The Breakfast Grille

Human rights violations took on a new level in 2023 as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Sudan civil war spilling over from the previous year, while Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack on October 7th, made things worse. Tirana Hassan, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, talks about the challenges the New York-based NGO experienced in their work documenting human rights violations worldwide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been close to 3 years since the restructuring of Malaysia Aviation Group. We ask Group Managing Director, Captain Izham Ismail on whether the group is on the road to sustainable profitability, what are the unresolved legacy issues and his succession plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 was not the best year for Farm Fresh as margins took a hit, but is 2024 the year of recovery with lower input prices? Their Managing Director, Loi Tuan Ee shares with us whether the worst is over, why the RM100 million move into ice cream and if competition is going to be a challenge to their dominance as Malaysia's largest integrated dairy producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Works (KKR) is commonly known as the overseer of roads and highways, but their mandate spans all public infrastructure development. We hear from Dato' Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi about the role that KKR plays in achieving Ekonomi Madani, and get status updates on the upgrading being carried out on the nation's major highways. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Walters is a prominent name in global recruitment that set up its Malaysian presence 17 years ago. What are the trends that could impact the Malaysian labour market in 2024? We speak to Ai Rene Tan, Country Manager for Malaysia at Robert Walters on the findings of their recent salary survey and how the company is navigating economic headwinds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veritas Technologies, a company involved in the enterprise data management business, may not be a familiar name but it has 91% of the Fortune 100 companies on its client roster. Country Director, Sandy Woo shares the importance of data security, how they support businesses in ensuring it is stored securely and how they differentiate themselves from big players like Amazon and Microsoft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Organisational consulting firm, Korn Ferry has been in the business of talent for decades. Country Managing Director, Anthony Raja Devadoss shares with us his expectations of the job market, what sectors are hiring, why do companies engage their recruitment services despite the existence of digital platforms as well as what percentage increments employees should look out for.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our Bi-Annual Market Outlook, we see if it's time for Asean markets to rerate after a rather tepid performance in 2023. Christopher Leow, CEO and CIO of Principal Asset Management, Singapore and Anand Pathmakanthan, Head of Regional Equity Research, Maybank Investment Banking Group join our panel to answer that question whilst taking a deeper dive on the buys ideas for the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fahmi Fadzil now helms the Ministry of Communications, which has split from the Ministry of Communications & Digital. This means a new, more streamlined set of responsibilities while still being the official spokesperson for the Madani government, PKR's information chief as well as the communications director for Pakatan Harapan among others. He discusses issues ranging from Malaysia's 5G rollout to preparations for GE16.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Master Tec Group Bhd is slated to be the first company to be listed on the ACE market in 2024. We ask this wire and cable company why the listing, the usage of the proceeds and their strategy for growth in a highly competitive and fragmented market. Tee Kok Hwa, their CEO answers those questions and why we should also subscribe to the IPO when the valuations aren't cheap.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ICON Offshore, one of Malaysia's largest Offshore Support Vessel Operators appears to have turned around in what remains a volatile and challenging oil and gas industry. Datuk Seri Hadian Hashim, their Managing Director, shares with us if they have any renewable energy plans, his outlook on oil prices, their strategy for growth and M&A plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Simpanan Nasional was borne of a 1974 Act of Parliament to fulfil the social objective of savings awareness amongst the public. Today, its duties include fulfilling the financial needs of the underserved, unserved and unbanked. BSN is also the sole distributor of government aide to the rakyat. Its CEO Jay Khairil talks to us about how it manages to balance its dual duty of serving the nation and ensuring it remains financially viable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Best of Breakfast Grille, we revisit the significant events and prevailing trends that shaped 2023. Featured interviews include:> Semiconductors, The New Cold War> The Fight For Borsig, KNM's Crown Jewel> Rafizi Ramli On The New Themes Of 12MP Mid Term Review> Why The International Double Standards For Palestine?> Is Crypto Golden Boy The Trial Of The Century?> Syed Saddiq: MUDA Aims To Be A Credible Third ForceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia rebuilds its economy after the Covid pandemic, the Madani government has rolled out policies, from the Budget, National Energy Transition Roadmap and New Industrial Master Plan 2030 aimed to build confidence among the investing community. In this Best of the Breakfast Grille focusing on the economy, we revisit discussions we had with key policy makers on what are the solutions to these issues and if the recovery journey is on the right track.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The year 2023 continued to pose headwinds for businesses amid geopolitical tensions and the uncertain global economy. We round up some of the local companies and explore how they fared this year, with names like MyAirline, CelcomDigi and Secret Recipe.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023, the Unity Government hit the ground running to set out their policy agenda amid preparations for the state elections before August. We recount conversations with Cabinet ministers this year, as well as what the outcome of the six state elections revealed about public acceptance of the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance.Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia and Japan relations have been on an upswing in the last months of 2023, with back-to-back high-level visits between the Prime Ministers of the two countries. What’s the impetus for renewed attention on bilateral relations? We get updates from H.E. Takahashi Katsuhiko, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia on the opportunities being explored between the partners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has released a new blueprint entitled "Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040” that envisions nearly trebling bilateral trade with Southeast Asia to A$534 billion by 2040. This is as concerns over its over-dependence on China begin to take centrestage. Keith Kam is discussing all this with Nicholas Moore, Australia's special envoy to Southeast Asia who is also the author of the blueprint.