The Breakfast Grille

Kyi Hla Han, Chairman of Golf's Asian Tour, discusses the business of golf, and its management: whether it is for-profit, how it is run and its revenue streams; Chances of the Asian Tour joining Australia, Japan, and New Zealand to create a "super tour" to rival Europe and the United States; Prize money on offer currently -- rate of growth; Challenges such as a still-unstable tour schedule, with several in-season cancellations, reschedulings and prize fund alterations; The proliferation of players from the European Tour and whether this lessens opportunities for Asian players; Discusses the case of long-time finance and human resources manager Adrian Lee who fled with US$1mil in company funds; Fragmentation of other golf tours in Asia such as from OneAsia, the Australasia Tours as well as the Japan Golf Tour; Discusses Augusta in Georgia where they play the Masters and whether there will ever be a venue in Asia to resemble the mystique and aura of Augusta;Tiger Woods, and whether he has changed as a person and as a player; What makes a professional like Tiger do what he did and whether he will ever come back, let alone beat Nicklaus' record of 18 majors; And an urban myth that Vijay Singh attempted to get Malaysian citizenship but was rejected for being the wrong persuasion  --  fact or fiction? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chan Kin Meng, Executive Director at Beneton Properties and Committee Member of REHDA Youth, explains why the company prefers to remain a boutique player despite a possible industry shake-up if the government implements the build-then-sell (BTS) policy in 2015. He says at this point there are no immediate plans to merge with another player. The BTS policy will cause output to shrink by  60% or for the same output, it may raise cost by 50% due to higher financing cost. Chan also talks about regenerating and re-using old developed sites like in Sentul and Jalan Ipoh but careful studies have to be done and the place properly managed in order to realise its full potential. REHDA Youth is working on promoting the green agenda. Beneton Properties was founded by Chan's parents in the 1970s, and in recent years, its projects include Stonor Park and 2Hampshire in KLCC and Bangsar Peak, and Viva Mall in Jalan Ipoh. Its upcoming development is a build-then-rent (or build-then-sell) project alang Jalan Penaga in Bangsar, and projects in Kota Damansara and Wangsa Maju. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cesare Mainardi, Managing Director of Booz & Co North America, talks about examples in pursuing the coherent premium strategy to win in business. He is the co-author of the book "The Essential Advantage". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Mohamad Nor Khalid or Lat, the most famous cartoonist in Malaysia, shares insights about his life, characters in his works, race relations, and censorship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Knudsen, CEO of Maersk Line Asia Pacific, talks about how the largest container ship operator and supply vessel operator in the world views global demand for moving goods, its cooling outlook for doing so and profit sustainability. He also discusses shipping rates, competition, volume growth and efforts to maintain a steady market share. He then talks of rate-dumping, earnings per container transported, its new order for 10 supersized ships (worth a total $2bn), what it will do for customers and cost savings, and how big a gamble this order is. He also talks of Maerk's strategy if another global downturn occurs. He also discusses his projections for global trade, how important Asia is to Maersk's business, how much Maersk is banking on the BRIC engine of growth, and the looming risks of high oil, inflation and geopolitical tensions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian High Commissioner Miles Kupa talks about warming Malaysian-Australia relations, potential Australian participation in the Economic Transformation Plan, talk that a Free Trade Agreement between Malaysia and Australia has fast tracked to be in place within a year (and its implications) as well as the potential for an open-skies agreement that would allow unrestricted flights between Malaysia and Australia. He also talks about emigration, education, enrolments and how many of the 20-odd thousand students that head Down Under apply to stay on. He also addresses public concerns over Lynas' rare earth processing plant in Gebeng, Kuantan, Australia's emissions-reduction plans and whether the delay of its emissions reduction targets scheme is related to the massive amount of business being conducted between China and Australia in the resources sector. He also talks about climate change in the context of the floods in Queensland and whether this would accelerate plans to cut emissions more aggressively Down Under. And, he responds to reports of a rift in the Labour Party and what that might mean for the country. He then discusses Australia's opening up to Asia and whether there are limitations to the extent to which Australia is willing to engage Asia (citing Aussie reservations over Singapore's bid for the Australian Stock Exchange, as well China's one-time bid for BHP Billiton). He ends with Australia's Asian engagement in the context of Malaysia's participation in this area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Harris, Asia Pacific Regional Director of Rolls Royce, talks about how he is growing the brand and tapping into the rapidly rising wealth of Asians especially those in Mainland China where one Rolls Royce is sold a day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HELP Corp Bhd Group President Dato' Dr. Paul Chan talks about plans to become a Multi Campus City University by 2012, expansion in Asia and developed countries and its franchising strategy. He explains the plans for, and intentions behind, its secondary listing in Singapore; plans for several new projects in China, Cambodia, an auto college planned with NAZA, as well as potential new units in Singapore and Hong Kong.He also talks about spreading its wings to a business school in Switzerland, an education arm in Sydney, in London via the acquisition of a training school that will focus on training Eastern Europeans. He discusses whether its overseas ventures have a chance of overtaking the local business in terms of group revenue and earnings contribution, outlook for margins, as well as market expectations for a fundraising exercise.He shares his outlook for its Pusat Bandar Damansara campus, which will soon have an MRT station.He ends with his views on academic research and whether private institutions should boost its research capabilities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

