Enterprise Explores

While logistics rents across Asia-Pacific are contracting for the first time since the pandemic, Malaysia's industrial real estate market is holding steady. So what's driving this unique resilience, and how is demand evolving in a post-e-commerce boom era? Allan Sim, Senior Executive Director at Knight Frank Malaysia, joins us to break down the findings from their latest report. He discusses how M...

The rise of polyworking, juggling multiple jobs and side hustles, has been linked to over 6 million cyberattacks in just six months, according to Kaspersky. This new way of working is creating a perfect storm for cybercrime, dramatically expanding the digital attack surface for both individuals and the organizations they work for. Cybersecurity expert CF Fong, Founder & Executive Chairman of L...

Global EV sales continue to rise, but the reputation of the industry is becoming more complex and exposed. While some markets enjoy a wave of optimism driven by innovation and policy support, others face mounting scrutiny over safety, affordability, and supply chain ethics. Tefik Lajthia, Director of Global Insight + Intelligence at The Penta Group, joins us to unpack the findings from their globa...

With 94% of APAC bank CEOs citing AI as a key priority, the race is on to move beyond simple chatbots and pilot projects. But what separates the top 10% of "forerunner" banks from the rest, and what does it take to turn AI into a real engine for growth? Doriss Chow, Managing Director for Financial Services at Accenture Malaysia, joins us to share insights on how leading banks are making strategic,...

In a global Ipsos study spanning 32 countries, Malaysia stands out. The age we say “old age” begins has risen from 56 to 60 in just seven years, making us an outlier in Southeast Asia. Six in ten Malaysians also look forward to later life, far above the global average, and we slightly underestimate how long we will live. What is driving this change in perception and sentiment, and what does it rev...

Retirement: It's an 'Income Problem,' Not an EPF Problem. Proposals to restructure the EPF aim to solve Malaysia's retirement crisis by creating a pension-like income stream for retirees. But what if the problem isn't the EPF system itself, but a much deeper issue with our income and corresponding quality of education? Rajen Devadason, Licensed Financial Planner with Manulife Investment Management...

Five years after a massive accounting scandal and a dramatic NASDAQ delisting, Luckin Coffee has staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in corporate history, growing to over 26,000 stores. But the real story isn't just the recovery; it's the powerful, digital-first system that fuels its explosive growth. Jianggan Li, CEO of Momentum Works, joins us to dissect this incredible turnaround, based...

Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli says letting students finish school at 16 could get Malaysians into the workforce by 21, giving the economy a boost as the population ages. Critics warn it could leave young people underprepared and deepen inequality. With Parliament having just made secondary education compulsory until 17, is Malaysia ready to rethink the school-leaving age, and what would it...

Following recent amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), it is now mandatory for certain Malaysian companies to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO). With the deadline having passed on June 1st, are you compliant, and what does this new role actually entail for your business? Tech lawyers Ong Johnson and Lo Khai Yi from Halim Hong & Quek join us to break down the new guidelin...

By 2030, one in five Malaysians will be over the age of 60 — a demographic shift that’s prompting the government to review whether the current retirement age of 60 still makes sense. With proposals on the table to raise it to 65, what would this mean for businesses, workers, and the economy? Sam Baxendale, Co-Founder & CEO of Kinetik Hiring, joins us to explore the policy drivers, workplace re...

As global capital becomes increasingly mobile, Multipolitans are a new class of wealthy individuals seeking cities that can not only grow their wealth but preserve it for the future. A new report from Multipolitan reveals one city is quietly setting the global benchmark for stability and sustainability. So, what makes Singapore so attractive, and where does Malaysia stand? Nirbhay Handa, CEO of th...

As Malaysia prepares to host SME Venture@ASEAN 2025 in October under its ASEAN Chairmanship, the spotlight is on how local businesses can break past domestic limits and seize regional opportunities. But while ASEAN is often touted as a natural growth market for Malaysian SMEs, the journey beyond our borders remains filled with challenges. We speak with Rizal Dato’ Nainy, CEO of SME Corp Malaysia,...

When a takeover or privatisation offer lands, minority shareholders face a tough choice, often needing to decipher complex documents and jargon. What's the difference between an offer that's 'fair' versus one that's merely 'reasonable,' and how can you protect your interests? Dr. Ismet Yusoff, CEO of the Minority Shareholders Watch Group (MSWG), joins us to demystify the world of corporate actions...

