The Breakfast Grille

Internet giant Tencent is making waves in the world circuit to strengthen its network & monetize from its growing user base. SY Lau a Malaysian, who heads the Online Media Group shares the group's frontiers on its wildly popular WeChat messaging platform, creating original content and what Malaysia can do to drive its digital aspirations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zilzar, meaning “earthquake” in Arabic, is a global e-commerce trade and lifestyle platform, which aims to bring together products, services and information in a one-stop Muslim Lifestyle Marketplace. Rushdi Siddiqui, the CEO of Zilzar tells us more about the monetisation of this business model and the overall ecosystem of the halal market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

From the big picture question on China and the Pacific Century, the “shifting economic centre of gravity” to the successes and failures of the National Economic Advisory Council (2009-2011) and the threats to Malaysian diversity, we engage on the grand narratives as well as the values debates - state-lead versus market driven - that shape our contemporary world.  See omnystudio.co...

The FCC in the US passed the "net neutrality" rule  which forbids tiered pricing for internet users. Big ISPs can no longer say this curbs innovation or stifles free market activity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pantai Holdings is wholly-owned by Parkway Pantai Limited, which in turn is a subsidiary of IHH Healthcare. Pantai Holdings has a network of twelve hospitals throughout Malaysia under two brands, Pantai Hospitals and Gleneagles Hospitals. Collectively, the group has some 2,000 beds, with over 170,000 admissions a year. Ahmad Shahizam Mohd Shariff, the CEO of Pantai Holdings, discusses the drivers...

Prolexus is a garments manufacturer, or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for international brands like Nike, Under Armour and Asics. Ahmad Mustapha Ghazali, the Executive Chairman of Prolexus Berhad talks about customer concentration risk, labour issues, and the company's expansion plans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Symbion International Sdn Bhd is the Malaysian unit of the Chicago-based global pharma giant, Symbion. SISB recently introduced a new store format: a warehouse-concept community pharmacy called The Super Pharmacy Megastore. David Mah, the Managing Director of Symbion International, talked about the ‘Dispensing Separation’ policy between doctors and pharmacists to be implemented soon. H...

Malaysia was estimated to have lost over US$48.93 billion (RM170.7 billion) in illicit outflows in 2012, making it a cumulative US$394.87 billion during a 10-year period between 2003 through 2012. Raymond Baker shares why emerging countries like Malaysia are still susceptible to such leakages and what are the reforms to stem them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the Asean Economic Community (AEC) something that excites businesses in the European Union or is it just same old, same old? Do participants even have a clear idea what it is? We try to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Dr Rebecca Sta Maria, Secretary General, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) gives an update on the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations, its "aspirational deadlines", and no-go policy areas. Listen to the podcast for an insider's take on Malaysia at the negotiating table. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Among the first listings of 2015, health-supplement company Bioalpha Holdings Berhad, which listed on the ACE Market on 14 April 2015, has big plans to tap into new markets like the Middle East & Indonesia with the funds it has raised. MD William Hon also discusses valuations, forex volatility and its strategy for expanding its distribution network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Goh Peng Ooi thinks there's nothing new in the new economy. That kind of philosophy or at least Silverlake's version of that philosophy has enabled them to be a dominant force in banking software. However, have they become to cozy with their banking sector strengths? We also glean details of expansion plans, especially into China. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Muhammad Rizhan bin Mohd Razif, Head of Corporate Finance & Strategy at Damansara Realty Bhd, discusses the entry of the well-connected Johor businessman Datuk Daing Malek, and how he has altered the profile of this formerly staid property, construction and services firm.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) represents 28,000 employees from the clerical and non-clerical sector of Malaysia's commercial banks. Trade unions however are seeing an overall declining trend in membership. Only a mere 9% of Malaysia's 11 million workers are unionised -- lagging far behind nations like Japan, the UK and Singapore. What does the decline in membership mean for unions' '...

Once dubbed the "Iron Lady", the former Minister of International Trade and Industry, shares her thoughts on the Goods and Services tax (GST), Malaysian Airlines, the role of government, car prices, the ASEAN Economic Community, the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, the leadership of both Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Razak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Rocket Internet has a mission to be the World's Largest Internet Platform outside of China and the US. Its portfolio of companies include the wildly popular and successful groups like Lazada, Foodpanda, and Zalora. Kiren Tanna shares what are the group's strategies for the Asia-Pac region and the potential he sees. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legal scholar Professsor He Jiahong who currently teaches criminal law and anti-corruption investigation techniques to both students and government officials at the Renmin University in Beijing is also a best-selling author. He shares with us how the Communist Party is tackling corruption in the growing nation and his concept of amnesty & for stricter reforms forcing officials to disclose thei...

Amin Halim Rasip doesn't believe that there's a "fight" between Integrax and Tenaga - this is just the normal course of business for him. We look into the finer points of the M&A overtures and Amin's possible responses. For a port that is highly dependent on Tenaga for business, we also look at Integrax's strategic direction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to an eminent historian and China expert on the story of Asia’s transformation. From his childhood in pre-World War Two Ipoh to the effects of Cold War politics on his career to the dramatic moments that’s marked his six decades as a student of history. Professor Wang gives his view on the contradictions between China’s rapid economic development and its stunted politica...

Petronas continues to be the dominant giver of Malaysian oil and gas awards based on policies of national interests. Would the oil price rout force more competition into the sector in order to safeguard national coffers? Meanwhile, Barakah's strong balance sheet and healthy annual cash flows open up acquisition possibilities, but at what cost? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E.H. Lim, CEO of Eduspec Holdings Bhd comes on the Breakfast Grille to talk about the business of education. Eduspec, formerly known as Litespeed Education, provides IT literacy material for primary and secondary, including providing IT and language labs, e-learning and school management systems among others. The company recently finished a placement, so we ask about the plans for the money it rai...

Ali Jaleel, Country Manager, Philips Group of Companies, Malaysia, discusses its move into consumer lifestyle healthcare and lighting; macro prospects and competition; RGT weakness, GST introduction, dealing with the government and prospects. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The various quantitative easing policies (QEs) have pushed up prices of financial assets and widened inequality. The World Development Report 2015 on "Mind, Society, and Behaviour" explores psychological and cognitive dimensions in addressing poverty but that depends on how quickly such thoughts can be translated to policy. This is coming at a time when the so-called Washington Consensus (loosely...

What is bad for humanity may not be bad for business. In fact, breaching ethical rules often results in a competitive advantage, until bad reputation catches with you. Running an ethical accreditation service requires breaking down blurred lines in the world of business. We also ask Ethical Alliance whether the commercial service of setting ethical standards is conflicting and counter-intuitive. S...

Established in 2011, DagangHalal provides a single E-commerce platform for consumers worldwride to source and purchase Halal products and services. Mohamed Hazli shares the potential of the Islamic e-commerce market and the challenges in verifying the the halal status & certification checks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.