Podcasts by Category
Sharper and stronger than a double espresso. The Morning Run stretches your mind and braces you for the business day. It's your fast track into work where you can hit the ground running. From 6am to 10am weekdays, the Morning Run brings you the biggest stories and must-listen-to interviews. Stay enlightened, make educated business and investment decisions.
- 6878 - Navigating National Security Vulnerabilities
When the Prime Minister recently announced restrictions on the use of the navigational app, Waze, for civil servants it received significant pushback from the larger public. Allegations about possible vulnerabilities and targeting by Israel, a country we have no diplomatic relations with, did little to quell the annoyance of a disgruntled segment of the public. Was the move by government not well thought out, or was it triggered by genuine security concerns that have yet to be shared with the public? How does the government navigate the democratic demand for transparency and a domestic security architecture which requires restrictions on information to be effective?
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Fri, 30 Oct 2026 - 6877 - UNICEF: Enhancing Social Protection Architecture for Care
Just a few months ago, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development revealed in Parliament that almost 3 million women remain outside the workforce due to family commitments. For the government and policy-makers, the question is how much support is being given to them and what consequences for society and the economy are there if we do not. Today, in conjunction with the International Day of Care and Support, we discuss a proposal to shift the burden of support for women who have given birth from being reliant solely on employers to a system based on shared responsibility.
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Thu, 29 Oct 2026 - 6876 - East Asia’s AI Boom: Growth or Dependence?
East Asia's economy is proving more resilient than expected, with the World Bank forecasting growth of 4.5% this year, supported by surging demand for AI-related exports and investment. But with much of that growth concentrated in semiconductors and electronics, could the region become dangerously dependent on a global technology boom? On The Breakfast Grille, we examine the risks of excessive AI investment, rising energy costs and the region's slow adoption of AI among businesses. We also explore whether data centre investment can deliver lasting economic benefits, why smaller firms are struggling to adopt AI and what the technology could mean for productivity, employment and the skills of tomorrow's workforce.
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Wed, 28 Oct 2026 - 6875 - emart24’s Vuitton Pang: Leaving Mamee & The Road to Profitability
Self-described "ex-nepo baby" Vuitton Pang, CEO of emart24 Malaysia, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss stepping out of the Mamee family business, entering the capital-intensive convenience sector, and whether the venture fits a broader family investment thesis.
When he left Mamee-Double Decker in 2021 to launch emart24 in Malaysia, the target was 300 stores in five years. Five years on, the chain has only reached 111 outlets, discovering an unexpected growth engine not in central urban hubs like the Klang Valley, but deep in the East Coast, powering revenue to more than double year-on-year to RM114 million in FY2024.
Vuitton reflects on walking away from traditional eldest-son expectations at Mamee, candidly sharing why his brother Pierre was the better fit to lead the family business. He also charts the road to group-level profitability after the most recent financials show RM20 million in losses in 2024.
He breaks down strategies to help expand margins, his thoughts on an eventual IPO to fund growth, and why he stepped into the world of being a KOL CEO to drive foot traffic.
Tune in to learn more about what is standing between emart24 and the scale it needs, and how Vuitton is trying to close that gap with capital, location strategy, and a newly built central kitchen.
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Tue, 27 Oct 2026 - 6874 - The Space Economy: Beyond the Hype
The global space economy could reach US$1.8 trillion by 2035, as private companies transform an industry once dominated by governments and national space agencies. But where is the money actually being made, and can commercial space ventures become profitable without relying heavily on public funding? On The Breakfast Grille, we explore the economics of satellite services, private spaceflight and emerging technologies, the growing influence of commercial operators, and whether countries such as Malaysia can capture meaningful opportunities in the global space industry without investing billions in their own space programmes.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
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Mon, 26 Oct 2026 - 6873 - Europe at the Crossroads
Bloomberg Economics estimates that the cost of a war between NATO and the Russian Federation resulting from direct destruction in the warzone, higher energy prices as oil supplies reduced, and expected selloff in financial markets could cut global output by 1.3% or USD$1.5 trillion in the first year of the conflict. This is just one incentive to avoid war quite apart from the massive loss of life. However the signs of an escalation are everywhere; what will the belligerents choose?
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Fri, 23 Oct 2026 - 6872 - EGH International: Growing An Interior Fit-Out Company
EGH International is an interior fit-out company that recently made its debut on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market and is looking to expand its business after having secured prestigious jobs like the Merdeka 118 Park Hyatt Hotel. Its Managing director Datuk Weslie Lim joins us to discuss the company's financial performance, growth ambitions and what it will take to turn its expanding portfolio into sustainable earnings.
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Thu, 22 Oct 2026 - 6871 - RedPlanet Berhad: Mapping Grids, Patents And LRT Safety Systems
RedPlanet Berhad straddles two unusual businesses: mapping electrical grids for utility companies, and holding the patent on Malaysia's Platform Intrusion Emergency Stop System, which halts LRT trains when something falls onto the tracks. The company recently moved from the LEAP market to ACE, raising RM13.3 million at RM0.19 a share, an offer oversubscribed 85 times. Its order book stands at roughly RM52 million, while managing director Lian Wah Seng estimates the addressable market at over RM10 billion.
Yet a government directive to install platform screen doors across LRT stations could eventually make Red Planet's safety system redundant, and a profit guarantee on its AZTI subsidiary runs out this December. How the company plans to defend its margins, deploy its fresh capital, and push into new markets once that cushion disappears is the question at the heart of this conversation.
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Wed, 21 Oct 2026 - 6870 - Bersama's Shadow Budget: Solutions or Just 'Syok Sendiri'?
A Shadow Budget With No Seats in Parliament, But Plenty of Numbers
While the federal opposition opted against tabling a shadow budget for Budget 2027, Parti Bersama Malaysia, a party with no current parliamentary representation, introduced its own comprehensive alternative fiscal plan. Their shadow budget proposes replacing blanket fuel subsidies with consolidated monthly cash allowances, reintroducing a 5% GST, and addressing long-term structural fiscal constraints.
Sum Dek Joe, Economist and Policy Spokesperson for Parti Bersama Malaysia, joins The Breakfast Grille to examine the modeling and feasibility behind their proposal. He discusses why the party chose to table an alternative budget, explains how their proposed monthly fuel, cost-of-living, and child allowances aim to leave 80% of households better off, and outlines the economic rationale for replacing SST with a streamlined GST.
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Tue, 20 Oct 2026 - 6869 - China, America, and the Future of the South China Sea
The South China Sea is at the centre of growing strategic competition between the United States and China. But does a stronger American military presence make the region safer, or risk escalating tensions? Brent Sadler, Senior Research Fellow for Naval Warfare at the Heritage Foundation, discusses China's maritime ambitions, America's role in the region, the Trump administration's foreign policy and what the rivalry means for Malaysia and ASEAN.
