The Breakfast Grille

World Children’s Day 2025 is a timely reminder of the growing challenges governments, schools, and parents face in keeping children safe in the digital age. Saskia Blume, Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF Malaysia, highlights the alarming rise in both online and real-world crimes against children, drawing on UNICEF’s latest research. She also shares insights on the critical support and skills ch...

We mark World Toilet Day by examining one of Malaysia’s most overlooked essentials, our national sewerage system. Rising costs, ageing infrastructure, climate risks and rapid urbanisation are straining Malaysia’s sewerage system. We speak to Indah Water Konsortium’s CEO Narendran Maniam, on how it is tackling this issue and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1.8 million people will be voting in the Sabah elections, of which more than half a million will be under the age of 30. However, voter turnout for this segment is low at just 55%. We speak to grassroots movement HAI MANDAK, as to why this is the case and what are the issues facing young Sabahans. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A total of 596 candidates are vying for 73 seats in Sabah’s 17th state election. We ask Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, leader of Warisan as to why his party has decided to contest in every seat,  what does the campaign message of "Save Sabah" mean against the backdrop of MA63 and his chances of becoming the next Chief Minister. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Daniella Ortega Menezes, Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia Brazil describes the increasing number of potential investments and trade opportunities between Malaysia and Brazil including one in the semiconductor industry. She also talks about Brazil’s potential trade deal with the US and COP30 which is held in Belem this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As demand for AI and cloud computing soars, the Bain Capital-backed, Singapore-based, Bridge Data Centres is betting big on Southeast Asia and Malaysia in particular. CEO Eric Fan explains where their next hyperscale hubs will likely rise as well as how to keep them cool, efficient, environmentally sound and profitable. We also find out if going public is in their plans. See omnystudio.com/listene...

Sarawak is pushing to become a regional digital powerhouse, targeting a 25% contribution of the digital economy to its GDP by 2030. Dato Sudarnoto Osman, CEO of the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), unpacks the company’s strategy to achieve this goal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Slovenia, a small nation of 2 million inhabitants, is a member of the EU and NATO navigating the complexities of modern geopolitics. Marko Ham, its Ambassador to Malaysia, based in Canberra, Australia, outlines the country's diplomatic strategy in Southeast Asia and where it stands in an increasingly divided planet. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

By 2044, Malaysia will face a “silver tsunami”, with 14% of its population aged 65 and above. Chai Sen Tyng, Senior Research Officer at MyAgeing, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and New Sin Yew, Constitutional Lawyer, discuss whether Malaysia is ready for an ageing population. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sabah state elections scheduled for the end of November will be a crucial test for the Madani Government as well as the various political factions and alliances that uniquely operate in the state. We discuss some of the themes to watch during the campaign season with economist Dr. Saizal Pinjaman of Universiti Malaysia Sabah and political analyst Jo-Anna Henley Rampas of Universiti Malaysia Sa...

With US President Donald Trump declaring his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping “a 12 out of 10,” we ask how much of it is hyperbole and how much is substance. Dr Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation, and Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy at Mizuho Bank , share their thoughts on events of the past week and how it might guide world economic growth in 2...

Amid the widespread rise of far-right sentiment in European politics in recent years, Romania has managed to maintain a pro-EU government in its recent elections. But what are the challenges it faces in ensuring political stability at a time of economic uncertainty and the ongoing war in Ukraine? We discuss the dynamics shaping Romania’s future and its bilateral relations with Malaysia with H.E. N...

KNM Group is officially delisted from Bursa Malaysia today, ending its journey as a publicly listed company since 2003. The move should enable it to sell its flagship asset, Borsig, and reduce the company’s debt. Ravindrasingham Balasingham, Group CEO & Executive Director, KNM Group Bhd, shares insights on the company’s next steps and turnaround plan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Every year on October 10th, World Homeless Day reminds us that homelessness is not just a local problem, but a global one. Yet in Malaysia, it remains a complex and often misunderstood issue. Dr Nur Fareza Mustapha of Khazanah Research Institute and Shyam Priah Marimuthu, CEO of Yellow House KL, help us unpack the realities behind Malaysia’s homeless population, from the root causes to the stigma...

Do all companies benefit from the AI boom and how does a tech company navigate the US-China trade tensions. Questions we pose to Dato’ Phua Khein Seng, CEO of Phison Electronics  whilst also asking why investors should pay attention to its stock even after it has rallied by 100% on a year to date basis despite the intense competition and cyclical nature of the business. Image Credit: Shutters...

As internal cracks deepen within Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional braces for the Sabah state election and GE16 thereafter, questions loom over the coalition’s cohesion and credibility. Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, Bersatu deputy president and Leader of the Opposition discusses efforts to contain party infighting, PN’s electoral prospects in Sabah, and whether he sees himself as the next prime&n...

World Cities Day is celebrated on Oct 31st every year and this year’s theme is “People-centred Smart Cities”, a reminder that technology and innovation should serve people, not the other way around. Award-winning architect and sustainability advocate  Dr Tan Loke Mun and urban planning and design consultant, Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar, give their perspectives on Malaysian cities with a special focu...

Malaysia wrapped up its year as ASEAN chair with a high-profile summit attended by world leaders, including US President Donald Trump. We speak with Jayan Menon, Visiting Senior Fellow, ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, and Elina Noor, Senior Fellow, Asia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, on Malaysia’s achievements, ASEAN’s strategic challenges, and what lies ahead for the&...

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gets into conversation with Professor Ngaire Woods of Oxford University at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit on Canada’s engagement with ASEAN, trade diversification, negotiating trade deals and efforts to promote sustainable and inclusive growth across the region See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is the chair of ASEAN at a time of geopolitical flux and economic volatility, as the major global superpowers battle for a new equilibrium. How are US businesses navigating the currents in Southeast Asia? We discuss the lay of the land with Ambassador Brian McFeeters, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. This interview was recorded on Friday, 24 October ahead of the 47th...

Munira Mustaffa, Executive Director of the Chasseur Group, and Dr. Benjamin Loh, Course Director for the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communication at Monash University, discuss the growing threat of media disinformation, why it remains such a widespread risk, and how we can build a more media-literate society. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spain is strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia through trade, diplomacy, and shared global priorities, while balancing its commitments within NATO and advocating for peace in Palestine. Philip See speaks with Spanish Ambassador to Malaysia H.E. José Luis Pardo-Cuerdo to understand Madrid’s global outlook and engagement with the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarawak-based Insights Analytics Bhd has built its business helping utilities cut water losses through data and IoT. It is now en route to a listing on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market. Frank Wee, the company's managing director, discusses what IAB's next phase of growth might look like. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ooi Can Nix, CEO of THMY Holdings Bhd, tells us how the company is tapping into the AI boom through its hyperscaler clients, the crucial role of testing in the back end of the E&E value chain, and how it plans to utilise the proceeds from its ACE Market listing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JS Solar Holding Bhd,an ACE Market–listed company in the solar industry, is charting steady growth post-IPO. Managing Director Johnson Chai Jeun Sian discusses how the company differentiates itself in a market of over 250 competitors, its contract with GSPARX, a TNB subsidiary, and its expansion into battery storage solutions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.