The Breakfast Grille

Hari V. Krishnan, CEO and MD at PropertyGuru Group, shares with us how the largest regional property technology (Proptech) player in Southeast Asia is navigating the Covid-19 crisis and their long-term strategy to pursue untapped opportunities amidst a challenging and competitive environment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With 16 Islamic banks in Malaysia, competition has become intense. Muazzam Mohamed, CEO of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, which is the largest, tells us how challenging the operating environment is and whether 2021 is the year of recovery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Union, a political and economic bloc of 27 countries, is undoubtedly a global superpower. As the 3rd largest trading partner in Malaysia, the importance of its relationship to this country cannot be understated. Yet, there still has been no free trade agreement signed despite negotiations having started in 2010. H.E. Michalis Rokas, the newly appointed Ambassador of the European Union to Malaysia, tells us what are the stumbling blocks to this and their position on palm oil, which remains a contentious issue for both countries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the Malaysian FDI proposition in an increasingly competitive ASEAN? Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) CEO Dato' Azman Mahmud joins Khoo Hsu Chuang on the Breakfast Grille to discuss this. Among other things, they get into the state of investment inflows and outflows, where these investments are going in Malaysia, and whether we're actually going higher up the value chain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A trust deficit between the public and the civil service has been highlighted as one of the key challenges in fighting corruption in the country. Several agencies are looking to remedy that mistrust, by strengthening institutions and investigating complaints - but who watches the watchdogs? That task falls to the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC), which oversees 21 other enforcement agencies. We speak to its chief, Tan Sri Sidek Hassan, for insight into their ongoing struggle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to Malaysia-EU trade relations, attention is often focused on countries like Germany and France, but what you may not know is that Poland is a sizeable consumer of Malaysian goods, particularly palm oil and rubber products. Is there more room to grow this trade relationship, and bring more attention to it? In conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the Visegrád Group, a political alliance of four countries of Central Europe including Poland, the Polish ambassador to Malaysia joins Roshan Kanesan on the Breakfast Grille to discuss Malaysia-Poland relations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to plague the world and dampen the economic outlook, how will cookware manufacturer Ni Hsin Resources Bhd maintain its bottom line and pivot to newer horizons? Newly appointed executive director Lai Kian Huat joins us on the hot seat to discuss the company's diversification plan and his outlook for the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Close to a third of small retail businesses have “collapsed” in the three weeks since the start of MCO 2.0. More are likely to fold even if retailers are allowed to re-open as of today. Datuk Wira Ameer Ali Mydin, Vice President of the Malaysia Retail Association, and Datuk Michael Kang, President of the SME Association of Malaysia, detail the challenges faced by their members and what they need from the government. Image Credit (background): Khoe / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Jared Lim, Executive Director of Techna-X, unveils his ambitious plans to pivot from the loss-making metallurgical coke business to energy storage and capitalise on rising demand for electric vehicles (EV). The company's end game is to provide EV solutions but what would it mean for its other businesses in mobile app development and F&B (TGI Fridays and Teh Tarik)? Would they be sold? And is Jared expected to succeed the current Managing Director?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Man of Contradictions: Joko Widodo and the Struggle to Remake Indonesia' is a book by Ben Bland, detailing the remarkable story of Joko Widodo’s meteoric rise from furniture maker to President of Indonesia in just a few short years. Lyn Mak explores the contradictions of Joko Widodo and speaks to Ben about Jokowi’s positioning as an ‘everyman’, and how that has faded the further up the political ladder he climbed. Image Credit: EPASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tune Protect, a general insurance player, has enjoyed success due to its exclusive partnership with AirAsia - but with hardly any flights, travel insurance sales have dipped sharply. With travel still restricted due to the pandemic, how will it grow and maintain its presence? Rohit Nambiar of Tune Protect joins us on the Breakfast Grille to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geoff King, CEO of the Navis Capital-controlled luxury grocery chain The Food Purveyor, spills the caviar on how premium chains like theirs are coping with the pandemic, shifting consumer patterns and the metrics that money people seek when valuing their business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penang property player Iconic Worldwide looks to diversify beyond its core property and tourism business into mask and glove production. With a 5.5 acre facility requiring an investment of RM155 million, we speak to James Tan, Executive Director of Iconic Worldwide, on how the company plans to navigate the lucrative but