The Breakfast Grille

It’s been 2 1⁄2 years since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took office, leading a minority government after GE15 with reform promises up to its gills. Ibrahim Suffian from Merdeka Center and Shahril Hamdan, political commentator and co-host of the Keluar Sekejap podcast share their thoughts on what the Madani administration has achieved and where it has fallen short.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Science Minister Chang Lih Kang talks about Malaysia’s ambitions in space, AI, and what it really takes to build a tech-driven future that’s inclusive, competitive, and homegrown as Malaysia faces a complex set of challenges in advancing innovation at scale. We also get his take on the goings on within Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and whether the government is stable enough to enact much needed reforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Faber-Castell is a legacy brand making pens and colour pencils in a world that's getting more used to ChatGPT, iPads and AI textbooks. Its managing director, Andrew Woon talks to us about digital disruption, smart factories, sustainability and why the humble pencil still matters.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Malaysian companies are caught in the whirlwind of uncertainty caused by Trump’s tariffs. So, how challenging is it to navigate such turbulent times? Questions we pose to Synergy House, a cross-border e-commerce seller and furniture exporter as their Executive Director, Tan Eu Tah, joins us.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Timor Leste is working hard to join ASEAN, aiming for full membership at the upcoming summit this October. H.E. Lisualdo Gaspar, Ambassador of Timor Leste to Malaysia, shares the country’s efforts in infrastructure development, economic integration, and also reflecting on its journey of peace and reconciliation after years of conflict with Indonesia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We dive into the world of POPMART, the brand that's taken Asia by storm with its wildly hyped blind boxes and designer toys. We speak with POPMART’s Head of Southeast Asia and Middle East, Jeremy Lee, to unpack the youth-driven culture, creative strategies, and global expansion behind the craze.This interview comes as the Chinese toy firm announced yesterday that its profits for the first six months of the year are expected to jump by at least 350%, with revenues more than tripling.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASM Automation Group Bhd, a provider of end to end automated machinery solutions for food and beverage packaging recently debuted on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market earlier this month. We speak to Kamalam Kurup Krishnan, their Executive Director about the utilisation of their proceeds, their strategy for growth and if it's time to buy their shares.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Samaiden Group Berhad, once purely an EPCC contractor, is now transitioning into a renewable energy asset owner. Datuk Ir Chow Pui Hee, Samaiden's Group Managing Director, shares how the company is navigating government programmes like CGPP and LSS5+, investing in land for future solar farms, and aiming to build recurring income streams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Loi Tuan Ee, Managing Director, Farm Fresh Malaysia gives us an update on how the company is doing, its expansion plans including East Malaysia as it grows its product portfolio, such as ice cream, and accelerates it expansion to Philippines and Cambodia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Animated films are a bright spot for the Malaysian industry, with Ejen Ali the Movie 2 breaking box office records this year. How does the homegrown studio view the prospects and ecosystem of the local animation industry? We discuss this with Wau Animation CEO Usamah Zaid Yasin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At our bi-annual investment outlook and with a plethora of headwinds, what is the best investment strategy to adopt? How can you build a resilient portfolio and what are the money making ideas? Anand Pathmakanthan, Head of Regional Equity Research, Maybank Investment Banking Group and Patrick Chang, Chief Investment Officer for Affluent Product & Proposition, CIMB Bank Berhad tells us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philip See will be joined by Freddy Wong, Executive Director, Wentel Engineering Holdings Bhd on today’s Breakfast Grille. They’ll be discussing the company’s finances, listing exercise, its new plant in Johor, whether there’s a worry of product concentration, and more.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has threatened an additional 10% tariff on countries that orient themselves along the “Anti-American policies of BRICS” as leaders of the bloc were meeting in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, for its Summit. Discussing how this might affect Malaysia, and whether we will see any trade opportunities arising out of the Summit is Bunn Nagara, Director and Senior Fellow, BRI Caucus for Asia-Pacific & Honorary Fellow, Perak Academy.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASEAN aims to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2045. Achieving this requires deeper regional integration and inclusive, sustainable growth. But with rising scepticism toward free trade, what will it take to achieve that goal? We speak with Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, Director of IDEAS and former APEC Secretariat Executive Director, and Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of ASEAN-BAC Malaysia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PMCK Berhad, a 30-year-old private healthcare provider based in Alor Setar, is heading for a listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia. Dato' Lee Gaik Cheng, its managing director joins us to discuss the company's affordability-first model, the challenges of expanding in underserved regions, and whether it could one day rival Malaysia’s biggest private hospital groups.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philip See will be having a conversation with Sean Hesh, Group CEO of NTT Data Payment Services. The company formerly known as GHL System Bhd provides payment solutions and services to ASEAN businesses. They’ll be discussing the company’s acquisition by its japanese parent company NTT Data, how much its margins are actually, what value it brings to its clients and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MCE Holdings is a homegrown automotive electronics and mechatronic components manufacturer. It is also a part of a critical network of parts suppliers to Perodua and Proton in Malaysia and is now spreading its wings to as far as the US. Dr Goh Kar Chun, its Group Managing Director, reflects on the firm's future after securing over RM120 million in new contracts, including its first entry into the US market.