The Breakfast Grille

A total of 596 candidates are vying for 73 seats in Sabah’s 17th state election. We ask Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, leader of Warisan as to why his party has decided to contest in every seat,  what does the campaign message of "Save Sabah" mean against the backdrop of MA63 and his chances of becoming the next Chief Minister.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniella Ortega Menezes, Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia Brazil describes the increasing number of potential investments and trade opportunities between Malaysia and Brazil including one in the semiconductor industry. She also talks about Brazil’s potential trade deal with the US and COP30 which is held in Belem this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As demand for AI and cloud computing soars, the Bain Capital-backed, Singapore-based, Bridge Data Centres is betting big on Southeast Asia and Malaysia in particular. CEO Eric Fan explains where their next hyperscale hubs will likely rise as well as how to keep them cool, efficient, environmentally sound and profitable. We also find out if going public is in their plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarawak is pushing to become a regional digital powerhouse, targeting a 25% contribution of the digital economy to its GDP by 2030. Dato Sudarnoto Osman, CEO of the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), unpacks the company’s strategy to achieve this goal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Slovenia, a small nation of 2 million inhabitants, is a member of the EU and NATO navigating the complexities of modern geopolitics. Marko Ham, its Ambassador to Malaysia, based in Canberra, Australia, outlines the country's diplomatic strategy in Southeast Asia and where it stands in an increasingly divided planet.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By 2044, Malaysia will face a “silver tsunami”, with 14% of its population aged 65 and above. Chai Sen Tyng, Senior Research Officer at MyAgeing, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and New Sin Yew, Constitutional Lawyer, discuss whether Malaysia is ready for an ageing population.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sabah state elections scheduled for the end of November will be a crucial test for the Madani Government as well as the various political factions and alliances that uniquely operate in the state. We discuss some of the themes to watch during the campaign season with economist Dr. Saizal Pinjaman of Universiti Malaysia Sabah and political analyst Jo-Anna Henley Rampas of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With US President Donald Trump declaring his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping “a 12 out of 10,” we ask how much of it is hyperbole and how much is substance. Dr Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation, and Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy at Mizuho Bank , share their thoughts on events of the past week and how it might guide world economic growth in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid the widespread rise of far-right sentiment in European politics in recent years, Romania has managed to maintain a pro-EU government in its recent elections. But what are the challenges it faces in ensuring political stability at a time of economic uncertainty and the ongoing war in Ukraine? We discuss the dynamics shaping Romania’s future and its bilateral relations with Malaysia with H.E. Nineta Barbulescu, the Ambassador of Romania to Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KNM Group is officially delisted from Bursa Malaysia today, ending its journey as a publicly listed company since 2003. The move should enable it to sell its flagship asset, Borsig, and reduce the company’s debt. Ravindrasingham Balasingham, Group CEO & Executive Director, KNM Group Bhd, shares insights on the company’s next steps and turnaround plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year on October 10th, World Homeless Day reminds us that homelessness is not just a local problem, but a global one. Yet in Malaysia, it remains a complex and often misunderstood issue. Dr Nur Fareza Mustapha of Khazanah Research Institute and Shyam Priah Marimuthu, CEO of Yellow House KL, help us unpack the realities behind Malaysia’s homeless population, from the root causes to the stigma and possible solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do all companies benefit from the AI boom and how does a tech company navigate the US-China trade tensions. Questions we pose to Dato’ Phua Khein Seng, CEO of Phison Electronics  whilst also asking why investors should pay attention to its stock even after it has rallied by 100% on a year to date basis despite the intense competition and cyclical nature of the business.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As internal cracks deepen within Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional braces for the Sabah state election and GE16 thereafter, questions loom over the coalition’s cohesion and credibility. Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, Bersatu deputy president and Leader of the Opposition discusses efforts to contain party infighting, PN’s electoral prospects in Sabah, and whether he sees himself as the next prime minister.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Cities Day is celebrated on Oct 31st every year and this year’s theme is “People-centred Smart Cities”, a reminder that technology and innovation should serve people, not the other way around. Award-winning architect and sustainability advocate  Dr Tan Loke Mun and urban planning and design consultant, Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar, give their perspectives on Malaysian cities with a special focus on Kuala Lumpur.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia wrapped up its year as ASEAN chair with a high-profile summit attended by world leaders, including US President Donald Trump. We speak with Jayan Menon, Visiting Senior Fellow, ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, and Elina Noor, Senior Fellow, Asia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, on Malaysia’s achievements, ASEAN’s strategic challenges, and what lies ahead for the bloc.