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Mon, 19 Oct 2026 - 6868 - Budget 2027: From Across the Aisle
We have had a week of discussion since the Budget 2027 was tabled last Friday. Criticisms of MPs from across the Parliamentary aisle have been well telegraphed. Did it tell as much about the Madani government’s thinking as it did about its critics? Was criticism of Perikatan Nasional’s failure to produce an alternative budget, when fledgling Bersama offered the public its tome, a valid one? And is there a danger that the Budget will be passed? We put these questions to the Leader of the Opposition.
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Fri, 16 Oct 2026 - 6867 - Can Malaysia Navigate a Fractured World?
Malaysia's exports and foreign investment are growing strongly, but escalating US-China trade tensions, rising protectionism and the AI investment boom are reshaping the global economy. On The Breakfast Grille, we speak to Professor Dr Evelyn Devadason of Universiti Malaya and Dr Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of the Center for Market Education, about Malaysia's dependence on foreign markets, whether investment is building genuine domestic capabilities, and the competing arguments for government intervention versus market-led growth. Can Malaysia remain competitive while preserving its economic independence, and does ASEAN offer a credible way forward?
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Thu, 15 Oct 2026 - 6866 - HSS Engineers: Positioning for Malaysia's Next Infrastructure Cycle
HSS Engineers is positioning itself for Malaysia's next infrastructure cycle, expanding beyond traditional engineering consultancy into project management, data centres, water infrastructure and overseas markets. Executive Director Sharifah Azlina discusses the group's growth strategy as well as what it will take to deliver greater value for shareholders.
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Wed, 14 Oct 2026 - 6865 - Budget 2027: Can Malaysia Spend Big & Cut the Deficit?
With the government targeting up to 5.2% GDP growth and narrowing the fiscal deficit to 3.3% of GDP, questions remain over how long-term fiscal consolidation can be sustained as government revenue isn’t keeping pace with the size of the economy and debt-servicing costs stay elevated. UOB Malaysia Senior Economist Julia Goh joins The Breakfast Grille to go beneath the headline numbers.
She evaluates middle-income tax reliefs, the durability of the AI and data centre investment cycle, domestic supply chain integration, indirect tax shifts, and whether potential inflation and rising fixed operating costs threaten the government's medium-term fiscal goals.
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Tue, 13 Oct 2026 - 6864 - MOF on Budget 2027: Subsidies, Goodies & Waad Nasional
Budget 2027 delivers record spending, yet the MADANI government says that the fiscal deficit will fall to 3.3% of GDP next year, even though petroleum subsidies have ballooned to RM40 billion. As the government balances pre-election expectations against fiscal discipline, Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican, Secretary General of Treasury at the Ministry of Finance, joins The Breakfast Grille to unpack the trade-offs and calculus behind Budget 2027.
He addresses speculation surrounding a pre-election budget, explains why SST compliance and e-invoicing are being favored over a GST comeback, , and discusses how the government plans to manage growing salary, pension, and debt-servicing bills on top of this year’s surge in subsidies.
He also explores strategies to plug subsidy leakages, alongside governance reforms including the State-Owned Enterprises Act and mandatory procurement disclosures
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Mon, 12 Oct 2026 - 6863 - Budget 2027: Pre-Election Goodies or Fiscal Discipline?
As the MADANI government prepares to table Budget 2027, what are the key fiscal numbers and political signals you should be paying attention to? Former Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr. Ong Kian Ming and Dr. Tricia Yeoh of the Asian Institute for Policy and Engagement at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, join The Breakfast Grille to discuss.
They explore whether this will act as a pre-election budget, analyse critical indicators and numbers to watch, and discuss the mechanics of GST versus SST.
They also highlight the structural reforms they hope the government will spend its political capital on.
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Fri, 09 Oct 2026 - 6862 - RT Pastry: IPO, Dividend Pause, & Kuantan Expansion
RT Pastry raised RM16.5 million from its ACE Market IPO to fuel expansion into new markets like Kuantan, but why did this profitable, formerly dividend-paying, cash-generative business tap the public capital market instead of using its own cash?
Mike Tia, COO of RT Pastry, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss.
We dive into why RT Pastry chose Kuantan over Johor or Penang, declining same-store sales performance, and how shifting consumer spending is impacting product strategy.
We also explore why the company raised RM16.5 million in public capital despite already generating strong cash flow and the reasons behind changes in its dividend history following a payout pause in the year before listing.
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Thu, 08 Oct 2026 - 6861 - Easybook: Can AI & Government Deals Drive Its IPO?
After 20 years of selling bus tickets online, Easybook is making a major move into government business, installing its own AI-powered cameras at terminals to catch off-the-books passengers and stop revenue leakages. William Lee, Founder and CEO of Easybook, joins The Breakfast Grille to unpack why the company is betting big on managing physical terminals and public infrastructure instead of just selling tickets online.
He shares the tough lessons learned from trying to scale across Southeast Asia, and explains how landing higher-margin government contracts might finally clear the runway for their long-awaited IPO.
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Wed, 07 Oct 2026 - 6860 - Censof : From Government Software to a Broader Tech Play
The Bursa-listed Censof Holdings has spent decades building a strong government financial-management software business. Now, it is looking to broaden that franchise through cloud, AI, automation and a new partnership with Microsoft. Ameer Shaik Mydin, Censof's Group MD discusses the firm's evolution and what investors can expect from its next phase of growth.
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Tue, 06 Oct 2026 - 6859 - Can Malaysia Turn Film Success Into an Industry?
Malaysia’s film industry is enjoying renewed momentum, with local productions attracting larger audiences and government incentives helping to bring international shoots to the country. But box-office success and foreign productions do not necessarily create a sustainable domestic industry. We speak to FINAS CEO Dato’ Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib about the effectiveness of public funding, developing local talent and intellectual property, and how FINAS balances its roles as both industry developer and regulator.
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Mon, 05 Oct 2026 - 6858 - Global Conflict: Signs of Escalation?
Two days ago the US completed its withdrawal from Iraq, two decades after its invasion, in a move the American historian Paul W. Schoeder then called, “the fatal leap”. What will analysts be making of this American adventure in Iraq beyond the body count? And just as US President Donald Trump’s “war of choice” has put the Straits of Hormuz and the Bab El Mandeb on our lips, the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad is now coming into view. Tucked between Poland and Lithuania, it is home to the Baltic Fleet and sits 600km away from the main body of the Russian Federation. President Vladimir Putin has warned NATO that Russia is prepared to use all weapons in its arsenal including nuclear options if this enclave is attacked. East Asia has its signs of rising tensions too. So where is the world headed?
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Fri, 02 Oct 2026 - 6857 - Is F1 Worth RM300 Million a Year? Sepang CEO Responds
Nine years after Formula 1 last roared through Sepang, the pinnacle of motorsports makes a surprise return to Malaysia, not as the Malaysian Grand Prix, but as the Bahrain Grand Prix. Azhan Shafriman Hanif, CEO of the Sepang International Circuit, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss what it could take to justify a RM300 million bill for a permanent slot on the F1 calendar.
With ticket demand surging past 95,000 thanks to F1's booming global popularity, Shafriman takes us behind the scenes of Sepang’s unique commercial arrangement with the Bahrain International Circuit and the logistics behind pulling this off on a compressed two-month timeline.
