The Breakfast Grille

Bridge Data Centres’ Malaysia Bet

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As demand for AI and cloud computing soars, the Bain Capital-backed, Singapore-based, Bridge Data Centres is betting big on Southeast Asia and Malaysi...

Sarawak: A future regional digital powerhouse?

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sarawak is pushing to become a regional digital powerhouse, targeting a 25% contribution of the digital economy to its GDP by 2030. Dato Sudarnoto Osm...

How Slovenia Sees the World

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Slovenia, a small nation of 2 million inhabitants, is a member of the EU and NATO navigating the complexities of modern geopolitics. Marko Ham, its Am...

Are we prepared for an aging society?

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

By 2044, Malaysia will face a “silver tsunami”, with 14% of its population aged 65 and above. Chai Sen Tyng, Senior Research Officer at MyAgeing, ...

Sabah Elections: Strategic Ambiguity in Action

09 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Sabah state elections scheduled for the end of November will be a crucial test for the Madani Government as well as the various political factions...

The US-China Trade Truce and its Repercussions

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With US President Donald Trump declaring his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping “a 12 out of 10,” we ask how much of it is hyperbole and ho...

Romania at the Frontier of a New Hybrid War

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Amid the widespread rise of far-right sentiment in European politics in recent years, Romania has managed to maintain a pro-EU government in its recen...

KNM, Delisted But Not Out

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

KNM Group is officially delisted from Bursa Malaysia today, ending its journey as a publicly listed company since 2003. The move should enable it to s...

Rethinking Homelessness in Malaysia

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every year on October 10th, World Homeless Day reminds us that homelessness is not just a local problem, but a global one. Yet in Malaysia, it remains...

Phison, Riding the AI Boom

02 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do all companies benefit from the AI boom and how does a tech company navigate the US-China trade tensions. Questions we pose to Dato’ Phua Khein Se...

Hamzah Zainuddin : Can a Fractured Bersatu Still Lead?

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As internal cracks deepen within Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional braces for the Sabah state election and GE16 thereafter, questions loom over the coali...

People-Centred Cities : Rethinking Urban Renewal in Malaysia

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

World Cities Day is celebrated on Oct 31st every year and this year’s theme is “People-centred Smart Cities”, a reminder that technology and inn...

Asean, Its Relevancy and Role in this New World Order

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia wrapped up its year as ASEAN chair with a high-profile summit attended by world leaders, including US President Donald Trump. We speak with J...

Canada in a Volatile World

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gets into conversation with Professor Ngaire Woods of Oxford University at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summi...

New Playbook for US-ASEAN Business in Era of Uncertainty

26 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia is the chair of ASEAN at a time of geopolitical flux and economic volatility, as the major global superpowers battle for a new equilibrium. H...

Addressing Media Illiteracy in the Age of AI

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Munira Mustaffa, Executive Director of the Chasseur Group, and Dr. Benjamin Loh, Course Director for the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communication a...

Spain’s Role in Southeast Asia and Global Affairs

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Spain is strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia through trade, diplomacy, and shared global priorities, while balancing its commitments within N...

Insights Analytics : A Sarawak Tech Story Goes Public

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sarawak-based Insights Analytics Bhd has built its business helping utilities cut water losses through data and IoT. It is now en route to a listing o...

Riding the AI Boom by Testing Equipment

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ooi Can Nix, CEO of THMY Holdings Bhd, tells us how the company is tapping into the AI boom through its hyperscaler clients, the crucial role of testi...

Standing Out in a Crowded Solar Market

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

JS Solar Holding Bhd,an ACE Market–listed company in the solar industry, is charting steady growth post-IPO. Managing Director Johnson Chai Jeun Sia...

EMGS, Turning Malaysian Education Global

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

EMGS a government entity is the sole agency responsible for promoting and facilitating international student arrival to Malaysia. Datuk Ahmad Shalimin...

It's A New CAAM With Wider Scope

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) now serves as the sole agency responsible for the technical, safety, security, and economic regulation...

Gaza and Beyond : The Human Cost Seen by MSF

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Médecins Sans Frontières or Doctors Without Borders, has long been a symbol of compassion in conflict zones. Dr Javid Abdelmoneim, the new Internati...

Budget 2026: Fiscally Prudent But Soft on Growth?

12 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Budget 2026 is the first under the period of the 13th Malaysia Plan that runs until 2030 and which has the lofty goal of redesigning national developm...