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gets into conversation with Professor Ngaire Woods of Oxford University at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit on Canada’s engagement with ASEAN, trade diversification, negotiating trade deals and efforts to promote sustainable and inclusive growth across the regionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is the chair of ASEAN at a time of geopolitical flux and economic volatility, as the major global superpowers battle for a new equilibrium. How are US businesses navigating the currents in Southeast Asia? We discuss the lay of the land with Ambassador Brian McFeeters, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. This interview was recorded on Friday, 24 October ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Munira Mustaffa, Executive Director of the Chasseur Group, and Dr. Benjamin Loh, Course Director for the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communication at Monash University, discuss the growing threat of media disinformation, why it remains such a widespread risk, and how we can build a more media-literate society.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spain is strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia through trade, diplomacy, and shared global priorities, while balancing its commitments within NATO and advocating for peace in Palestine. Philip See speaks with Spanish Ambassador to Malaysia H.E. José Luis Pardo-Cuerdo to understand Madrid’s global outlook and engagement with the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarawak-based Insights Analytics Bhd has built its business helping utilities cut water losses through data and IoT. It is now en route to a listing on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market. Frank Wee, the company's managing director, discusses what IAB's next phase of growth might look like.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ooi Can Nix, CEO of THMY Holdings Bhd, tells us how the company is tapping into the AI boom through its hyperscaler clients, the crucial role of testing in the back end of the E&E value chain, and how it plans to utilise the proceeds from its ACE Market listing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JS Solar Holding Bhd,an ACE Market–listed company in the solar industry, is charting steady growth post-IPO. Managing Director Johnson Chai Jeun Sian discusses how the company differentiates itself in a market of over 250 competitors, its contract with GSPARX, a TNB subsidiary, and its expansion into battery storage solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EMGS a government entity is the sole agency responsible for promoting and facilitating international student arrival to Malaysia. Datuk Ahmad Shalimin Ahmad Shaffie, their chairman tells us what their KPIs are and if Malaysian provides a holistic education experience compared to the like of UK or Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) now serves as the sole agency responsible for the technical, safety, security, and economic regulation of the country's civil aviation industry. CEO, Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud, following the merger with MAVCOM,  tells us if new structure benefits the aviation industry, stakeholders and consumers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Médecins Sans Frontières or Doctors Without Borders, has long been a symbol of compassion in conflict zones. Dr Javid Abdelmoneim, the new International President of MSF, joins us to talk about the realities of delivering medical care in war zones, maintaining neutrality in an increasingly politicised world, and what it means to lead in times of crisis.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2026 is the first under the period of the 13th Malaysia Plan that runs until 2030 and which has the lofty goal of redesigning national development. How well does this budget reflect the transformational aims of RMK13? We peel the layers of Budget 2026 with Dato’ Johan Mahmood Merican, the Secretary General of the Treasury.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, all eyes are on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as he tables Budget 2026, the last before GE16. It continues the Ekonomi Madani agenda and sets the stage for the 13th Malaysia Plan. Julia Goh, Senior Economist at UOB, and Soh Lian Seng, Head of Tax at KPMG tells us their expectations against a backdrop of fiscal consolidation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Southeast Asia faces one of its most uncertain economic periods in recent years such as global trade tensions and currency fluctuations, we speak with Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council 2025, to hear his insights on how businesses and economies in the region can navigate deep volatility, and what opportunities may emerge amid these challengesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US-China rivalry is commonly framed as one of ideology between capitalism and socialism, or autocratic versus democratic systems. But researcher Dan Wang presents a new spin on the competition as one between engineers and lawyers, which he details in his book. We discuss his thesis and the prognosis for both economies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Koichiro Satomi, Deputy Group Managing Director of Asia Pacific Kinokuniya and Managing Director for Kinokuniya Malaysia to talk about what differentiates Kinokuya from other bookstores in the country, why its digital platform appears to be lagging behind its physical counterpart, whether Malaysians still have the habit of reading, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With over 1000 listed companies on Bursa Malaysia, how does the country rank when it comes to governance and protecting minority shareholders? Our panel consisting of Ng Zhu Hann, CEO & Founder of Tradeview Capital, and Dr Ismet Yusoff, CEO of Minority Shareholders Watch Group (MSWG) gives us their perspective and what improvements can be made.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The TRX development project was envisioned under the 10th Malaysia Plan to put Kuala Lumpur on the map as a global financial hub. But has it managed to shake off its association with the 1MDB scandal that haunts its origin story? We discuss the progress of TRX and its development ethos with Dato' Azmar Talib, CEO of master developer TRX City Sdn. Bhd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Curtin University Malaysia, Curtin’s largest overseas campus, has worked with the Sarawak Government since 1999 and is ranked 183rd in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Prof. Vincent Lee Chieng Chen, Pro Vice-Chancellor and CEO, talks about the university’s vision, growth strategy, and its commitment to combining global excellence with local relevance.