The Breakfast Grille

Remember those 'economic corridors'? We have the benefit of the Nothern Corridor Implementation Authority describing how employment and self-sufficiency have been created.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Claus Weidner, Mercedes Benz Malaysia managing director, spells out the recipe behind the company's record sales performance in 2016.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jahabar Sadiq aims to migrate personal principles of fairness and independence to The Malaysian Insight, a new news portal he founded after the closure of The Malaysian Insider last year. We ask him whether funding sources and commercial realities can challenge this independence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many challenges lie ahead for the small nation of Finland, that has only just emerging from a long recession. In a statement issued in January this year the Finnish central bank said “An improving employment situation and low inflation will bolster real disposable household income. Exports will recover amid better competitiveness and higher external demand." It went on to note that an ageing population is one of the headwinds for a fuller long term recovery. Finland’s GDP growth for 2017 is forecasted to 1.3%. Today we look at the many factors that fed into the recession and prospects for recovery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ranked 4th in the Times Higher Education World University 2016-2017 raking, Cambridge University continues to be seen as a leader in quality higher education. Today we speak about the development of a fund, named after the late Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew as well as the impact of Brexit on higher education funding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad (KTC) is a Sabah-based consumer packaged goods distributor. CEO of KTC, Dexter Lau, joins us on The Breakfast Grille to provide some insights into the performance of the company since its listing on the ACE Market in November 2016. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Competition Commission has proposed a fine of RM213.45 million for alleged anti-competitive behavior by the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) and its 22 members. Philip provides insights into the current state of the domestic insurance sector, along with the associated challenges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Mohd. Zamzam Jaafar, CEO, Malaysia Nuclear Power Corp, fields questions on the viability of this highly efficient but very contentious power source, as Malaysia gears up for its next and final push to fully developed statusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global business services sector is expected to attract some RM6.5 billion in investments and create over 14,000 job opportunities by 2020. Munirah provides an outlook on GBS/BPO, given some high-profile departures and delays in the sector.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As antitrust cases are becoming more global in nature, so must antitrust enforcement. Marvin N. Price, Director of Criminal Enforcement for the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice, discusses the enforcement of anti-competitive behaviour and cartel-like conduct, and the challenges to international cooperation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since its inception in 2005, Andaman Group has reached a gross development value of RM3 billion. Dato Sri Dr. Vincent outlines how this property developer finds its edge among the larger players.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Because CIMB has become a proxy to Malaysian ideals of an Asean bank, their views on fintech and corporate governance are pertinent to how the economy moves forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Group Managing Director of Freight Management Holdings, Chew Chong Keat, shares his strategy in navigating the current challenging market outlook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fintech disruption continues and now allows you to buy gold with just a few bucks. We assess the good and bad of that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nadiah Wan, Chief Operating Officer for Clinical Services at Sunway Medical Centre explains the "hidden costs" that goes into the running of a private hospital, and why Sunway Medical is banking on medical tourism to drive growth for the company. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Securities Commission recently introducing 6 registered Peer-to-Peer financing platform operators, Malaysia now embarks on its P2P journey as industry leaders in the US and China endure their respective challenges. Kristine provides an outlook on this potentially disruptive technology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Michael Driscoll outlines his vision for making Taylor's University the "gold standard" in Malaysia, as it contends with industry headwinds including staff retention and falling student enrollment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The general election in The Netherlands is expected to be a test case for right-wing sentiment for the spate of elections slated for the rest of Europe this year, but Ambassador Karin feels that the liberal ethos of the Dutch will shine through and prevent surprises.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Already squeezed by higher commodity prices, Johor-based biscuit maker, Hup Seng Industries Berhad is seeing its margins further impacted by the new Anti-Profiteering Mechanism. Hup Seng's Group Executive Director, Kerk Chian Tung, shares her plans to face these challenges head on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pertubuhan Tindakan Wanita Islam (PERTIWI) was set up in 1967 as a charitable organisation decicated to championing women and children’s rights.Tan Sri Rafiah Salim, President of PERTIWI takes a look at how how women's issues have changed in the past 50 years. And as a woman who has broken through many barriers herself, Tan Sri Rafiah also discusses the 'glass ceiling' for women in Malaysia and the kind of support needed to keep women in the workforce.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato’ Garry Chua, President of Malaysian Retail Chain Association and Kevin Tan, COO of Sunway Shopping Malls, offer a perspective of the health of the local retail sector and offer a wishlist of how the government can help the sector improve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2016, Honda Malaysia overtook Proton and became the second most popular brand in terms of TIV (Total Industry Volume). Akkbar outlines the Japanese automaker's plans to grow market share in Malaysia, while hanging on to its 3,000-strong workforce at its plant in Melaka.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysia Competition Commission clarifies its investigation of General Insurers' Association of Malaysia and apparent tiff with Bank Negara. We also catch up with the state of the country's competitive advocacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zainal Amanshah, the CEO of InvestKL, discusses the last third of his government mandate to attract one hundred of the world’s largest multinationals to invest in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area by 2020, at a time when other ASEAN cities compete on similiar platforms of skills, cost competitiveness, government assistance and liveability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evert Ong, Asia CEO for Cartrack Holdings, the Johannesburg-listed Vehicle Management and Telematics company, talks about growth in the region, capitalising on economic growth as well the dark side of consumer growth: car theftSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At a time when Petronas is urging for consolidation in the oil and gas industry, Enra is forging on and trying to find niche and novel opportunities. Datuk Mazlin explains the diversification strategy for the property investment company.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The devil is in the details in Greenpeace's solution to balancing environmental concerns with human development. