The Breakfast Grille

The threat of cyber security is ever increasing. While BAE Systems is traditionally associated with military hardware, particularly their Typhoon Eurofighter,  they are also investing heavily in promoting cyber defence to many countries, including Malaysia. We sit down with John Brosnan, BAE Systems Managing Director for South East Asia to learn more about their growth strategies for this reg...

There are too many medical graduates but too few specialists leaving healthcare needs unfulfilled. Doctors and specialists are lured by lucrative positions in the private sector. Medical qualifications have become a commercial, supply side focus while healthcare funding and proper policy are left wanting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YB Senator Dato' Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, the Deputy Minister in the PM's Department in charge of Religious Affairs, discusses the role of the government in determining what being Shariah compliant means, the controversies surrounding Tabung Haji and other Islamic NGOs like YaPEIM and JAKIM. We also find out why the government believes that Zakir Naik is the voice of moderation. See omnystudio.com...

Listen to Michael Tan, Executive Director of Pecca Group Berhad, discuss the listing of the company on Bursa Malaysia. They are a leather upholstery manufacturer and currently have a large client base in car makers. They plan to diversify into aircraft clients pending their approval from the DCA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) recently compiled a list of the top 10 risks to the global economy, which included the possibility of Donald Trump winning the US presidential elections, a hard landing in China and the likelihood of a 'Brexit'. Simon Baptist, the Chief Economist at EIU walks us through the list, and shares his views of the most pressing concerns in today's increasingly volatil...

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPAC) are still under scrutiny but can Reach Energy stay above the rest? Listen to their CEO, Ir. Shahul Hamid explain their position. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) is one of the world's largest pulp and paper company. Tracing its origins from the Suharto regime in Indonesia, APP is now operating in over 120 countries globally. Listen to Jose Raymond, APP's Vice President of Corporate Affairs explain how APP is combating haze and pollution, while at the same time remain profitable and commercially viable. He also explains how Singa...

In his postscript to his collection of columns and speeches titled “The Malaysia That Could Be” the former Editor-in-Chief of the New Straits Times Press Bhd lays bare the country’s political dynamics as he sees. Having had a leading role in helping the Administration of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi set the early course of his government, Kalimullah speaks to issues of leadership, &ldqu...

Tower sharing can greatly lower capex cost for telco players. OCK takes this proposition to other emerging Asean economies where mobile usage growth is expected to be strong. It helps that Telenor is also OCK's customer, giving OCK a bluechip insulation from some of the political risker nations in the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On February 18th, the Human Resources Ministry signed a MoU with Bangladesh to bring in 1.5 million workers, over the next three years. The very next day, the Home Ministry announced a freeze on the intake of all foreign workers. And happening concurrently is the rehiring programme to legalise undocumented foreign workers. We sit down with Deputy Home Minister, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, to cut thr...

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) claims that sales of illicit cigarettes are on the rise. Listen to JTI's MD, Guilherme Silva explain why he thinks the industry is at a 'tipping point' on the back of the aggressive excise sales tax imposed by the government in recent months. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Environmentalism has a price and can be funded easily if spread around all consumers according to Dato' Carl-Bek Nielsen, Chief Executive Director of United Plantations. We look at some of the most prominent issues in the palm oil sector today including labour, biodiesel and the proposed French tax on palm oil. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Bolze, the president and CEO of GE Power discusses the impact of low commodity prices on GE’s power generation technology businesses. We also speak to Marco Annunziata the Chief Economist at GE, responsible for the global economic analysis that guides GE’s business strategy.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The industrial building system comprises prefabricated materials that are supposed to pave the way for cheaper homes. The CIDB estimates IBS homes are one-third the normal cost of conventional construction. So why is adoption so low? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RGB International is a company that distributes slot machines to the various casinos here in Malaysia and in Asia. Listen to their COO, Datuk Steven Lim explain how the company plans to take this business further by penetrating nascent economies in Indochina and the Philippines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The campaign for justice over the oil resources of the Timor Sea kicked off in earnest last week. The activist group calls itself the ‘Movement Against the Occupation of the Timor Sea’ with protests held in Dili, the capital of Timor Leste and cities in Australia and in ASEAN. These are protests against Australia's refusal to negotiate with East Timor. According to the Sydney Morning H...

1MDB’s Mr Fixit ‘It’s business challenge that’s been politicized,’ insists Arul Kanda Kandasamy, President and Group Executive Director of 1MDB. His cherubic looks belies a full grasp of the facts to defend, what many stakeholders strongly believe is, the indefensible. “We can’t stop people telling lies,” he added to an over hour long interview with...

En route to Bursa Malaysia's main market, convenience store player Bison Consolidated operates the myNEWS.com outlets in Malaysia. It has aggressive expansion plans to open 115 stores using the funds raised from its IPO. Group MD, Dang Tai Luk explains the decision to list, amidst softer market sentiment and a weaker outlook for the consumer sector.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Bukit Bintang City Centre Project is an ambitious development situated on none other than the former Pudu Jail site. The first phase of the project is already estimated to cost over RM 4 billion with multiple blocks of serviced apartments, hotels and an entertainment hub in the pipeline. Datuk Richard Ong, the CEO of BBCC Development Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between UDA Holdings and Eco World Berh...

It's crunch time for Sona Petroleum. They must get at least 75% shareholders approval for a purchase on an oilfield in Australia, of which  failure will mean the dissolution of the company. Listen to Datuk Seri Saw Choo Boon, VP of Business Development explain how they plan to get this done. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 20 years in service and more than 15 million cards in circulation, Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd is seeking to move beyond travel and transit, by building its network of merchant partnerships. CEO Syahrunizam Samsudin thinks technological innovation will be key to achieving its goals.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HeveaBoard Berhad, which manufactures and exports particleboard and ready-to-assemble furniture, has been a prime beneficiary of the strong US dollar and weaker Ringgit, as 95% of its revenues are USD-based, while its cost is RM-based. We ask Group Managing Director Yoong Hau Chun how long the good times will last, for the company. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private international Islamic schools are becoming increasingly popular in Malaysia. The Breakfast Grille brings together a panel of Islamic school principals to discuss why such schools are gaining popularity, as well as the business of private education in Malaysia. Zulfan Haidar, Principal  for International Islamic School Malaysia (Secondary) and Zaliza Alias, Director of Idrissi Internat...

Fujitsu is a company that has been reinventing themselves recently. Listen to Philip Soh, President of Fujitsu Malaysia as he explains their expansionary plans for Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mammoth Forest City project is a JV between local partners led by the Sultan of Johor and giant Chinese property firm Country Garden. 700,000 residential units will be housed in 4 man-made islands over the next 2 decades in a project that will cost RM175b. We explore the genesis and end-results of this controversial project. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.