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Among South Asian countries, Pakistan is Malaysia's third largest trading partner, export destination and import source, with the total trade registered last year between the two countries at US$1.8 billion. We discuss the history of our bilateral relations, and the latest developments in the global geopolitical scenes with H.E Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ICT Zone Asia Berhad is a LEAP market-listed company that rents, leases, and trades ICT solutions to private corporations. They make it affordable for companies to computerise their operations. CEO Tommy Lim shares with us who are their main clients, the outlook for the industry, and efforts to migrate to the ACE market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bersih has been an instrumental platform in galvanising the civil society and the public to rally for electoral reform. We reflect on the past 5 years of Bersih post GE-14 with former Chair, Thomas Fann who resigned in November despite being re-elected to the role. Why did he step down and what does he make of the reform agenda of the Madani government? We discuss this and more with Thomas Fann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International commerce is growing rapidly and many businesses require fast, simple and secure payment services. Singapore based remittance company NIUM solves this issue by providing real time payment transfers in the B2B space. Anwar Mahbob speaks with Anupam Pahuja, its Executive Vice President and General Manager of APAC, Middle East and Africa as the company faces razor-thin margins, tighter regulation and changing consumer preferences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF), headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, was set up in 2005 to build bridges through business between Muslim and non-Muslim communities throughout the world. However, given the 7 year hiatus since the last conference, does this platform still have standing among international business circles? Ahead of the 14th WIEF in Abu Dhabi, UAE in February 2024, we ask Tan Sri Dr. Syed Hamid Albar, the Chairman of the WIEF Foundation about the history and relevance of the forum in today's geopolitical context.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are now quite familiar with Sam Bankman-Fried being convicted last month on federal criminal charges for wire fraud and money laundering. What is mind-boggling is how FTX's multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency empire could implode overnight and tragically leave thousands of customers in financial distress - maybe a Netflix series in the making. Rachel Humphreys and Caitlin Ostroff, the Wall Street Journal's producer and reporter, reflect on their month at court and answer outstanding questions about what happened at the FTX trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Crown Prince and Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah has made environmental conservation and climate change the focus of his advocacy. How are these issues being mainstreamed in Pahang? We sit down with the state regent at the Malaysia Pavilion on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is still not a signatory to the UN’s 1951 refugee convention or the 1967 protocol. This means the 183,000 refugees and asylum seekers in the country are effectively considered undocumented migrants with no access to public healthcare and education as well as having no right to work. Dr Melati Nungsari, an Associate Professor of Economics at the Asia School of Business takes stock of the current situation in conjunction with Human Rights Day celebrated on Dec 10th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In conjunction with International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9th, it is timely to have a review of the Madani government agenda in combating corruption. We critically survey the current government’s performance in deterring corruption, the extent of Malaysia’s law enforcement on anti-corruption, and areas needing improvement with Dr Muhammad Mohan, President, Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M), an independent organisation committed towards fighting against corruption.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UEM Edgenta achieved record revenues in 2022, surpassing pre-pandemic levels; but the performance for the first 9 months of 2023 has been less encouraging. How is Edgenta leveraging on the sustainability theme to propel future growth? We discuss the prospects of the company with CEO Syahrunizam Samsuddin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BPAM is Malaysia's sole bond pricing agency and is tasked with price discovery of what is often an opaque market as fixed income is not traded on an exchange. We speak to their CEO, Meor Amri Meor Ayob if their methodology is objective and fair, what is their strategy for growth and the outlook for the bond market in 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bioengineering solutions company Fibromat Berhad hopped onto the LEAP Market in 2019, raising RM6.2 million ringgit in its IPO. With green infrastructure and ESG now in vogue, how is the erosion control provider looking to leverage on the demand for sustainable services? We discuss the company's potential and prospects with Danny Ng, CEO of Fibromat Berhad.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year commemorates 150 years since Levi Strauss & Co introduced the world to the iconic 501 jeans. But what is this apparels company's staying power and how does it navigate today's realities that includes, sustainability and social issues? Imran Butt, Levi's country manager for Malaysia & Singapore takes us through how a pair of jeans remaining largely unchanged for a century and a half still manages to stay in trend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humanitarian aid for Palestinians under "Ops Ihsan" was transported via a special cargo plane through El-Arish Airport in Egypt on November 10th. The Egyptian Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Ragai Tawfik Said Nasr, will discuss the intricacies and difficulties involved in the supply of these aids.