The Breakfast Grille

KTI Landmark, a Sabah developer is gearing for an ACE market listing in mid-June, raising RM48 million. We ask Managing Director, Gordon Loke what are the intentions for the IPO proceeds, their strategy for growth and are they being overly ambitious with plans to start projects in the Klang Valley. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

InDrive, a top-tier provider of mobility and ride-hailing services, is set to redefine the urban mobility scene with its groundbreaking fare negotiation feature. This pioneering approach ensures fair pricing for both riders and drivers alike. We caught up with Mark Loughran, Group President of inDrive, to delve into the company’s core mission, its impact on urban communities, and its expanding pre...

Renewable energy solutions provider, Plus Xnergy Group, sees much more potential today in Malaysia's solar energy systems business, much more than when it first started out more than 10 years ago. This is thanks to rising utility bills and warmer weather, while government incentives also help spur demand. Ko Chuan Zhen is its CEO and joins us to talk about collaborations, expansion, competition an...

Automotive cover and seat manufacturer Feytech Holdings is set to debut on Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market today. CEO Connie Go discusses the objectives behind the IPO, the strategies that drove their impressive three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39% in revenue, and the measures they take to mitigate risks of margin compression. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 60 years in Malaysia, Dutch Lady will start operating from their new plant. We speak to Ramjeet Kaur Virik, Managing Director, Dutch Lady Industries about how important this is to growth and address those stories of privatisation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SBH Marine Holdings is a newly-listed  frozen seafood products processor and exporter which is planning to use it RM40 million ringgit IPO proceeds to expand its market and production. Saw Leng Hean, its executive director, talks about the challenges in operating shrimp farms in this highly competitive market, as it starts to explore selling to China from where only less than 3% of its revenu...

HELP University is one of the pioneer homegrown private education institutions in Malaysia premised on making tertiary learning more accessible. How has it navigated the changing landscape of the sector? We discuss the trajectory of the higher education industry, and the fortunes of the HELP Education Group with Prof. Datuk Dr. Paul Chan, co-founder and Chancellor of HELP University. See omnystudi...

Lawrence Wong officially takes over as Prime Minister of Singapore. We take a critical look at the challenges he inherits and if his leadership will be very different from that of his predecessor. Dr. Michael Barr, Associate Professor, Flinders University and Author of “The Ruling Elite of Singapore gives us his perspective. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

The government will be rolling back petrol and diesel subsidies. What impact will this have on petrol stations and does the increasing proliferation of EVs also mean that this is sunset business.  Dato' Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz, President, Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia tells us how the business model is changing to meet these headwinds. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystud...

MYMBN Bhd became the first birds nest processor to publicly list on the ACE Market in 2023, raising RM 21 million on the back of booming business during the Covid-19 pandemic. However high flying hopes have fallen for the stock amid an economic slowdown in China - can they reverse their fortunes? We delve into the business of birds' nests with CEO Lavernt Chen. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

It was announced that Sunzen Biotech will be exiting from its animal health business to focus on human health products and loan financing services. Executive chairman, Ching Chee Pun shares with us the rationale behind this decision, the outlook and why they appear to have a weak track record when it comes to M&A. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Europe Day Michalis Rokas, Ambassador and Head of the EU delegation to Malaysia joins us to delve into topics such as Ukraine, Gaza, and the recently announced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Malaysia and the EU. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been increasingly more challenging to navigate the intersection between corporate responsibility and ethical footing. Alison Taylor, author of "Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World" joins Philip See to share her insights on the topic and how businesses can help build trust. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multimedia Enhancement Operations (METEOR) was set up in 1998 as a consortium of Malaysia’s first 11 public universities, and is the parent company of Open University Malaysia. Does the METEOR Group business model provide a solution to the funding pressures faced by public universities? We discuss its performance record and expansion strategy with Group CEO Dato’ Naharudin Ali. See omnystudio...

Singapore-based Golden Duck makes snacks and are most well-known for their salted egg yolk flavoured potato crisps and fish skin. They are up against some very staunch competition in their home country but has an advantage here with its link to Malaysia's Mamee-Double Decker. Golden Duck's co-founder and CEO Jonathan Shen shares what it has cost to get to where it is today and the challenges in ma...

The specialty chemical industry is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 5.2%, reaching USD316 billion by 2026. What opportunities are there in Asia for the world's leading company, Evonik? Questions we pose to Dr Claus Rettig, their President for APAC whilst asking what goes behind their decision to pick a country for expansion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

The European Union (EU) is ASEAN’s third largest trading partner after the US and China, making up 10% of total trade. As US-China tensions permeate the economic reality of ASEAN countries, does the EU stand as an alternative? We discuss opportunities and challenges in ASEAN-EU trade ties with Chris Humphrey, Executive Director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council. Image Credit: Rafapress See omnystud...

Malaysians continue to call for better remuneration as the cost of living continues to accelerate. This comes as the current minimum wage remains markedly below what Bank Negara categorises as a living wage, an income level needed for a household to afford a minimum acceptable living standard. Dr Bawani Lelchumanan, a senior lecturer with the Department of Economics & Finance at Sunway Busines...

Sin-Kung Logistics Bhd is set to debut on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia, aiming to raise 26 million ringgit. We speak to Alan Ong, their Managing director as to their strategy for growth and how they keep their edge in an otherwise competitive and fragmented logistics industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can Malaysia improve on its education policy to provide a solid foundation for the labour force for the future? We discuss recommendations with Dr. Tara Beteille, World Bank Lead Economist & Program Leader (Human Development) on their report entitled Bending Bamboo Shoots: Strengthening Foundational Skills. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

QES Group, a player in the fast-evolving semiconductor industry, wants to grow its manufacturing capabilities recognising the significant margins it can garner from this business. This is after years developing its distribution business which has been the mainstay and consistent contributor to its bottomline. Chew Ne Weng, the company's founder and CEO, updates us on QES' latest achievements inclu...

The World Bank recently released Part 1 of the Malaysia Economic Monitor (MEM). Lead economist for Malaysia, Dr Apurva Sanghi discusses with us the health of the Malaysian economy, the importance of fiscal reform and why communication is so important in the roll out of any government policy. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fire protection services provider and manufacturer Unique Fire debuted on the ACE market in 2022 and raised RM21 million ringgit for their expansion. How have they utilised the proceeds? We catch-up with Executive Director Ryan Liew to discuss their business strategy and the factors driving their six-fold increase in net profits in the third quarter of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

On today's Breakfast Grille, we delve into the significance of the English language in Malaysia. Despite challenges such as declining proficiency, our conversation illuminates its global importance and the pressing need for educational reform. Through inclusive language policies, Malaysia can chart a course for individual and societal progress. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow is Chinese Language day, UN Celebrated event as it’s one of the 6 official languages used. We look at how Chinese education and language is weaponized and politicised in this country when diversity should be celebrated instead. Or is there merit that Chinese education prevents a national identity? Ngan Teng Ye, president of the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall tells us. Image Credi...