Plus, he tackles the ultimate question: does a single-weekend economic boost justify spending RM300 million annually on a regular spot on the F1 calendar?
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Thu, 01 Oct 2026 - 6856 - Why Bermaz Rejects Price Wars for Mazda & Xpeng
As Chinese automakers aggressively expand and compete abroad, legacy automotive distributors face unprecedented market disruption. Dato' Seri Francis Lee, Group CEO of Bermaz Auto Berhad, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss why they prioritise niche, sustainable sales volumes over aggressive price wars.
This comes as revenue has fallen from RM3.9 billion in FY2024 to RM2.3 billion in FY2026, while net profit has fallen from around RM350 million to RM106 million.
Francis outlines Mazda’s shift toward premium positioning and hybrids, details the strategic boundaries set for Chinese EV partner Xpeng, and explains how conservative balance sheet management supports the company’s dividend record.
Can Bermaz Auto’s commitment to sustainable volumes & protecting brand value hold up as Chinese marques reshape the automotive landscape?
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Wed, 30 Sep 2026 - 6855 - Thailand’s Almost Democracy Unpacked
In 2023, Pita Limjaroenrat, a Thai politician grabbed headlines when his party won the largest share of Parliamentary seats in the 2023 General Elections. With almost 4 million more votes than their nearest rivals, he and his party were seen as the face of a Thailand hungry for reform. Yet, he and his party were prevented from taking office in a series of legal manoeuvres that have come to define Thailand’s democratic deficit. With a ten year ban to wait out, the telegenic businessman turned politician splits his time between Bangkok and Boston, where he is Senior Fellow at Harvard University. He has just launched the English edition of his memoir, “The Almost Prime Minister”.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
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Tue, 29 Sep 2026 - 6854 - When Do We Get Blue Skies Back?
The haze pushed the air quality reading in Serian past 500, triggered an emergency and closed hundreds of schools, and Sarawak is still choking. So when do we get our blue skies back? With a Super El Niño set to peak between November and January, we ask what's coming next for our heat and water, and whether MetMalaysia's RM242 million upgrade will warn us in time. We speak to Ambun Dindang, Deputy Director-General (Operations) at the Malaysian Meteorological Department for insights.
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Mon, 28 Sep 2026 - 6853 - Mondelēz International : Inside the Chocolate/Snacking Business
Cocoa prices, changing consumer habits and increasingly complex supply chains are reshaping the business of snacking. Simon Crowther, Managing Director for Malaysia and Singapore at Mondelēz International, joins us to discuss the cost pressures facing chocolate makers, how the company is responding through its new RM90 million Crumb Tower in Shah Alam, and the challenges of sourcing commodities such as palm oil responsibly.
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Fri, 25 Sep 2026 - 6852 - Can Jotun Paint Its Next Century of Growth?
As Jotun enters its second century, Malaysia is playing an increasingly important role in the Norwegian coatings maker’s Southeast Asian strategy. With local manufacturing and R&D capabilities already established, the company is looking to opportunities in data centres, infrastructure and more sustainable coatings while navigating volatile raw-material costs and intensifying competition. Can Jotun maintain its premium positioning while using Malaysia as a platform for its next phase of regional growth?
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Thu, 24 Sep 2026 - 6851 - GSMA on $1.2T Telco Capex, 6G, & Spectrum Policy
With global mobile operators facing a $1.2 trillion capital expenditure cycle alongside flat revenue growth, GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath joins The Breakfast Grille to examine the changing economics of mobile connectivity.
Vivek addresses who actually captures economic value as telcos fund the digital infrastructure, why regulators should not maximise monetisation on spectrum pricing and whether further market consolidation is inevitable. He also discusses how satellite networks and direct-to-device connectivity are disrupting traditional boundaries.
Image Credit: GSMA
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Wed, 23 Sep 2026 - 6850 - Can Public Trust in the Police Be Restored?
Over 137 thousand personnel are part of the force, about 100 thousand less than teachers in our country. But one troubling feature of the force is what the study called the “persistent challenge of police misconduct within our criminal justice system”. In a new study titled “Restoring Public Trust: A Policy Analysis of Police Misconduct and Governance Frameworks in Penang and Selangor, Malaysia” raises this issue and more. Interestingly, the study notes that in disciplinary cases from 2020 to 2023, the vast majority were in the category titled “Integrity and Standards Compliance Breeches”. Surprisingly there were only 1% under “Direct Bribery and Financial Corruption” cases. We take a deeper look at the study.
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Tue, 22 Sep 2026 - 6849 - The Business Of Watching Vehicles
Cartrack tracks 2.8 million vehicles across 24 countries, listed on the Nasdaq through its parent Karooooo, and has been in Malaysia since 2014. But just over two million of those subscribers sit in South Africa — a business built on a crime rate and an insurance market that don't work the same way here. So what actually makes a Malaysian operator buy, and where does Malaysia rank in the region? We speak to Carmen Calisto, Co-CEO at Cartrack Asia.
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Mon, 21 Sep 2026 - 6848 - Can Maersk Navigate a Fracturing World?
Maersk is transforming itself from a container shipping giant into an integrated logistics business, with Malaysia playing a growing role through new warehousing capacity and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas. But geopolitical conflict, disrupted shipping routes, volatile freight rates and pressure to decarbonise are challenging the assumptions that have shaped global trade for decades. How resilient is Maersk’s strategy in this new environment, and can Malaysia strengthen its position as a major regional logistics hub?
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Fri, 18 Sep 2026 - 6847 - Malaysia: Reluctant, Resilient, Reflective?
As we celebrate the country’s achievements since Independence but also reflect on its shortcomings. But how do we do so without resorting to the now threadbare vocabulary and conceptual frameworks that have guided us thus far. And where are new frameworks and ideas being generated to drive the next leg of development. What intellectual resources do we have to draw on and what kind of leaders do we have to ensure that the failures of the past are not repeated in the future?
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Thu, 17 Sep 2026 - 6846 - Sarawak's Economic History: From James Brooke to Independence
A single English adventurer with an inherited ship and a handful of crew became sovereign ruler of Sarawak in 1841, launching a dynasty that governed the territory for over a century before handing it to Britain after World War II. Oil struck at Miri in 1909 became the empire's only find within British-controlled territory, while a Foochow rubber boom that same year turned a failed rice experiment into sudden, outsized wealth. Yet the Brooke Rajahs consistently blocked the capitalist exploitation that enriched colonial Malaya and Java, and the question of whether that protective instinct stunted or shaped Sarawak's foundations lingers into the present. Professor Ooi Keat Gin joins the Breakfast Grill to trace that tension from James Brooke's first sail up the Sarawak River to the eve of independence.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
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Tue, 15 Sep 2026 - 6845 - Hilding Anders: Slumberland, Premiumisation, & B2B Growth
Despite mattresses being an infrequent, high-durability purchase, how are heritage bedding brands navigating aggressive price competition and changing consumer habits across Southeast Asia? Justin Lim Tiong Kiong, Managing Director for Southeast Asia at Hilding Anders, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss how the Swedish-headquartered group is driving growth behind legacy brands like Slumberland and Vono.
