The Breakfast Grille

Alliance Bank, Malaysia's smallest bank by asset size is halfway through its Acceler8 2027 strategy to diversify its core business and strengthen market leadership in the SME segment. Despite achieving record earnings in 2025, could global economic uncertainty decelerate its progress? We get updates from Kellee Kam, CEO of Alliance Bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karcher is renowned for its professional cleaning solutions, helping homes and businesses stay spotless with innovative products and services. Philip See speaks with William Kew, Managing Director of Karcher Malaysia, about the company’s growth, market strategies, and vision for the cleaning industry in the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly half of Malaysia’s workforce facing high exposure to artificial intelligence, with women and younger workers most at risk. What does this mean for inequality, education, and the country’s social protection systems? Calvin Cheng, the economics programme director at ISIS Malaysia and Dr Matthew Dornan, a Senior Economist at the World Bank, talk about their new report on this subject...

The global geopolitical landscape has changed dramatically since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine with the return of President Donald Trump to the White House proving a wildcard in ongoing efforts to find a resolution. How does this affect the foreign policy calculations for Kyiv and how is it strengthening alliances beyond the Western sphere? We discuss this with Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Me...

The UK under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is adjusting its foreign policy to global challenges amid changing geopolitical dynamics. How is the government balancing US-China tensions while pursuing new opportunities with ASEAN? We discuss this with H.E. Ajay Sharma, British High Commissioner to Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Increasingly more companies are required to have internal auditors but what role do they play ? Anthony Pugliese, President & CEO, The Global Institute of Internal Auditors tell us and if AI benefits this profession or threatens it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is one of just 20 countries that has not yet ratified the UN Convention against Torture, despite expressing commitment to do so over the years. What are the obstacles to signing the treaty and how does Malaysia stand to benefit from taking a legally-backed anti-torture stance?  We build a case for Malaysia’s accession to the treaty with our expert panel. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

We speak with Professor Joseph Cherian, CEO of the Asia School of Business (ASB), about the pressures facing U.S. higher education institutions as the Trump administration pulls funding — and what this could mean for ASB. He also shares his views on ASB’s growth potential, key revenue drivers, and whether pursuing further education remains worthwhile for professionals. See omnystudio.com/listener...

As technology transforms the way we learn reading and writing skills, how can we better navigate the changing dimensions of literacy in the digital age? To mark International Literacy Day, we discuss themes in literacy and education with Dr Tara Béteille of the World Bank. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Dato' Dr Kenneth Pereira, founder and managing director of Hibiscus Petroleum, on how the company keeps cutting costs and extending the life of its oil fields despite weak oil prices and how it continues to reward shareholders in this challenging environment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unique Fire Holdings recently became a Main Market-listed company on Bursa Malaysia, after debuting on the ACE Market just three years ago. As a provider of fire protection systems and safety equipment, it now faces the challenge of sustaining growth, defending margins, and expanding its market share at home and abroad. Its Executive Director Dato’ Marcus Liew talks about profitability, competitiv...

With 19 stores in the country, Madam Kwan's is a F&B chain synonymous with Malaysian cuisine. We speak to Datin Maureen Ooi, their CEO as to their strategy for growth, the intense competition and how they stay relevant with fickle consumers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the spirit of Merdeka and the National Day, we sit down with Malaysian songstress Dato' Sheila Majid, whose 40 year music career unites generations of countrymen. We discuss her musical evolution, the impact of digitalisation and AI on the music industry as well as navigating social media as a celebrity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s Breakfast Grill, Philip See sits down with artist Jalani Abu Hassan and Beverly Yong, Co-founder of RogueArt, to discuss Malaysia’s dynamic art scene. They delve into the meaning of artistic value, the role of the public and collectors, and how creativity and culture intersect in shaping the local art landscape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite forming 6-7% of the populace, many Malaysian Indians are trapped in low-income brackets. Does the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) help the Indian community overcome their social and economic challenges. P. Prabakaran, the head of MITRA and Member of Parliament for Batu gives us his views. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tariffs, protectionism and fractured alliances are reshaping the global trading system. With blocs like BRICS rising and the US facing questions over its influence, is uncertainty now the new normal for world trade? Dr Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation, joins us to unpack what this means for Asia, ASEAN and Malaysia. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/list...

Control Risks, a risk consultancy, has opened shop in Kuala Lumpur. We speak to their Head of Southeast Asia, Pamela Qiu, about how the company operates when it comes to managing risk in a world of heightened geopolitics. This comes as the war rages on in Ukraine and Gaza, while tensions remain high between the world’s two superpowers, China and the US, and why they have chosen to open shop in KL....

This Sunday, Ukraine marks its Independence Day on August 24, commemorating its 1991 return to sovereignty. H.E. Hennadii Nadolenkom, Ukrainian Ambassador to Malaysia reflects on the country’s resilience amid the war with Russia, the role of US-backed peace talks in safeguarding its security, and efforts to prepare for upcoming elections despite the challenges. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Peninsular Malaysia is home to 18 Orang Asli tribes that make up 0.8% of the country’s population, but despite indigenous status they have been denied a litany of rights under both the constitution and the Aboriginal Peoples Act (APA) 1954. The government is finally looking to amend the APA - will this rectify the injustices that the Orang Asli have borne since the dawn of Merdeka? We discuss this...

Tan Sri Dr. Nik Norzrul Thani, Executive Chairman of Zaid Ibrahim & Co and trustee of the ZICO Law Network in Malaysia, shares his views on judicial appointments, the recent demerger of the ZICO Law Network and KPMG, the growing surplus of lawyers in the country, as well as the U.S. crackdown on law firms and its ripple effects on the global legal industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Global humanitarian capacity is coming under strain as donor funds dry up and geopolitical posturing takes precedence over international law. What will it take for the international community to act for humanity, which is the theme for World Humanitarian Day this year? We discuss this with Dato' Dr. Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President and Mohd Radzi Jamaluddin, ex-officio exco member of Mercy Mal...

The pharmaceutical industry is at a crossroads, grappling with scepticism over the efficacy of medicines and rising competition We speak to Dr Abdullahi Sheriff, Managing Director of MSD for Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei, about how the company is navigating these challenges whilst asking what is the strategy for growth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Fong, Global Head of FamilyOfficeHK at Invest Hong Kong, discusses the department’s strategy for attracting family offices, the city’s unique competitive advantages, and the challenges it faces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philip See sits down with economist Dr. Nungsari Ahmad Radhi to unpack the 13th Malaysia Plan, focusing on fiscal sustainability, tax reform, and economic resilience. The discussion will also explore how private sector innovation can enhance competitiveness and the implications of an aging population for Malaysia’s future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is no stranger to water-related challenge with one of the highest per capita water consumption rates in Southeast Asia, while the average non-revenue water level is a staggering 37%. We ask Adam Saffian Ghazali, CEO of Air Selangor, about how Malaysia’s largest water services provider is managing the supply and quality of this vital resource. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...