The Breakfast Grille

Taiwanese semiconductor company Phison Electronics is small but mighty in the industry, with a significant market share in NAND flash controller IC design and storage solutions. But with its Malaysian-born CEO Datuk Pua Khein Seng facing potential imprisonment in a financial fraud case amid a global chip shortage affecting supply chain logistics, can Phison maintain its growth trajectory? We discuss the business strategy for Phison Electronics Corporation with Datuk Pua Khein Seng. Image credit: Phison Electronics CorporationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia-Cuban relations have been established since 1975, but why has bilateral economic activity remained minimal? Ambassador Batista Gonzalez explains the challenges to enhancing bilateral cooperation as well as potential areas that should be explored for mutual benefit. He also provides an overview of the pandemic effect on Cuba, including its effort to vaccinate the population with homegrown vaccines. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BN had a resounding win in Melaka with 21 seats. What was the reason for this? Is this a wake-up call for Pakatan Harapan? Will the existing coalitions hold? And is this a barometer of GE15? The many questions we ask Dr Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia, and Ibrahim Suffian, Programme Director at the Merdeka Center.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim Hin Joo (Malaysia) Berhad made its debut on the Ace market more than 2 years ago just a few months before the pandemic. But how has this franchisee of Mothercare, ELC and Entertainer Toy Stores weathered the covid storm? Pang Fu Wei it's newly appointed Managing Director tells us. We also speak on growth plans and its omni channel marketing the way forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has just a population of 32 million people but 21 general insurance companies. To grow market share, is consolidation the way forward? We ask Puneet Parischa, CEO of Liberty Insurance Malaysia that question on the back of news of their acquisition of AM General and also if the real threat is insuretech.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chin Ying Loong, Regional Managing Director for ASEAN and SAGE (South Asian Growing Economies) from Oracle Cooperation shares with us Oracle's strategy to expand its cloud products and services in this fast-growing market and how it will outpace its competitors in both application and infrastructure offerings. Image credit: OracleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask Sheyantha Abeykoon, CEO of Boost about the pathway to profitability for its e-wallet business and the status of a joint application with RHB for a digital banking license with Bank Negara Malaysia. Image Credit: BoostSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bata has cultivated the brand "shoes for everyone" to great success, but does this everyman approach put it at a disadvantage compared to other more niche international brands? Additionally, the pandemic has also eaten into its bottom line, with Bata Malaysia recording a loss for 2020. What is newly-minted Country Manager Vaibhav Manrao's strategy to turn the ship around? He joins us on the Breakfast Grille to discuss Bata Malaysia's growth strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Justin Chen, CEO of Arcc Spaces, one of Asia’s leading flexible work spaces operators about how the pandemic has changed the future and design of co-working spaces in Asia Pacific, as businesses decide whether they need to shift from fixed working spaces to more flexible solutions to meet the uncertainties of the future. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Established in 2015 from a partnership between MIT Sloan School of Management and Bank Negara Malaysia, Asia School of Business has been specializing in business administration-related courses like full-time MBAs and executive education classes for students from Malaysia and globally. We ask Professor Charles Fine, the dean of the school to talk about how the school has weathered the pandemic and where the future lies in executive education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia wants to be a formidable player in the aerospace industry and has set in motion plans and blueprints to make this a reality. The 12th Malaysia Plan hopes the aerospace industry can generate RM30 billion in revenue, with 30,000 jobs by 2025. The Malaysian Aerospace Industry Blueprint 2030, launched in 2015, sets out similar lofty goals. Image credit: shutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Environmental groups like the WWF have long sounded the alarm over the impact of human development on the natural world, and these calls are becoming increasingly urgent in the face of an imminent climate crisis. How best can humanity balance the imperatives of economic development and environmental sustainability? We discuss this conundrum and the pandemic impact on conservation work with Sophia Lim, Executive Director and CEO of WWF-Malaysia. Image credit: WWF-Malaysia & Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Environmental groups like the WWF have long sounded the alarm over the impact of human development on the natural