He details the region's operational performance following post-pandemic headwinds and outlines how the company balances direct-to-consumer e-commerce with its traditional dealer network. He also explores tailwinds in the five-star hospitality sector, the rise of health-focused sleep awareness, and why category premiumisation remains central to their long-term regional strategy.
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Mon, 14 Sep 2026 - 6844 - SD Guthrie: Can Land & CPO Keep Record Profits Going?
With record profits driven by strong CPO prices and surging industrial development returns, how is SD Guthrie balancing its legacy plantation core with the race for high-value land monetisation? Mohd Haris Mohd Arshad, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of SD Guthrie, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss the strategic evolution of the 200-year-old palm oil giant.
Haris outlines efforts to break through stagnant national yields through high-performing seed varieties, labor estate rehabilitation, and mechanisation. He also addresses the structural limits of land expansion, the ideal "sweet spot" for CPO pricing to prevent global demand destruction, and how the company plans to monetise strategic land banks for business parks and data centers without losing its plantation identity.
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Fri, 11 Sep 2026 - 6843 - Whither the Rule of Law?
The demand for rules-based governance and the end of the arbitrary use of power is central to any functioning democracy. This has elevated the role of lawyers as a professional group in many democratic societies, as they emerged from feudal rule. The Malaysian Bar is no exception. Despite decades of authoritarian rule, our laws and legal institutions are being reformed to reflect democratic aspirations. But is reform moving fast enough and can what's being put in place pass the test of global standards?
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Thu, 10 Sep 2026 - 6842 - Is Jabil Malaysia Just A Warehouse Hub For The Group?
Malaysia is now one of the world's four biggest net exporters of AI hardware, and Jabil is one of the companies that put it there. But while the group poured half a billion US dollars into North Carolina and signed a multi-gigawatt AI platform in India this year, Malaysia's headline was a leased logistics hub in Sungai Jawi. We ask whether 14,000 people, silicon photonics and a Perlis plant are buying Malaysia a bigger seat at the table — or just more floor space. We speak to Tan Siew Jin, Managing Director of Jabil Malaysia.
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Wed, 09 Sep 2026 - 6841 - The Industry Zone That Nobody Talks About
Everyone's watching Johor. But 4,500 acres of free industrial zone is quietly going up 800 metres from the Thai border at Bukit Kayu Hitam. This is the gateway that moved over RM50 billion in goods in 2024. Phase one is already more than 90% taken up, and after seven years of waiting, the road linking Malaysia's side to Thailand's new CIQ complex finally opened this July. We speak to Razwin Sulairee Hasnan Termizi, Group CEO of Northern Gateway Sdn Bhd, about whether Delapan becomes the bigger story in the north.
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Tue, 08 Sep 2026 - 6840 - Can MEASAT Reinvent Itself for the SpaceTech Era?
After three decades in Malaysia’s satellite industry, MEASAT is navigating a market transformed by Starlink, streaming and rapidly changing connectivity needs. COO Yau Chyong Lim discusses the economics of billion-ringgit satellite investments, the push into managed services, AI, IoT and telehealth, and why Malaysia still needs sovereign satellite capability. Can MEASAT move beyond its traditional satellite business and build a meaningful regional SpaceTech platform?
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Mon, 07 Sep 2026 - 6839 - PolicyStreet's $26M Series C, Profitability, & Next Phase
Following its $26 million Series C round and hitting net profitability, how is insurtech PolicyStreet planning its next phase of expansion? Lee Yen Ming, Co-founder and Group CEO of PolicyStreet, joins BFM’s Breakfast Grille to discuss how the firm built a business model alongside legacy insurers, pivoting from its direct-to-consumer roots into embedded B2B2C distribution and offshore Labuan reinsurance co-underwriting.
Yen Ming breaks down the economics of their higher-margin reinsurance strategy, their renewed push into consumer brand building, and how they deploy AI automation in operational workflows. He also addresses the long-term potential of Bank Negara’s Digital Insurer and Takaful Operator (DITO) framework, and considerations for an eventual liquidity event for investors.
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Fri, 04 Sep 2026 - 6838 - AI Saved Malaysia’s Economy, But For How Long?
GDP figures across AI-focused Asian hubs look strong, but they mask a broader economic weakness as weak domestic demand, escalating energy costs, new US tariffs, and high interest rates weigh on the non-AI economy. Stefan Angrick, Head of Asia-Pacific Economics at Moody’s Analytics, joins BFM’s Breakfast Grille to break down the depth of the two-speed economy in manufacturing hubs like Malaysia and why he believes Asia’s AI boom is ripe for a pause.
Stefan also explores why tariffs are here to stay and whether central bank policies themselves risk amplifying global supply shocks.
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Thu, 03 Sep 2026 - 6837 - GTA Holdings: A Defence MRO Goes Public
GTA Holdings is heading for the ACE Market, servicing helicopter and aircraft engines out of Subang — with about 95% of that work tied to the military. But the prospectus raises questions: RM46mil in dividends paid out just before asking the public to fund a RM37.5mil building, cash dropping from RM107mil to RM23mil in eight months, and consultancy and software contracts awarded to a company owned by the CEO's two daughters. We also get into the four-month deadline to vacate Subang, the Safran certification the business depends on, and why a major shareholder is selling down half the offer-for-sale. We speak to Dato' Nonee Ashirin binti Dato' Mohd Radzi, Managing Director and CEO of GTA Holdings Berhad.
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Wed, 02 Sep 2026 - 6836 - Remembering Our Colonial Past
The colonial heritage of modern Malaysia is a complex one, in large part because the three major territories that now make up the country had distinct histories and came under the sway of different powers over the millennia. Over the last century of the half though the landscape is marked by the North Borneo Chartered Company in Sabah, the White Rajahs of Sarawak as well as Malaya’s mix of Straits Settlements, Federated and Unfederated States. While the experience of colonialism wasn’t singular, we can nevertheless think about it and draw lessons from it that’s productive for a discussion of our future.
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Tue, 01 Sep 2026 - 6835 - Hernan : Uniting Malaysians (and the World) With Durian
Malaysia's durian industry has gone from struggling to meet demand to dealing with a glut but at the very heart of it, it is very much a part of Malaysia. Datuk Anna Teo, founder and Group CEO of Hernan Corporation, a durian grower, processor and exporter, discusses falling prices, rising costs, and whether Malaysia can build a truly world-class durian industry.
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Fri, 28 Aug 2026 - 6834 - Pos Malaysia: A Turnaround, Or A Good Six Months?
Pos Malaysia hasn't turned a profit since 2018 — 32 straight quarters in the red and close to a billion ringgit in accumulated losses. But the first half of 2026 hinted at a shift: losses narrowed to RM63 million, revenue grew 8%, and cash flow turned positive for the first time in years. Group CEO Charles Brewer joins us to explain the pivot from mail to parcels, the push into pawnbroking and digital gold, and whether the national postal operator is genuinely turning the corner — or just had a good six months.
