare. It was recently sold off by its original parent company, the Bursa-listed IHH Healthcare, to a consortium comprising US private equity firm, TPG Group, Hong Leong Group and EPF. Professor Gerry George, IMU's group managing director shares his vision for the university's future as a business and as a place from which the next generation of doctors come.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year marks 76 years since the British Council was established in 1948 as an education and cultural centre. But as the geopolitical dynamics have shifted over the decades and as attitudes towards higher education evolve, how much pull does the UK have on Malaysians today? We discuss the role and relevance of the British Council in Malaysia with its Country Director Jazreel Goh.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EUPE Corporation Berhad has been a property developer since 1986 by combining innovative and affordable homes through a unique shared value approach. Dato' Beh Huck Lee, Group Managing Director of EUPE highlights the corporation's distinctive approach to residential design and perhaps explains in the share price has suddenly been on a tear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is the second largest producer of palm oil after Indonesia, making up 24% of global production. With the sector facing headwinds including challenges in productivity, regulatory impediments and uncertain demand conditions, how well can Malaysia adapt to the changing ties? We discuss these issues with Datuk Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, Director General of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johor Plantations Group is set to be the latest oil palm company to list on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia. It is part of the 5-year transformation plan of Kulim Malaysia, which was delisted in 2016, to see a more focused approach to the overall operations. Mohd Faris Adli Shukery, the managing director of both JPG and Kulim explains the overall plan for the company and how an IPO falls in line with the long-term plans of both firms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both developed and developing countries have experimented with social stock exchanges over the past two decades with little success. Can India's model be the gamechanger in social funding? We discuss the concept and implementation of the Indian social stock exchange with Dr. R. Balasubramian, Chair of SEBI's Social Stock Exchange Advisory Committee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, was recently on an official visit to Malaysia, after having taken over the roles following the country's general election in October 2023. He sits down with us to discuss bilateral relations between Wellington and Putrajaya, as well as New Zealand's stand on international issues including solutions to the Israel-Palestine crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IKEA is arguably Sweden’s most prominent export, with a presence spanning 30 years and four outlets in Malaysia. How is the world’s largest furniture retailer navigating the challenges that come with greater competition in the online space, uncertain global economic conditions and increasing pressure to substantiate sustainability credentials? We discuss these themes with Malcolm Pruys, Retail Director of Ikea Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insurance is a notorious competitive business made doubly so with the entry of the global players. Kamaludin Ahmad, Group CEO of Etiqa tells us about their regional ambitions, is Takaful their focus and how do we improve financial inclusion in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.