extremely competitive industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melaka-based property developer Yong Tai plans to distribute Covid-19 vaccines manufactured by Shenzhen Kangtai. Datuk Wira Boo Kuang Loon, the CEO, discusses the credibility of the little-known China-made vaccine, the safety checks, how soon the vaccine could be made available nationwide, and its expected price. He also discusses the problems in maintaining Encore Melaka, a landmark that was built to cater to high-end performances. Of the many issues faced is ineffective tourism campaigns by the government to attract higher-end tourists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Texas Chicken is one of the largest quick-service restaurant chains in the world specialising in one of the world’s most popular food items, fried chicken. But with a pandemic still raging on, how will it maintain its presence here in Malaysia, and can it adapt to changing consumer behaviours? To find out, we speak to Ong Yang Ming, Vice President of Business for APAC & Middle East at Texas Chicken. Image Credit: Texas ChickenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Seri FD Iskandar, Group Managing Director at Glomac, shares his outlook, plans to revive its largest asset Glo Damansara Mall, and the possibility of switching focus to industrial properties and to diversify like other developers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Dagang NeXchange's (DNeX) stock price rises, The Morning Run speaks to the IT and energy firm's Group Managing Director Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal Abidin to explore the group's growth plans, as well as their outlook for 2021 and beyond. Image Credit (background): whiteMocca / Shutterstock.com Image Credit (headshot): Dagang NeXchange BhdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are jobs that require high academic qualifications prized over technical vocations, despite the latter being no less meaningful or important? Will the Covid-19 pandemic spur broader debate on the value of work, amid broader recognition of essential workers’ contribution to the economy? We discuss these themes with David Goodhart, author of the book “Head, Hand and Heart: The Struggle for Dignity and Status in the 21st Century.” Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global sum of government debt was around $78 trillion at end-2020 and is expected to reach $84 trillion by end-2021, approaching 100% of global GDP. James McCormack, Global Head of Sovereign Ratings at Fitch Ratings, tells us why we should start worrying and explains the rationale for the recent downgrade of Malaysia as well as what the government needs to address for an upgrade. Image Credit (Background): Willy Barton / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sime Darby Oils is the downstream arm of Sime Darby Plantations, the world's largest palm oil plantation company by planted area. Last year on The Breakfast Grille, we talked about Sime Darby Oils’ ambitious plans to play a bigger part in contributing to the overall Group's bottom line, but a year later, has that been derailed by the pandemic and a ban from the US Customs and Border Protection following allegations of forced labour? Roshan Kanesan speaks to SDO's Managing Director Haris Arshad to find out. Related interviews: > Sime Darby Plantation Claims Accusations Are "Absolutely False"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we look ahead to Inauguration Day in the US, many now question what a Biden administration will look like, across the next four years. Will the US now look to resume the role of global leader that Trump vacated? We discuss the present and future of US foreign policy, and how this could impact the Southeast Asian region with Elina Noor, Director of Political-Security Affairs at the Asia Society Policy Institute, and Jayant Menon, Visiting Senior Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Image Credit: Christos S / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil price volatility is set to continue in 2021, so how do oil and gas companies navigate the unstable market conditions, given that their fortunes are so correlated to the price of this commodity? Dato' Kamarul Redzuan Muhamed, Founder and Group CEO of oil and gas company Uzma, gives us his views while telling us his plans for growth after having achieved an order book of more than RM1.35bn to date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a fiercely contested election and the harrowing protests at Capitol Hill this month, what will be the legacy of the Trump administration? We catch up with US Ambassador Kamala Lakhdir as she ends her tour in Malaysia for her thoughts on the future of American democracy, and Malaysia-US bilateral ties. Image Credit: US Embassy KLSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad sets the record straight on why he resigned as PM during Langkah Sheraton when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong asked him not to and before a conclusive vote was carried out, and discusses why he believes in an all-Malay party rather than be pro-multiracial, Pejuang’s role as kingmaker in GE15, and his old score with Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maybank is the market leader in Islamic banking by assets. Dato' Rafique Merican, CEO of Maybank Islamic, discusses the impact of the emergency on Malaysia, what it takes to grow Islamic deposits, the hurdles to clear to expand the Sukuk market, as well as views about fintech companies. Image Credit: SL Chen / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mah Sing Group is diversifying into the rubber gloves business and expects their first six production lines to be operational in the