The Breakfast Grille

Pekat Group Berhad has transformed itself from a lightning protection specialist into a leading player in Malaysia's solar engineering sector, reflecting the country's accelerating energy transition. With plans to move from Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market to the Main Market, the company is entering a new stage of growth amid rising demand for renewable energy and data centre infrastructure. Can Pekat maintain its momentum as competition intensifies and the clean energy landscape evolves?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest entrant to the Malaysian political scene is Parti Wawasan Negara led by Dato’ Sri Hamzah Zainuddin and comprising disgruntled former members of Bersatu. How is Wawasan positioning itself in an increasingly crowded space? We find out from the party’s Secretary General, Dato’ Sri Saifuddin Abdullah.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Media Council or Majlis Media Malaysia (MMM) is a statutory body established to uphold journalistic standards, mediate public complaints and advocate for press freedom. How will it shape the contours of the media industry for the future? We discuss the role and aims of the MMM with its newly appointed Chair, Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan, former justice of the Federal Court. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent international trade numbers are record breaking. In the first half of the year, it grew 22.4% year-on-year to a record RM1.796 trillion in the first half of 2026. The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry said exports increased 27.5% to RM971.59bil, while imports rose 16.9% to RM824.44bil, resulting in a trade surplus of RM147.15bil. Reports stated that “manufactured goods continued to underpin export growth, led by electrical and electronic products, which recorded an increase of almost RM140bil in export value.” While the Malaysia Investment Development Authority reported healthy levels of Domestic Investments, yet in this volatile international order, what challenges remain for the country’s leadership to navigate?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The escalating US-Iran conflict is putting global energy supplies under growing pressure, with disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea raising concerns over oil markets. How much further could crude prices rise if tensions continue to intensify? Muyu Xu, Senior Crude Oil Analyst at Kpler shares her analysis.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Food & Drinks Malaysia 2026 opens at MITEC, the food and beverage industry is navigating shifting supply chains, evolving consumer demand, and growing regional competition. Trade exhibitions are also changing, with greater emphasis on delivering measurable business outcomes rather than simply showcasing products. What will it take for Malaysia to strengthen its position as a regional food and beverage hub, and where are the biggest commercial opportunities for the industry?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CGS International Securities Malaysia is looking beyond its traditional roots as a stockbroker to become a broader investment house. Its CEO Khairi Shahrin Arief Baki explains what's driving that strategy, where future growth opportunities lie and why the future of brokerage will depend on far more than executing trades.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Samaiden, an integrated renewable energy solutions provider and asset owner is one of the big beneficiaries of the RE transition momentum, with revenue and profit growing steadily over the past 2 years. However as external factors create cost pressures and with increasing competition in the EPCC space, can Samaiden maintain its shine? We discuss the fortunes and prospects of the company with Group Managing Director Dato’ Chow Pui Hee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month, No.10 Downing Street is set to welcome a new resident: Andy Burnham is expected to replace Keir Starmer as the 5th UK Prime Minister since 2020. How will this influence the UK policy agenda? We discuss this with Mark MacGregor of Penta Group.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medical insurance has become one of Malaysia's biggest public policy challenges amid rising healthcare costs and insurance premiums. Vibha Coburn, Group CEO of Manulife Malaysia, discusses the company's growth strategy, the future of medical insurance, and how rebuilding consumer trust will require action from insurers, healthcare providers and regulators alike.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France and Malaysia have had formal diplomatic relations ever since Merdeka, with the relationship growing significantly over the decades, leading to expanded cooperation in trade, higher education, and defence. HE Marc Abensour, Ambassador of France to Malaysia join us on this Bastille Day to discuss the evolution of Malaysia-France relations and its future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The big winner was Barisan Nasional going from 40 to 48 seats in the 56 seat House with UMNO’s partners contributing a large part to the extra eight seats to that boost. The MCA doubled its representation from 4 to 8, and the MIC increased from 3 to 4, giving them 25% of Barisan’s ADUNs. Biggest losers were Perikatan Nasional fielding candidates in 33 seats, but they won none, losing the three ADUNS they had. And finally Pakatan, which was in a confidence and supply agreement with the previous Barisan government, had its representation shrink from 12 to 8 ADUNs in the Assembly. We look at the depth of the Blue Wave, the Bersama spoiler effect, PAS’ ‘Malay-Muslim’ government strategy and the wake-up call for Pakatan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johor goes to the polls on Saturday and Negeri Sembilan in a couple of weeks, and Melaka soon after: the country enters a period of domestic political volatility after three and a half years of relative stability. What harm will the current jostling for dominance between coalition partners do to the MADANI government? What does the future hold for the DAP as it holds its national congress after two state elections? And what new political realities and leaders will Malaysians wake up to in the coming months. All this against the backdrop of big power rivalries that are rocking the international stage and upending the rules-based order.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than half of finance professionals are quietly sweating over what AI means for their careers, and Gen Z graduates are the most anxious of all. But is automation destroying the profession, or simply clearing out grunt work to give humans a more strategic role?Pulkit Abrol, Director of Asia Pacific at ACCA, joins The Breakfast Grille to look past the AI hype and talk about real human trust. We dive into "agency decay", the danger of younger professionals blindly trusting machine reports over their own judgment, and explore how corporate ethics must evolve as technology shifts.We also unpack why massive corporate collapses are almost always failures of human courage rather than technical math, and break down the eye-opening data from ACCA's latest Global Trends report, including that 66% of Malaysian finance talent are unhappy with their pay, and 61% face severe workplace mental health strain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's timber industry is at a crossroads. While it remains one of the country's largest commodity exporters, the sector is contending with weaker global demand, US tariffs, labour shortages, and mounting pressure to automate and meet stricter sustainability standards. As the government pushes the industry towards higher-value products and stronger global competitiveness, can Malaysia transform its timber sector into a modern, innovation-driven export powerhouse?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Madani Government enters the home stretch of its tenure, the question is not only what's left of its legislative agenda but also what it has accomplished thus far, and how much time does it have for the remainder of its term. With the noise from the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections increasingly obscuring the cooperation at the Federal-level can the government convince the public that it has accomplished the most important legislative tasks the country needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat has been in the hot seat about their commitment to reform including its pace. But as a former PKR activist writes, “PKR did not become one of Malaysia’s mainstream political parties because it had the most sophisticated reform manifesto, but because it assembled a broad coalition spanning the urban middle class, wage earners, civil society, minorities, and voters seeking an alternative model of governance.” Arguing it's not only sloganeering over values, but coalition-building leading to taking Putrajaya that’s the real test for commitment to reform.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US-Malaysia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade that was signed in October last year remains in limbo as the Trump administration tries to sort out its tariff regime. What does the uncertainty mean for US-ASEAN business activity? We break down the latest developments on US tariffs and discuss what growing US involvement in critical mineral supply chains means for ASEAN with Marc Mealy of the US-ASEAN Business Council.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global Sukuk market entered 2026 with strong momentum after a record year in 2025, when global issuance grew 25% year-on-year to surpass USD 300 billion for the first time. Then came the US-Iran war, triggering a 35% plunge in first-quarter global Sukuk volumes, effectively grounding the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market to a halt in March.Bashar Al Natoor, Global Head of Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings, joins The Breakfast Grille to break down how the asset class is navigating this ultimate geopolitical stress test.We dive into why global yields refuse to return to pre-war baselines, how Malaysia’s local, ringgit-denominated market acts as a shield against international volatility, and whether the future of Shariah-compliant capital will be powered by blockchain tokenisation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.