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Thu, 27 Aug 2026 - 6833 - Is ADFIM Doing Development, Or Just Lending?
Malaysia's development financial institutions are carrying RM193.9 billion in financing across 1.8 million accounts — and until now, nobody has formally measured whether that money actually did anything. Bank Negara's new framework changes that, testing DFIs on whether their financing would have happened anyway without them. We put the hard numbers to the man who chairs them: impaired loans running double digits at some members, the payroll-deduction personal loan books, and the RM203.8 million fraud at Agrobank that still hasn't been explained to the public. We speak to YBhg Dato' Muzaffar Hisham, Chairman of ADFIM and Group CEO of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia.
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Wed, 26 Aug 2026 - 6832 - Aging Nation: Turning Demographic Shifts into Opportunity
As Malaysia rapidly approaches aged-nation status, managing long-term care, rising healthcare costs, and a shrinking workforce are becoming critical economic and social priorities. Hiroyuki Murata, Professor at Tohoku University's Smart Aging Research Center, joins BFM's Breakfast Grille to discuss how societies can shift from treating demographic aging as a fiscal crisis to leveraging it as a growth driver.
He explores key insights on navigating the silver economy, including:
How government framework policy catalysed a competitive, private-sector long-term care industry in Japan
What businesses consistently misunderstand about modern active seniors and their evolving lifestyle demands
Why defining "elderly" requires a fundamental mindset shift away from traditional retirement toward continuous societal engagement
What immediate policy and health priorities Malaysia must establish to prepare for rapid demographic aging
Prof. Hiroyuki will be speaking at the upcoming International Social Wellbeing Conference (ISWC), organized by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). Happening on 29–30 September, ISWC 2026 brings together global thought leaders to explore the future of societal wellbeing, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
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Mon, 24 Aug 2026 - 6831 - Skechers Malaysia: Growth Beyond Comfort
Skechers has grown from a US comfort footwear brand into a global business, with Southeast Asia playing an increasingly important role in its growth story. Zann Lee, Managing Director of Skechers Southeast Asia, talks about the company's expansion, competition and how to deal with boycott calls it faced in Malaysia over its perceived links to Israel.
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Fri, 21 Aug 2026 - 6830 - Can Malaysia Unlock Latin America?
Malaysia’s trade with Latin America and the Caribbean remains relatively modest, but shifting global supply chains and stronger diplomatic ties are opening new opportunities for businesses on both sides. The Latin American and Caribbean Chamber of Commerce has set an ambitious goal of doubling bilateral trade within five years. What is holding companies back today, which sectors offer the greatest potential, and can growing political engagement be translated into meaningful investment and commercial deals?
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Thu, 20 Aug 2026 - 6829 - Liberty Insurance : Building Trust Beyond The Merger
Four years after Liberty's merger with AmGeneral, the integration story is largely complete. But the next challenge is bigger than combining two businesses. Puneet Pasricha, CEO of Liberty General Insurance, discusses the evolving risks facing the industry, how tech and AI are reshaping insurance, and why building customer trust remains fundamental.
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Wed, 19 Aug 2026 - 6828 - Wawasan vs Bersatu: Divided We Stand?
The split within Bersatu and the emergence of Parti Wawasan Negara have reshaped the opposition, raising questions about how the two parties will navigate their relationship within Perikatan Nasional. On the Breakfast Grille, Sharaad Kuttan speaks with Dr Afif Bahardin, Supreme Leadership Council Member of Bersatu, and Tun Fiqa Mohammad, Wawasan High Council member, about the reasons behind the split, the future direction of both parties, and whether they can find common ground as part of the wider opposition.
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Tue, 18 Aug 2026 - 6827 - Can Dassault Systèmes Power Asia’s Industrial AI Shift?
Dassault Systèmes built its global business on 3D design and virtual twins, but its ambitions now extend from manufacturing and mobility into healthcare, cloud software and industrial AI. That expansion comes as Asian businesses contend with tighter technology budgets, shifting supply chains and pressure to demonstrate tangible returns from digital investment. As industries accelerate their adoption of simulation and AI, can Dassault Systèmes position itself at the heart of Asia’s next wave of industrial transformation?
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Mon, 17 Aug 2026 - 6826 - Can Malaysians Still Afford to Own Homes?
Home ownership remains a major aspiration for Malaysians, but affordability pressures, unsold properties and weaker transactions continue to expose the disconnect between what buyers want and what the market provides. PropertyGuru Malaysia sits at the centre of that market, connecting buyers, sellers and agents while wielding significant influence over how properties are discovered and marketed online. We speak with Managing Director Vic Sithasanan about Malaysia’s housing market, agent pricing, listing integrity and the responsibilities that come with PropertyGuru’s dominant position.
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Thu, 13 Aug 2026 - 6825 - Penta Group on Profound Changes of the AI Revolution
The artificial intelligence revolution is underway, but how prepared are governments and businesses to navigate the changes this technology will bring over the next decade? We attempt to untangle some of the threads of policy discourse in Europe and Asia, as well as what this means for business strategy with Conall McDevitt, President of the Penta Group, an international strategy and communications firm.
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Wed, 12 Aug 2026 - 6824 - Can Workday Navigate ASEAN’s AI Transition?
Businesses across Southeast Asia are under pressure to modernise their technology while keeping costs under control and managing growing expectations around artificial intelligence. For Workday, that creates opportunities to expand its cloud-based HR and finance platforms, but also challenges ranging from legacy enterprise systems and cautious IT spending to uneven digital capabilities and employee resistance to AI-driven change. As the company pushes deeper into ASEAN, how does Workday plan to capture regional growth while helping businesses bridge the technology and skills divide?
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Tue, 11 Aug 2026 - 6823 - Becoming More Than A Direct Seller?
DXN Holdings has quietly built one of Malaysia's most international businesses through a global network across some 200 markets. Prajith Pavithran, the company's executive director and group CEO, explains why DXN is investing heavily in manufacturing and expanding across Latin America, while still fundamentally a direct-selling company, or something more?
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Mon, 10 Aug 2026 - 6822 - What’s PAS’ Economic Philosophy?
While solidly green, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) is helping create what pundits are calling the Blue Wave. After the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections the role of Parti Islam Se-Malaysia or PAS as part of a future federal government is being entertained as a real possibility. In this conversation with discuss PAS’ current political strategy, the foundations of its economic philosophy, the tensions between its ‘populist’ social policies and the demands of being Shariah-compliant and also the SG4 initiative that aims not only to attract investment but also to promote the idea that a PAS-led government will be business friendly and inclusive of all Malaysians.
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Sun, 09 Aug 2026 - 6821 - Human Rights Watch : Is the Rules-Based Order Unravelling?
Nearly 80 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the institutions created to uphold it are under unprecedented strain. Philippe Bolopion, the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch discusses Gaza, Malaysia, refugees, international law and why, despite mounting challenges, he still believes human rights are worth fighting for.
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Thu, 06 Aug 2026 - 6820 - Scicom's Turnaround: A Call Centre Or Concession Play?