2026, A Maintenance Budget

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, all eyes are on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as he tables Budget 2026, the last before GE16. It continues the Ekonomi Madani agenda ...

It's Time for ASEAN to Deliver for its People

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Southeast Asia faces one of its most uncertain economic periods in recent years such as global trade tensions and currency fluctuations, we speak w...

Can China Engineer Its Way Out of a Slowdown?

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The US-China rivalry is commonly framed as one of ideology between capitalism and socialism, or autocratic versus democratic systems. But researcher D...

Kinokuniya: Human Element Is Critical

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Koichiro Satomi, Deputy Group Managing Director of Asia Pacific Kinokuniya and Managing Director for Kinokuniya Malaysia to talk about what differenti...

Governance and Performance Go Hand in Hand for Markets

05 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With over 1000 listed companies on Bursa Malaysia, how does the country rank when it comes to governance and protecting minority shareholders? Our pan...

TRX City, Building the KL of Tomorrow?

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The TRX development project was envisioned under the 10th Malaysia Plan to put Kuala Lumpur on the map as a global financial hub. But has it managed t...

Curtin University Malaysia Focused On Graduate Outcomes

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Curtin University Malaysia, Curtin’s largest overseas campus, has worked with the Sarawak Government since 1999 and is ranked 183rd in the QS World ...

Inside Malaysia’s National AI Office : One Year On

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia aims to be among the world’s top 20 AI economies by 2030. Shamsul Izhan Abdul Majid, the CEO of the nine-month-old National AI Office (NAIO...

What Has MIGHT Done For Malaysia’s High-Tech Industry ?

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia aims to move up the high-tech value chain, from electronics to aerospace, green technologies and smart cities. Rushdi Abdul Rahim, President ...

TMK, Retaining Its Edge In A Tough Market

28 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TMK made its Bursa debut in December 2024 but has since traded below its IPO price. Wong Kin Wah, their Managing Director joins us again for an update...

Top Court Vacancies Expose Flaws In Appointment Process

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What led to the vacancies in Malaysia’s judiciary, including its two top positions, and how can such critical issues be avoided in the future? Forme...

Can TERAJU Deliver on PuTERA35?

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Madani government launched the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35) in August last year to accelerate the empowerment of the bu...

Camaroe Bhd: Laser Focus in Aquaculture

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today on the Breakfast Grille, Philip See will be sitting down with Teoh Han Boon, Managing Director of Camaroe Bhd to talk about the company’s upco...

Riyaz To Launch 50 Hotels in Malaysia with China’s Jin Jiang

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Riyaz International plans to roll out 50 hotels across Malaysia over the next five years through a regional partnership with China’s hotel giant Jin...

Alliance Bank Accelerates Transformation

21 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Alliance Bank, Malaysia's smallest bank by asset size is halfway through its Acceler8 2027 strategy to diversify its core business and strengthen mark...

Karcher Sets Sights For Growth Despite Challenging Environment

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Karcher is renowned for its professional cleaning solutions, helping homes and businesses stay spotless with innovative products and services. Philip ...

AI And Malaysia’s Workforce : Are We Ready?

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nearly half of Malaysia’s workforce facing high exposure to artificial intelligence, with women and younger workers most at risk. What does this mea...

Kyiv Appeal To ASEAN: Uphold Rule Of Law

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The global geopolitical landscape has changed dramatically since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine with the return of President Donald Trump to the W...

UK Making Up For Time in ASEAN

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The UK under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is adjusting its foreign policy to global challenges amid changing geopolitical dynamics. How is the governme...

Internal Audit, See Them As Advisers Not Police

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Increasingly more companies are required to have internal auditors but what role do they play ? Anthony Pugliese, President & CEO, The Global Inst...

Why Malaysia Should Ratify UNCAT

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 year...

Asia School Of Business On Navigating the Pressures Facing U.S. Higher Education

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Teaching Literacy In The Digital Age

07 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As technology transforms the way we learn reading and writing skills, how can we better navigate the changing dimensions of literacy in the digital ag...

Hibiscus Petroleum Stays Lean As Oil Prices Fall

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We speak to Dato' Dr Kenneth Pereira, founder and managing director of Hibiscus Petroleum, on how the company keeps cutting costs and extending the li...

Unique Fire : Sparking Growth Beyond Malaysia

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 provi...

Madam Kwan's, Going Global With Malaysian Cuisine

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Sheila Majid On Music, Social Media & Malaysian Unity

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Exploring Malaysia’s Evolving Art Scene

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 dyn...