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chatime saga would not dampen the franchising fervour including expansion into new markets overseas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hernando Caceres, Country Manager Malaysia for DNV GL, the world's largest classification society for the maritime, oil and gas and energy sectors, discusses sentiment, outlook and resource management issues in Malaysia's energy industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 25 years since Dato Sudirman Arshad passed on, his lasting influence on the local music scene is still keenly discussed. Darren also shares his thoughts on the current challenges faced by the Malaysian recording industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year Media Prima entered a joint venture with Korean-based CJ O Shopping, marking their foray into the home shopping business in Malaysia with CJ Wow Shop. Its CEO Yang Hyun Kim joins us on the Breakfast Grille to share the potential of tv home shopping in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Loob Holding has been embroiled in a very public spat with Chatime brand owner and franchisor Taiwan-based La Kaffa International, after they terminated the master franchisee agreement with Loob following disagreements over ingredients and royalties. Bryan Loo, the CEO of Loob Holding join us on the Breakfast Grille to unveil the new brand of the product.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last few years, embattled Felda has experienced a series of setbacks that have cast a shadow over the organisation’s reputation. Enter Tan Sri Shahrir Samad as the organisation’s new chairman. He has been tasked with the unenviable job of nursing the ailing company back to glory - but was his appointment pragmatic or political? We speak to Tan Sri Shahrir Samad about the controversial Eagle High acquisition, his plans to restructure Felda and the future of the settler’s land developer.  http://www.bside.my/post/felda-ts-sharir.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon Anholt, the founder of The Good Country movement and the creator of The Good Country Index explains how it's possible for countries to look after their citizens needs without ignoring the needs of the global population and the planet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With developed nations shying away from globalization, China's influence continues to expand throughout the globe. The MCCC cautions that Chinese investors, when expanding abroad, must also respect local laws and customs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Walton, Head of ASEAN for Amazon Web Services, the cloud computing unit of the US e-commerce giant, talks strategy and growth, a decade after the brick and mortar business began and triple-digit growth is finally slowing to a double-digit crawl. Walton also talks innovation and the entry of IoT and Artificial Intelligence into the corporate mainstream.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We find out from Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Hassan Said how UiTM can commercialise and take itself to the international stage without sacrificing Bumiputera entrance requirements at the same time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the likes of Tony Roma's, Manhattan Fish Market and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen within its stable, Revenue Valley is looking to increase its global footprint beyond the Malaysian context. CEO George Ang also outlines the risks and challenges clouding his F&B growth outlook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daud Vicary, President and CEO of the International Centre for Islamic Finance (INCEIF) shares his views on what Malaysia should be doing to further develop itself as an Islamic finance and investment hub.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minister of Federal Territories Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor explains the need for Federal Territories in Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACE-market listed BioAlpha Holdings is Malaysia's first herbal supplements player to be in control of its full supply chain, from farming to manufacturing, retail to R&D. Managing Director William Hon discusses how it plans to grow its presence not just domestically, but also in the high-growth markets of Indonesia and China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) has been the centre of a heated discussion in the lead up to the anticipated GE14 this year; one that has sometimes divided the political opposition. Is it a political bribe benefitting the ruling Barisan Nasional or a now common-place policy tool for social provisioning? Today we ask how does BR1M fit into the overall structure of policies and mechanism to deal with inequality and economic vulnerability? Also if there are moral hazards involved when democratically elected governments use such tools for electoral gain, or if such schemes are a disincentives to work or a source of dependency on the state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is on the threshold of entering the most powerful office in the US, and all eyes are now on Washington DC. In anticipation of the swearing in of President Donald Trump, we take a look at the transition of leadership of what is arguably the world’s biggest economy and most influential military power. We reflect on the legacy of the Obama Administration, and the extent to which President Trump's agenda will begin where Obama's ended. We speak to a panel of guests on a range of topics, including America's future domestic policies and their place in a global context, the uncertainty of US foreign policy and Trump's agenda for the next hundred days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Serba Dinamik benefits from the continued operation of oil rigs and therefore insulated from oil sector turbulence. But that doesn't stop them from venturing into power plants and water treatment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Launched just last February, Investment Account Platform (IAP) is a multi-bank Shariah-compliant “matchmaking” online platform that facilitates channeling of funds from investors to finance viable ventures. CEO Izam Yusoff discusses the mechanics of IAP and how it plans to be a catalyst of growth for the Islamic finance sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Sarawak begins an official week of mourning for the late Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem, observers ask what and who comes next in leading the Borneo state. We ask if there will be policy continuity, if the “full autonomy” agenda is in danger of a rollback, and political succession will be a messy affair.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allianz Life Insurance Malaysia is a subsidiary of the publicly-listed Allianz Malaysia, which in turn is a subsidiary of Allianz SE, Europe’s biggest insurer. CEO Joseph Gross shares his thoughts on the liberalisation of the insurance industry in Malaysia. The podcast is an extended version of the broadcasted interview.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What lessons can we learn from the British experience of designing and building major transport infrastructure? The Crossrail project has been controversial from the start, but is there more to the project than just numbers and profit? Will the benefits of the project outweigh the huge investment costs? Today, a day after strikes by London Tube workers crippled the city, we speak to Sir Terry Morgan the man who is leading the RM80 billion (£14.8 billion) Crossrail project. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The challenges for higher education in the 21st century are legion, arising from structural problems that orginated 50 years ago - massification, commercialisation and globalisation, to name a few. But are all stakeholders getting the best out of the present system? And are there gamechangers out there? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Hayden gives his observations about the Asian job market, the startup scene and the competitive landscape in online jobs platforms. We also get an update of SEEK's RM1.7b buy of JobStreet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.