Scicom MSC Bhd started life as a call centre. Today it processes the visa for every international student entering Malaysia, and holds a 15-year concession on GITC — the country's first national platform matching TVET graduates to jobs, launched by the Deputy Prime Minister in June. After 3 straight years of falling revenue, trailing twelve-month revenue is up 37%, profit up 96%, and the share price has more than doubled. Group CEO Datuk Seri Leo Ariyanayakam on what the platform actually does, how much of the group rides on government contracts, and whether a doubled dividend is sustainable when cash has halved and receivables have doubled.
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Wed, 05 Aug 2026 - 6819 - PEOPLElogy’s 5 Million AI-Ready Goal
PEOPLElogy just turned 25, and it's marking the milestone with a pledge to make five million Malaysians AI-ready by 2028, roughly one in three working Malaysians. It's a bold ask at a moment when over 52,000 Malaysians have already lost their jobs this year, more than half of them PMETs. But 14 months after listing on the ACE Market, the stock is at 21 sen, below its 25-sen IPO price, and FY2025 net profit came in at just RM41,000 on RM29.8 million in revenue. Managing Director and Group CEO Allen Lee returns to the Breakfast Grille to account for the numbers, the IPO proceeds, the dividend, and whether the recovery is real.
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Tue, 04 Aug 2026 - 6818 - Beijing & Taipei: Divided Beyond the Straits
China and Taiwan have had frigid relations since Democratic People's Party (DPP) became the ruling party in 2016, currently with President Lai Ching-te at the helm. How are the dynamics between Beijing and Taipei shifting in light of the Trump administration 2.0 policies? We discuss developments with Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund.
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Mon, 03 Aug 2026 - 6817 - Negeri Sembilan: Will the “Blue Wave’ Travel Far?
Barisan Nasional’s switch in strategy paid off handsomely, grabbing half the state assembly and with Perikatan Nasional securing control of the state. The question being asked is if this winning strategy can go national and deliver UMNO leadership of the country? Also laid bare several are other political realities: Pakatan Harapan’s weak hold of the Malay ground, Wawasan’s replacement of Bersatu as PAS’ Malay nationalist partner and Borneo’s potential loss of the kingmaker position if GE16 goes the way of the PAS-UMNO alliance.
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Sun, 02 Aug 2026 - 6816 - The Breakfast Grille - Aug 1, 2026Fri, 31 Jul 2026
- 6815 - Negeri Sembilan Votes: Strategy, Performance, Loyalty
In 2023, the elections ushered in a Pakatan Harapan-led government with the support of the Barisan Nasional. Neither coalition had sufficient seats to lead the 36-member assembly. In this election, Barisan has switched strategy, forming an informal electoral pact with Perikatan Nasional instead. No doubt the outcome of the Negeri Sembilan vote will be consequential for the people of the state but will it determine the future stability of the current Federal government.
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Thu, 30 Jul 2026 - 6813 - Can Malaysia Win the Business Events Race?
As Malaysia Business Events Week 2026 gets underway, the spotlight is on how the country plans to strengthen its position as a regional destination for international conferences, exhibitions, and corporate events. Amid intensifying competition from neighbours such as Singapore and Thailand, success will depend on more than marketing, with infrastructure, sustainability, regulatory efficiency, and measurable economic returns all coming under greater scrutiny. Can Malaysia build a more competitive and resilient business events industry?
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Wed, 29 Jul 2026 - 6812 - Teladan Group : Growing Beyond Malacca
Teladan Group has spent nearly three decades building homes in Melaka. Now, the Main Market-listed developer is embarking on its most ambitious chapter yet, expanding into Negeri Sembilan, the Klang Valley and industrial developments. Richard Teo, Managing Director of Teladan Group, discusses the company's growth strategy.
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Tue, 28 Jul 2026 - 6811 - Pekat Powers Up for the Main Market
Pekat Group Berhad has transformed itself from a lightning protection specialist into a leading player in Malaysia's solar engineering sector, reflecting the country's accelerating energy transition. With plans to move from Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market to the Main Market, the company is entering a new stage of growth amid rising demand for renewable energy and data centre infrastructure. Can Pekat maintain its momentum as competition intensifies and the clean energy landscape evolves?
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Mon, 27 Jul 2026 - 6810 - Wawasan: New Brand, Old Stripes?
The latest entrant to the Malaysian political scene is Parti Wawasan Negara led by Dato’ Sri Hamzah Zainuddin and comprising disgruntled former members of Bersatu. How is Wawasan positioning itself in an increasingly crowded space? We find out from the party’s Secretary General, Dato’ Sri Saifuddin Abdullah.
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Sun, 26 Jul 2026 - 6809 - Malaysian Media Council: A New Era of Self-Regulation
The Malaysian Media Council or Majlis Media Malaysia (MMM) is a statutory body established to uphold journalistic standards, mediate public complaints and advocate for press freedom. How will it shape the contours of the media industry for the future? We discuss the role and aims of the MMM with its newly appointed Chair, Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan, former justice of the Federal Court.
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Wed, 22 Jul 2026 - 6808 - MITI: Stability, Realignment, Hurdles
Recent international trade numbers are record breaking. In the first half of the year, it grew 22.4% year-on-year to a record RM1.796 trillion in the first half of 2026. The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry said exports increased 27.5% to RM971.59bil, while imports rose 16.9% to RM824.44bil, resulting in a trade surplus of RM147.15bil. Reports stated that “manufactured goods continued to underpin export growth, led by electrical and electronic products, which recorded an increase of almost RM140bil in export value.” While the Malaysia Investment Development Authority reported healthy levels of Domestic Investments, yet in this volatile international order, what challenges remain for the country’s leadership to navigate?
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Tue, 21 Jul 2026 - 6807 - Can Malaysia Become ASEAN's Food Hub?
As Food & Drinks Malaysia 2026 opens at MITEC, the food and beverage industry is navigating shifting supply chains, evolving consumer demand, and growing regional competition. Trade exhibitions are also changing, with greater emphasis on delivering measurable business outcomes rather than simply showcasing products. What will it take for Malaysia to strengthen its position as a regional food and beverage hub, and where are the biggest commercial opportunities for the industry?
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Mon, 20 Jul 2026 - 6806 - CGS International : Reinventing the Investment House
CGS International Securities Malaysia is looking beyond its traditional roots as a stockbroker to become a broader investment house. Its CEO Khairi Shahrin Arief Baki explains what's driving that strategy, where future growth opportunities lie and why the future of brokerage will depend on far more than executing trades.
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Sun, 19 Jul 2026 - 6805 - Can Samaiden Continue to Shine in RE Space?
Samaiden, an integrated renewable energy solutions provider and asset owner is one of the big beneficiaries of the RE transition momentum, with revenue and profit growing steadily over the past 2 years. However as external factors create cost pressures and with increasing competition in the EPCC space, can Samaiden maintain its shine? We discuss the fortunes and prospects of the company with Group Managing Director Dato’ Chow Pui Hee.
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Thu, 16 Jul 2026 - 6804 - Can UK's Next Premier Deliver Bold Change?