Mitra, Revamping To Meet Its Goals

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Despite forming 6-7% of the populace, many Malaysian Indians are trapped in low-income brackets. Does the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA)...

Uncertainty : The New Normal for World Trade

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tariffs, protectionism and fractured alliances are reshaping the global trading system. With blocs like BRICS rising and the US facing questions over ...

Control Risks, Risking An Expansion To Malaysia

24 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 operat...

War, Peace Talks, and Ukraine’s Political Future

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This Sunday, Ukraine marks its Independence Day on August 24, commemorating its 1991 return to sovereignty. H.E. Hennadii Nadolenkom, Ukrainian Ambass...

The Orang Asli, the Forgotten Malaysians

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 deni...

Challenges And Opportunities Facing Malaysia’s Legal System

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 judici...

WHD 2025: Humanity At Stake

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Global humanitarian capacity is coming under strain as donor funds dry up and geopolitical posturing takes precedence over international law. What wil...

MSD, Science Led Growth in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei

17 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The pharmaceutical industry is at a crossroads, grappling with scepticism over the efficacy of medicines and rising competition We speak to Dr Abdulla...

Hong Kong’s Playbook for Attracting Global Family Offices

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Fong, Global Head of FamilyOfficeHK at Invest Hong Kong, discusses the department’s strategy for attracting family offices, the city’s uniqu...

Fiscal Constraints Refocuses The 13th Malaysia Plan

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Philip See sits down with economist Dr. Nungsari Ahmad Radhi to unpack the 13th Malaysia Plan, focusing on fiscal sustainability, tax reform, and econ...

Air Selangor, Ensuring Quality And Supply Of A Precious Resource

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

From Education To Employment: What Do Youth Want?

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On International Youth Day, we take a look at the realities facing young Malaysians, from underemployment and mismatched degrees to the promises of ne...

ICAEW Drives To Elevate The Accounting Profession

10 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) is evolving to prepare future accountants as versatile business leaders, focusing ...

Turner & Townsend at 30: Balancing Local Needs with Global Standards

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Turner & Townsend has been in Malaysia for 30 years, helping deliver some of the country’s most complex construction projects. As demand grows, ...

WWF-Malaysia’s Long-Term Strategy For Conservation Impact

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What will it take to reverse the decline of the Malayan tiger? Sophia Lim, Executive Director and CEO of WWF-Malaysia, talks about the urgent conserva...

Energy Commission, Electrifying Malaysia In A Safe And Cost Effective Way

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Energy Commission plays an outsized role by ensuring that Malaysia has a reliable, safe and cost effective supply of electricity and gas. Siti Saf...

Snowflake, Reaffirming Its Focus On Asean

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Snowflake, a cloud data company has been in Asia for many years but has of late increased its footprint in Asean. We ask Satchit Joglekar, Managing Di...

Oasis Home’s Next Chapter After Making Market Debut

03 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Oasis Home Holding Bhd made history in May as Malaysia’s first listed live commerce company, debuting on the ACE Market in May 2025. CEO Datuk Jaden...

SIRIM at 50: Rethinking National Standards

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

SIRIM Berhad is one of Malaysia’s most recognisable yet least understood public institutions even as it celebrates its golden jubilee. Best known fo...

Women Hold Up Half Of The Sky But Are They Work Opportunities?

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The World Bank recently published its Inclusive Employment Practices Survey 2024, which aims to provide insights into inclusive employment practices a...

Keeping Volvo Swedish In A Chinese EV World

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Volvo has transformed from a safety-first Swedish brand into a sleek, electrified marque under Geely’s ownership. Chris Wailes, Managing Director of...

RIA Money Transfer, Happily Growing Market Share

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to the UN, six of the world’s top ten remittance-receiving countries are in the Asia Pacific region, highlighting the critical role these ...

MyCC : Inside Malaysia’s Competition Watchdog

27 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Malaysia Competition Commission is set to get more bite once amendments to the Competition Act 2010 makes it through Parliament some time this yea...

Velesto Achieving Regional Ambitions 

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The oil and gas industry is known for its boom and bust cycles. How then does Velesto an upstream drilling company navigate these challenges. Question...

Halfway To GE16: Has The Madani Government Delivered?

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been 2 1⁄2 years since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took office, leading a minority government after GE15 with reform promises up ...