world, and these calls are becoming increasingly urgent in the face of an imminent climate crisis. How best can humanity balance the imperatives of economic development and environmental sustainability? We discuss this conundrum and the pandemic impact on conservation work with Sophia Lim, Executive Director and CEO of WWF-Malaysia. Image credit: WWF-Malaysia & Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Previously called Tanjung Offshore, Datuk Seri Dr. Nik Norzrul Thani Bin N. Hassan Thani, Chairman of T7 Global comes on the Breakfast Grille to share the performance of their oil & gas services business and the progress and expansion they have taken in the aerospace sector. Image credit: T7 Global BerhadSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Woon, Managing Director of Faber-Castell Malaysia, talks about how the the 260-year-old German stationery company is navigating the digital era and the production intricacies of its 43-year-old Subang plan, which exports all over the world. Image credit: Faber-CastellSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A clear poster child of the winners of the pandemic is Zoom as we all turned to video conferencing for work, education and even socializing. But with vaccine optimism and a return to old lives, what does it mean for this company or has their growth peaked? Ricky Kapur, Head of APAC, Zoom tells us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get an external perspective from Tricia Yeoh, CEO of IDEAS and Tai Lai Kok, Executive Director and Head of Tax KPMG Malaysia on Budget 2022 and its implications for the future as we dissect the largest ever budget the Malaysian Government has ever revealed. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The largest budget in Malaysian history at RM332billion but does it achieve the 3R's - recovery, rebuild and reform? And will the Budget initiatives be spent wisely to achieve its objectives? We speak to Datuk Johan Merican, the Director of the Budget Office from the Ministry of Finance to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Expectations are sky-high for Budget 2022 to set the tone for Malaysia's post-pandemic recovery. It will also signal the policy direction of Prime Minister Dato' Seri Ismail Sabri's fledgling government. Ahead of the tabling of an anticipated populist Budget 2022, economist Dr. Nungsari Radhi explores the challenges of funding an expansionary spending plan while remaining prudent about capital expenditure to ensure the nation keeps pace with a fast-developing region. Image Credit: EPA-EFESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Maszlee Malik has been described as the most unpopular minister during his short stint in Cabinet as the Minister of Education. He’s recently published a book, titled "Memori Bukan Memoir" to set the record straight, detailing the reforms that he initiated throughout his 20 months as Minister. We speak to him about reflections on his time in office, and what's needed to improve the Malaysian education system in the post-pandemic era. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2021 narrative has been one of global economic recovery - but it’s not without its twists and turns, as the Delta variant emerged and disrupted business. And as we enter into the final quarter of the year, the world’s economic engine, China is facing multiple challenges from a property debt crisis to energy shortages that could threaten its recovery. How will this affect global economic growth in 2022? We discuss the trends with independent economist Andy Xie. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pandemic may have ravaged the global aviation industry but there are clear signs of recovery, giving impetus to the KL, Malaysia-based maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business belonging to the 125-year-old US industrial conglomerate General Electric. Suresh Shunmugam, the Managing Director of General Electric Engine Services Malaysia, discusses the local MRO business, the health of local airlines (whom it serves) and the future of engine technology. Image credit: General Electric Engine Services Malaysia & Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In less than a week, COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow begins. We ask how nations around the world are going to resolve one of the planets biggest challenges and whether the commitments will translate into action in a panel discussion with Lavanya Rama Iyer, Head of Policy and Climate Change, WWF Malaysia, and Dave Sivaprasad, Managing Director and Partner from· Boston Consulting Group. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charles Hay, the United Kingdom's High Commissioner to Malaysia, addresses Malaysia's policy vacuum and political and business uncertainty from the perspective of British investment even as Glasgow welcomes the world to UK soil for COP26 to debate what detractors suggest are global environmental goals that are probably too ambitious to be achieved. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charles Hay, the United Kingdom's High Commissioner to Malaysia, addresses Malaysia's policy vacuum and political and business uncertainty from the perspective of British investment even as Glasgow welcomes the world to UK soil for COP26 to debate what detractors suggest are global environmental goals that are probably too ambitious to be achieved. