The Breakfast Grille

Bincang Finances Malaysia

30 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In one of the first media interviews from a Finance Ministry representative, YB Ong Kian Ming attempts to clarify the country's current financial posi...

Lim Kit Siang - Make History or Become History

28 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The results of GE14 vindicated a 50-year struggle for one of Malaysia's longest-serving members of Parliament, YB Lim Kit Siang. He provides his analy...

The GST vs SST Trade-off

25 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Pakatan Harapan administration has recently announced that GST will be zero-rated starting June 1, followed by the Sales and Services Tax (SST) ma...

Rafidah: His Legacy is Rubbish

24 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Iron Lady talks about the outcome of GE14 and her hopes for the future of Malaysia. She also delves into the Supermax and Stanley Thai dilemm...

Pakatan's Poster Boy

23 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

He stood against Barisan Nasional’s Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and the PAS’ Fauzi Abu Bakar and bested the majority of his Pakatan ...

Breaking 1MDB

21 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Sarawak Report was one of the news portals infamously banned under the previous administration over its whistle-blowing reports. We catch up with ...

From Civil Society to Post-BN State

17 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Having moved from civil society into the state both our guests have a unique insight into the transformation of Malaysia. Today we explore how the ele...

The Future Is Here

16 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Despite the warm after-glow of the recently concluded General Elections, the break from decades of Barisan Nasional-led authoritarian rule has its par...

The Future Comes First - Ambiga

15 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Former President of the Malaysian Bar and ex-chair of electoral reform movement Bersih gives her take on the serious challenges for the newly-minted g...

Keep Calm and Govern On

14 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We continue news coverage and analysis post-GE14 with Karim Raslan of KRA Group.We take a look at the future of UMNO and the need to be crit...

Tears of a Patriot

08 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Brigadier-General Dato' Arshad Raji, the President of the National Patriots Association, speaks of how he prays for a Malaysia free of hate, racial pr...

Halal Hub - Are We There Yet?

07 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Datuk Seri Jamil shares insights into the global halal business, how the Halal Development Corporation has performed under his leadership over the las...

Qatar Airways - Expanding Beyond the Embargo

04 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Qatar Airways is set to add 16 new destinations for 2018 and 2019 combined, despite expectations that the Gulf carrier will announce a "substantial' l...

Zurich's Strategy In Changing Insurance Landscape

03 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Competition has intensified for insurers with non-traditional insurers entering the space. With the rise of FinTech companies, how does Zurich Genera...

GE14 - Is It All About the Malay Ground?

30 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

With Polling Day just 10 days away, and with Nomination Day two days behind us, we take a measure of the political ground as it shifts and changes. We...

Takaful Goes Tech But With Human Touch

27 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Berhad is the country's oldest Takaful operator and currently the only pure Takaful player listed on Bursa Malaysia. It comm...

Globetronics' Swiss Risk?

26 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Globetronics Technology Berhad is an investment holding company that engages manufacturing, assembly, testing and sales in the semiconductor and elect...

Education - What We Need

25 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Education is central to the Malaysian Dream; seen as the key to upward mobility. And despite allocations of RM61.6 billion in Budget 2018, questions r...

Is SOCSO's EIS System Necessary?

24 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

When the EIS (Employment Insurance Scheme) system was first announced, it raised a number of questions. One of it was -- is the EIS system necessary? ...

When Did Reading Become A Chore?

23 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Reading is an act of civilization; it’s one of the greatest acts of civilization because it takes the free raw material of the mind and builds c...

Humans - Progress, Not Perfection

20 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Microsoft Founder Bill Gates' calls “Enlightment Now” his "favorite book of all time”. The Canadian-American cognitive psychologist,...

Putting the Confidence Back in Advancecon

19 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Even with recent job wins, Advanceon's share prices have erased most of its gains since its February 2017 IPO. Yeo unearths the potential in the earth...

Tata Motors - Making Inroads Into Malaysia

18 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Having relaunched its brand in Malaysia in 2015, Tata Motors is hoping to gain larger market share in the domestic market. Rudrarup outlines the growt...

Putin - How To Overcome Crisis and Stay in Power

17 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In March, Vladimir Putin won Russia's Presidential election to become the longest serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin. We speak to Chris Miller...

Serba's Shopping Spree - When Will It End?

16 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Serba Dinamik has made a number of acquisitions in recent months, with more in the works. What kind of synergies and risks could this present to the e...