MOSTI Has Its Work Cut Out To Ramp Up R&D Investments

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Science Minister Chang Lih Kang talks about Malaysia’s ambitions in space, AI, and what it really takes to build a tech-driven future that’s inclu...

Faber-Castell : Relevance of Traditional Stationery In A Digital World

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Faber-Castell is a legacy brand making pens and colour pencils in a world that's getting more used to ChatGPT, iPads and AI textbooks. Its managing di...

Synergy House, Growing Despite Tariffs

20 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many Malaysian companies are caught in the whirlwind of uncertainty caused by Trump’s tariffs. So, how challenging is it to navigate such turbulent ...

Timor-Leste’s Time To Shine In ASEAN

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Timor Leste is working hard to join ASEAN, aiming for full membership at the upcoming summit this October. H.E. Lisualdo Gaspar, Ambassador of Timor L...

The Blind Box Boom: POPMART's Playbook

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We dive into the world of POPMART, the brand that's taken Asia by storm with its wildly hyped blind boxes and designer toys. We speak with POPMART’s...

ASM, Expanding For Growth

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

ASM Automation Group Bhd, a provider of end to end automated machinery solutions for food and beverage packaging recently debuted on Bursa Malaysia’...

Watt's Next For Samaiden's Bright Ambitions?

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Samaiden Group Berhad, once purely an EPCC contractor, is now transitioning into a renewable energy asset owner. Datuk Ir Chow Pui Hee, Samaiden's Gro...

Farm Fresh On The Lookout For Deals 

13 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Loi Tuan Ee, Managing Director, Farm Fresh Malaysia gives us an update on how the company is doing, its expansion plans including East Malaysia as it ...

Ejen Ali And The Rise Of Local IPs

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Animated films are a bright spot for the Malaysian industry, with Ejen Ali the Movie 2 breaking box office records this year. How does the homegrown s...

Where to Put Your Money In 2025?

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At our bi-annual investment outlook and with a plethora of headwinds, what is the best investment strategy to adopt? How can you build a resilient por...

Wentel Engineering: Thriving In A Time Of Trade Tensions

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Philip See will be joined by Freddy Wong, Executive Director, Wentel Engineering Holdings Bhd on today’s Breakfast Grille. They’ll be discussing t...

BRICS Counterweight Against The US?

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

US President Donald Trump has threatened an additional 10% tariff on countries that orient themselves along the “Anti-American policies of BRICS” ...

Achieving Greater Asean Economic Intergration Requires Political Will

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

ASEAN aims to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2045. Achieving this requires deeper regional integration and inclusive, sustainable grow...

PMCK IPO: A Prescription For Growth

06 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

PMCK Berhad, a 30-year-old private healthcare provider based in Alor Setar, is heading for a listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia. Dato' Lee Ga...

NTT Data Payment Services Eyeing Growth Post-M&A

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Philip See will be having a conversation with Sean Hesh, Group CEO of NTT Data Payment Services. The company formerly known as GHL System Bhd provides...

MCE Holdings: EVs, Exports And Expansion

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

MCE Holdings is a homegrown automotive electronics and mechatronic components manufacturer. It is also a part of a critical network of parts suppliers...

QS University Rankings: Is Asia Winning Higher Education?

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings paints a picture that Asia is on the rise, with Singapore’s NUS now ranking 8th globally, while...

Malayan Flour, Better Times Ahead

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Malayan Flour has seen choppy earnings in the last few years as both the flour and grain business and the poultry JV face their respective headwinds. ...

Switzerland: Neutrality Amidst Today's Geopolitical Challenges

29 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia and Switzerland have enjoyed more than six decades of diplomatic ties. Having recently inked a landmark EFTA trade deal, what does this mean ...

How Far Does Trump's Executive Power Go?

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

US President Donald Trump in his second term is rocking the foundation of the legal checks and balances that the US government is built upon. We discu...

Pakistan: Peace, Pressure And Power Plays

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The long-standing Kashmir conflict, strained India-Pakistan relations, and rising tensions in the Middle East are once again testing regional stabilit...

Pan Merchant IPO: Filtering For Growth

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pan Merchant Berhad is Malaysia’s largest solid-liquid filtration solutions provider. It is heading to Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market after 38 years ...

Pharmaniaga Easing Its Way Out Of PN17

22 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pharmaniaga Berhad,a PN17 company, appears to be on track with its regularisation plan. We speak with Managing Director Zulkifli Jaafar on the company...