F&N Holdings Bhd CEO Dato' Ng Jui Sia talks about the dynamics and drivers behind its soft drinks, Dairies and property businesses. He then discusses rising dairy, cocoa and energy costs and the impact on margins, as well as the impact of the govt's removal of sugar subsidy effective 1 Jan 2011. He talks about the disposal of its Malaya Glass Products Sdn Bhd unit and the purchase of 23 percent of Cocoaland Holdings Bhd.He also discusses its strategy of building a strong food business and ambitious plans to go regional.  He then talks about the end of an era: the expiry of Coca-Cola Co's bottling and distribution agreement on Sept 30, 2011 and how F&N plans to fill the gap in this product segment. Lastly, he discusses its institutional shareholdering, and the effect on its dividends in light of its expansion plans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dell Global Business Center Sdn Bhd Managing Director Bobbi Dangerfield talks about its 15-year history in Malaysia, the extent of its business here, its best selling models and whether Malaysia continues to be a viable proposition from a cost standpoint for Dell. She also talks about its transformation strategy that Michael Dell put in place in 2007 and the progress since then, its Q4 results, and how the services and solutions business forms the growth element for Dell. She also addresses consumer preferences shifting from notebooks towards tablet devices and how Dellis coping with this change. She also responds to a Morgan Stanley report that ominously predicted two-thirds of Dell’s revenue and half of its operating income base are at risk from declining PC and server growth in 2011.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Habib Jewels MD Dato’ Meer Habib talks about the company's history, early days, how it started. He then discusses its listing in 1998 and subsequent de-listing. He talks company operations, stores, expansion, and country dynamics that he says supports jewellery investment. He also discusses various types of jewelerry, such as gold, diamonds and coloured stones. And discusses his price outlooks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Focus Point Bhd President/CEO Datuk Liaw Choon Liang talks about the start of his business in 1989, the business model, growth plans and the poison pen letter which resulted in his IPO being postponed. He also discusses market share, margins, its high effective tax rates and whether investors can expect a dividend policy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talent Corporation CEO Johan Merican talks about the quest to attract Malaysians who have left the country as well as to attempt to retain those still left behind. He talks about the need to be focused, in terms of immigration and incentives in engaging the Malaysian diaspora. He discusses his 'products' such as its Resident Pass (offered to highly qualified expatriates wishing to reside and work in Malaysia) and its 'Returning Expert' program for skilled Malaysians living abroad.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Xavier Jayakumar, Selangor executive councillor for health, plantation workers and poverty, talks about the plight of Indian estate workers, who only RM350 per month. the steps for them to break out of the poverty cycle, creating job opportunities for his constituents, a proper education, and what the state government is doing in order to counter such problems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Kongkrapan Intarajang, CEO of Emery Oleochemicals, tells how the company is moving away from basic oleochemicals and producing oleochemical derivatives to have more control over margins and production capacity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mel Elias, the global CEO and President of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, explains that wholesaling will be a major contributor to growth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YTL Corp CEO Tan Sri Francis Yeoh talks about his new 4G network, 'Yes', discussing coverage, subscribers and growth targets and network expansion, and when he expects 'Yes' 4G to turn profitable. He also talks about risks such as price wars and compatible devices. He then talks about how important Yes 4G is to the YTL group in terms of building the business and setting a growth path; how it seems to be a very different path to its historical strategy of pursuing stable, income-driven businesses like water and power. He then moves on to its new investment, an oil shale-cum-power generation project in Jordan and talks about whether this and the 4G investments alter YTL's risk profile; the fact that these new businesses are capital-hungry and front-loaded, in terms of whether it will hurt YTL Power's dividend policy. He then talks about whether there are plans to to buy more power generation facilities, offers his views on Malaysia's Renewable Energy plans, and whether oil, coal and gas fired plants can ever be totally replaced. He then discusses YTL Land, in particular the impact of MRT on its land in Sentul, KLCC-Bukit Bintang & KL Sentral, as well as its plans to transform into a regional developer. As well, he talks about the much-discussed property boom and demand, prices, outlook and borrowing costs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MACC Director of Investigation and Commissioner Datuk Haji Mustafar Haji Ali talks about its procedures, protocols and techniques. He also addresses challenges such as negative perceptions and criticisms as well as the challenges. He also talks about several ongoing cases. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peder Bohlin, SEA regional director and MD of Jotun Malaysia, tells how the company intends to beat Nippon Paints, currently the number one paintmaker in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a St Patrick's Day Breakfast Grille, and Ireland Ambassador Declan Kelly puts this happy celebration in the context of the world's problems with the disasters in Japan and the tensions in the Middle East. He then talks about Ireland and Malaysia, how many years it has been since Ireland set up a diplomatic office in KL, the value, type and extent of Ireland - Malaysia trade, and other opportunities.He then discusses Ireland's problems and its being in recession, how the Irish are taking this latest set of reverses, how newly minted Prime Minister Enda Kenny will create jobs, and the type of weaponry at his disposal.He also discusses Ireland as an investment destination, which global companies are still invested in Ireland, and what continues to be the Irish proposition.He also spends some time discussing Ireland's EU talks and the terms of its rescue package in the contet of its bank stress tests, whether the initial 10 billion euros will be enough, as well as the pressure Germany and France are applying on Ireland’s new government to raise its 12.5% corporation tax rate in exchange for softer rescue terms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Danny Owee, Deputy MD of Dominant Enterprise Berhad, explains the prospects of the company for the next two financial years, and the progress of its expansion plans into Indonesia and Vietnam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, Chief Minister of Selangor, addresses the most pressing issues besieging his administration - taking over the water concessions, stemming out illegal sandmining, moral crackdown, and the direction of Pakatan Rakyat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Casanova, Managing Director of McDonald's Malaysia, tells how the food operator grew the business by close to 25% last year, and its expansion plans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Cokkinias, General Manager of Ritz Carlton Malaysia, explains the hotel's ethos delivery and how the hotel industry can further develop. He believes there will be too many highend hotels in the market based on current occupancy rate of 70-80% but it will validate Kuala Lumpur as a global city.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Metro Kajang MD & ED Dato' Eddy Chen Lok Loi discusses the company's history, how it went into property development, its startegies to deal with earnings volatility, upcoming launches, positioning, prices, property demand and rising household debt. He then discusses their expansion into plantations: expected earnings contribution, skills and management expertise, location, maturity and yields, expanding acreage and an outlook for selling prices. He also discusses its remaining businesses in hotels, property investment, integrated livestock processing, manufacturing and trading of building materials and plans to sell or expand in them. He then discusses the need to raise capital through borrowings or a corporate exercise and whether there is room to do so. He talks about his share price, trading volumes, family ownership and whether they may reduce this stake, as well as sharing his plans for corporate structuring. He also talks about REHDA issues such as the Bumi quota, whether the property market is overbought and whether he expects more restrictions on property purchases.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeffrey Lim, Country Manager of Etihad Airways, explains Etihad is playing in the premium market to compete against full service and budget airlines, and expects to breakeven this year. He says the oil price hike and tensions in the Middle East have not affected travel to the Middle East and there are no plans to raise ticket fares in the immediate term. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karin Clarke, Regional Director at Randstad Singapore and Malaysia, talks about the talent shortage problem in Malaysia, and how Malaysia should position itself to attract talent. In conjunction with International Women's Day, she also talks about how companies are creating a more work-friendly place for working mothers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rajiv Biswas, Asia Chief Economist, IHS Global Insight, discusses the upturn in global commodity prices and whether they are the main causes of rising global inflation and talks about whether climate change and MidEast tensions are in turn, the main causes for the uptick in these two items. He discusses too, whether monetary policy / interest rates are sufficient in containing inflation, whether governments should also complement monetary policy with fiscal policy, whether state policies such as subsidies and price controls are working and whether these actions will in fact exacerbate the crisis. He provides views on how destabilising rising food costs can be on global growth, whether he thinks Asian governments are mistaking this jump in commodity prices to be cyclical, and not secular, whether Asia is behind the curve on fighting inflation, and whether he thinks that rates need to go higher to reduce price gains risks. He also addresses the problem of hot money and the possibility that higher rates may only attract more of it as investors seek more generous returns. He also talks about another problem with raising rates: the need for central banks to balance inflation risks with poverty. