The Breakfast Grille

Tan Sri Dr. Nik Norzrul Thani, Executive Chairman of Zaid Ibrahim & Co and trustee of the ZICO Law Network in Malaysia, shares his views on judicial appointments, the recent demerger of the ZICO Law Network and KPMG, the growing surplus of lawyers in the country, as well as the U.S. crackdown on law firms and its ripple effects on the global legal industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global humanitarian capacity is coming under strain as donor funds dry up and geopolitical posturing takes precedence over international law. What will it take for the international community to act for humanity, which is the theme for World Humanitarian Day this year? We discuss this with Dato' Dr. Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President and Mohd Radzi Jamaluddin, ex-officio exco member of Mercy Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pharmaceutical industry is at a crossroads, grappling with scepticism over the efficacy of medicines and rising competition We speak to Dr Abdullahi Sheriff, Managing Director of MSD for Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei, about how the company is navigating these challenges whilst asking what is the strategy for growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Fong, Global Head of FamilyOfficeHK at Invest Hong Kong, discusses the department’s strategy for attracting family offices, the city’s unique competitive advantages, and the challenges it faces.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philip See sits down with economist Dr. Nungsari Ahmad Radhi to unpack the 13th Malaysia Plan, focusing on fiscal sustainability, tax reform, and economic resilience. The discussion will also explore how private sector innovation can enhance competitiveness and the implications of an aging population for Malaysia’s future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is no stranger to water-related challenge with one of the highest per capita water consumption rates in Southeast Asia, while the average non-revenue water level is a staggering 37%. We ask Adam Saffian Ghazali, CEO of Air Selangor, about how Malaysia’s largest water services provider is managing the supply and quality of this vital resource.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On International Youth Day, we take a look at the realities facing young Malaysians, from underemployment and mismatched degrees to the promises of new policies like Undi18, MPBM2030, and the 13th Malaysia Plan. Fanitsyara Kam Phon, President of the Perdana Fellows Alumni Association, and Wan Amirah Wan Usamah from Khazanah Research Institute share their insights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) is evolving to prepare future accountants as versatile business leaders, focusing on skills like ethics, AI, and sustainability. Azlina Bulmer, Interim International Director of ICAEW shares insights on how the institute is reshaping the profession and engaging new talent in Malaysia.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turner & Townsend has been in Malaysia for 30 years, helping deliver some of the country’s most complex construction projects. As demand grows, how is the firm adapting to local needs while maintaining global standards? We speak with Sumit Mukherjee, Managing Director Southeast Asia, Turner & Townsend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What will it take to reverse the decline of the Malayan tiger? Sophia Lim, Executive Director and CEO of WWF-Malaysia, talks about the urgent conservation push and how the organisation is funded to play the long-term conservation game. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Energy Commission plays an outsized role by ensuring that Malaysia has a reliable, safe and cost effective supply of electricity and gas. Siti Safinah Salleh, their CEO tells us how they achieve this whilst discussing if Malaysia is on track of achieving its RE goals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Snowflake, a cloud data company has been in Asia for many years but has of late increased its footprint in Asean. We ask Satchit Joglekar, Managing Director, Snowflake ASEAN as to the reasons for this, the competition and their strategy for growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oasis Home Holding Bhd made history in May as Malaysia’s first listed live commerce company, debuting on the ACE Market in May 2025. CEO Datuk Jaden Teoh sheds light on what’s next for the company, and how live-streamed sales are reshaping e-commerce in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SIRIM Berhad is one of Malaysia’s most recognisable yet least understood public institutions even as it celebrates its golden jubilee. Best known for certifying consumer and industrial products, it also plays a deeper role in supporting industrial R&D, standards development, and national innovation. Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad, SIRIM's former President and Group CEO reflects on SIRIM's legacy, his time at the organisation and Malaysia's industrialisation direction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Bank recently published its Inclusive Employment Practices Survey 2024, which aims to provide insights into inclusive employment practices among firms in Malaysia. We’ll be speaking with the report’s author, Shakira Teh Sharifuddin, World Bank Senior Economist for Malaysia about the survey’s findings and policy recommendations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Volvo has transformed from a safety-first Swedish brand into a sleek, electrified marque under Geely’s ownership. Chris Wailes, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia & Thailand talks about how the carmaker is preserving its premium identity while navigating local realities in Malaysia and Thailand as well as what’s next for the brand in Southeast Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the UN, six of the world’s top ten remittance-receiving countries are in the Asia Pacific region, highlighting the critical role these funds play in supporting families. Yet, the industry faces growing pressures, from intense competition to falling transfer fees. Epsen Kristensen, Asia Pacific Managing Director of Ria Money Transfer, joins us to discuss how the company is navigating these challenges and if a digital bank is on the cards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysia Competition Commission is set to get more bite once amendments to the Competition Act 2010 makes it through Parliament some time this year. Datuk Iskandar Ismail, CEO of MyCC, joins us to explain how the Commission investigates cartels, enforces fair play in the market, and what new powers it’s seeking through these upcoming legal reforms.Image Credit: Shutterstock.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The oil and gas industry is known for its boom and bust cycles. How then does Velesto an upstream drilling company navigate these challenges. Questions we pose to Megat Zariman their President whilst asking for their growth strategy and why should one be a shareholder.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.