Values-Based Leadership in the Era of Naked Capitalism

13 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of Iclif, the not-for-profit Bank Negara-funded leadership and organisational development centre, discusses his organisation&rs...

Battle of the Manifestos

12 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Are manifestos still relevant in this day and age? Together with our guests, Ali Salman and Ben Suffian, we look at the economic impact of party manif...

GE14's Mid-Week Poll Poser

11 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On the 29th of March, The Malaysian Insight, published an article on titled, "Mid-week Polling Date for GE14?" almost two weeks before the Election Co...

CAS Group Rides Indon Aviation Wave

10 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Indonesian listed Cardig Aero Services (CAS Group) is in businesses that centre around the air transportation industry, with businesses in logistics, ...

EU Integration - Where Next?

09 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As an emerging economy, Malaysia is an important partner for the European Union. Malaysia is the EU's second largest trade partner in the Southeast As...

Indah Water: Cleaning Up - Inside, Outside and Underneath

06 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Faizal Othman, CEO of the national wastewater management company Indah Water Konsortium​ discusses its financial situation and prospects, operationa...

IPO on iPay88's Radar?

05 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

iPay88 was “fintech” before the word “fintech” was coined and became a mainstream word. Lim shares with us the back story on h...

The Black Market - Funding Crime and Terrorism

04 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Across the globe, governments are faced with the problem of curbing illicit trade. The implications of illegal cross-border goods goes beyond the econ...

edotco's Towering Play

03 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Carved out from the Axiata group in 2012, edotco is the first regional and integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company in Asia. It h...

Milo - 40% Sweet, 150% Healthy?

02 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Nestlé Malaysia's revenue, net profits and share prices have been on an upward trajectory, despite consumer concerns over Milo's sugar content....

Free Trade - Facilitating Transnational Crime?

30 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From the Golden Triangle and the death camps of Wang Kelian, to the Islamic State and the siege of Marawi City, illegal trade flows and prospers. Toda...

AMCHAM Stoking Interest in US Business

29 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Siobhan Das, Executive Director of the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), fields questions centering on declining US investment in Malay...

Better Days Ahead For iCar?

28 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

iCar Asia positions itself as the leading cars portal network in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. We speak to CEO Hamish Stone about the ever-changin...

Celcom's Clarion Call

26 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Despite regaining second place in terms of service revenue market share, Celcom lost about 1 million subscribers in 2017. Can Axiata's largest operati...

CENDANA - Creative Economy Connector?

23 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A five-minute elevator pitch backed by five years of ground-work produced a new agency, one tasked with improving the “cultural sector of the cr...

People Are Corrupt, Not Companies

22 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Gavin shares his expertise about managing due diligence and third-party risk when it comes to global operations. He also talks about how Malaysian com...

Stateless Kids - Policy & Political Will

21 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The UN High Commission for Refugees report “I am Here, I Belong”  surveys seven countries, including Thailand and Malaysia. The repor...

Top Glove's Love Glove

20 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The world’s largest rubber glove manufacturer, Top Glove Corporation, now plans to diversify into the condom-making business. With aspirations t...

Taiwan - A "Pawn" in US-China Relations?

19 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

US President Donald Trump recently signed the Taiwan Travel bill, which encourages US officers to meet their Taiwanese counterparts. China reacted to ...

Norwegian Salmon's Success Story

16 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Norway is the second largest seafood exporter in the world, serving the world some 37 million meals of seafood every day. Some 99% of salmon eaten by ...

Is Cybersecurity the Solution for Efficient?

15 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Efficient E-Solutions Berhad provides integrated business process outsourcing services. Having sold its core business to Canon in 2015 it is now looki...

Do Modern Malaysians Watch TV?

14 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Johan Ishak just took on the hot driving seat at Media Prima Television Networks five months ago at very challenging time for the business. The TV bus...

Palm Oil's RSPO - Still Sustainable?

13 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The European Union is looking to ban palm oil imports for biofuels. Meanwhile, local industry players are having to contend with seemingly competing s...

Italy - ‘Coalition of Chaos’ Unavoidable?

12 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This year's Italian election marked the defeat of the centre-left government and the rise of the Eurosceptic centre-right coalition headed by the Lega...

Women - Leaders in Peace?

09 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

When we talk of conflict situations women are often spoken about primarily as victims. But what about the positive role of women in resolving conflict...

