The Breakfast Grille

In the post pandemic world, the inequality that already exist will likely exacerbate but what can be done to reduce this? And what will happen to the Malaysian aviation sector which has come to a grinding halt? Dr. Nungsari Ahmad Radhi, former Chairman of the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) tells us his views on the matter and is merging airlines the solution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2008, the financial crisis was caused by reckless and over leveraged banks but this time, world economies are brought to their knees by a health crisis. However will financial systems which are the bedrock of any economy then follow in tandem and go into shock? Thorsten Beck, Professor of Banking and Finance at Cass Business School tells us what needs to be done to avoid this whilst also telling us if the Malaysian banking system is robust enough.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the impact of anxiety on an election choice? We explore this with James Bisbee as he explains his thoughts behind the fall of Bernie Sanders in the Democratic Primary race, how he thinks the Presidential race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump could look like, how the Congressional and Senate races could play out and what kind of measures the US could adopt to facilitate their elections later this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Gerald, the Group CEO of business solutions firm Cuscapi Bhd, discusses how the business is dealing with the fallout from Covid-19, given that its main clients are in F&B and autos, two sectors most-hit by the worst virus since SARS in 2003.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leader of Pakatan Harapan and President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim discusses Pakatan Harapan's priorities now, whether he still wants to become Prime Minister, and when he is prepared to let go of the reins as President of PKR.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leader of Pakatan Harapan and President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim discusses Pakatan Harapan's priorities now, whether he still wants to become Prime Minister, and when he is prepared to let go of the reins as President of PKR.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Pembangunan Malaysia is the country’s oldest development financial institution with a twin mandate of national development and profitability, but is coming off a chequered past of funding projects owned by 'connected' parties. Now, Arshad Ismail, President / Group CEO since April 2019, wants to up risk and governance standards while evolving into a policy driven bank. He discusses delivering on these plans whilst dealing with the fallout from Covid-19.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With travel restrictions now in place across most of the globe, higher education institutions are facing an uncertain future. Here in Malaysia, the postponement of SPM and STPM examinations, as well as fears over the coronavirus, have also meant that enrolment of domestic students is in limbo, in addition to the inability of some international students to enter or exit the country. To look into this, we speak to Prof. Zaharom Nain, Chairman, of Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (GERAK) and Prof. Pradeep Nair, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Taylor's University, about support needed for universities, revenue threats, and how to close the gap for students whose needs are not entirely met by e-learning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the movement control order, availability of food has become a priority for Malaysians and this also includes our favourite snacks. So we speak to James Kane, Managing Director for Malaysia & Singapore of Mondelez International, one of the largest snack food companies in the world on the challenges they face during this period. We also ask what are the snacking habits of this country and does localisation work for global brands like Cadbury and Twisties.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Movement Control Order in place, children around the country have been told to stay at home. E-learning and TV broadcasts are how they continue their studies- but is this enough? And what will education look like in a post-MCO Malaysia? For this and more, we speak to Chan Soon Seng, CEO of Teach For Malaysia, as well as former Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching, today on the Breakfast Grille.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With hardly any planes flying, borders closed and most countries in some form of a lockdown, we speak to Yap Lip Seng, CEO of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) and Nigel Wong, Honorary Secretary General for Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) to find out how badly their sector has been affected. We also take a deeper dive on whether the government is providing adequate support for this important contributor to the economy whilst asking if travel is possible at this time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covid-19 took the world by surprise as infection rates soared while countries took turns to go into lock-downs. With that, came the inevitable shortage of essentials including medical supplies as global supply chains became affected. Dr Khor Swee Kheng, a physician and public health specialist tells us why it is critical that we start thinking of a Pandemic Production Act to overcome these problems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Covid-19 pandemic has placed uncertainty at the forefront. When will cases peak? What kind of a recovery will we see? Will shuttered economies be able to reopen? Amid this global guessing game, we speak to Ramanan Laxminarayan, Affiliate Professor of Global Health at the University of Washington, and Director and Senior Fellow, The Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy, about modelling the progression of the outbreak, India as a potential new hotspot, as well as when we might feasibly see a vaccine on the market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ZICO Holdings started life as a law firm, and now has grown to provide advisory services to companies around the ASEAN Region. Amid the turmoil caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we ask Managing Director, Chew Seng Kok, about ZICO’s expansion plans, the outlook for advisory services, and their pathway back to the black.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covid-19 took Europe by a complete surprise with infections rates rising sharply especially in Spain and Italy. A complete lockdown followed as the race to flatten the curve became a priority. However, the economic consequences have been severe. To find out what policy solutions are available and whether there is solidarity in the European Union to overcome this crisis, we speak to Ramon Marimon, Professor of Economics at the European University Institute.