The Breakfast Grille

Discussions on the care economy have risen in prominence over the past year, amid a realisation that demographic shifts in society mean the traditional care arrangements in households are not sustainable. What policy measures are needed to cultivate a care economy that creates decent work opportunities while providing quality services for the betterment of society as a whole? We discuss these them...

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil is a multi-stakeholder non-profit organization that unites members from across the palm oil value chain to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil. CEO, Joseph D'Cruz shares with us the latest development in its certification scheme, their efforts to engage with smaller players, and why it deserves the premium. See omnystudio.com/listener...

Property and housing developer LBS Bina Group has logged an impressive share price performance this year, up by more than 20% on a year to date basis. We ask Executive chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Lim Hock San if margins have compressed, how many more affordable houses can they build as their land bank shrinks, as well as their other ventures like the waterfront port project. See omnystudio.com/lis...

Dato' Eddie Ong, a well known name in corporate circles has now directed his focus on Hextar Technologies. We ask him why the company is shifting from warehousing and logistics to fintech in what is already in a crowded market. With shareholding in 40 companies, we also ask the rationale behind these acquisition and what is the end game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Construction engineering solutions provider PLYTEC Holdings will become the 28th IPO for Bursa Malaysia this year, with a listing price of 35 sen per share on the ACE Market. What do they plan to do with the IPO proceeds of RM37 million amid a soft construction sector outlook? We discuss the growth story of the firm with Yang Kian Lock, Group Managing Director of PLYTEC Holdings. See omnystudio.co...

As Malaysians despair over the state of economy, the weak Ringgit, underemployment, the polarization of society and even the lack of retirement savings, should we look at ourselves for solutions? James Chai author of the book, Sang Kancil: A Tale about How Ordinary Malaysians Defied the Odds explains why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As an ageing nation, Malaysia is becoming old before it becomes rich. How should we revamp the national retirement savings system to provide a better umbrella for old age? We discuss this as well as global investment trends with Dr. Joseph Cherian, Practice Professor of Finance with the Asia School of Business. He is also the author of a recently published compilation of essays, “Track to the Futu...

Singapore is on target to hit their international tourist target of 12-14mn in 2023. We speak to Melissa Ow, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board on how this was achieved, why they are taking a targeted approach to growing their share of the tourism pie despite the economic slowdown and the intense competition from the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Yeo has served 23 years in the Singapore government and headed the Health, Trade & Industry, as well as the Foreign Affairs Ministries. His last military rank is Brigadier General in the Singapore Armed Forces. He shares his insights into current geopolitical issues, regional challenges, Singapore's nation-building efforts as well as finding that spiritual balance that makes everything...

The Madani government has instituted several green policy measures including the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill. Minister for the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad joins us to explain the rationale for these decisions and other policy measures in the pipeline and how they are prioritized versus...

The global pharmaceutical industry experienced extraordinary profits due to the circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, but how are players coping now that the Covid effect has receded? We speak to Deepti Saraf, General Manager of Roche Malaysia on the current pharmaceutical landscape, as well as efforts to improve affordability and accessibility of life-saving drugs. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

L’Oreal is a centennial beauty brand that has become synonymous with its iconic tagline, Because You’re Worth It. It also carries brands such as Garnier, Kiehl’s, La Roche Posay, and YSL Beauty under its umbrella. Can it continue to hold on to its leading position in the Malaysian beauty market amid increased competition from regional and local brands? We speak to Tomas Hruska, CEO of L’Oreal Mala...

Bespoke travel is increasingly common as travelers want a specially curated itinerary. Chan Brothers Prestige part of one the largest travel agencies in Singapore is monetising that trend. We speak to their Executive director, Chloe Chan if travel has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, their growth strategy and the challenges of working in a family business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

The National Energy Transition Roadmap has a goal of achieving 70% renewable energy installed capacity mix for the power sector by 2050 which is good news for RE players. We check in with Chow Pui Hee, Group Managing Director of listed, Samaiden Group Bhd on how they intend to benefit, the growth expectations for FY24 and is there still upside to it's share price which has rallied by 300% since it...

The World Bank cut its target for Malaysia’s GDP from 4.3% to 3.9% for 2023. Dr Apurva Sanghi, the World Bank Lead Economist for Malaysia shares his impressions of Budget 2024, the structural issues faced by Malaysia whilst providing some policy recommendations including what will reverse the weak Ringgit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been 20 days since the current war in Gaza was launched, stemming from the assault by Hamas fighters in Israel on October 7th, which led to the Israeli military bombardment of the enclave. But in reality, Gaza and the West Bank have been under war-like conditions with Israel since the illegal occupation of Palestinian Territories by Israel since 1967. We discuss the situation on the ground...

The Madani Economy Framework sets the lofty ambition of catapulting Malaysia into the world’s top 30 economies with a consistent 5.5% annual GDP growth in 10 years. Additionally, the government aims to break into the top 30 countries in the Global Innovation Index by 2025, as well as achieve high-tech nation status by 2030. How integrated are science and technology policies in achieving these outc...

Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, former Health Director-General, and the chairperson of UCSI Healthcare Group, offer a candid glimpse into his journey managing the pandemic, his personal aspirations, and his invaluable insights into Malaysia's healthcare system. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the pandemic over and visitorship returning to 2019 levels, Aquawalk Group which owns aquariums in Phuket and Jakarta as well as Aquaria KLCC, is now looking to expand to Vietnam and India. Executive director, Daryl Foong, also talks about a plan that was halted because of Covid; an IPO on Bursa Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evergreen Max Cash Capital (EMCC) became only the second pawnbroker to list on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market, debuting in September at a 33% premium on its IPO price of 24 sen. How will they use the IPO proceeds to grow their market presence? Executive director Low Kai Loon joins us to discuss the business of pawnbroking and EMCC's expansion plans in a competitive sector.  Image credit: Shutter...

UCSI Group is a conglomerate today but started life as Sedaya College with only 4 PCs for its computer science classes in 1986. Its founder and executive chairman Dato' Peter Ng talks about his personal humble beginnings, his views on Malaysia's education system and the direction he wants the business to go for the greater good. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GDEX Berhad is now confident of returning to the black after recording 6 consecutive quarters of losses. Its CEO Teong Teck Lean shares with us how this Bursa-listed delivery firm is navigating the challenging logistics industry with more and more players emerging and as costs continue to rise. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brahim’s is a household name especially for Malaysian travellers given its long association as the in-flight caterer for the national carrier. However its fortunes have taken a tumble since 2019, and following the end of its relationship with Malaysia Airlines this year, can this company survive? We hear from Group CEO, Mohd Fadhli Abdul Rahman on the company's turnaround plans. See omnystudio.com...

The New Industrial Plan has lofty targets by 2030 from value adding RM587bn to GDP, creating 3.3mn jobs and pushing the average salary to RM 4510. We speak with Minister of Miti and previous Deputy Minister; Tengku Dato Zafrul Aziz and Ong Kian Ming to find out if the NIMP hits the mark or is it too old school economics whilst seeing if there was alignment with Budget 2024. See omnystudio.com/list...

In Budget 2024, the government proposed a spending plan of 393.8 billion ringgit. Various strategic measures have been proposed, including the introduction of new taxes and a shift from broad subsidies. Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, Treasury Secretary-General, Ministry of Finance joins us to delve into the specifics of Budget 2024, why was there no petrol subsidy removal yet, and if we are balancin...