Women’s Lives, Women’s Rights

08 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Mooted over a hundred years ago, International Women’s Day gives us pause in our busy year to take stock of where women are in terms of their li...

KL's Unseen Children

08 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Children are often an overlooked demographic in the national discourse on rising cost of living and economic inequality. And yet, the effects of pover...

Women in Leadership: "The Struggle is Real"

07 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In the lead-up to International Women’s Day on March 8, we speak to a young, up-and-coming female leader in Corporate Malaysia - Mah Xian-Zhen. ...

Do Gender Quotas Work? Norway’s Experience

06 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Norway was one of the first countries to introduce a gender equality law in the 1970s and the first to impose gender quotas for corporate boardrooms, ...

Malaysia Education Blueprint - Are We on Track?

05 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

With RM61.6 billion allocated for the Education Ministry under Budget 2018, is money all that's required for Malaysia to achieve academic success? Kha...

Measuring TERAJU's Success

02 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Established as a strategic unit in the Prime Minister's Department with the purpose of leading the Bumiputera agenda as part of the National Transform...

Sharing the Co-Working Space

28 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Vijay gives his perspective on the Workspace-as-a-Service industry and how Regus is evolving to meet stiff competition from new market entrants.See om...

Will QES Ace the Markets?

27 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

QES is involved in the distribution of inspection, test, and measurement equipment, materials, and engineering solutions. Ahead of its anticipated lis...

Is The World in Reset Mode?

26 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephane Garelli is a world authority on competitiveness. Besides being an academic and author of several books, he was also the Managing Director of ...

Where Are We On The Innovation Ladder?

23 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Less than two weeks ago, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh named him Distinguished Professor for 2017. Its the fifth such award given. ...

Beautybiz Fuelling Money-Spend

22 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Estee Lauder turns 72 years old this year. Since the group first started shop in 1946, the operating landscape for the beauty retail business has chan...

Bata Moves Upmarket

21 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

For many Malaysians, Bata has long been associated with school shoes and affordable footwear. What’s their strategy for remaining relevant in a...

"Cryptocurrencies Are Not Currencies"

20 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

John D'Agostino is Managing Director of DMS Governance, the world's largest governance fund. He founded Digital Asset Group, an industry association t...

America First But Still Engaged?

19 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

When Donald Trump took the White House, he promised to withdraw from the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement, from the North American Free-Trade Agree...

Best Deal For Malaysia

15 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We speak to Tan Sri Munir Majid about the direction of the country, challenges to its multicultural fabric, as well as the rise of China and how ...

The True Value of Islamic Finance

14 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

According to S&P, the value of Shariah-compliant assets globally is expected to reach up to USD3 trillion within the next decade. Dato' Rafique ta...

Confessions Of Greece's Bad Boy

09 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Described by some as the 'bad boy of European politics', Yanis Varoufakis was the Greek Finance Minister in 2015 at the height of its debt crisis. On ...

Confessions Of Greece's Bad Boy

09 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Described by some as the 'bad boy of European politics', Yanis Varoufakis was the Greek Finance Minister in 2015 at the height of its debt crisis. On ...

The Formula for Equality

08 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The UNDP champions 17 sustainable development goals, touching on the climate change, gender equality, and poverty. Do market structures have to be rev...

GE14 - Narratives Vs Tactics

07 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In the run-up to the GE14, analysts and observers are sharpening their tools to better interpret political dynamics. From redelineation to seat alloca...

Doubling Down On Melaka And China

06 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Yong Tai Berhad is bullish on its development projects within Impression City in Melaka, as well as its potential regional expansion with its Impressi...

Mydin on KR1M 1.0: 'I Was Naive'

05 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Datuk Wira Dr Ameer Ali Mydin, Managing Director of the hypermarket and emporium chain, Mydin, is back in the hot seat to tell us why the company is s...

Sweden - Punching Above Its Weight

01 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This Scandinavian country has scores on social indices the envy of the world. It has produced global brands like Erricsson, H&M and Spotify. And i...

Thaipusam - Indian Issues Unveiled

30 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Hindu festival of Thaipusam offers a much photographed spectacle of Indian ethnic identity. But behind this gathering are more difficult questions...

ECERDC To Launch Masterplan 2.0; Sets New RM70 bil Investment Target

29 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) is “ready” to launch its Masterplan 2.0 soon. “Between 2018-2025, we have s...

Thailand At The Crossroads

26 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Prof. Kriengsak Chareonwongsak explains why Thailand has not returned to democracy after a military coup 4 years ago, the impact of China’s inve...