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Leung, SEA Director, Hong Kong Tourism Board, discusses how Hong Kong uses its four product "pillars" (shopping, dining, culture and heritage, and city, harbour and green) as the basis for its marketing and promotional activities in terms of attracting tourist arrivals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mycron Steel Bhd CEO Azlan Abdullah talks about the downtrend in business in the last two quarters, the reasons for the decline and his outlook for the year ahead. He also discusses current utilisation rates, capacity expansion, and his demand outlook.He talks about challenges such as sourcing for quality materials, rising raw material prices, and supply issues. He discusses new business and expansion to the automotive and the galvanizing sector and the opportunity for Mycron to tap into the import-substitution market. He also talks about how buyers still have to pay 25 percent import duties on steel imports, discussing the government’s current iron and steel policy and conditions for import-duty exemption. He also talks about the valuation gap between Mycron and the steel sector in general, its vast discount to net assets per share, his plans to address this gap and in fact whether Mycron a privatisation candidate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Ho, Managing Director of Hovid, talks about how he is restructuring its subsidiary (not associate company) Carotech that has been placed under the Corporate Debt Restructuring Committee, and when it expects Hovid to come out of PN17 status. This has been the most challenging time for Hovid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Francis Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Berjaya Food Berhad, tells how the company is positioned for higher growth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysian Reserve Group Editor Abdul Halim Wahab discusses the reasons behind launching a business paper in a crowded marketplace, its editorial positioning, staff size, circulation numbers, distribution and positioning. He also discusses talk of its upcoming sale to Redberry and how it works with Rederry's various media platforms and how this 'synergy' is working. He talks about their recent deal with IHT and its publishing alliance, and talks about the strategy going forward and discusses itspath to profitability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Viets, the CEO of Asian Institute of Finance, offers an insight into the AIF, set up by the Central Bank and the Securities Commission to help augment human capital development in the financial services industry, in regards to benefiting the local economy, funding, staffing, KPIs, the main pillars of competence it is seeking to improve, which sector of financial services is the most in need of effective human capital, and where the biggest room for improvement lies. He touches on Islamic Finance and how the AIF helps Malaysia in plans to become a high income economy by 2020. He discusses the risks inherent in financial sector liberalisation and the perennial dilemma for cental bankers: balancing risk with sophistication; also, he talks about the global financial crisis and the culture of huge bonuses, what the financial services industry has learnt from the crisis and how it is evolving with the Eurozone still grappling with economic problems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GUH Holdings Bhd CEO/MD Dato' Kenneth H'ng provides a short discussion of GUH, incorporated in 1961 and 50 years old this year; he also talks about how it evolved into the current business, and its evolution into the electronics business. He also talks about electronics industry challenges, such as the need to restructure its client base, the move into niche products and its desire to lower this contribution to 75 percent from 90 percent now, as well as margin and competition challenges. He also discusses its other main business in property, which has been around a long time but will be moved more into the forefront, with a plan to acquire land in the Klang Valley, Penang island and upcoming spots in Seberang Prai. He also discusses its diversification into oil palm, water treatment and plant generation, as part of a wider initiative to move into concession, income-based businesses.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dieter Schulz, Managing Director of Kraft Foods Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, tells how he is growing the established snacks business, and leveraging on synergies from the acquisition of Cadbury. Kraft Foods is the second largest snacks business in the world, and owns a number of brands like Jacobs, Twisties, Chipsmore and Oreo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahmad Kamal, Founder of the Asian University for Women, discusses the conception and aims of this residential four-year liberal arts not-for-profit college that has been established in Bangladesh as an international, public-private collaborative. He discusses his reasons for opening it only to women, and how the AWU "can be a force against fundamentalism and many of the sort of narrow identities that seem to be at the root of many social ills." He talks also about the university, its student body, main disciplines, fee structure, partner universities and goals. He discusses too, challenges such as obtaining quality staff, whether remuneration is an issue, financial sustainability, and how important this project is to the future of Bangladesh. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia Smelting Corp Bhd Group CEO/ED Dato' Seri Dr Mohd Ajib Anuar discusses the secondary listing of its shares on the Singapore Stock Exchange, and issues revolving around its main tin business (such as target production rates, applications, prices, physical supply deficit, global production and demand.) He also talks about its earlier investments into non-tin assets like gold, nickel, copper and silver, and then its subsequent decision to divest those assets, due to financial constraints imposed by the global financial crisis. He then addresses issues centring on its financial position, such as a high gearing ratio, trade receivables, thin margins, 'unusual items', prospects for further impairments (due to its non-tin investments) and the possibility of a profit turnaround in 2011. