The Breakfast Grille

ATA Plus is one of the six companies approved and licensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia to operate an Equity Crowdfunding (ECF) platform in the country. It aims to create a thriving ecosystem for socially responsible and ethical Malaysian businesses. We speak to its co-founder, Elain Lockman to better understand equity crowdfunding landscape and how she picks the right companies to invest...

In the lead up to Malaysia Day on the 16th of September, we reflect on the state of the Federation, its strengths as well as some of its serious challenges. Colouring much of the national conversation is a feeling of not being treated as genuine partners in the country’s developments. From slights in popular culture - like Ola Bola - to the seeming ignorance of those from the Peninsular Mala...

Norwegian telco, Telenor, which has a 49% stake in Digi, has described its Malaysian operations as its 'main headache'. Murty outlines how Malaysia's largest telco by subscribers plans to stem falling revenue, total subscribers and profitability, as it contends with industry headwinds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Asia School of Business is a collaboration between Bank Negara Malaysia and MIT Sloan. Professor Charles Fine spells out how he plans to grow ASB's student body by nearly ten-fold over the next 10 to 15 years, while ultimately having this B-school counted amongst the global elite. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his latest book 'Minister of Finance Incorporated: Ownership and Control of Corporate Malaysia', Professor Edmund Terence Gomez explores the role of the Government in the Malaysian corporate sector.  He discusses the findings of his study on Government Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) and the increasing concentration of power in the office of the Executive. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

How are oil & gas companies coping with the extended period of lower oil prices? We speak to Olivier Blaringhem, Vice President for Asia Pacific at Subsea 7, a subsea engineering and construction services company, on their strategies to weather the uncertainty. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speculation is rife about when the next, and 14th, General Elections will be called. Needless to say, speculation is rife with the timing of the polls the subject of coffee shop and wedding kenduri talk. To raise the bar on a question that has both economic as well as political implications, we have an evidence based discussion on the when, whys and hows of GE14. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Malaysia is set to roll out a new tourism tax effective 1st September 2017 after a series of delays. It has been met with heavy criticism from various parties including The Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners (MAHO). Shaharuddin shares his concerns about potential implementation issues and broader trends in the hotel industry, including the rise of unregistered premises. See omnystudio.com/liste...

Last month the United Nations’s released a report which shows that Malaysia together with nine other countries accounted for over 95% of all new HIV infections in the Asia-Pacific region. Produced by the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, the report is entitled “Ending AIDS: Progress Towards the 90-90 Targets”. The report shows that HIV infection via sexual transmission outpaced tra...

Dato' Yusli Yusoff, President of the Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance (MICG) and former CEO of Bursa Malaysia, discusses the local corporate governance landscape while addressing thorny issues like dual-class shares, China-based companies, directors remuneration and frontline regulation of the share market. He also discusses public sector governance and the example it leaves for the cor...

We speak to its Project Director,S Nalgunalingam about KL Sports City, the newly refurbished Bukit Jalil complex that was originally constructed during the 1998 Commonwealth Games. He also shares the initiatives taken to ensure sustainability of the sporting complex once the games are over.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded in 1985 and listed in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Vinda Group is the company behind personal hygiene brands such as TENA, Libresse, and Drypers. With core business segments in tissue, incontinence care, feminine care and baby care, Vinda aims to become a leading hygiene company in Asia. We speak to Su Ting Nee, Southeast Asia Regional President of Vinda Group on their operations in Malay...

After a year of political turmoil following the Brexit vote, UK-Malaysia businesses and trade ties remain strong. But the unfolding of Brexit negotiations between the UK and the European remain uncertain and in today’s Grille ask what will keep Malaysia an attractive destination for investments, are we well placed to be a regional hub for British businesses and does Malaysia’s turn to...

Rolls-Royce is a brand associated with the pinnacle of luxury and prestige. We catch up with Paul Harris, Asia Pacific Regional Director of Rolls Royce Cars; on how the brand is evolving in the region, and maintaining leadership in the top end of the market.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Golden Gate Ventures is an early-stage venture capitalist firm in Southeast Asia with over 30 investments across 7 countries, including Carousell, Redmart and CodaPayment. Founding partner Jeffrey Paine talks about how Malaysian startups and the domestic ecosystem stack up against the rest of the region.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 As Allianz Malaysia continues to roll out its digitisation agenda, what would that ultimately mean for its 17,933 agents (as of 2016) and its customers? Zakri also provides industry updates following the detarrification of motor insurance premiums in July, and the new corporate governance policy by Bank Negara Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout 2016, TBWA Worldwide has secured a line up of new business, most notably U Mobile, Taylor’s University, Dairy Farm and Tealive. We speak to Troy Ruhanen, President and CEO of TBWA to discuss the Malaysian advertising landscape, upcoming trends and engaging millennials. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato’ Seri Mustafar Ali was appointed Director-General of the Immigration Department in August last year, parachuted in from his previous position in the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). One year on, we follow-up with the Director-General on efforts to make good on his pledge to clean up corruption in the department, as well as challenges in tackling border management issues, undo...

Is RM6 billion enough to bring Malaysia Airlines back to sustained profitability and a 2019 relisting? How will MAB retain its crew amid fierce industry-wide competition for talent? Is premium still the way to go for the national carrier? Peter addresses these issues and more in his second Grille in two years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is one Sri Lanka's major trading partners with a trade surplus of over RM2.5 billion. We speak to HE AJM Muzammil, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to discuss how the country is open for business and the relationship it shares with China, India and Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent survey showed that many young people are unclear where they stand in the race to capture the heart and minds of voters in the upcoming 14th General Elections. Whose fault is that and to what extent can political parties remedy the situation that some might blame them for. Today, we take a non-partisan approach to the question of the involvement of young people in politics. See omnystudio....

Dato’ Zamani Kasim, CEO, Astaka Holdings Limited, talks up the vast potential of the Johor/Iskandar region, helped by the royal and political connections of its controlling shareholder Datuk Daing Malek.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With some 60,000 'beauty consultants' here in Malaysia, how much more can Mary Kay grow in the domestic market? KK also speaks about the direct-selling cosmetic company's plans for halal certification, e-commerce, and regional expansion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato Foong Wei Kuong, Managing Director of JF Technology Bhd shares his journey from starting his company from his kitchen to becoming an innovator in the electrical and electronics industry See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having been rejected twice by Malaysian regulators, Aspen Group finally got its IPO off the ground on July 28, albeit via Singapore's Catalist board. Dato' Murly highlights the property developer's flagship project, Aspen Vision City, which features the Ikea store in Penang, along with possible expansion plans across ASEAN. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.