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Self-service laundry outlets have mushroomed in urban areas, providing users a convenient option to wash clothes regardless of the weather. City Coin Group, which owns the LaundryBar franchise of laundromats, is presently the biggest chain in the country, with over 400 outlets and counting. We discuss the business model and growth prospects, as well as plans for a future IPO with the Group Managing Director Paul Ang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Negotiations over the concession agreement for Westport 2 should be finalised soon. We ask Datuk Ruben Gnanalingam, Executive Chairman and Group Managing Director of Westport Holdings, how much of a game changer this will be for the company and how they intend to stand competitive compared to the regional ports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Volkswagen AG have their work cut out for them marketing VWs, Audis and Porsches as affordable premium, premium and luxury cars respectively in Malaysia. This comes amid intensifying competition, declining purchasing power and a rapidly advancing EV industry. Denyu Bostandzhiev is the new MD for Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS) Automotive Malaysia and Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia - he talks about how he plans to meet his KPIs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlas Copco, a Swedish provider of industrial tools and assembly solutions has been in Malaysia for more than 4 decades. Khalid Shaikh shares with us how operations have transformed, and how they aim to drive energy efficiency practices in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 10th Prime Minister Dato' Sri Anwar Ibrahim, also known as PMX, cobbled a motley coalition under the Madani banner and against the odds survived to reach the first anniversary. But can the unity government hold until the next general election amid an increasingly dissatisfied electorate? We take stock of Malaysia’s political landscape with our panel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is capitalism failing humanity? On the contrary, Johan Norberg, author of The Capitalist Manifesto argues that it is the recipe to a more sustainable and prosperous future. We discuss the varying attitudes towards capitalism, including from the political lens of right and left, as well as the generational perceptions at play, and why he thinks capitalism is the antidote for climate change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week marks 1 year since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim became Prime Minister. Have the economic policies passed muster and is it easier for businesses? Nordin Abdullah, Vice Chairman, Malaysia Australian Business Council (MABC) and Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist, Bank Islam joins us to discuss this, what are the missed opportunities and what should be on their checklist next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Animonsta Studios is the birthplace of BoBoiBoy and Mechamato, a series of movies that has netted the company more than RM86 million at the box office. Add to that, several TV series seasons featuring the same characters that is now broadcast in over 50 countries. Nizam Razak, the co-founder and CEO of Animonsta, talks to us about the long-term plans for the studio going beyond creating content.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discussions on the care economy have risen in prominence over the past year, amid a realisation that demographic shifts in society mean the traditional care arrangements in households are not sustainable. What policy measures are needed to cultivate a care economy that creates decent work opportunities while providing quality services for the betterment of society as a whole? We discuss these themes with our expert panel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil is a multi-stakeholder non-profit organization that unites members from across the palm oil value chain to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil. CEO, Joseph D'Cruz shares with us the latest development in its certification scheme, their efforts to engage with smaller players, and why it deserves the premium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Property and housing developer LBS Bina Group has logged an impressive share price performance this year, up by more than 20% on a year to date basis. We ask Executive chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Lim Hock San if margins have compressed, how many more affordable houses can they build as their land bank shrinks, as well as their other ventures like the waterfront port project.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Eddie Ong, a well known name in corporate circles has now directed his focus on Hextar Technologies. We ask him why the company is shifting from warehousing and logistics to fintech in what is already in a crowded market. With shareholding in 40 companies, we also ask the rationale behind these acquisition and what is the end game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Construction engineering solutions provider PLYTEC Holdings will become the 28th IPO for Bursa Malaysia this year, with a listing price of 35 sen per share on the ACE Market. What do they plan to do with the IPO proceeds of RM37 million amid a soft construction sector outlook? We discuss the growth story of the firm with Yang Kian Lock, Group Managing Director of PLYTEC Holdings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysians despair over the state of economy, the weak Ringgit, underemployment, the polarization of society and even the lack of retirement savings, should we look at ourselves for solutions? James Chai author of the book, Sang Kancil: A Tale about How Ordinary Malaysians Defied the Odds explains why.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As an ageing nation, Malaysia is becoming old before it becomes rich. How should we revamp the national retirement savings system to provide a better umbrella for old age? We discuss this as well as global investment trends with Dr. Joseph Cherian, Practice Professor of Finance with the Asia School of Business. He is also the author of a recently published compilation of essays, “Track to the Future: Investment, Finance and Lessons for the New Economy.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore is on target to hit their international tourist target of 12-14mn in 2023. We speak to Melissa Ow, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board on how this was achieved, why they are taking a targeted approach to growing their share of the tourism pie despite the economic slowdown and the intense competition from the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Yeo has served 23 years in the Singapore government and headed the Health, Trade & Industry, as well as the Foreign Affairs Ministries. His last military rank is Brigadier General in the Singapore Armed Forces. He shares his insights into current geopolitical issues, regional challenges, Singapore's nation-building efforts as well as finding that spiritual balance that makes everything come together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Madani government has instituted several green policy measures including the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill. Minister for the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad joins us to explain the rationale for these decisions and other policy measures in the pipeline and how they are prioritized versus business interest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.