In Conversation With Lord Willetts

25 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Lord Willetts speaks about his career as a Conservative Party politician, life Peer, academic and author, with his recently published book “A Un...

Whither Malaysia’s Three Growth Engines?

24 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today we speak to the author of “The Development of Malaysian Capitalism, From British Rule to the Present Day” whose book is credited wit...

FDV: Fruitful Developing Ventures?

23 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Frontier Digital Ventures (FDV) is focused on investing in online classifieds businesses that are in underdeveloped and emerging countries. Granted th...

Post-Western World - Anything to Fear?

22 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Is the unipolar world that ended the American century giving away to the next hegemonic power like a China or is it going to usher in a multi-polar wo...

Trump’s First Year: A Method to the Madness?

19 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

US President Donald Trump was inaugurated on the 20th of January last year, 12 months later his approval rating languishes at 39%. Today we look ...

Youth - Carrying The Political Baggage of The Past?

15 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The under 30s form two-thirds of the 3.7 million who are not registered but eligible voters in the country. Is it political apathy or is it a disencha...

Being FB-Compulsory in an Analogue Sector

12 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Datuk Michael Tio talks about zigging, while his larger, listed rivals are zagging, by embracing Social Media. PKT is a Facebook-compulsory company, a...

Malay Contractors - Is The Cookie Crumbling?

11 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Malay Contractors Association Malaysia (PKMM) was established to promote the interests and competitiveness of bumiputera contractors. We discuss t...

Valiram - From Textiles to Luxury Lifestyle

10 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Valiram Group is a homegrown Malaysian success story; from its humble beginnings as a family enterprise in the 1930s, it has morphed into one of South...

Global Trade - Taking Care of the Losers

09 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The author of “The Geneva Consensus, Making Trade Work for All” speaks to the arguments once levelled at global trade, the need to address...

Binasat Faces Markets

08 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The public portion of Binasat's IPO was oversubscribed by 34.23 times and its debut on the ACE market today is Malaysia's first listing for 2018. Zula...

Mass Surveillance In A Post-Snowden World

05 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Timothy Edgar is the author of the book ‘Beyond Snowden’, which he wrote to provide recommendations on how to reform US mass surveillance ...

The Spread of Halal Vaccines

04 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A unit of AJ Vaccines is investing over RM138.2 million to build Malaysia’s first vaccine manufacturing facility, even as Pharmaniaga announced ...

Mutually Beneficial Relationship

03 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia and Japan celebrated 60 years of diplomatic ties in 2017. We speak to H.E. Dr. Makio Miyagawa, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, about Japanes...

How Will Perodua Remain No.1?

02 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Perodua has been the best-selling vehicle badge in Malaysia for over a decade. Datuk Aminar explains how the automaker is fending off multiple challen...

Best of the Breakfast Grille 2017 - The Year in Politics

29 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We round-up the year with a look back at the political highlights of 2017, with some insights from the conversations we've had with political leaders ...

Best of the Breakfast Grille 2017 - Affordable Housing

28 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We round-up the year with a review on key sectors of the economy. In this episode, we look back at developments in the property sector and the ongoing...

Best of the Breakfast Grille 2017 - Disruptions in Transportation

26 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We round-up the year with a review on key sectors of the economy. In this episode, we look back at the performance of the automotive industry and deve...

Tough Medicine in Trying Times

21 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Prof Dr Zakariah Abdul Rashid the Executive Director at The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research makes a case for an independent research institut...

Norway - Punching Above Its Weight

20 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This Scandinavian country of  just over five million people, is an active part of the conversation on drug policy (recently decriminalising drug ...

Who's Responsible For Data Protection?

19 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In light of recent revelations of major security breaches of personal data, many Malaysians are wondering how secure our digital infrastructure and fr...

Brand New Zealand's Education Challenge

18 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

According to a recent Economist Intelligence Unit index, New Zealand’s education system tops the list in terms of preparing students for the fut...

GEMS Education - What's it Worth?

15 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

 GEMS Education is the world’s biggest operator of private schools, and entered the Malaysian market in 2015 with its Penang campus, follow...

KPDNKK on Inflation - Personal Choice? Policy Failure? Divine Will?

14 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Dato Seri Hamzah Zainudin addresses claims he associated the rising cost of living with 'God's will'. The minister also explains the fuel pricing mech...