The Breakfast Grille

Malaysia's food delivery market has evolved beyond restaurant meals into a broader contest over groceries, convenience, and quick commerce. As rivals tap into larger ride hailing, e-commerce, and fintech ecosystems, foodpanda is pursuing a more focused strategy centred on operational efficiency and rapid delivery. With competition intensifying and its parent company undergoing global restructuring, can foodpanda build a sustainable and profitable business without the advantages of a super app?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For thirty years, Puspakom, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DRB-Hicom, has been the sole company appointed by the government to conduct mandatory inspections of commercial and private vehicles. This long-term monopoly officially ended in August 2024. How prepared is Puspakom to compete in an open market and can it overcome the legacy issues it has collected over the years? We discuss Puspakom’s strategy and outllook with Mahmood Razak Bahman, the CEO of Puspakom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's hospitality sector is enjoying strong tourism growth, but hotel operators are also navigating rising labour costs, wage pressures, and intensifying competition. Marriott International continues to expand aggressively across both established and emerging destinations, raising questions about brand positioning, operational efficiency, and the long-term potential of secondary cities. As the industry evolves, how is Marriott balancing growth with profitability in one of Southeast Asia's fastest-changing hotel markets?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Johor state assembly around the corner there is increased jostling between political parties, even those which are formally in alliances. And there has been quite a bit of chatter about wanting youth voices and with many parties claiming that their candidates reflect a mix of veterans and new faces, experience and youthful idealism. But what’s really at stake in the political contest and can our political leaders speak from a different script? We talk about the history of youth wings, cooperation during the Madani period, UMNO Supreme Council Puad Zarkashi's shock resignation and if Bersama is eating any party’s proverbial lunch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US-China geopolitical rivalry and President Donald Trump's mercurial policies have upended the established multilateral order, to the detriment of countries like Malaysia that base development strategies on the rules-based system. Can multilateralism survive these geopolitical shifts and what role do smaller countries play in reshaping multilateralism for the future? We discuss these themes with Danny Quah, the Li Ka Shing Professor in Economics at the National University of Singapore.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's refugee policy vacuum, rising anti-Rohingya sentiment, and whether refugee issues are becoming politically salient in the lead-up to upcoming elections. Adrian Pereira of the North South Initiative and May of the Refugee Emergency Fund and Reimagine Education, discuss refugee governance, shifting public attitudes, and whether Malaysia's decades-long approach is still fit for purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Netherlands has long been one of Malaysia’s key partners in Europe, with ties spanning trade, investment, semiconductors, water management, and sustainability. As geopolitical tensions, supply chain shifts, and climate challenges reshape the global landscape, both countries are looking to deepen cooperation in areas critical to future growth and resilience. How is the bilateral relationship evolving, and where do the biggest opportunities for collaboration lie in the years ahead?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlas Copco is a Swedish multinational giant in the industrial sector, providing much of the infrastructure and equipment needed for manufacturing plants to operate. How are they navigating global economic headwinds and does Malaysia provide safe harbour for geopolitical currents? We catch-up with Khalid Shaikh, General Manager of Atlas Copco Malaysia & Singapore.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Industrial chemicals rarely grab headlines, but they sit quietly behind Malaysia’s most aggressive economic sectors, including the massive infrastructure and data center construction boom. Now, specialty chemical distributor Eckem Holdings is stepping out from behind the curtain, looking to raise RM15 million via an IPO on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia. However, the listing arrives alongside a complicated financial reality: profit after tax has tumbled roughly 35% over consecutive years due to cyclical, oil-linked chemical prices and a steep rise in finance debt used to fund a RM60 million industrial land bank.Executive Director Jack Tan joins The Breakfast Grille to defend the company’s 16.7x earnings valuation multiple against contracting profit after tax. Jack breaks down how their local in-house laboratory acts as a technical moat to secure customer loyalty over direct foreign suppliers, addresses the governance optics of declaring a RM1.9 million pre-IPO dividend, and details the strategic roadmap to double its capacity in high-margin rubber export manufacturing to transform the business from a pure middleman into a resilient industrial player.