second quarter of 2021. But is Mah Sing too late to the game or will they be able to compete against the current incumbents like Top Glove and Supermax? Beyond that, as the property market recovers, what are Mah Sing's plans for future property development and launches, as well as land banking? We speak to CEO Datuk Ho Hon Sang to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020 was a tale of two halves for the automotive industry. The first was tragic, but the second saw a boom in car sales on the back of pent up demand, low interest rates, and the SST exemption. Will this help loss-making MCE Holdings, a major supplier to Proton and Perodua, turn its financials around and achieve its first full year in the black since 2017? Roshan Kanesan speaks to MCE's Managing Director, Dr Goh Kar Chun, to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian equity market has been a winner in this post-Covid-19 era with record-high volumes due to a jump in retail trading, but how can this momentum be sustained whilst continuing to protect the market from errant participants? Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, CEO of Bursa Malaysia Berhad, tells us the growth path of the Exchange and the resolution of the inherent conflict of interest structure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bursa Malaysia ended 2020 as the best performing stock market within emerging markets in ASEAN, in large part due to the stellar profits of glove makers and healthcare players. But has the easy money been made, and what will outperform this year? We discuss the market outlook with a panel of experts: Teng Chee Wai, MD of Affin Hwang Asset Management, and Anand Pathmakanthan,  Head of Regional Equity Research at Maybank Kim Eng.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian timber industry contributed 1.6% to GDP in 2019, accounting for RM22.5 billion in exports. With so many industries disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and with support growing for sustainability measures worldwide, how will the timber industry survive? We speak to newly minted CEO of the Malaysian Timber Council, Muhtar Suhaili.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Africa is in the midst of a second wave of Covid-19 infections, with positive cases surging recently past the 1 million mark. How is it acting to contain the pandemic and mitigate the economic fallout on its already slowing economy? And what are the prospects for deepening Malaysia - South Africa bilateral ties during these trying times? We discuss the state of play with South African Acting High Commissioner Schoeman du Plessis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Semiconductor player Mi Technovation is on a high-growth path, and its solutions can already support wafer sizes of 7nm and below, versus the current norm of 14nm. Would it still maintain its head office in Malaysia, or shift to China or Taiwan to be closer to its customers and access more engineering talent? And as companies like Apple, Microsoft and Amazon move into chip designing and as the US-China trade war continues, how might the semiconductor industry respond? Oh Kuang Eng, the group CEO, discusses these issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the start of a fresh year and with an eye on GE15, we look back on the political tumult that was 2020 and the lessons that can be drawn for a way forward with our panel of experts, Dr Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate at Nottingham University Malaysia, and Jahabar Saddiq, Editor-in-Chief of The Malaysian Insight. Image Credit: akids.photo.graphy / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Covid-19 pandemic shocked economies, causing unemployment and poverty rates to soar. The IMF predicted global GDP would shrink by 4.4% this year. We revisit conversations with experts on the Breakfast Grille on policy responses to resuscitate the economy and support the most vulnerable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US-China trade war was overshadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic this year, but geopolitical tensions continue to manifest in other arenas. We revisit conversations on the Breakfast Grille discussing the power struggle between the US and China, the future of China as a regional superpower, and the vision for a post-Trump America. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia dealt with multiple crises this year - the pandemic and political upheaval. From the Sheraton Move to the Sabah elections, we revisit revealing conversations on the Breakfast Grille with political actors. Image Credit: adam yusof / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020 will go down in history as the year the world was upended by Covid-19. We revisit conversations on the Breakfast Grille with industry leaders on how the pandemic has impacted their business, from the devastation wrought on the retail and hospitality sectors, to the windfall gains of glove makers and e-commerce players. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although global supply chains were severely disrupted in the first half of the year due to the pandemic, the shipping industry has returned to an even keel and is poised to end the year on a high note amid booming demand for logistics services. But can the good times last for Malaysian shipping players? We discuss the state of the industry, and the outlook for 2021 with Ooi Lean Hin, Chairman of the Shipping Association of Malaysia (SAM).