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teong Teck Lean, CEO of GD Express, one of the biggest names in express delivery, outlines his concerns for the business and the new opportunities that have emerged during this crisis. More pertinently, he thinks the worst is to come after the pandemic is over.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks to the Covid-19 virus adding to global economic frailties, Bank Negara Malaysia estimates a worst-case scenario of a 2% contraction in 2020, making a raft of fiscal and monetary policy measures a necessity. Assistant Governor Marzunisham Omar discusses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks to the Covid-19 virus adding to global economic frailties, Bank Negara Malaysia estimates a worst-case scenario of a 2% contraction in 2020, making a raft of fiscal and monetary policy measures a necessity. Assistant Governor Marzunisham Omar discusses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that the Movement Control Order has been extended until the end of April, concerns over the state of vulnerable groups in Malaysia have become even more dire. However, there is none more vulnerable than the child. Children from low income families are now lacking basic necessities like food, and are in some cases at risk of becoming victims of domestic violence. To help us understand the situation, we speak to James Nayagam, chairman of Suriana Welfare Society, about the struggle for food, education, and safety facing these children, and what laws the country needs to protect them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Funding is essential for small businesses reeling from Covid-19. But many challenges exist. Aria Putera Ismail, the CEO of SME Bank and Chairman of the Association of Development Finance Institutions of Malaysia (ADFIM), explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Funding is essential for small businesses reeling from Covid-19. But many challenges exist. Aria Putera Ismail, the CEO of SME Bank (and Chairman of Association of Development Finance Institutions of Malaysia (ADFIM), explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carmelo Ferlito, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) discusses the government's approach in stimulating the economy during this Covid-19 crisis, and what more could be done and differently.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carmelo Ferlito, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) discusses the government's approach in stimulating the economy during this Covid-19 crisis, and what more could be done and differently.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After when it was reported that a group of Rohingya refugees may have been part of the Tabligh event at the mosque in Seri Petaling, which caused the spike in Covid-19 cases, we explore whether vulnerable communities such as refugees and migrant workers are receiving proper care in Malaysia. We speak with Lilianne Fan, Co-Founder and International Director of Geutanyoe Foundation and Chairperson of the Rohingya Working Group at the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network, as well as, Nilim Baruah, the Regional Migration Specialist at the International Labor Organization for Asia and the Pacific.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's all hands on deck for the Southeast Asian superapp as its core ride-hailing product struggles to deal with a mammoth drop in orders due to movement restriction orders. Ditto its food merchants, as deliveries become its main revenue. Sean Goh, Grab's Malaysia Country Manager, explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Movement Control Order, the availability of food has been a priority and focus. Our government has been assuring us that supplies have remained ample and there is no need to hoard. As the largest local hypermarket and emporium chain in Malaysia, Mydin will have an insider's view on this, so we speak to Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin, the Managing Director. We also ask what the business environment will be like post MCO as a slowdown is to be expected.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss with Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, the Head of the Covid 19 Taskforce for Selangor, and former Health Minister on how far we are from flattening the curve, why some areas are hot spots, why hospitals need to raise their own funds, and is a MCO 3.0 necessary. We also ask if he sees himself as having Prime Minister material, and his political future and that of Pakatan Harapan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bargains are emerging everywhere, and selective buying of financially healthy companies with good prospects should be considered, Dr Mark Mobius of Mobius Capital says.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bargains are emerging everywhere, and selective buying of financially healthy companies with good prospects should be considered, Dr Mark Mobius of Mobius Capital says.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In conjunction with April Fool’s Day, we speak to local comedy headliners, Kavin Jay and Dr Jason Leong, on the current state of Malaysian comedy, its role in political and national discourse and the impact and implications of the MCO.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eng Aik Meng, CEO of TE Asia Healthcare Partners, backed by private equity giant TPG, talks about his strategy of investing in specialist hospitals and becoming the Mayo Clinic of the East. In Malaysia, TE owns CVS KL, the cardiovascular hospital in KL Sentral, and HSC Medical Centre, and soon, centres in Penang. He also discusses how CVS could assist government hospitals during this Covid-19 crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the world is swept up in fear of the Covid-19 pandemic, it's easy to forget that many of the world's humanitarian crises still remain unresolved. One such crisis has been taking place in Syria for the past ten years. To find out more, we speak to Zairulshahfuddin Zainal Abidin of Islamic Relief Malaysia, about the humanitarian mission they're running in Idlib and Aleppo, as well as the challenges that face humanitarian organisations, when operating in a warzone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, global trade was already fragmenting courtesy of the US-China trade war. Businesses were struggling with unpredictable tariffs and market volatility, and now contend with a pandemic that has forced countries to lockdown, ban travel, shut down manufacturing and is said to have caused the biggest drop in consumer demand since the second World War. So how will a post Covid-19 world look for global trade and the global supply chain? Roshan Kanesan discusses with Alexander Capri.