The Breakfast Grille

Langkawi a sleepy backwater has been transformed into a major tourist destination but the question is for the billions that have been poured into its development, did it achieve its goal? We speak to Dr Hezri Adnan, CEO of Langkawi Development Authority to find out what the next phase of growth is and will there be a shift towards diversifying its economy. We also ask how LADA intends to respond to COVID 19 as the tourism sector will be a main casualty of this virus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Langkawi a sleepy backwater has been transformed into a major tourist destination but the question is for the billions that have been poured into its development, did it achieve its goal? We speak to Dr Hezri Adnan, CEO of Langkawi Development Authority to find out what the next phase of growth is and will there be a shift towards diversifying its economy. We also ask how LADA intends to respond to COVID 19 as the tourism sector will be a main casualty of this virus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Political Secretary to the Minister of Finance addresses public concerns about the government's strategy on highways, a fast-slowing economy and the impact of Cov-19. He also discusses the Penang Transport Masterplan, fissures within the fragile PH coalition and succession to the Prime Ministership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Political Secretary to the Minister of Finance addresses public concerns about the government's strategy on highways, a fast-slowing economy and the impact of Cov-19. He also discusses the Penang Transport Masterplan, fissures within the fragile PH coalition and succession to the Prime Ministership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karex Berhad became the world’s largest condom manufacturer in 2012 with the ability to produce 5 billion pieces and sell over 3 billion to supply more than 140 countries. While still in the green, Karex’s bottom line has seen much better days. Roshan speak to Miah Kiat to dive into what’s squeezing profit margins, get into the firm’s attempt to go up the value chain and their regional picture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karex Berhad became the world’s largest condom manufacturer in 2012 with the ability to produce 5 billion pieces and sell over 3 billion to supply more than 140 countries. While still in the green, Karex’s bottom line has seen much better days. Roshan speak to Miah Kiat to dive into what’s squeezing profit margins, get into the firm’s attempt to go up the value chain and their regional picture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chang Wai Hoong, Executive Director and co-founder of LEAP-listed MyKris International, internet services provider to IOI, Kenanga and Rakuten, among others, explains the company's strategy, his reservations about 5G adoption, and the long wait to move up to ACE due to guideline delays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scientists have been warning governments of a coronavirus outbreak similar to the Wuhan virus due to human contact with wildlife. But often times, business interests win out over science. We speak with David Quammen, author of Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic” on ways to respond more quickly to a zoonotic virus outbreak and his prediction of the next epidemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In conjunction with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we ask the question: is enough being done to encourage more women to take up leadership posts in STEM fields? To help us answer this, on the Breakfast Grille we speak to molecular biologist and President of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Professor Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail, about higher education, policy issues, and the challenges she faced as a woman in the sciences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In conjunction with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we ask the question of is enough being done to encourage more women to take up leadership posts in STEM fields? To help us answer this, on the Breakfast Grille we speak to molecular biologist and President of the Academy of Science Malaysia, Professor Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail, about higher education, policy issues, and the challenges she faced as a woman in the sciences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With slightly more than 80,000 voters, Fahmi Fadzil the member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai has his hands full tackling issues of education, unemployment, urban renewal and housing. On the Breakfast Grille, he tells us the challenges of being a KL MP, his working relationship with DBKL and its mayor and his views on the 3rd vote. He also weighs as PKR's Director of Communications, the state of the Pakatan Harapan government, the infighting within PKR and whether the pace of reform is too slow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With slightly more than 80,000 voters, Fahmi Fadzil the member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai has his hands full tackling issues of education, unemployment, urban renewal and housing. On the Breakfast Grille, he tells us the challenges of being a KL MP, his working relationship with DBKL and its mayor and his views on the 3rd vote. He also weighs as PKR's Director of Communications, the state of the Pakatan Harapan government, the infighting within PKR and whether the pace of reform is too slow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Jared Lim, the new ED of Sino Hua An International, discusses the metallurgical coke company's expansion into web solutions and restaurants. Some perspective is also offered on Asiasons and