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clifford Clement, Executive Director, Malaysia Nature Society, talks about its work in conservation and education, in addition to its work in parks. He focuses in particular on Wetlands (and whats at stake), the Ramsar Convention, pollution, land use conversion, and reclamation, which are threats that affect all wetlands ecosystems. He also discusses deforestation and what the MNS does about this issue and its successes, when its work helped result in the gazetting of Endau-Rompin as a National Park. He also discusses the significance of Important Bird Areas (IBAs).He also touches on his transition from a 25-year career in banking into conservation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gopi K Ganesalingam, Managing Director of Lava Protocols Sdn Bhd, talks about the early beginnings of his cloud computing firm, staff size, partners and footprint. He then discusses issues and challenges surrounding the concepts of loud computing and software as a service such as privacy, reliability and phishing. He ends with a discussion on industry challenges like language proficiency, and shares financial details such as margins, funding issues and growth plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lim Peng Jin, Managing Director of packaging and property firm Scientex Bhd, offers details on its biggest customers, export market, expansion strategy in ASEAN, plans to be among the top five stretch film producers in the world by end- 2011, capacity expansion and strategies to cut its exposure to crude oil prices. He also talks about his property business, which although contributing around 20 percent of revenues, is successful. He discusses his low-cost, volume strategy and the challenges of going into the high-end of the market. He also talks about whether Scientex is able to pass on costs to customers, EBITDA margins and capex spending See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ng Yih Pyng, Group Managing Director of Tomei Consolidated Bhd, discusses the business of diamond and gold manufacture and retail, conflict diamonds, gold as a store of value, the liquidity of the gold and diamond markets as well as prices, scarcity value and the conversion cost of both assets. He also discusses Tomei's regional expansion to China and Vietnam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JW Marriott General manager, Mahmoud Skaf, discusses the JW Marriott hotel group generally, occupancy rates, differentiating factors and USPs, Malaysia as a tourism hub and challenges such as terrorism and the economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul W. Jones, U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, talks about the US historically being Malaysia's biggest trading partner and whether that is still the case; the value of trade with Malaysia in 2010; the reason for the trade imbalance with Malaysia; reports that US consumption is slowly coming back and what that bodes for Malaysian producers, against the backdrop of the ringgit's rise against the dollar.He also discusses FTA talks and provides an update on where these talks are in light of the 9-country the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. He then addresses previous stumbling blocks under the now-defunct FTA talks, which include tariffs imbalances, trade of motor vehicles, Malaysia's New Economic Policy and its Investment Requirements. Jones also discusses MidEast tensions and the Egyptian crisis, and comments on articles written by his predecessor John R. Malott, who has been very scathing about PM Najib's 1Malaysia efforts. He also talks about US investment, Malaysia's Human Rights record and .. when - if - whether -- President Obama will visit Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edward Hyde, founder of Gastrodome group, which owns La Bodega tapas bars, The Pressroom and Espressamente illy coffee bars, tells what is important to build brand longevity, and his plans for the group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arrigo Berni, the global CEO of Moleskine, gives a hint on what new products and designs to expect from the premium notebook and writing materials company, and explains the brand cult status, and what is being done to improve quality control.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dheeraj Sinha, Chief Strategy Officer at Bates 141 India and author of the book "Consumer India" helps foreign companies understand the complexities of the Indian market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ken Myres, President of Tony Romas, tells how the company maintains consistency in quality and customer experience in its 200 plus franchised outlets around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir John Madejski, Chairman Reading FC and Founder of Auto Trader talks about Reading FC, his hometown club and the trials and tribulations of managing a team in the English Premiership, how he made his early money with Auto Trader, slife as a newspaper advertising executive and today's print media world has changed. He also discusses doing business in the UK and how the Eurozone's problems might affect business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parti KITA (Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air) Leader, Zaid Ibrahim, talks about KITA, what it is, what it stands for and its objectives.He also talks about his time in uMNO and PKR and the reasons why he left them.He also discusses corruption, funding and self-enrichment, and the steps towards effecting real and lasting change.He also talks about the Malaysian political landscape, new parties such as the MCLM (Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.