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the Perikatan Nasional government came to power, there have been questions of whether the coalition will be able to remain together until the next General Election. One voice which has been raised to highlight what a coalition government should do, belongs to Dato' Seri Azalina Othman Said, UMNO Supreme Council Member, MP for Pengerang, and former Law Minister. We speak to her on her thoughts about successful coalition governments, the cohesion of Perikatan Nasional, as well as her views on what priorities should be for the new Women's Ministry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the coronavirus pandemic and no vaccine, many countries including Malaysia have imposed various forms of movement control. The cost of that is an almost complete halt to most economic activity. Richard Record of the World Bank and Professor Mahendhiran Nair of Monash University tells us the policy options available to overcome the economic scar tissue that comes from this virus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the coronavirus pandemic and no vaccine, many countries including Malaysia have imposed various forms of movement control. The cost of that is an almost complete halt to most economic activity. Richard Record of the World Bank and Professor Mahendhiran Nair of Monash University tells us the policy options available to overcome the economic scar tissue that comes from this virus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Triple Whammy slamming Malaysia is at a level not seen since the second World War, which means a military level response is needed, says DAP Political Education Director and Dewan Negara Senator Liew Chin Tong. It’s also time for politicians to put the country first, so a bipartisan approach is required too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prior to Malaysia’s triple whammy of oil price shocks, political upheaval and covid-19, the Johor-based property and construction firm Kimlun Corp was already suffering from a depleting orderbook and looming delivery delays. Sim Tian Liang, its CEO, explains the magnitude of its concerns and outlines mitigation plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve heard of the World Happiness Report, which told us that Finland is the happiest country in the world two years running. But how are these indexes measured, and why is it important to have a gauge of a population’s wellbeing? On this International Day of Happiness, we speak to Carol Graham, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, about how to go about measuring happiness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve heard of the World Happiness Report, which told us that Finland is the happiest country in the world two years running. But how are these indexes measured, and why is it important to have a gauge of a population’s wellbeing? On this International Day of Happiness, we speak to Carol Graham, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, about how to go about measuring happiness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SAP is a market leader in Enterprise Resource Planning solutions, originating in Germany. Now, with industry 4.0 on the horizon and more and more companies turning to the cloud as a means of storing data, we speak to Hong Kok Cheong, Managing Director of SAP Malaysia on the Breakfast Grille, for his take on the ERP landscape in the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SAP is a market leader in Enterprise Resource Planning solutions, originating in Germany. Now, with industry 4.0 on the horizon and more and more companies turning to the cloud as a means of storing data, we speak to Hong Kok Cheong, Managing Director of SAP Malaysia on the Breakfast Grille, for his take on the ERP landscape in the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With plunging oil prices, can any oil and gas company remain unscathed? Tan Kay Vin, executive director of T7 Global Berhad a Malaysian listed oil and gas company explains that this is the reason why the company has moved into the aerospace industry to diversify its earnings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With plunging oil prices, can any oil and gas company remain unscathed? Tan Kay Vin, executive director of T7 Global Berhad a Malaysian listed oil and gas company explains that this is the reason why the company has moved into the aerospace industry to diversify its earnings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pakai Industries is one of Malaysia's oldest kitchen and bathroom companies established in 1969. Has this very below the radar company kept up with the times and can it survive the competition especially from cheap Chinese imports? We speak to their CEO, Thomas Tuan about their strategy to grow and also modernize especially during these challenging times.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pakai Industries is one of Malaysia's oldest kitchen and bathroom companies established in 1969. Has this very below the radar company kept up with the times and can it survive the competition especially from cheap Chinese imports? We speak to their CEO, Thomas Tuan about their strategy to grow and also modernize especially during these challenging times.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd, a listed Malaysian oil and gas company has successful geographically diversified away from Malaysia with 60% of revenue from oil and gas. With volatile oil prices, the company's next focus is to grow its earnings from power generation, education and IT which they see as synergistic and complementary. Dato' Dr Mohd Abdul Karim Abdullah, Group Chief Executive Officer tells us how they plan to do despite the challenging backdrop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea continue to be a source of uncertainty- China's increasingly assertive stance and ASEAN's inability to form a binding Code of Conduct have led to a stalemate. What was the source of all of this debate over these small islands and rocks? To find out more, we speak to Bill Hayton, Associate Fellow with the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House, and author of the book, "The South China Sea: The Struggle For Power in Asia".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With growing awareness over the importance of sustainability and clean sources of energy, the Malaysian solar power industry has grown fivefold over the last ten years. One such player is Plus Solar, which runs several solar farms and also provides solar and green energy solutions to commercial buildings. Today on the Breakfast Grille, we speak to Plus Solar's co-founder and CEO, Ko Chuan Zhen, about how he sees the green movement in Malaysia, as well as the potential market for photovoltaic solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank Negara Malaysia has encouraged the development of e-wallets and new forms of financing, in the quest for Malaysia to become a cashless society. In the crowded digital payments and loyalty rewards space, can Fave distinguish itself from the competition? We speak to Managing Director Dato' Jake Abdullah, to discuss Fave's growth strategies and its future prospects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.