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings paints a picture that Asia is on the rise, with Singapore’s NUS now ranking 8th globally, while in Malaysia, Sunway University was the most improved, jumping over 120 spots. Dr Edward Harcourt, Senior Vice President for International Student Recruitment at QS Quacquarelli Symonds also discusses how the current Trump administration's approach towards higher learning institutions might impact attitudes.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malayan Flour has seen choppy earnings in the last few years as both the flour and grain business and the poultry JV face their respective headwinds. Teh Wee Chye their Managing Director tells if the worst is over and what is their strategy for growth in a very competitive environment with low margins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia and Switzerland have enjoyed more than six decades of diplomatic ties. Having recently inked a landmark EFTA trade deal, what does this mean for businesses, diplomacy, and shared values in a fast-changing world? Chantal Moser, Switzerland’s Ambassador to Malaysia, talks about these issues and more.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump in his second term is rocking the foundation of the legal checks and balances that the US government is built upon. We discuss some of the legal challenges of the Trump presidency with Prof. Julian Davis Mortenson, the James G. Phillipp Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The long-standing Kashmir conflict, strained India-Pakistan relations, and rising tensions in the Middle East are once again testing regional stability. Philip See speaks with H.E. Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, on the prospects for peace, the role of international mediation, and how Malaysia fits into this complex diplomatic landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pan Merchant Berhad is Malaysia’s largest solid-liquid filtration solutions provider. It is heading to Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market after 38 years in business. Wong Voon Ten, PMI's MD and co-founder sits down to discuss the company's journey and post-IPO plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmaniaga Berhad,a PN17 company, appears to be on track with its regularisation plan. We speak with Managing Director Zulkifli Jaafar on the company’s restructuring efforts, how they plan to grow operations, and what this means for the future of one of Malaysia’s key pharmaceutical players which has a lucrative government concession agreement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) announced global staff cuts as budget constraints bite. On World Refugee Day, we discuss the challenges of upholding protection for refugees and engaging with the Malaysian government despite resource limitations with Louise Aubin, the UNHCR representative in Malaysia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has a long history in nuclear technology research, with the genesis of what is today the Malaysian Nuclear Agency starting in the early 1970s. How much progress has Malaysia made in nuclear technology over the past 50 years, and where does it position the country as the momentum shifts on public acceptance of nuclear energy? We discuss this with the Director General Dr. Rosli Darmawan.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BK Gan, President and CEO of Taylor's Schools and Phillip See will be sitting down to talk about what makes Taylor’s Schools different, the price tag attached to education in international schools, whether there is still demand for such education by Malaysian parents, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Come July 1st, a whole list of items like selected fruit, fish and even services will become more expensive due to an expansion of the sales and service tax. Why has the government decided to make this move despite cost of living pressures. Questions we pose to the Treasury Secretary General at the Ministry of Finance, Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican whilst we also get a preview of Budget 2026 and the state of the government’s finances.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The international community has missed the 2025 deadline to eliminate child labour in all its forms. What are the gaps in the legal framework, economic mechanisms and societal viewpoints that need to be addressed for child labour to truly be eradicated in Malaysia? We discuss this with Dr Amjad Rabi, Visiting Expert at the Social Wellbeing Research Center at University Malaya; and Sharmila Sekaran, Chairperson of Voice of the Children.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Dr. Barry Winn, Vice Chancellor and President, Taylor's University, discusses trends in higher education, parents' expectations and student outcomes, income generation, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Often overshadowed by its larger neighbours, Eswatini is quietly positioning itself on Africa’s economic map. With political stability, pro-business policies, and a young population, the kingdom is eyeing greater regional integration and trade. Aisalli Ayub speaks with H.E. Menzie Sipho Dlamini, Eswatini’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, on investment opportunities and global partnerships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has secured the presidency of the UN-Habitat General Assembly for the 2025–2029 term, but is this accolade deserved when there is still a long list of property reforms to be accomplished. And is the property market weighed too heavily in favour of the developers? Questions we pose to Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government whilst asking if he is next in line to lead DAP.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government estimates that in 2024, cybercrime incidents incurred total losses exceeding RM1.5 billion ringgit involving more than 35,000 reported cases. As businesses step up safeguards against cyberattacks, how is ACE Market-listed cybersecurity specialist LGMS positioning themselves to benefit from this long-term theme? We catch-up on the business strategy and prospects of LGMS with CEO Fong Choong Fook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The value of US-ASEAN trade in goods grew by 13% in 2024 - but is the era of trade growth coming to an end in light of the seismic shift in US economic policy? We discuss the evolution of US-ASEAN economic ties and what's ahead with Marc Mealy, Executive Vice President of the US-ASEAN Business Council. Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JTI Malaysia, the Malaysian Business of Japan Tobacco, is one of the three largest tobacco players globally. We’ll be speaking with Juliana Mohd Yahaya, Managing Director of JTI Malaysia to understand the pace of the transition from cigarettes and also how regulatory changes are reshaping the business model of tobacco companies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As more consumers and businesses go cashless, how are payment industry players positioning themselves to capitalise on this potential growth, especially in Asian digital economies? We discuss the business strategy and regional prospects for Global Payments with Krishnaraj Tantri, Senior Vice President for South and Southeast Asia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Signature Alliance Group, an interior fitting-out specialist company, is set to make its market debut on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market. Darren Chang, its managing director, talks about the company's growth strategy, its edge in a competitive sector, and what investors need to know about its post-IPO plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CUCKOO International, best known for its home appliances and wellness solutions, is set to become Bursa Malaysia's biggest listing in 7 months when it debuts on the Main Market this Jun 24. Hoe Kian Choon, CUCKOO's CEO, talks about the IPO journey, the company's pivot from distributor to brand powerhouse, its growth ambitions, and whether current market sentiment will support its lofty valuation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Malaysia facing significant labour structural issues, Minister of Human Resources, Steven Sim has a hard task ahead of him. We ask him what are the solutions and whether the government remains too pro-business. We also ask if DAP is MCA 2.0 and his own political future when tasked with uniting the party.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Microsoft recently launched Malaysia West, its first hyperscale cloud region in the country, part of a USD2.2 billion investment spanning four years. What’s the end game for Microsoft in Southeast Asia, and how do we translate the benefit of AI to the Malaysian workforce? We discuss this with Scott Guthrie, Executive Vice President for Cloud + AI of Microsoft on the sidelines of the Microsoft AI Tour: Kuala Lumpur.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As nations confront the twin challenges of ageing populations and shifting global influence, questions of sustainability and governance take center stage. Fredrik Reinfeldt, the former Prime Minister of Sweden, discusses these issues from a uniquely Swedish perspective as well as the lessons Malaysia can learn.Prime Minister Reinfeldt will be a speaker at the International Social Wellbeing Conference 2025 organised by KWSP happening on the 17-18 of June.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s tech leasing space is picking up speed, driven by growing demand for smarter, more flexible ICT solutions. One local player stepping up is ICT Zone Asia Berhad, a home-grown device financing firm making the jump from the LEAP to the ACE Market, with plans to raise RM26.6 million ahead of its June 3 listing.  Managing Director & CEO Tommy Lim joins us to discuss their growth strategy.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fertility specialist Alpha IVF is looking to expand its regional presence to 15 facilities by 2027 following its ACE Market debut in 2024. We catch up with Managing Director Dato' Dr Colin Lee on the expansion strategy of Alpha IVF amid shifts in the regulatory landscape for private healthcare in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penguin Random House, one of the world’s largest English-language publishers, has expanded in India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa. Aisalli Ayub speaks to regional CEO Gaurav, Gaurav Shrinagesh, of Penguin Random House India, South East Asia, Middle East and North Africa on amplifying local voices, embracing regional languages, adapting to digital trends, and taking regional authors to the global stage.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This morning Philip See sits down with Oscar Ow, Executive Director of MSB Global Group Bhd, a company that specializes in the distribution, marketing and services of automotive parts and lubricants. Philip will be quizzing Oscar on the decision to list on the ACE Market in these turbulent times, whether it is affected by global supply chain troubles, its plans in the EV industry and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryt Bank — a joint venture between YTL Digital Capital and e-commerce giant Sea Ltd — is the latest digital bank to commence operations. We’ll be speaking with Melvin Ooi, the bank’s CEO, about its journey so far.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two years after Betamek was listed on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market, this automotive electronics company has seen some solid earnings, made strategic acquisitions, and has EV-related tech in its sights. Mirzan Mahathir, the company's managing director, gets candid with why Betamek's share price isn't performing as well as it should as well as his personal legacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), a leading not-for-profit private university in Malaysia, continues to nurture talent and drive innovation across the region. We speak with Ir. Professor Dato' Dr. Ewe Hong Tat, President of UTAR, about the university’s journey, its commitment to accessible education, and preparing future-ready graduates in a rapidly changing world.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toys "R" Us Asia has been largely insulated from the bankruptcy fallout of its American parent company in 2018. How resilient is the toy retail business in the face of rapidly changing consumer trends, supply chain risks and geopolitical uncertainties? We discuss its strategy for brand longevity and sustainability with Leo Tsoi, CEO of Toys "R" Us Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The idea of a universal basic income or UBI has been gaining attention and sparking debate, as the planet grapples with rising inequality, job insecurity, and rapid automation. Professor Guy Standing, Professorial Research Associate at SOAS University of London and a founding member and honorary co-president of the Basic Income Earth Network, helps us unpack the economic, political, and ethical dimensions of this idea and if Malaysia is ready for it.Professor Guy Standing will be a speaker at the International Social Wellbeing Conference 2025 organised by KWSP happening on the 17-18 of June.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.