This month, No.10 Downing Street is set to welcome a new resident: Andy Burnham is expected to replace Keir Starmer as the 5th UK Prime Minister since 2020. How will this influence the UK policy agenda? We discuss this with Mark MacGregor of Penta Group.
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Wed, 15 Jul 2026 - 6803 - Manulife Malaysia : Can Medical Insurance Stay Affordable?
Medical insurance has become one of Malaysia's biggest public policy challenges amid rising healthcare costs and insurance premiums. Vibha Coburn, Group CEO of Manulife Malaysia, discusses the company's growth strategy, the future of medical insurance, and how rebuilding consumer trust will require action from insurers, healthcare providers and regulators alike.
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Tue, 14 Jul 2026 - 6802 - France & Malaysia: Building Partnerships in a Fragmented World
France and Malaysia have had formal diplomatic relations ever since Merdeka, with the relationship growing significantly over the decades, leading to expanded cooperation in trade, higher education, and defence. HE Marc Abensour, Ambassador of France to Malaysia join us on this Bastille Day to discuss the evolution of Malaysia-France relations and its future.
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Mon, 13 Jul 2026 - 6801 - Blue Wave: How Far North Will It Head?
The big winner was Barisan Nasional going from 40 to 48 seats in the 56 seat House with UMNO’s partners contributing a large part to the extra eight seats to that boost. The MCA doubled its representation from 4 to 8, and the MIC increased from 3 to 4, giving them 25% of Barisan’s ADUNs. Biggest losers were Perikatan Nasional fielding candidates in 33 seats, but they won none, losing the three ADUNS they had. And finally Pakatan, which was in a confidence and supply agreement with the previous Barisan government, had its representation shrink from 12 to 8 ADUNs in the Assembly. We look at the depth of the Blue Wave, the Bersama spoiler effect, PAS’ ‘Malay-Muslim’ government strategy and the wake-up call for Pakatan.
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Sun, 12 Jul 2026 - 6800 - Voter Turnout, Coalition Fractures, Bogeymen
Johor goes to the polls on Saturday and Negeri Sembilan in a couple of weeks, and Melaka soon after: the country enters a period of domestic political volatility after three and a half years of relative stability. What harm will the current jostling for dominance between coalition partners do to the MADANI government? What does the future hold for the DAP as it holds its national congress after two state elections? And what new political realities and leaders will Malaysians wake up to in the coming months. All this against the backdrop of big power rivalries that are rocking the international stage and upending the rules-based order.
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Thu, 09 Jul 2026 - 6799 - ACCA on AI Disruption, Ethics, & Gen-Z Anxiety
More than half of finance professionals are quietly sweating over what AI means for their careers, and Gen Z graduates are the most anxious of all. But is automation destroying the profession, or simply clearing out grunt work to give humans a more strategic role?
Pulkit Abrol, Director of Asia Pacific at ACCA, joins The Breakfast Grille to look past the AI hype and talk about real human trust. We dive into "agency decay", the danger of younger professionals blindly trusting machine reports over their own judgment, and explore how corporate ethics must evolve as technology shifts.
We also unpack why massive corporate collapses are almost always failures of human courage rather than technical math, and break down the eye-opening data from ACCA's latest Global Trends report, including that 66% of Malaysian finance talent are unhappy with their pay, and 61% face severe workplace mental health strain.
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Wed, 08 Jul 2026 - 6798 - Can Timber Drive Malaysia's Next Growth Story?
Malaysia's timber industry is at a crossroads. While it remains one of the country's largest commodity exporters, the sector is contending with weaker global demand, US tariffs, labour shortages, and mounting pressure to automate and meet stricter sustainability standards. As the government pushes the industry towards higher-value products and stronger global competitiveness, can Malaysia transform its timber sector into a modern, innovation-driven export powerhouse?
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Tue, 07 Jul 2026 - 6797 - Institutional Reform: What’s Left to Accomplish?
As the Madani Government enters the home stretch of its tenure, the question is not only what's left of its legislative agenda but also what it has accomplished thus far, and how much time does it have for the remainder of its term. With the noise from the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections increasingly obscuring the cooperation at the Federal-level can the government convince the public that it has accomplished the most important legislative tasks the country needs.
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Mon, 06 Jul 2026 - 6796 - Reform Agenda: Not By Slogans Alone
Parti Keadilan Rakyat has been in the hot seat about their commitment to reform including its pace. But as a former PKR activist writes, “PKR did not become one of Malaysia’s mainstream political parties because it had the most sophisticated reform manifesto, but because it assembled a broad coalition spanning the urban middle class, wage earners, civil society, minorities, and voters seeking an alternative model of governance.” Arguing it's not only sloganeering over values, but coalition-building leading to taking Putrajaya that’s the real test for commitment to reform.
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Sun, 05 Jul 2026 - 6795 - Will US-China Minerals Rivalry Be Zero-Sum for ASEAN?
The US-Malaysia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade that was signed in October last year remains in limbo as the Trump administration tries to sort out its tariff regime. What does the uncertainty mean for US-ASEAN business activity? We break down the latest developments on US tariffs and discuss what growing US involvement in critical mineral supply chains means for ASEAN with Marc Mealy of the US-ASEAN Business Council.
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Thu, 02 Jul 2026 - 6794 - How the US-Iran War Shook the Global Sukuk Market
The global Sukuk market entered 2026 with strong momentum after a record year in 2025, when global issuance grew 25% year-on-year to surpass USD 300 billion for the first time. Then came the US-Iran war, triggering a 35% plunge in first-quarter global Sukuk volumes, effectively grounding the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market to a halt in March.
Bashar Al Natoor, Global Head of Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings, joins The Breakfast Grille to break down how the asset class is navigating this ultimate geopolitical stress test.
We dive into why global yields refuse to return to pre-war baselines, how Malaysia’s local, ringgit-denominated market acts as a shield against international volatility, and whether the future of Shariah-compliant capital will be powered by blockchain tokenisation.
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Wed, 01 Jul 2026 - 6793 - Can foodpanda Win Without a Super App?
Malaysia's food delivery market has evolved beyond restaurant meals into a broader contest over groceries, convenience, and quick commerce. As rivals tap into larger ride hailing, e-commerce, and fintech ecosystems, foodpanda is pursuing a more focused strategy centred on operational efficiency and rapid delivery. With competition intensifying and its parent company undergoing global restructuring, can foodpanda build a sustainable and profitable business without the advantages of a super app?
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Tue, 30 Jun 2026 - 6792 - Puspakom Shifts Gears as Rivals Join the Race
For thirty years, Puspakom, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DRB-Hicom, has been the sole company appointed by the government to conduct mandatory inspections of commercial and private vehicles. This long-term monopoly officially ended in August 2024. How prepared is Puspakom to compete in an open market and can it overcome the legacy issues it has collected over the years? We discuss Puspakom’s strategy and outllook with Mahmood Razak Bahman, the CEO of Puspakom.
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Mon, 29 Jun 2026 - 6791 - Can Marriott Stay Ahead in Malaysia?
