The Breakfast Grille

Kucingko Berhad will become Malaysia's first animation company to list on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market by the end of July. It started life as Inspidea back in 2002 and has chalked up production credits from the Cartoon Network's Johnny Bravo to the BAFTA-nominated BBC series, Pet Squad. Its co-founder and executive director iCJ See talks about how this IPO might be the next step in this company's a...

This year, Malaysia-China celebrates 50 years of relations. We speak to Peter T. C. Chang, Deputy Director of the Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya on the evolution of this relationship and what the future may hold in this era of increased geopolitical tensions amidst integrated economic ties. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), a government agency under the Ministry of Digital has been tasked since 1996 to ensure that Malaysia becomes a digital economy. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC tells us if they are on path to achieve their goals despite the plethora of government agencies involved and what are the challenges ahead considering the digital divide and talent shortage. See omnys...

2023 was a banner year for Malaysian cinema in terms of international recognition, however the local industry was bogged down by low box office sales and film censorship controversies. Additionally the consequences of a shift to digitalisation continue to reverberate across the global industry. What role does FINAS play in this changing industry landscape? We discuss this with Datuk Azmir Sai...

The Twelfth Malaysia Plan targets to grow the economic contribution of MSMEs to 45% of GDP by 2025 from just under 40% currently. But do the policies at hand recognise the nuances of the MSME landscape, including those related to women entrepreneurs? To mark World MSME Day, we discuss these themes  with: Chin Chee Seong, National Secretary General of the SME Association and Gaya Subramaniam,...

The Islamic Finance market is small in comparison to its conventional counterpart but that also means that there are plenty of opportunities for innovation and growth. We speak to Mustafa Adil, Head of Islamic Finance at London Stock Exchange (LSEG) to understand the dynamic landscape, the importance of Shariah compliance, the global sukuk market and Malaysia's role in this field. See om...

MyDigital ID is a national identity and transaction signing platform that hopes to address current vulnerabilities like insecure communication channels and the storage of user credentials. Mohd Mirza Mohamed Noor, CEO of My Digital ID Sdn Bhd, highlights its purpose, integration with existing systems, and goals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Go Hub Capital specialises in enterprise IT services, with a particular focus on the transportation sector. Tan Cherng Thong, their CEO tells us why they are electing for an ACE listing, the usage of their proceeds, the competition and is their IPO priced to perfection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poland and Malaysia have had diplomatic relations since 1971 and since the last half-century, trade between the two nations have been chugging along and could be better. Przemysław Zaręba, the Head of the Polish Investment & Trade Agency's Foreign Trade Office In Malaysia, shares with us what he sees could be areas to develop between our countries' businesses as well as challenges he foresees...

Oil prices have been volatile in the last two decades affecting all oil and gas players. We speak to T7 Global as to what their outlook is for the industry especially on the back of the shift towards renewable energy. Tan Kay Zhuin, Group CEO, will also share with us the operating landscape, the competition and do they have regional ambitions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For over 32 years, International Medical University Malaysia has provided private tertiary education for those keen to pursue a career in healthcare. It was recently sold off by its original parent company, the Bursa-listed IHH Healthcare, to a consortium comprising US private equity firm, TPG Group, Hong Leong Group and EPF. Professor Gerry George, IMU's group managing director shares his vision...

This year marks 76 years since the British Council was established in 1948 as an education and cultural centre. But as the geopolitical dynamics have shifted over the decades and as attitudes towards higher education evolve, how much pull does the UK have on Malaysians today? We discuss the role and relevance of the British Council in Malaysia with its Country Director Jazreel Goh. See omnystudio....

EUPE Corporation Berhad has been a property developer since 1986 by combining innovative and affordable homes through a unique shared value approach. Dato' Beh Huck Lee, Group Managing Director of EUPE highlights the corporation's distinctive approach to residential design and perhaps explains in the share price has suddenly been on a tear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is the second largest producer of palm oil after Indonesia, making up 24% of global production. With the sector facing headwinds including challenges in productivity, regulatory impediments and uncertain demand conditions, how well can Malaysia adapt to the changing ties? We discuss these issues with Datuk Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, Director General of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (M...

Johor Plantations Group is set to be the latest oil palm company to list on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia. It is part of the 5-year transformation plan of Kulim Malaysia, which was delisted in 2016, to see a more focused approach to the overall operations. Mohd Faris Adli Shukery, the managing director of both JPG and Kulim explains the overall plan for the company and how an IPO falls in line...

Both developed and developing countries have experimented with social stock exchanges over the past two decades with little success. Can India's model be the gamechanger in social funding? We discuss the concept and implementation of the Indian social stock exchange with Dr. R. Balasubramian, Chair of SEBI's Social Stock Exchange Advisory Committee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, was recently on an official visit to Malaysia, after having taken over the roles following the country's general election in October 2023. He sits down with us to discuss bilateral relations between Wellington and Putrajaya, as well as New Zealand's stand on international issues including solutions to the Israel-Palestine cr...

IKEA is arguably Sweden’s most prominent export, with a presence spanning 30 years and four outlets in Malaysia. How is the world’s largest furniture retailer navigating the challenges that come with greater competition in the online space, uncertain global economic conditions and increasing pressure to substantiate sustainability credentials? We discuss these themes with Malcolm Pruys, Retail Dir...

Insurance is a notorious competitive business made doubly so with the entry of the global players. Kamaludin Ahmad, Group CEO of Etiqa tells us about their regional ambitions, is Takaful their focus and how do we improve financial inclusion in Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The banking sector is seen an a barometer of the economy and what does a bank with a 140 year legacy have to share about the state of Malaysian consumers and businesses.  CEO of HSBC Malaysia,  Dato' Omar Siddiq tells us whilst sharing with us the current operating landscape, how it creates its own niche in a very competitive environment and the KPIs set by headquarters. See omnystudio.c...

Keyfield International Bhd made its debut on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia in April and is in the business of providing Offshore accommodation services. CEO Dato' Kee Chit Huei explains the planned use of proceeds, addresses concerns about customer concentration risk especially on Petronas, and outlines the company's growth potential. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US is Malaysia’s third largest trading partner and also largest contributor of foreign direct investment. However will international unease over US policies in Gaza and its long-running rivalry with China have an impact on our traditionally strong economic ties? We discuss these themes with the US Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Edgard Kagan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UNICEF recently released a report titled "Living on the Edge," which focuses on  low-income families in Kuala Lumpur. living in low cost flats. The report's authors, Dr. Juanita Vasquez Escallon, Chief of Social Policy at UNICEF, and Zouhair Rosli, Deputy Director of Research at DM Analytics, share their shocking findings and policy recommendations to assist these vulnerable households. See o...

In just 4 decades the People's Republic of China under the Chinese Communist Party, has transformed itself from an impoverished agrarian economy into an industrial powerhouse, that is the world's second largest economy today. Author and investigative journalist Bethany Allen, whose latest book is "Beijing Rules: China’s Quest for Global Influence", shares her views on how China's influence might s...

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) was set up in accordance with section 153 of the Federal Constitution to educate and empower the Bumiputera Community. To what extent has it fulfilled this role and are race-based education policies still relevant in modern Malaysia? We assess the purpose, achievements and controversies of UiTM with its 7th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Shahrin Sahib. See om...