With its ASEAN Chairmanship and a maturing ecosystem, Malaysia stands at a pivotal moment for its fintech ambitions. But as AI disrupts roadmaps and regional competition intensifies, is our window to become a true fintech gateway for ASEAN closing fast? Anil Gill and Marc Fong from the Fintech Association of Malaysia (FAOM) join us to provide a perspective on the state of the industry. They discus...

Procurement isn’t just about cutting costs — it’s also one of the most overlooked tools for creating social impact and long-term business value. As ESG pressures mount and supply chains come under greater scrutiny, companies have a powerful opportunity to rethink how and from whom they buy. Today, we speak with Rashvin Pal Singh, Group CEO of Biji-biji Initiative, and Redza Shahid Ridzuan, Assista...

Behind every board decision lies a web of unspoken dynamics; trust, conflict, power, and culture. Tay Kay Luan, CEO of FIDE FORUM, joins us to share the findings from their study on board culture in Malaysia's financial institutions. He explains how cultural norms like "high power distance" can stifle debate, the crucial role of the chairperson in fostering open discussion, and why cognitive diver...

With the crypto market crossing a $4 trillion valuation and the US passing sweeping new regulations like the "Genius" and "Clarity" Acts, digital assets are having their 'legitimacy moment.' But what do these new rules actually mean, and how will they ripple across the globe to markets like Malaysia? Hann Liew, Founder and CEO of Halogen Capital, a licensed fund manager, specialising in digital as...

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo recently projected that Malaysia could unlock over US$113 billion in productivity gains through generative AI. But while national initiatives like the AI Office and Google Cloud partnerships grab headlines, are SMEs and startups truly ready to reap the benefits? Or will these gains flow mostly to large corporates and tech giants? Warren Leow, Founding member of Ko...

Malaysia's population is projected to peak in 35 years and then begin to decline. While this sounds alarming, our guest argues that it's not a crisis, but a predictable, long-term shift that presents both challenges and opportunities for the nation. Economist Dr. Geoffrey Williams joins us to explore the macroeconomic implications of this demographic maturity. He explains why future economic growt...

Machines now outnumber humans in digital environments—automated apps, cloud workloads, and bots are everywhere. But while these identities hold access to critical systems, most organisations still treat security as a human-only concern. New data from CyberArk's Identity Security Landscape report shows 78% of security leaders in Asia Pacific experienced breaches linked to compromised machine identi...

In the first half of 2025, Malaysia's IPO market solidified its position as a regional powerhouse, capturing an incredible 66% of all capital raised in Southeast Asia. But as global headwinds and trade tensions persist, is this impressive momentum sustainable? Wong Kar Choon, a Transactions Accounting Support Partner at Deloitte Malaysia, joins us to unpack the findings from their latest report on...

Malaysia’s rising household debt is more than just a financial issue — it’s a symptom of a deeper economic shift As stable, well-paying industrial jobs give way to more precarious service roles, many Malaysians are leaning on credit just to keep up with the cost of living. We speak with Dr Paul Anthony, Senior Lecturer at Taylor’s University, about how deindustrialisation is chipping away at incom...

The AI arms race is heating up, and big tech giants have a new weapon: the 'acqui-hire 2.0.' Instead of buying companies, they are poaching entire teams of key talent, often leaving behind a 'shell of a company' and disrupting the startup ecosystem. Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO of 1337 Ventures, joins us to dissect this complex and aggressive new trend. He explains the strategic motivations behind thes...

As the US Federal Reserve faces intense political pressure to slash interest rates, the debate over central bank independence and its global impact is heating up. But what are the real dangers of setting "artificial" interest rates, whether they are politically motivated or not? Economist Dr. Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of the Center for Market Education, joins us to make his radical case against the fou...

Kuala Lumpur’s rapid modernisation is transforming neighbourhoods, but at what cost? With megaprojects like the MRT3 on the rise, long-standing community hubs such as the Jalan Kelang Lama wet market are under threat. Recently delisted from the KL Local Plan 2040 and earmarked for commercial redevelopment, the market’s uncertain future highlights a familiar pattern where “upgrades” leave behind gh...