The Breakfast Grille

Dominating the headlines these past weeks was how US President Donald Trump's trade policies - and the subsequent reversals of some - have impacted the global economy and world markets, from equities to bonds to commodities. Katrina Ell, Director & Head of Asia-Pacific Economics at Moody's Analytics helps us unpack how the Trump administration’s unpredictable trade moves are reshaping Asia’s e...

Once a Hong Kong TV giant, TVB is now eyeing Southeast Asia for growth. Desmond Chan, General Manager of TVB International, discusses the company’s push into Malaysia, the challenges of digital transformation, and whether the broadcaster can turn the corner after years of losses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DataSnipper is changing the game for accountants and auditors by automating time-consuming tasks like data matching and document preparation. With a strong focus on profitable growth, the company is expanding its reach, particularly in Asia Pacific.  Philip See talks to CEO Vidya Peters about their business strategy and why Kuala Lumpur was selected as their new regional hub. Image Credit: Da...

Malaysia is welcoming President Xi Jinping for a 3-day official visit starting today. Xi’s tour of our country is being closely watched in the region amid growing trade tensions between the US and China.  To help us unpack this landmark visit, Philip See will be speaking with Dr Cassey Lee, Senior Fellow and Coordinator at the Regional Economic Studies Programme at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institu...

FTA will catalyze EU-Malaysia trade. Karl Godderis, CEO of Eurocham discusses the current state of trade relations between Europe and Malaysia, the ongoing volatility affecting global trade, and more and the benefits of concluding the EU-Malaysia FTA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moody’s Descriptor: Moody’s is a brand name that is arguably best identified as a credit ratings agency, but its biggest revenues come from its non-ratings business, Moody’s Analytics. How much of a foothold does Moody’s have in the extremely competitive data analytics industry, especially in Southeast Asia? We find out from Wael Jadallah, General Manager and Head of Asia Pacific & the Middle...

Donald Trump has unleashed uncertainty after uncertainty in the 80 days since taking office as President of the United States for a second term. The latest is his imposition of tariffs on practically all of America's trading partners on Earth. Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, the pro-vice chancellor for External Engagement at Taylor's University, and Dr Afzanizam Rashid, Bank Muamalat's chief economist...

Johore has ambitions to be the state to attract the most investments in Malaysia. Is SEZ the catalytic project that will be the game changer? We speak to Lee Ting Han, Johor State EXCO Member for Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs & Human Resources to find out if this time round, plans will turn into reality. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A slowdown in demand for goods due to US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs is a major downside risk for logistics players, including Westports Malaysia Bhd. Back in the hot seat is Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, Executive Chairman of Westports Holdings Bhd, to discuss the company’s growth plans, how Trump tariffs might affect it, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Construction player and property developer, Lim Seong Hai Capital Bhd, transferred from the LEAP Market of Bursa Malaysia after less than four years and debuted on the ACE Market recently. Brandon Lim, its executive director, discusses the challenges of navigating the pandemic until today, as it looks to also become a facilities management company, following its concession contract to manage the i...

Sumisaujana Group Berhad, a Malaysian firm specialising in oil and gas specialty and industrial chemicals, is gearing up for its debut on the ACE Market on April 9. CEO Norazlam Norbi joins us to discuss the company’s IPO and how the RM74 million ringgit raised will fund regional expansion, digital transformation, and new infrastructure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia emerged from 2024 on strong economic footing, but how resilient is the country's foundation to withstand potential global turbulence? And as conditions become more challenging, how might this affect the appetite for much needed reforms? We discuss these themes with Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, Distinguished Fellow at the Institute for Capital Market Research Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener...

What is the state of inclusion for autistic persons in the Malaysian working environment? On World Autism Awareness Day, we discuss this with Beatrice Leong, Founder of the Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group (AIDA) and Florence Tan, Corporate Sustainability Leader of PwC Malaysia. For the full transcript, click here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wholesale grocery sector is notoriously competitive given its high-volume low-margin business model. So what’s the story behind the Sri Ternak Group, which began as a livestock and agricultural business in 1979 before evolving into one of the fastest growing wholesale retailers in Selangor? We discuss the ambitions of Sri Ternak Group with its Group CEO, Dato’ Raymond Ho. Image Credit: Shutter...

Sorento Capital Bhd, a bathroom and kitchenware distributor, was listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia in late October last year. Lee Chee Keong, their Executive Director tells us about their strategy for growth, the intense competition in a very fragmented market and why the stock is worth considering despite the expensive valuations. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listene...

In Budget 2025, the Madani Government increased its allocation for the Ministry of Health by 10% to 43.5 billion ringgit. So how will this benefit pharmaceutical players like Duopharma Biotech Bhd that rely heavily on government procurements? We discuss the company’s fortunes and prospects with Group Managing Director Leonard Ariff. Image Credit: Duopharma Biotech Berhad See omnystudio.com/listene...

The Malaysian real estate sector was upbeat in 2024, and this is reflected in the full year earnings of mid-cap property developer Paramount Corporation, which scored its third year of total revenues over the RM1 billion ringgit mark. Can this momentum be sustained into 2025 in light of the economic headwinds at play? We discuss Paramount's expansion strategy, sales outlook and why the Urban Renew...

As many debate whether the oil and gas sector is in structural decline, Perdana Petroleum Berhad posted its biggest net profit in 18 years. Despite this strong performance, what is the new phase of growth and is this compnay overshadowed by big sister, Dayang? Questions we pose to Jamalludin Obeng, their Managing Director. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia, or LKIM, has been at the forefront of shaping policies, supporting fishermen, and ensuring sustainable seafood production since its inception in 1971. Its chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil discusses how LKIM is steering the industry forward amid rising costs, climate change and an evolving market landscape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

The Kingdom of Bhutan is often referred to as the happiest country, having pioneered the Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index as a multi-dimensional metric of national development, beyond GDP growth. But in the post-pandemic era, how is Bhutan navigating the geopolitical and socio-economic challenges that could threaten the well-being of its population? We discuss how Bhutan is revamping its image...

Issues surrounding Malaysia’s healthcare sector have become increasingly discussed in political settings, as it faces challenges such as overcrowding and a shortage of medical workers. To help us assess the state of our healthcare system and explore potential policy interventions, Philip See will be speaking with Dr. Khor Swee Kheng, CEO of Angsana Health and a Specialist in Public Policy. See omn...

From the early days of independence to the present, Malaysia has missed key opportunities to build a truly united nation. Phillip See speaks with Datuk Mohamad Hussein, author of “How Malaysia Missed Seven Chances in Nation Building”, about the lessons from these moments and their impact on the country's future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As climate change wreaks havoc on weather patterns around the world, how equipped is MetMalaysia to forecast inclement weather in order to prepare for increasingly severe natural disasters? We go behind the scenes of MetMalaysia operations with the Director-General Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has ambitions to be a digital economy and cashless society. How are we progressing on that front and what role does TNG Digital play? Questions we pose to Alan Ni, their CEO whilst asking if they are keeping their market share with the arrival of digital banks in Malaysia, and how its business has evolved the path to profitability. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listene...

Malaysia's retail landscape continues to evolve with shifting consumer behaviour, uneven government policy implementations and rising cost of living. Datuk Wira Ameer Ali Mydin, the MD of Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd and advisor to the Bumiputera Retailers' Organisation, talks to us about his business as well as what he would like to see the government do to make life easier for both retailers and c...