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Klang Valley residents are no strangers to unscheduled water disruptions, with as many as 10 occurring in just the last three months, affecting millions of households. But what exactly is the cause of these supply cuts? Why have they been happening so frequently? And perhaps most importantly, who is responsible to ensure they don't keep happening? We ask Suhaimi Kamaralzaman, CEO of Air Selangor, about all this and the structural improvements needed in Malaysia's water systems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore-based Advend Group was acquired by Etika Holdings last year, in a deal reportedly valued at around S$67 million. However, with the rise of working from home, falling foot traffic, and an increasingly competitive market for beverages, how will the vending machine services provider navigate the challenging business environment ahead? To find out, Lyn Mak speaks to CEO Santharuban Thurai Sundaram. Image Credit: Macrovector / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does Fundaztic plan to apply for a digital banking licence, sell out to a financial institution, list on the ACE Market, or issue Islamic investment notes? Calvin Foo, acting CEO, discusses these questions, as well as whether SMEs are borrowing to merely survive or to grow, how Fundaztic manages risks of its issuer portfolio in a pandemic, and what is in its business plan for the next 5-10 years. Image Credit (Background): Unitone Vector / Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As telecommunication services become increasingly commoditised, the big players have been looking at ways to diversify their businesses. For Axiata Group, this led to Axiata Digital Services - their venture spanning services such as e-wallets, microfinancing, microinsurance and anything else outside the traditional telco domain, with names like Boost, ADA, apigate and Aspirasi in their portfolio of services. That said, Axiata's digital arm is still loss-making and a drag on the group's earnings, so we speak to Mohd Khairil Abdullah to find out the timeline to profitability, what their leading business units are, possible IPO plans, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can SOCAR ride out the pandemic? In December 2019, SOCAR was optimistic about the future, looking to spend just under RM100 million to grow the fleet, while also venturing into different services, and expand beyond borders. However, that was before the pandemic. So is SOCAR still optimistic? Roshan Kanesan speaks to Leon Foong, CEO of SOCAR Mobility Malaysia, to find out, as well as whether the future of SOCAR lies in the asset-light P2P instead of the asset-heavy short-term car rentals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF) looked to be on track to procure a banking license in a potential merger with Al Rajhi Bank, but that looks to have fallen apart. Will MIDF continue its search for a banking license following the collapse of this deal? Roshan Kanesan speaks with Dato' Charon Wardini Mokhzani, MIDF's Group Managing Director, about this as well as their relationship with their sole shareholder Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), the current state of their investment banking, development finance, and asset management segments, and also their digitalisation plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What lies ahead for the glove industry? With a vaccine on the horizon but average selling prices climbing ever higher, coupled with persistent labour issues, we reached out to Dr Supramaniam Shanmugam, President of the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA), to find out what we can expect for this sector going forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five years since its IPO, we check in with Bioalpha, which has seen its business disrupted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Khoo Hsu Chuang speaks to William Hon, CEO of Bioalpha, to discuss the health supplement company’s path to recovery, its plans for overseas expansion and the overall outlook for 2021. Image Credit: bioa.com.mySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The retail sector has been through a rollercoaster ride this year with Covid-19. So, what does a retailer need to do to stay afloat or even thrive? Shafie Shamsuddin, Managing Director of AEON Co. (Malaysia) Bhd, tell us what they'll be doing to grow the business and what strategy they have to meet the fickle and demanding tastes of consumers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The victor of any election is not just determined at the ballot box, but also by the information war that happens at lighting speed and is often ubiquitous. So, shaping the narrative has become essential for any political party. Fahmi Fadzil, PKR Communications Director, and Shahril Hamdan, UMNO Information Chief, join us on a panel to discuss this, youth issues and whether their political parties are ready for GE15.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's International Anti-Corruption Day and Dr Muhammad Mohan, President of Transparency International Malaysia, and YB Wong Kah Woh, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, discuss the progress (or not) of Malaysia's journey to a cleaner country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While many businesses were decimated by the pandemic, one particular industry thrived globally, despite border closures and lockdowns. The global logistics industry has seen exponential growth, as e-commerce exploded and more companies started digitizing. We speak to John Pearson, global CEO of DHL Express, about how the company has navigated the pandemic, its strategy for expanding market share amidst stiff competition, and its role in distributing the vaccine. Image Credit (background): Belish / Shutterstock.com Image Credit (headshot): Deutsche Post DHL GroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.