Malaysia's hospitality sector is enjoying strong tourism growth, but hotel operators are also navigating rising labour costs, wage pressures, and intensifying competition. Marriott International continues to expand aggressively across both established and emerging destinations, raising questions about brand positioning, operational efficiency, and the long-term potential of secondary cities. As the industry evolves, how is Marriott balancing growth with profitability in one of Southeast Asia's fastest-changing hotel markets?
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Sun, 28 Jun 2026 - 6790 - Generational Politics: PKR vs UMNO
With the Johor state assembly around the corner there is increased jostling between political parties, even those which are formally in alliances. And there has been quite a bit of chatter about wanting youth voices and with many parties claiming that their candidates reflect a mix of veterans and new faces, experience and youthful idealism. But what’s really at stake in the political contest and can our political leaders speak from a different script? We talk about the history of youth wings, cooperation during the Madani period, UMNO Supreme Council Puad Zarkashi's shock resignation and if Bersama is eating any party’s proverbial lunch.
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Thu, 25 Jun 2026 - 6789 - The ASEAN Way: A Blueprint for New Multilateralism?
The US-China geopolitical rivalry and President Donald Trump's mercurial policies have upended the established multilateral order, to the detriment of countries like Malaysia that base development strategies on the rules-based system. Can multilateralism survive these geopolitical shifts and what role do smaller countries play in reshaping multilateralism for the future? We discuss these themes with Danny Quah, the Li Ka Shing Professor in Economics at the National University of Singapore.
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Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 6788 - World Refugee Day : A Turning Point For Malaysia?
Malaysia's refugee policy vacuum, rising anti-Rohingya sentiment, and whether refugee issues are becoming politically salient in the lead-up to upcoming elections. Adrian Pereira of the North South Initiative and May of the Refugee Emergency Fund and Reimagine Education, discuss refugee governance, shifting public attitudes, and whether Malaysia's decades-long approach is still fit for purpose.
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Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 6787 - Navigating a New Era in Malaysia–Netherlands Relations
The Netherlands has long been one of Malaysia’s key partners in Europe, with ties spanning trade, investment, semiconductors, water management, and sustainability. As geopolitical tensions, supply chain shifts, and climate challenges reshape the global landscape, both countries are looking to deepen cooperation in areas critical to future growth and resilience. How is the bilateral relationship evolving, and where do the biggest opportunities for collaboration lie in the years ahead?
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Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 6786 - Atlas Copco: Engineering SEA's Industrial Future
Atlas Copco is a Swedish multinational giant in the industrial sector, providing much of the infrastructure and equipment needed for manufacturing plants to operate. How are they navigating global economic headwinds and does Malaysia provide safe harbour for geopolitical currents? We catch-up with Khalid Shaikh, General Manager of Atlas Copco Malaysia & Singapore.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
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Sun, 21 Jun 2026 - 6785 - Eckem’s RM15M IPO, Earnings Cyclicality, & Manufacturing Optimism
Industrial chemicals rarely grab headlines, but they sit quietly behind Malaysia’s most aggressive economic sectors, including the massive infrastructure and data center construction boom. Now, specialty chemical distributor Eckem Holdings is stepping out from behind the curtain, looking to raise RM15 million via an IPO on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia. However, the listing arrives alongside a complicated financial reality: profit after tax has tumbled roughly 35% over consecutive years due to cyclical, oil-linked chemical prices and a steep rise in finance debt used to fund a RM60 million industrial land bank.
Executive Director Jack Tan joins The Breakfast Grille to defend the company’s 16.7x earnings valuation multiple against contracting profit after tax. Jack breaks down how their local in-house laboratory acts as a technical moat to secure customer loyalty over direct foreign suppliers, addresses the governance optics of declaring a RM1.9 million pre-IPO dividend, and details the strategic roadmap to double its capacity in high-margin rubber export manufacturing to transform the business from a pure middleman into a resilient industrial player.
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Thu, 18 Jun 2026 - 6784 - Malaysia: External Shocks, Domestic Resilence
The World Bank Group recently released its biannual flagship publication on Malaysia’s economy titled “Raising the Ceiling, Raising the Floor: The Jobs Agenda as a Productivity Agenda” which focuses on the Malaysian Government’s progress in undertaking structural changes of the economy as well as improving living standards. Taking into account conflict in the Gulf and expectations of a supply-side induced crisis, we ask what the domestic and external hurdles to growth are.
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Wed, 17 Jun 2026 - 6783 - ITC : Exporting Muslim-Friendly Travel Standards?
Malaysia has long been a global leader in Muslim-friendly tourism, but can that leadership evolve into something more? Mohammad Faisal Abu Suaib Khan, Director-General of the Islamic Tourism Centre, discusses the growth potential of the Muslim travel market whether or not Malaysian standards such as MFAR can become an exportable asset.
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Mon, 15 Jun 2026 - 6782 - Raising the Bar for Malaysian Corporate Governance
The Securities Commission is reviewing the Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance (MCCG), last updated in 2021. What changes are needed to encourage more publicly-listed companies to level up on corporate governance practices? We discuss the progress made and gaps to overcome on Malaysian boards with our expert panel.
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Sun, 14 Jun 2026 - 6781 - Can EI Power Capitalise on the Data Centre Boom?
As Malaysia attracts billions of ringgit in data centre investments, demand is rising for the critical power infrastructure needed to keep these facilities running without interruption. Fresh from a strong Bursa debut, EI Power finds itself at the centre of this trend, providing specialised engineering and power solutions for mission-critical environments. With a growing order book, regional expansion ambitions, and increasing competition, can the company sustain its growth momentum and translate the data centre boom into a durable long-term advantage?
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Thu, 11 Jun 2026 - 6780 - Environment: Challenges Aside, Implementation Is Key
While taking on the role recently, and with less than half the government’s term left, we ask the Minister about his concerns about policy continuity amidst political and economic uncertainty. From the much anticipated National Climate Change bill, to issues of carbon tax to the Community Ranger initiative, we ask the Minister what are his priorities. With his own 100 days KPIs, we take a measure of what has been achieved on the Green Agenda.
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Wed, 10 Jun 2026 - 6779 - Can Kia Rebuild Its Position in Malaysia?
Malaysia’s automotive market is becoming increasingly competitive as Chinese brands gain ground with aggressive pricing and technology-rich vehicles. Against this backdrop, Kia has taken direct control of its Malaysian operations for the first time, establishing Kia Sales Malaysia and making Kuala Lumpur its Asia-Pacific headquarters. As the brand embarks on a factory-led reset, can Kia rebuild consumer confidence and strengthen its position in an increasingly crowded market?
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Tue, 09 Jun 2026 - 6778 - Do Counter-Terrorism Laws Protect or Undermine Human Rights?
According to the latest Global Terrorism Index, the world is a safer place than it was 10 years ago, with overall terrorist attacks on a declining trend. But the positive trend belies a damaging pattern of states using counter-terrorism as justification for actions that violate international human rights, including in conflicts that are unfolding in the Middle East today. We discuss the real-world implications of inherent tensions between security and liberty with Prof. Ben Saul, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
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Mon, 08 Jun 2026
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