Blumont, the two SGX-listed companies that were embroiled in a penny stock scandal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric switchboard and switchgear manufacturer Powerwell Holdings Berhad listed on the Ace markets early this year. We speak to Ricky Lee, Executive Director to find out why they decided to list, the use of the IPO proceeds and their regional expansion plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric switchboard and switchgear manufacturer Powerwell Holdings Berhad listed on the Ace markets early this year. We speak to Ricky Lee, Executive Director to find out why they decided to list, the use of the IPO proceeds and their regional expansion plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is undeniable that tourism dollars and by extension promotional dollars are important to the economy. But what is the promotional message in the wake of the coronavirus fears especially when 2020 has been earmarked as a Visit Malaysia Year? We also find out the strategy for Chinese and Indian tourist arrivals who outspend the top visitors, Singaporeans, by a wide margin but whose numbers remain relatively small.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is undeniable that tourism dollars and by extension promotional dollars are important to the economy. But what is the promotional message in the wake of the coronavirus fears especially when 2020 has been earmarked as a Visit Malaysia Year? We also find out the strategy for Chinese and Indian tourist arrivals who outspend the top visitors, Singaporeans, by a wide margin but whose numbers remain relatively small.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Car sharing companies are a disruption to the entire transportation model with wide acceptance in US and Europe. But will such a service find a place in Malaysia and is it a viable business model? We speak to Alan Cheah, CEO of Go Car, to find out what their plans for growth and what is the next stage for this company which started in 2015.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Car sharing companies are a disruption to the entire transportation model with wide acceptance in US and Europe. But will such a service find a place in Malaysia and is it a viable business model? We speak to Alan Cheah, CEO of Go Car, to find out what their plans for growth and what is the next stage for this company which started in 2015.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Innature Bhd is the sole retailer and distributor for The Body Shop products in Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Now, as they head towards a listing on the 20th of February, part of their IPO proceeds has been earmarked for new business development - as they plan to bring in a second brand, Natura, from Body Shop principal Natura Cosmeticos. We talk The Body Shop expansion, Innature's new brand, expansion in the region, and more, with Datin Mina Cheah-Foong, Managing Director of Innature Bhd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Innature Bhd is the sole retailer and distributor for The Body Shop products in Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Now, as they head towards a listing on the 20th of February, part of their IPO proceeds has been earmarked for new business development - as they plan to bring in a second brand, Natura, from Body Shop principal Natura Cosmeticos. We talk The Body Shop expansion, Innature's new brand, expansion in the region, and more, with Datin Mina Cheah-Foong, Managing Director of Innature Bhd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bike-hailing has been in the news lately, with the government allowing them to operate for 6 months during a proof of concept period. Dego Ride started bike hailing back in late 2016 but was then banned shortly after. Now with the POC the firm is back in business and has the chance to show the potential of bike-hailing, but with with huge players like Grab and potentially GoJek in the mix, can Dego really take off here?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade with Malaysia, Germany’s economic engine, its contribution to the Eurozone’s common market and efforts to innovate in data and the Internet are on the cards for His Excellency Nikolaus Count Lambsdorff, German Ambassador to Malaysia. He also discusses Germany’s approach to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded in 2015, Carsome is a one-stop shop for car buyers and sellers, providing a full-stack selling solution from inspection to ownership transfer. They’re currently in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore and deal in more than 40,000 cars annually worth over US$300 million. The startup says it reached profitability in Malaysia last year and it aims to be operationally profitable in Indonesia and Thailand by the end of the year. Its co-founder and CEO, Eric Cheng joins us on the Breakfast Grille to discuss where the company is driving to next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded in 2015, Carsome is a one-stop shop for car buyers and sellers, providing a full-stack selling solution from inspection to ownership transfer. They’re currently in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore and deal in more than 40,000 cars annually worth over US$300 million. The startup says it reached profitability in Malaysia last year and it aims to be operationally profitable in Indonesia and Thailand by the end of the year. Its co-founder and CEO, Eric Cheng joins us on the Breakfast Grille to discuss where the company is driving to next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the property market, 2019 was a challenging one. But in this new decade, have things taken a turn? Or will property sales still be slow? We speak to Alex Yeow, the Group CEO of listed property developer Tropicana