Enterprise Explores

With the phased implementation of the mandatory e-invoicing starting in 3 weeks time, today we check-in with Datuk William Ng, President of the Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA) about how businesses, in particular SMEs, are feeling about the incoming regime. We get into how businesses are coping to meet the requirements, their key concerns and friction points, and what else can or...

Malaysia's port and freight industry, particularly Port Klang, has faced significant challenges recently due to local and global dynamics. As a key maritime hub in Southeast Asia, Port Klang has seen increased congestion, with ships taking up to nine hours to dock. This congestion is influenced by global supply chain disruptions, geopolitical conflicts like the Red Sea issue, and evolving trade po...

Today, Enterprise Explores the Ipsos 2024 AI Monitor report and whether we should or should not fear a future with artificial intelligence. This is the third edition of the annual report, and the survey was conducted in 32 different countries. The focus this year was on the changing attitudes among individuals and businesses towards usage of AI, where AI will have the biggest impact, and what a fu...

Individuals dealing with cryptocurrency trading in Malaysia are subject to income tax, this is a quote from LHDN CEO Datuk Dr Abu Tariq Jamaluddin following a special operation dubbed Ops Token that happened a few weeks back. In collaboration with the police and Cyber Security Malaysia, the operation was done to curb tax revenue leakage in cryptocurrency trading and improve the country's tax admin...

In the world of international sports, the design of a nation's official attire is more than just fabric and threads — it is a powerful symbol of national pride and identity. Recently, Malaysia's official contingent attire for the Paris 2024 Olympics, which was revealed on 23 June 2024, sparked significant controversy, drawing criticism from many who felt it did not adequately represent the country...

As we navigate the complexities of global mental health, it’s clear that Malaysia, like many nations, faces unique challenges in this arena. From workplace stress to societal pressures, the Malaysian landscape offers only a glimpse of the broader global trends in mental health issues at the workplace. In today’s discussion, we speak with Jason Leong, Founder and CEO of BETTERMINDS, a company that...

Last week, early-stage focused Venture Capital firm Antler announced that they would be investing $27 million into startups in Southeast Asia over the next six months, with $3 million earmarked for 5 startups in Malaysia. Antler has been actively expanding its footprint in the region and has already invested in seven Malaysian startups. Joining us today to discuss this development is Frank Kang, A...

In a recent report on corporate Malaysia by Remote, a global HR platform, Malaysia has been ranked as the second worst country for work-life balance among 60 nations. This statistic seems alarming and highlights a critical issue that impacts the well-being of employees and the overall productivity and competitiveness of businesses in this country. As the modern workforce increasingly values balanc...

The semiconductor industry has long been a cornerstone of Malaysia's technological and economic landscape. In response to soaring global demand, Malaysia has launched an ambitious US$5.3 billion National Semiconductor Strategy to cement its position as a key global player. This strategy, structured into three phases, aims to drive technological advancements, enhance talent development, and promote...

Did you know that Malaysia is Wise’s fastest growing market in APAC and that Asia represents around 20% of revenue today? Following Wise’s expanded presence in Singapore along with new local leadership hires, in this episode of Enterprise Explores, we explore what this signals about the company’s focus and strategy for the rest of the region, including Malaysia, with Shrawan Saraogi, the Asia Paci...

“Boards are never static. They should be agile. They should be refreshed every now and then. And they should be diverse.” Michele Kythe Lim, Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) Enterprise Explores why Malaysian boards and directors need to step up or step out in an era of escalating risks with Michele Kythe Lim, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM)...

The topic of layoffs, particularly in the tech and gaming industry, has been a concern over the last couple of years and by the looks of it, 2024 is shaping up to be even worse than 2023. In fact, reports suggest that the gaming industry saw at least 8,100 people laid off in just the first two months of 2024.  Some of the notable companies that went through layoffs include: (25th JAN) IGN and...