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia aims to be among the world’s top 20 AI economies by 2030. Shamsul Izhan Abdul Majid, the CEO of the nine-month-old National AI Office (NAIO), shares the agency's progress and how far the starting RM10 million funding has gotten it to date, while sharing his hopes and dreams for Malaysia's AI future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia aims to move up the high-tech value chain, from electronics to aerospace, green technologies and smart cities. Rushdi Abdul Rahim, President & CEO of MIGHT (the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology), shares how the agency is helping drive these national ambitions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TMK made its Bursa debut in December 2024 but has since traded below its IPO price. Wong Kin Wah, their Managing Director joins us again for an update on their growth strategy and if it is time to bottom fish the stock.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What led to the vacancies in Malaysia’s judiciary, including its two top positions, and how can such critical issues be avoided in the future? Former Malaysian Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan and constitutional lawyer Lim Wei Jiet argue that the real problem lies not in the law itself, but in the responsibility—or lack thereof—of parties involved in the appointment process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Madani government launched the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35) in August last year to accelerate the empowerment of the bumi community. What is the role of the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit, better known by its Malay acronym TERAJU in implementing the comprehensive and complex blueprint? We find out from its CEO Junady Nawawi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the Breakfast Grille, Philip See will be sitting down with Teoh Han Boon, Managing Director of Camaroe Bhd to talk about the company’s upcoming listing on the ACE Market on Bursa Malaysia, how Camaroe sets itself apart from the competition in the aquaculture industry, and its growth prospects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Riyaz International plans to roll out 50 hotels across Malaysia over the next five years through a regional partnership with China’s hotel giant Jin Jiang. Yap Lip Seng, CEO of RJJ Hotels and Riyaz Hotels & Resorts, shares how this expansion could reshape Malaysia’s hospitality landscapeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alliance Bank, Malaysia's smallest bank by asset size is halfway through its Acceler8 2027 strategy to diversify its core business and strengthen market leadership in the SME segment. Despite achieving record earnings in 2025, could global economic uncertainty decelerate its progress? We get updates from Kellee Kam, CEO of Alliance Bank.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karcher is renowned for its professional cleaning solutions, helping homes and businesses stay spotless with innovative products and services. Philip See speaks with William Kew, Managing Director of Karcher Malaysia, about the company’s growth, market strategies, and vision for the cleaning industry in the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly half of Malaysia’s workforce facing high exposure to artificial intelligence, with women and younger workers most at risk. What does this mean for inequality, education, and the country’s social protection systems? Calvin Cheng, the economics programme director at ISIS Malaysia and Dr Matthew Dornan, a Senior Economist at the World Bank, talk about their new report on this subject.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global geopolitical landscape has changed dramatically since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine with the return of President Donald Trump to the White House proving a wildcard in ongoing efforts to find a resolution. How does this affect the foreign policy calculations for Kyiv and how is it strengthening alliances beyond the Western sphere? We discuss this with Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is adjusting its foreign policy to global challenges amid changing geopolitical dynamics. How is the government balancing US-China tensions while pursuing new opportunities with ASEAN? We discuss this with H.E. Ajay Sharma, British High Commissioner to Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Increasingly more companies are required to have internal auditors but what role do they play ? Anthony Pugliese, President & CEO, The Global Institute of Internal Auditors tell us and if AI benefits this profession or threatens it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is one of just 20 countries that has not yet ratified the UN Convention against Torture, despite expressing commitment to do so over the years. What are the obstacles to signing the treaty and how does Malaysia stand to benefit from taking a legally-backed anti-torture stance?  We build a case for Malaysia’s accession to the treaty with our expert panel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak with Professor Joseph Cherian, CEO of the Asia School of Business (ASB), about the pressures facing U.S. higher education institutions as the Trump administration pulls funding — and what this could mean for ASB. He also shares his views on ASB’s growth potential, key revenue drivers, and whether pursuing further education remains worthwhile for professionals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As technology transforms the way we learn reading and writing skills, how can we better navigate the changing dimensions of literacy in the digital age? To mark International Literacy Day, we discuss themes in literacy and education with Dr Tara Béteille of the World Bank.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Dato' Dr Kenneth Pereira, founder and managing director of Hibiscus Petroleum, on how the company keeps cutting costs and extending the life of its oil fields despite weak oil prices and how it continues to reward shareholders in this challenging environment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.