Corporation Berhad to find out how sales have been, what are the property launches in the pipeline and why are they back in the retail mall business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, one of Malaysia's foremost entrepreneurs, and Founder and Chairman of the Sunway Group, talks about his entrepreneurial journey converting tin mining land to Bandar Sunway; what he would do if he was the Education Minister; and his dreams to establish Sunway as the Harvard of the East through linkages with top universities. He updates that Sunway will be signing with Harvard University and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to establish a Centre of Global Health Delivery, and an Engineering and Computer Science faculty respectively in Sunway. Cheah has been ranked by Forbes as the 13th richest person in the country with a net worth of $1.5 billion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, one of Malaysia's foremost entrepreneurs, and Founder and Chairman of the Sunway Group, talks about his entrepreneurial journey converting tin mining land to Bandar Sunway; what he would do if he was the Education Minister; and his dreams to establish Sunway as the Harvard of the East through linkages with top universities. He updates that Sunway will be signing with Harvard University and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to establish a Centre of Global Health Delivery, and an Engineering and Computer Science faculty respectively in Sunway. Cheah has been ranked by Forbes as the 13th richest person in the country with a net worth of $1.5 billion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Electoral Reform Committee was formed shortly after GE14, in August of 2018. They were given a two year mandate, with their deadline fast approaching, to come up with ways to reform our domestic processes and close electoral loopholes. Following the submission of their interim report to the Prime Minister, we speak to Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, Chairman of the ERC, to discuss their progress, the proposals that have been put forward, and what will come after.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been more than 3 years since the liberalisation of the general insurance market by Bank Negara Malaysia with a shift to a flexible pricing model for fire and motor insurance. Junior Cho, CEO of Zurich General Insurance Malaysia Berhad, tells us how they have adapted and what their strategies for growth are in this new decade in the era of disruption and digitalisation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The retail landscape is changing, with more people turning to the convenience of e-commerce to fulfil their shopping needs. Amid this, Sephora has laid out ambitious plans to expand its physical footprint throughout the Asian region, with its largest Malaysian outlet yet opening last weekend in Fahrenheit88, Kuala Lumpur. We speak to Benjamin Vuchot, President of Asia at Sephora, about the brand's expansion plans, digitalisation, sustainability, as well as the future of retail. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lendlease, a global property and development company with AUD$100 billion of projects in the pipeline is known for landmark projects like Tate Britain and the Sydney Opera House. This company has now set its sights on TRX with a stake in the lifestyle quarter, so we speak to Tony Lombardo, CEO of Lendlease Asia to find out their plans in this very crowded property market and also their strategy for Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lendlease, a global property and development company with AUD$100 billion of projects in the pipeline is known for landmark projects like Tate Britain and the Sydney Opera House. This company has now set its sights on TRX with a stake in the lifestyle quarter, so we speak to Tony Lombardo, CEO of Lendlease Asia to find out their plans in this very crowded property market and also their strategy for Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad, CEO of NanoMalaysia, a government-owned, non-profit nanotechnology commercialisation and industrialisation agency, discusses the technology’s importance in creating jobs as well as commerce in energy efficiency and environmental protection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sime Darby Oils (SDO) represents the consolidation of Sime Darby Plantations downstream operations worldwide under one new name. It’s the plantation giants’ effort to diversify away the volatility that comes with any commodity. So, is Sime Darby Oils the future of Sime Darby Plantations?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A&W was one of the first major fast food chains to step foot in Malaysia in 1963. Nearly 60 years on, and as the brand enters its second century of life, we speak to Kevin Bazner, CEO of A&W Restaurants, about changing consumer trends, growth plans, and how they plan to survive in the fast-paced world of F&B.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A&W was one of the first major fast food chains to step foot in Malaysia in 1963. Nearly 60 years on, and as the brand enters its second century of life, we speak to Kevin Bazner, CEO of A&W Restaurants, about changing consumer trends, growth plans, and how they plan to survive in the fast-paced world of F&B.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although later to the game, Touch n’ Go eWallet is amongst the fastest growing mobile payment apps in the country and has been aggressive with its cashbacks, branding and merchant acquisition. However the e-wallet space is crowded and adoption has been slow, with only 8% of the population using e-wallets for payment. So can a name primarily associated with tolls, parking and prepaid cards compete in this highly competitive field?