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Bank Group recently released its biannual flagship publication on Malaysia’s economy titled “Raising the Ceiling, Raising the Floor: The Jobs Agenda as a Productivity Agenda” which focuses on the Malaysian Government’s progress in undertaking structural changes of the economy as well as improving living standards. Taking into account conflict in the Gulf and expectations of a supply-side induced crisis, we ask what the domestic and external hurdles to growth are.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has long been a global leader in Muslim-friendly tourism, but can that leadership evolve into something more? Mohammad Faisal Abu Suaib Khan, Director-General of the Islamic Tourism Centre, discusses the growth potential of the Muslim travel market whether or not Malaysian standards such as MFAR can become an exportable asset.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Securities Commission is reviewing the Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance (MCCG), last updated in 2021. What changes are needed to encourage more publicly-listed companies to level up on corporate governance practices? We discuss the progress made and gaps to overcome on Malaysian boards with our expert panel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia attracts billions of ringgit in data centre investments, demand is rising for the critical power infrastructure needed to keep these facilities running without interruption. Fresh from a strong Bursa debut, EI Power finds itself at the centre of this trend, providing specialised engineering and power solutions for mission-critical environments. With a growing order book, regional expansion ambitions, and increasing competition, can the company sustain its growth momentum and translate the data centre boom into a durable long-term advantage?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While taking on the role recently, and with less than half the government’s term left, we ask the Minister about his concerns about policy continuity amidst political and economic uncertainty. From the much anticipated National Climate Change bill, to issues of carbon tax to the Community Ranger initiative, we ask the Minister what are his priorities. With his own 100 days KPIs, we take a measure of what has been achieved on the Green Agenda.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s automotive market is becoming increasingly competitive as Chinese brands gain ground with aggressive pricing and technology-rich vehicles. Against this backdrop, Kia has taken direct control of its Malaysian operations for the first time, establishing Kia Sales Malaysia and making Kuala Lumpur its Asia-Pacific headquarters. As the brand embarks on a factory-led reset, can Kia rebuild consumer confidence and strengthen its position in an increasingly crowded market?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the latest Global Terrorism Index, the world is a safer place than it was 10 years ago, with overall terrorist attacks on a declining trend. But the positive trend belies a damaging pattern of states using counter-terrorism as justification for actions that violate international human rights, including in conflicts that are unfolding in the Middle East today. We discuss the real-world implications of inherent tensions between security and liberty with Prof. Ben Saul, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inspace Creation Berhad recently made its debut on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market after attracting strong investor interest, positioning itself as a specialist in customised commercial office fit-outs and workplace transformation. As multinational corporations expand their presence in Malaysia and workplace expectations continue to evolve, the company is seeking to grow beyond its current footprint in a highly fragmented industry. But with customer concentration, project-based revenue, and increasing competition all posing challenges, how sustainable is Inspace’s growth strategy, and can its turnkey approach provide a meaningful competitive advantage as it pursues regional expansion?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As growth in the US market cools down, the battle for pickleball dominance is shifting to Asia, and Selkirk has made Malaysia their Asian HQ.Mike Barnes, Co-CEO of Selkirk Sport, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss their $30 million investment, their expansion strategy, and why the pickleball economy will avoid the post-pandemic crash of hardware peers like Peloton.We dive into how Selkirk uses its unique in-house R&D lab to build a strong patent moat , how they leverage sub-brands to create a customer "ladder" without hurting their premium image , and why a cooling market is actually opening up aggressive opportunities for Selkirk to lead a wave of industry M&A and consolidation.Finally, Mike shares surprising consumer insights on why Southeast Asian players often view a premium paddle as a prime status symbol rather than a price hurdle.Photo Credit: Selkirk SportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Francisco Retondo, General Manager of Sika Malaysia, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss how the specialty chemical giant has decoupled from a slowing global market.While global sales flattened and a real estate crash hit operations in China, Southeast Asia emerged as Sika's star performer. Francesco breaks down the mechanics of their extensive local footprint, now spanning six factories, and reveals how they are managing a volatile energy crisis.We unpack the delicate trade-off between protecting profit margins and passing costs down to increasingly price-sensitive