Testing business models, product designs, and strategies are part and parcel of building and doing business, and in recent decades, behavioural and social science has become more commonplace in business, particularly in branding and marketing. Today on Enterprise Explores, we’re going to expand upon this and dive into the role that experiments and the scientific method can play in making better da...

Enterprise Explores OPEC+ and its new strategy, which includes extending production cuts and publishing an 18-month output schedule for key members. Despite efforts to stabilize the market, oil prices continue to slip, reflecting complex market dynamics and potential internal tensions within the group. Formed in 2016, OPEC+ is a group of oil producing nations consisting of members of The Organizat...

Enterprise Explores the evolving nature of the green economy with insights from this year’s Southeast Asia Green Economy 2024 report published by Bain & Company, GenZero, Temasek, and Standard Chartered.  As Southeast Asia stands on the verge of a green transformation, this Bain & Company's Report offers critical insights into the region's progress and future potential in sustainable...

In today’s work environment, the integration of technology is reshaping traditional job roles and organisational structures. The rise of hybrid work models, increased focus on employee well-being, and the ever-growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion are just a few of the trends influencing the modern workplace. As businesses strive to adapt to these changes, there is a palpable shift towards l...

33,000 Malaysians lost RM1.3 billion lost to scams last year, and that’s only the number that was reported. With estimated that only 48% of cases are reported, Malaysians could have lost around RM2.6 billion last year (if we extrapolate). Scams are back in the news following news last week that a senior citizen lost over RM4 million to an investment scam. We also saw two of national badminton star...

Enterprise Explores delves into the intricacies of family business legacies, the strategies to keep the family business together, and navigating key challenges such as different leadership styles, holding onto traditions too tightly, and much more. We speak with Tai Lai Kok, Family Business Tax Leader at KPMG Private Enterprise in Malaysia, about all this as well as the findings from the recent KP...

As Malaysia advances its sustainability goals, focusing on integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations, sustainable investments have become increasingly important. The country's progress in sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) is evident, with 68 SRI funds totaling RM7.7 billion by the end of 2023, according to the Securities Commission Malaysia's Annual Report, supporte...

We address the critical issue of corruption impacting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. A recent Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) report reveals that 63% of SMEs fear rejecting bribery could lead to business loss. This highlights the significant challenges in maintaining ethical standards while competing in the market. We explore the types of corruption SM...

We dive into an initiative aimed at transforming downtown Kuala Lumpur into a vibrant creative and cultural district. This ambitious project, spearheaded by Think City, promises to rejuvenate the heart of our capital city, creating new opportunities for businesses, enhancing cultural engagement, and boosting economic growth. We unravel the intricacies of this transformation with Hamdan Abdul Majee...

We explore the latest findings on global talent mobility with insights from the new report, ‘Decoding Global Talent 2024 – Dream Destinations and Mobility Trends,’ by BCG, The Network, and The Stepstone Group. The report reveals which countries Malaysians prefer to relocate to for work, the reasons behind their willingness to move, and how Malaysia ranks as a destination for global talent. Discove...

'Nothing is certain except death and taxes', and while paying taxes may be a certainty, how much can be a very different story as we’ve seen just this week with the Court of Appeal ordering LHDN to refund a Penang-based manufacturer RM286 million for additional taxes and penalties imposed back in 2008. There are a variety of issues to unpack here, but today we dive into navigating tax disputes in...

Pixlr is at the forefront of AI-driven creative tools, recently featured at Google I/O 2024 as the ultimate AI editing tool for Chromebook users. In collaboration with Malaysia’s Ministry of Education, Pixlr is providing a free AI course worth RM1,000,000 to 500 teachers, revolutionising educational practices with AI. Today, we speak with Warren Leow, CEO at Pixlr Group to discuss their latest ini...

Sustainability and a clean energy future are topics that consumers are more interested in today than ever before. However, the majority are not willing to commit more resources to be more sustainable in their energy usage, according to the EY Energy Transition Consumer Insights Report 2024. The EY survey covered 100,000 residential energy consumers in 21 markets around the world over three years,...