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although later to the game, Touch n’ Go eWallet is amongst the fastest growing mobile payment apps in the country and has been aggressive with its cashbacks, branding and merchant acquisition. However the e-wallet space is crowded field and adoption has been slow, with only 8% of the population using e-wallets for payment. Although later to the game, Touch n’ Go eWallet is amongst the fastest growing mobile payment apps in the country and has been aggressive with its cashbacks, branding and merchant acquisition. However the e-wallet space is crowded field and adoption has been slow, with only 8% of the population using e-wallets for payment. So can a name primarily associated with tolls, parking and prepaid cards compete in this highly competitive field?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid the rise of e-commerce, the logistics industry has become increasingly disrupted. Faced with rising competition and new technologies, how will Aramex, a global logistics operator headquartered in the Middle East, adapt?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid the rise of e-commerce, the logistics industry has become increasingly disrupted. Faced with rising competition and new technologies, how will Aramex, a global logistics operator headquartered in the Middle East, adapt?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia wants to increase its capacity for solar power from about 0.5GW to 5.8GW by 2025. ACE-listed Solarvest Holdings will be a major beneficiary but the market is getting crowded and government agencies need to speed up on approving projects. Davis Chong, the Group CEO, tells how Solarvest intends to move up the value chain as an EPCC contractor (engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning) to becoming a developer and investor in solar farms, and possibly one day, competing with Tenaga as an electricity retailer when the market is liberalised.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia wants to increase its capacity for solar power from about 0.5GW to 5.8GW by 2025. ACE-listed Solarvest Holdings will be a major beneficiary but the market is getting crowded and government agencies need to speed up on approving projects. Davis Chong, the Group CEO, tells how Solarvest intends to move up the value chain as an EPCC contractor (engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning) to becoming a developer and investor in solar farms, and possibly one day, competing with Tenaga as an electricity retailer when the market is liberalised.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite a poor FBMKLCI performance for 2019, we take a closer look at equity markets to ask if the dismal performance was across the board. To answer this and also what can we expect for 2020, Patrick Chang, Chief Investment Officer of Asean Equities for Principal Asset Management and Alexander Chia, Head of Regional Equity Research at RHB Investment Bank weighs in with their thoughts. We also uncover what their top buys are for the market and what to avoid on the back of their earnings expectations for the year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite a poor FBMKLCI performance for 2019, we take a closer look at equity markets to ask if the dismal performance was across the board. To answer this and also what can we expect for 2020, Patrick Chang, Chief Investment Officer of Asean Equities for Principal Asset Management and Alexander Chia, Head of Regional Equity Research at RHB Investment Bank weighs in with their thoughts. We also uncover what their top buys are for the market and what to avoid on the back of their earnings expectations for the year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RSPO's outgoing CEO Datuk Darrel Webber says that most of its members are compliant in sustainable planting practices but the government needs to look into factors beyond control of plantation companies to fight the haze problem. This also dovetails into the imminent dangers of climate change which need inter-governmental action.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RSPO's outgoing CEO Datuk Darrel Webber says that most of its members are compliant in sustainable planting practices but the government needs to look into factors beyond control of plantation companies to fight the haze problem. This also dovetails into the imminent dangers of climate change which need inter-governmental action.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A century old business has changed its name from Philips Lighting to Signify as the company changes strategy to stay relevant in the age of LED lights. Alok Ghose, the Asean CEO tells us how important this market is to Signify's global operations and how they intend to win market share despite cheaper lights from China. He also explains the evolution of lights and how it is now the latest way to communicate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us that for the moment, there is no requirement to change asset allocations yet despite the recent heighten geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. He however notes that Phase 1 of a trade deal between US-China is in the price but Phase 2 may be a long way off. So better value may be found in Europe and Japan for the momentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The insurance industry in Malaysia has undergone many challenges in the last decade with tariff liberalisation for General Insurance and the emergence of disruptors in an already crowded field. So we speak to the CEO of Bursa listed Allianz Malaysia Berhad on how this German Insurance company has faces these challenges and also its plans for growth in both the general and life insurance markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.