local contractors, the strategy for fending off aggressive Chinese suppliers looking for overseas buyers, and Sika's bold corporate roadmap to double its Malaysian business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elsa Bhd is preparing for its ACE Market debut, but this is a firm that is more than your traditional oil and gas services provider. Its managing director, Daniel Ilham Khong talks about Elsa's evolution from engineering consultancy to digital solutions, robotics and energy technology, and whether that transformation can drive its next phase of growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026 to 2035 was launched in March, setting out the policy direction for tertiary education in the country over the next decade. Does this plan address the realities of higher education institutions in Malaysia today, and what will it take to achieve the aim of becoming a global education hub by 2035? We explore themes and trends in higher education with our expert panel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Streaming platforms are entering a more demanding phase, where subscriber growth alone is no longer enough to sustain expansion or satisfy investors. For players like iQIYI, the challenge now is balancing profitability, localisation, creator monetisation, and AI-driven innovation while competing for audiences across Southeast Asia’s increasingly crowded entertainment landscape. As viewing habits evolve and pressure builds on both advertising and subscription models, how is iQIYI positioning itself for the next stage of growth in the region?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and enterprise technology spending continue to expand, newly listed ICT players are facing growing pressure to differentiate beyond traditional hardware distribution and project-based revenue. Pentech Holdings is positioning itself around cybersecurity, managed services, and AI-driven solutions as it prepares for its ACE Market debut at an IPO price of 20 sen per share on June 15. But in a sector known for tight margins and intense competition, how sustainable is the shift toward recurring revenue and higher-value digital services, and what should investors be watching as the company enters its next phase of growth?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between 2022 and 2024, Samsonite enjoyed a massive travel boom, but now the market is slowing down and cheap rivals are flooding in.Ambert Khoo, General Manager of Samsonite Malaysia, joins The Breakfast Grille to explain how they keep Asia more profitable than their other major markets, and how selling 90% of their products directly to customers drives that success.We also discuss how moving into everyday items like ladies' handbags and backpacks protects the business when people travel less, as well as dive into a new franchise plan designed to help their budget brand, American Tourister, win back customers from cheaper competitors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A.I. technology has developed at an exponential rate over the past 5 years, but it comes at the cost of regulatory and cybersecurity frameworks playing catch-up. We speak to US legal practitioner Guillermo Christensen, a partner at the law firm K&L Gates to discuss how governments are responding to the cybersecurity risks that AI poses and how businesses should adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is artificial intelligence stuck in your cost structure and completely missing from your bottom line? Arya Bolurfrushan, Founder and CEO of The Applied AI Company (AAICO), joins The Breakfast Grille to break down exactly what enterprises are getting wrong about AI adoption.We explore his firm’s $100 million war chest and aggressive private equity-style acquisition strategy, as well as why patching an AI agent into an existing legacy setup is a dangerous automation trap. Arya reveals how to properly design an AI-first process with strategic human placement rather than contorting your business around rigid code.Finally, we dissect the unique mathematical vulnerability where a tiny 1% error rate compounds into an 11% operational crisis across multiple agents, and why AAICO is locked in a multi-million dollar race to chart all 2.7 million finite, regulated business processes on Earth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Les' Copaque Production built one of Malaysia’s most recognisable animation franchises in Upin & Ipin. Now, the company is expanding beyond content, into education, F&B, and even a theme park, as it looks to evolve into a full-fledged IP-driven business. Datuk Burhanuddin Md Radzi its founder and managing director shares how he plans to fulfil his lifelong dreams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IKEA has been part of the Malaysian retail landscape for 30 years and as consumers become more cost-conscious and e-commerce reshapes retail, it is evolving beyond its traditional megastore model. Malcolm Pruys, Country Retail Director of IKEA Malaysia discusses affordability, omnichannel retail and expansion for the IKEA experience in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UCSI University, which in 2024 found itself at its highest position in the QS World University Rankings since its inception, slipped slightly in the 2025 list. Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir, the university's Vice-Chancellor, discusses whether UCSI University can sustain its position as competition intensifies and weighing in on Malaysia’s higher education system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telco tower veteran Suresh Sidhu launched EdgePoint Infrastructure in 2020, scaling the regional venture to over 16,000 sites across Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with backing from DigitalBridge, and then later the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.However the infrastructure model now faces a more complex reality: carrier consolidation and a higher for longer interest rate environment that creates a more challenging environment, in particular for a PE-backed player. Can ASEAN’s underlying tide of data demand outrun these mounting structural pressures?Suresh Sidhu joins the show to discuss navigating private equity expectations in a high-rate climate, the shifting economics of a consolidated customer base, and the new growth engines driving the TowerCo model.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmaniaga officially exited PN17 status in March, having taken three years to complete its regularisation plan. The firm is now vying to become the most valuable pharmaceutical company in Malaysia by 2030 leveraging on its ongoing government concession in logistics and biopharma manufacturing capabilities. We catch-up with Managing Director Dato’ Zulkifli Jafar to find out how he intends to achieve this goal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Still fresh from his re-entry into UMNO, we ask the former Minister and Youth Chief what role he sees for himself in the party ahead of GE16, and his views on the Barisan-Pakatan cooperation and what the Malay community wants. We also tap him for his views on great power rivalry, the US-Israeli attack on Iran and the global crisis it has created. Are our political elite up to the task of navigating the global crisis, or will they keep our house permanently divided?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How is the US-China geopolitical rivalry affecting other countries also involved in the semiconductor space, like the Netherlands and Malaysia? We discuss the Dutch approach to semiconductor advancement and lessons that can be learned by Malaysia in growing its domestic industry with Michiel Sweers, Vice Minister for Foreign Economic Relations of the Netherlands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putrajaya has been laying out strategies to deal with what is being called a “supply-side crisis” sparked by the American and Israeli attack on Iran on February the 28th. From the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, to the impacts on crude oil supplies and agriculture, leading to shortages of petroleum derived products and disruptions to manufacturing supply chains, to geo-political realignments and its economic consequences, the crisis is about to hit with increasing severity in the coming months. Are we ready for what it will demand of all stake-holders in the country?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Union has not been spared geopolitical whiplash under the Trump administration as US-China competition, the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East upends the global order. How is the bloc navigating these challenging times and how is this shaping its relations with Malaysia? We catch up with H.E. Rafael Daerr, EU Ambassador to Malaysia on the eve of Europe Day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the world on the brink of a recession?10 weeks into the paralysis of the Strait of Hormuz, the global market is still missing between 10 to 15 million barrels of oil daily, and the longer this goes on, the darker the economic scenarios look.Dr. Gaurav Ganguly, Head of International Economist at Moody’s Analytics, joins the Breakfast Grille to unpack Asia’s ‘Two-Part Story’, where Asia’s weakness in energy is offset by a surge in electronics exports due to the AI boom.We explore why Malaysia’s RM5 billion monthly subsidy bill is testing the absolute limits of fiscal resilience, how the supply shock could trigger a "wage-price spiral" that threatens to break the global labor market, and what this prolonged shock means for the permanent re-ordering of the global order.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MARA Liner Group has been connecting rural communities across the country for decades, but with rising costs and low margins, can that model hold? New CEO Wan Agyl Wan Hassan discusses the challenges of transforming a legacy bus operator through digitalisation, diversification, and operational reform while navigating thin margins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warisan Kuala Lumpur initiative, which was launched in April last year with a RM600 million funding injection from Khazanah Nasional, is beginning to reap rewards with the reopening of heritage buildings in the city centre. We catch up with Dato' Hamdan Abdul Majeed of Think City on KL urban regeneration efforts and the potential economic multiplier of the upcoming Kuala Lumpur Festival beginning May 6th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the recent 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China, no one can doubt the ascendency of the Peoples' Republic both for its internal political consolidation around President Xi Jinping and the impact of its external relations. Both its military and economic heft, signal both opportunities and dangers. Today we explore what we must keep in mind when dealing with this 21st Century juggernaut. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed for over two months following the outbreak of war in Iran. What are the implications of this prolonged closure for international trade, shipping, and the lobal legal maritime regime? We explore these themes with Prof Dr Jason Chuah, Chairman of the Board of Research with the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been two months since the start of the Iran War and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery carrying 20% of the world’s oil and 40% of Malaysia’s crude imports. Despite early optimistic projections of a four-week resolution, the deadlock has entered its ninth week, with global supply losses reaching 1 billion barrels.So, is this still just a "temporary shock"?Brian Coulton, Chief Economist at Fitch Ratings, joins The Breakfast Grille to audit the growing stagflation threat, a toxic mix of rising prices and falling output. We explore why Asia is uniquely exposed as a net oil importer, why equity markets are dangerously disconnected from energy realities, and why the "fragile" global job market is the real trigger for a 2026 recession.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Islamic banking now makes up nearly half of Malaysia’s financial system but as it matures, questions around differentiation, sustainability, and global competitiveness are coming into sharper focus. Rafe Haneef, president of the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM) talks about challenges going forward maintaining Malaysia's lead in this space.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Southeast Asia’s real estate markets have long been seen as a growth story. But in a world of higher interest rates, shifting supply chains, and rising geopolitical tensions, that narrative is being tested. Michael Glancy, Managing Director for Southeast Asia at the international real estate advisory JLL, shares his insights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Systech Bhd has undergone a major shift following its acquisition of Wilstech Sdn Bhd, driving strong revenue growth and a new push into AI and GPU-as-a-Service, and with a new man at the helm. That person is Dr Wilson Low, the founder of Wilstech and now the MD for Systech. He discusses his ambitions and plans to turn Systech into a profitable business again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan already sells more adult diapers than baby diapers, a stark harbinger for a rapidly aging Malaysia. By 2040, the national support ratio is projected to collapse to just five working adults for every senior, signaling a fiscal crisis unless longevity is reframed as a frontier marketplace.Michael Hodin, CEO of the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA), joins the Breakfast Grille to discuss the $22 trillion Silver Economy. We explore why he believes the next 30 years of global growth will be driven not by the youth, but by a demographic that holds the lion’s share of disposable income. Is it time for a corporate "Aging Strategy" that goes far beyond bathroom grab bars.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Book Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) dedicated to promoting reading, literacy, and the joy of books worldwide. This year it is being celebrated under the shadow of several high profile and inexplicable book bans and seizures. While Malaysia boasts a literacy rate of over 94% and the government estimates that the average number of books read rose from two a year in 2005 to 24 in 2023, many issues remain to make reading books a popular way of experiencing the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New START Treaty between the U.S. and Russia expired in February 2026, marking the end of the last, major nuclear arms control agreement. Alarm bells went off with the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres noting that “for the first time in more than half a century, we face a world without any binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals.” So how do we re-institutionalise restraints in an age of re-emergent Great Power rivalry?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when Malaysian unicorn Carsome stops chasing "growth at all costs" and starts chasing the bottom line? After raising over $800 million and hitting a peak revenue of RM5.6 billion (pertaining to Carsome Sdn Bhd), the regional automotive e-commerce platform made a surprising move: it got smaller to get fitter. Group CEO Eric Cheng joins the Breakfast Grille to explain the revenue contraction, how financing now contributes up to 30% of their profit margin, and why their recent $30 million raise isn't a lifeline, but a tech-heavy bridge to Greater China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when Malaysian unicorn Carsome stops chasing "growth at all costs" and starts chasing the bottom line? After raising over $800 million and hitting a peak revenue of RM5.6 billion (pertaining to Carsome Sdn Bhd), the regional automotive e-commerce platform made a surprising move: it got smaller to get fitter. Group CEO Eric Cheng joins the Breakfast Grille to explain the revenue contraction, how financing now contributes up to 30% of their profit margin, and why their recent $30 million raise isn't a lifeline, but a tech-heavy bridge to Greater China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Union and ASEAN will mark 50 years of diplomatic ties next year - but the pathway to the anniversary is fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties. How might the current Middle East energy crisis shape the trajectory of EU-ASEAN economic relations in the months to come? We discuss this with Chris Humphrey, Executive Director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council.Image Credits: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.