The Breakfast Grille

Recently, thrust into a more public role, our guest this morning helps us understand the thinking among members of one the country’s oldest political parties. We ask him about the model Islamic government he’d like to see us emulate, the influence of Brunei in the Hudud agenda here, the place of non-Muslims, and the party’s relationship to Malay ethno-nationalism and “ketua...

The new minister of land, water and natural resources is confident of wrapping up the Selangor water restructuring deal by August 10, as he gets a grip on other "major issues" such as environmental pollution, illegal logging and illegal wildlife trade. The PKR VP also shares his expectations ahead of the party's presidential elections, due in the coming months. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Understanding the Peoples’ Republic of China economical and geo-political meteoric rise is a growth-industry that remains unabated. China has also become a model for countries, not just in the developing, for managing large-scale social change. Today we explore one interpretation of the secret of China’s success. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Her Royal Highness Princess Dina Mired provides an update on the global fight against cancer, and highlights the importance of political will in keeping non-communicable diseases at bay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Carlsberg Foundation claims to be one of the oldest industrial foundations, built on the success as a brewery in the late 19th century, which went on to invest part of its profits in fundamental scientific research. J.C. Jacobsen and his son, together have bequeath the world a fascinating model for ‘giving back to society’. Today, the Foundation continues the tradition. See omnystu...

Melisa Idris spoke to Gary Vaynerchuk, or better known as GaryVee, digital media mogul, best-selling author, serial entrepreneur and early investor in Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Birchbox. Find out what lessons he learnt from his biggest failures, his thoughts on the current state of social media and where he thinks the future lies.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin, the acting group CEO of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad discusses GLC reform, its airport operating business, the relationship with stakeholders, new business directions and the proposed sale of its wholly owned airport in Turkey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Established in 1918, Harrisons Malaysia celebrates its 100th year anniversary this year. Over the many years in business, Harrisons had a consistent stream of profits. However, a few years ago, the company's net profit earnings have been trending down and profit margins hit. Additionally, a closer look at their books show that the group’s trade and other receivables increased nearl...

News portal Malaysiakini started back in 1999, born out of the flames of the Reformasi movement. In its two decades of operations, Malaysiakini has been raided by police and dragged to court numerous times. Now with the Opposition in power for the first time since Independence, Premesh Chandran, speaks about what comes next for Malaysiakini. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Packaging is the single biggest application of plastic, accounting for more than a quarter of plastic demand worldwide. In the war against plastic pollution, there has been a growing global crackdown on the use of plastic straws. We ask Brian May, Managing Director of Tetra Pak for Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines what packaging companies are doing to address this movement.  See omnyst...

Having been in Malaysia since 1973, DHL Express is now leveraging on e-commerce to drive its growth. Chris talks about the prospects for his company and the industry, fuelled by changing consumer habits and projects such as the DFTZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This morning former Prime Minister Najib Razak was brought to court to be charged. Three charges of criminal breach of trust were laid against him. Today we explore the ways supporters and detractors, as well as the government, deal with the optics of story that has gone global. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the weekend, UMNO decided on continuity for party by electing Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as President. The competitive three-horse race saw Zahid up against Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Khairy Jamaluddin. Disappointment in the results saw one MP and former Puteri Wing chief leave the party and declare herself an independent. Today we explore the options before one the country’s oldest party, UMN...

Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia H.E. Andrew Goledzinowski discusses the way forward for Malaysia-Australia trade and business links in a new era of a Pakatan Harapan government. H.E. Goledzinowski also discusses a much-speculated criminal extradition of convicted murderer Sirul Azhar in a possible re-opening of the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case. He also talks about the ever-e...

On July 1, US trade tariffs targeting rivals begin, some observers fear the kick-off to a much feared “trade war”. Coming after the failed G7 meet in Canada earlier this month when the US refused to sign of on a joint statement of a rules-based trading system, question are being asked about the future of globalisation. Today we explore some of the main issues in global trade and well a...

Alpha REIT is Malaysia's first and only real estate investment trust dedicated to education-related properties. Can such a niche product thrive in a Malaysian-sized market? Having made the REIT's first acquisitions last year, Dato Labrooy shares the yet-to-be-listed REIT's strategy for portfolio expansion while outlining the growth prospects for the domestic private education industry. See omnystu...

UMNO veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, or better known as Ku Li, has thrown his hat into the ring in the race for the UMNO presidency. Ahead of the party’s polls to elect its Supreme Council on 30 June 2018, Ku Li shares his vision for Umno and his plans for reform, should he take the helm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we speak to the newly minted Minister on the many challenges facing both his Ministry as well as the government as a whole. We explore the balance of forensic analysis of the previous Administration - rife with allegations of corruption and sweetheart deals - and developing plans for the future. From the promise (and cost) of Peduli Sihat, to the building new hospitals in rural Malaysia (nin...

Tim Harford is an economist, Financial Times columnist, and best-selling author of 'The Undercover Economist' and 'Fifty Things That Made the Modern Economy'. He joins us on the Breakfast Grille to discuss the growing "crisis of confidence" in statistical data, and why he thinks IKEA’s Billy bookcase helped make the modern economy.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 A self-described economic libertarian, Bryan Caplan's latest book, The Case Against Education argues that public education is a waste of time and money and that we should stop investing in it. Caplan believes that the primary function of education (especially higher education) is not to enhance students' skill but to certify their intelligence, work ethic, and conformity—in other words...

On World Refugee Day, Richard Towle, Representative for UNHCR Malaysia, discusses his work safeguarding the rights and well-being of refugees and asylum-seekers worldwide, and specifically in Malaysia, where some 180 thousand registered and unregistered refugees, mainly Myanmar Rohingyas, are struggling to find work, habitable living conditions, healthcare and a modicum of self-respect. See omnyst...

BNP Paribas was one of the five foreign banks awarded the full commercial banking licence to operate in Malaysia 7 years ago in 2011. Philippe Aroyo shares the group's Malaysian journey thus far and business plans here. The overall banking landscape has changed, especially so in the past couple of years and many traditional banks have been impacted, including  BNP Paribas. We discuss the evol...

As Malaysia undergoes its first ever government transition in history, many uncertainties still remain, such as the fate of projects undertaken and policies driven by the previous regime. Renowned economist Prof. Danny Quah attempts to shed some light on Malaysia Baharu and reviews the new government's fiscal and economic policies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Kamdar brand has been part of the retail landscape for the past 46 years and has been the go-to garment and textile store for many Malaysians, especially during festive occasions. We speak to the Managing Director of Kamdar Group, Kamal Kumar Kamdar about the longevity of the brand, and its future prospects in an increasingly competitive retail landscape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Among the five most valuable tech companies in the world, Microsoft has seen a big shift under CEO Satya Nadella in the past four years. Microsoft is now embarking on another big reorganisation, which analysts say indicate a push away from the Windows operating system. But having lost in the search engine game to Google, the mobile hardware game to Apple, and social networks to Facebook - what's l...