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KM Leong, General Manager of Southeast Asia for China-based smartphone maker Xiaomi International, talks about new opportunities beyond the phone, which currently comprises 80% of overall revenue to compete with competitors like Apple and Samsung. Image credit: THINK A / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we exit the pandemic, what will be the new normal for work? How will companies manage their employees and how has the war for talent changed? Sandeep Sharma, President of Workday, one of the world's leading financial management and human capital management software solutions providers joins us on the Breakfast Grille to share his thoughts. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covid-19 and now high jet fuel prices have been the immediate challenges for the aviation sector. But even before this, Malaysia Airlines has been struggling despite bailouts to the tune of RM28billion. Captain Izham Ismail, Group CEO of Malaysian Aviation Group tells us if this restructuring plan will work and if not, is this the end fo the road for our national airline? Image credit: Malaysia AirlinesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the return of the Taliban to government in August closed the chapter on the 20 year war sparked by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. What lessons can be gained from the US' failed nation-building mission in Afghanistan, and how has the war affected Western-Muslim engagement? We discuss these themes with Afghan-American writer and author Tamim Ansary. Tamim was a speaker at the Khazanah Megatrends Forum 2021 this month. Image Credit: Trent Inness / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Covid-19 pandemic has inarguably reversed the gains of Malaysia's poverty eradication programme, with both middle-income and lower-income communities facing economic hardship affecting basic survival. What kind of policy responses are needed to tackle poverty in the post-pandemic era? Ahead of the International Day of the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October, we discuss the challenges and potential solutions with Dato' Shareen Shariza Dato' Abdul Ghani, CEO of Yayasan Sejahtera & Dato' Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of Mercy Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Volvo targets to go fully green by 2030 but can these plans be achieved in Malaysia? We speak to newly appointed managing director, Charles Frump on their plans for their game changer XC40 Recharge. We also ask him for his thoughts on the current electric vehicle policy. Image credit: Volvo Car MalaysiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 1 year, MUDA still has not been able to register itself as a political party. How does this affect their plans for GE15? Syed Saddiq, MP for MUAR and Co-Founder of MUDA tells us this and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ATA Plus was one of the pioneer players in the Malaysian equity crowdfunding (ECF) space in 2016, and it has witnessed the growing popularity of ECF even during the pandemic. Following its partnership with Nasdaq-listed GreenPro Corp, ATA Plus is setting its sights beyond ECF in its mission to democratize financing. We discuss the company’s performance and future plans with CEO and co-founder Elain Lockman, as well as policy measures to help mainstream ECF as a viable funding alternative for Malaysian entrepreneurs. Image credit: ATA PlusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mainland-China based streaming platform iQiyi is often described as China's answer to Netflix. But while it dominates the China market, can it make inroads into Southeast Asia where audiences have built loyalty to other streaming platforms that have been around longer and have deeper local roots? We speak to Malaysia Country Manager Dinesh Ratnam on iQiyi's 2019 foray into the SEA market, and their strategy to promote user growth through a strong Asian content library. Image credit: sdx15 / Shutterstock.com & iQiyiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After more than 600 days in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia is seeing an easing of daily new infections amid a high vaccination rate with nearly 90% of the adult population fully vaccinated. Have we weathered the worst of the pandemic? We discuss the possible pandemic trajectory in Malaysia as well as the transition to an endemic phase of the virus with infectious diseases expert Dato' Prof. Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman. Prof. Adeeba was a panelist at the Khazanah Megatrends Forum 2021 held this week. Image credit: Farrel Arissa / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia Debt Ventures, a government agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation hits a milestone - it’s 20th Year Anniversary. It's CEO, Nizam Mohamed Nadzri tells us what their KPIs are and their relevance. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SMEs, the economic life bloods of Malaysia, were arguably the biggest victims of the pandemic. But funding their revival has to be balanced with a new focus on fiscal prudence even while the entire DFI -- Development Financial Institution -- sector is overdue much-needed consolidation. Aria Putera Ismail, the CEO of SME Bank, discusses. Image credit: SME BankSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 12th Malaysia Plan was unveiled with the broad theme of a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable Malaysia. A goal that all Malaysians would aspire to but is the policy too ambitious and will policy inconsistency and poor implementation be its undoing? Dato' Sri Mustapa Bin Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Economic Affairs tells us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By 2060, Malaysia will be a super-aged nation, where 1 in 5 Malaysians will be over the age of 65. The rapidly ageing population will bring with it a host of economic challenges, not least an imminent retirement crisis which will test the capacity of our social protection system to keep up with the needs of a large elderly society. How can the social protection framework be strengthened to ensure that all elderly Malaysians can live with dignity? We discuss the state of play and proposals to introduce a social insurance pension for senior citizens with our panel of experts. Read Khazanah Research Institutes report, "Building Resilience: Towards Inclusive Social Protection" here. Image credit: The Observer MY / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get into conversation with Nestle, the world's largest food company, Nestlé as we ask Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad on their strategy going forward and how their products have evolved as consumer tastes rapidly change. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The banking sector has faced many challenges from a prolonged Covid-19 pandemic whilst structural changes are fast approaching. Joel Kornreich, Group CEO of Alliance Bank tells us the strategy for growth and are M&A opportunities being considered. Image credit: Yusnizam Yusof / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Copper product manufacturer, Ta Win Holdings aims to supply to the healthcare and electric vehicle industries as well as venture into blockchain. What is the likelihood of its plans materialising? Datuk Seri Ngu Tieng Ung, the Group Managing Director discusses. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Postal services are all facing a structure decline as online communication has become the dominant way of life. But what tricks does newly appointed Group CEO of Pos Malaysia, Charles Brewer, has up his sleeve to turn things around and stem the losses at this listed company? Image credit: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kishore Mahbubani, former diplomat, author of the book "Has China Won?", and Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, of the National University of Singapore (NUS) discusses the US-China conflict and how a resolution, if any, could be achieved. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We get into a conversation with Chuah Choon Bin, Executive Director of Pentamaster about his journey so far and the plans he has to grow the business beyond automation test equipment. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kedah-based cable and wire maker Southern Cable is graduating to the Main Market by the end of the year, with its post-pandemic recovery plans and new product lines squarely in focus, according to Group General Manager Ooi In Keong. Image credit: Southern CableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Mieke De Schepper, Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Asia-Pacific, Amadeus on how this global travel technology leader sees the future of the travel industry and what solutions and services the customers as well as the travel eco-system are interested in. Image credit: Shutterstock.com & AmadeusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The unusual pairing of Oxford university scientists and British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca led to the not for profit Covid-19 vaccine. Billions of doses have been produced but at cost for how long? And why did this particular vaccine receive such intense public scrutiny? We speak to Dr. Sanjeev Panchal, Country President of AstraZeneca Malaysia to find out. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin, President of the Paralympics Council of Malaysia on Malaysia's record haul, the controversy surrounding Ziyad Zolkefli, preparations for Paris 2024, as well as how the country and government should build on the success of Malaysia's Tokyo Paralympics. Image credits: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the nearly six-decade union between the states of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, misconceptions of history, the constitution and cultural identity abound, creating long-standing tensions between east and west. How do these disaffections impact Malaysian national identity and unity? We discuss the knotty issues with constitutional expert Prof. Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi and socio-political commentator Eddin Khoo. Image credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.