The Breakfast Grille

GXBank Grabs Growth On Their Path To Profitability

19 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

GXBank was the first digital bank to launch in September 2023. Has their customer acquisition strategy paid off, how they intend to benefit from the G...

Visa: Leveraging On Tech & Innovation In Southeast Asia

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Visa is upbeat about its future in Southeast Asia with various surveys pointing to an increasing number of people in the region adopting a cashless li...

Playing Its Part In Malaysia's Cybersecurity Readiness

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The importance of cybersecurity cannot be understated enough as any compromises or breaches can threaten supply chains, financial stability - and even...

Swisslog: Swiss Precision For Warehouse Automation In SEA

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Presenter Phillip See will be sitting down with Steven Xie, Head of South East Asia, Swisslog, a company with Swiss roots that specializes in warehous...

Can NAIO Catalyse Malaysian AI Growth?

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Madani Government launched the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) in December 2024 to mobilise the industry to leverage on the A.I. te...

Can CAAM-MAVCOM Merger Overcome Inertia To Change?

12 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The regulatory landscape for Malaysian aviation is undergoing a revolution as the body tasked with overseeing the economic health of the industry...

Malaysia's Year Ahead In Geopolitics

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The stage is set for Malaysia in 2025, as it assumes the chairmanship of Asean as well as being admitted to the BRICS grouping as a partner country. T...

DKSH Malaysia Deepening Healthcare Segment

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

DKSH, the Swiss-based market expansion services provider is responsible for consumer brands such as Famous Amos and SCS Butter in Malaysia. What do it...

Northern Solar, Growing By Going Public

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The solar industry has been been growing by leaps and bounds due to a raft of government policies and incentives. But it’s also extremely competitiv...

Astro: Shooting For The Stars

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Presenter Phillip See will be sitting down with Euan Smith, Group CEO of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad about the company’s financial performance, h...

Making KL A Livable And Lovable City

05 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In August last year, Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif was appointed as Kuala Lumpur’s first female mayor. After serving in the role for almost five m...

Does Malaysia Have A Strategic Climate Policy?

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia under the Madani Government has set a national goal to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But are the policies in place suffici...

Signify Attempting To Shine Brightly In 2025

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Signify has a 125-year history as an innovator and global leader in lighting. However, with the increasing demand for energy saving solutions, how doe...

Best Of The Breakfast Grille 2024: Media & Entertainment

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The global media and entertainment industry is undergoing structural changes impacting traditional business models. How are industry players adapting ...

Best Of The Breakfast Grille 2024: Foreign Policy

29 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

2024 was the year geopolitical fault lines became even more pronounced between the US, China and Russia amid the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza. How...

Best Of The Breakfast Grille 2024: Politics

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This year marks 2 years since Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim took office. Is the Madani Government living up to expectations? We revisit conv...

Best Of The Breakfast Grille: Financial And Business Themes

25 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia is competing with regional peers to attract foreign direct investments but do we have the right competitive advantage as investors flock to t...

Best Of The Breakfast Grille: Education

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Benjamin Franklin once said that an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest - this statement rings true until today. In Malaysia, educat...

Best Of The Breakfast Grille: Institutional Reforms

22 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A country's democracy is only as strong as the institutions of governance that underpin it. How far has the Madani Government lived up to expectations...

Supreme Consolidated Rising To The Top Of The Food Chain

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Supreme Consolidated Resources is a newly ACE listed frozen food supplier. We speak to Dato’ Richard Wee, their Executive Chairman about the busines...

KHPT Rebrands Itself Via IPO

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

ACE-listed KHPT Holdings Bhd has been an automotive parts and components supplier to Proton for 29 years and to Perodua for 24 years, through 'Tier 1'...

APAC Travel Boost For Booking.com

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Online travel agencies have arguably become the primary platform to explore options for the next vacation, with the online travel market in Southeast ...

Tune Talk: Connecting Malaysians In The 5G Age

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gurtaj Singh Padda, Executive Director of Tune Talk speaks on his acquisition of the majority of shares in the telco company, sparking innovation that...

Life Water Makes A Splash With IPO

15 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Life Water Berhad, a bottled water and beverages producer homegrown in Sabah made its debut on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia last month with an IP...

17,000 km Apart But Closer Ties Ahead For Malaysia And Brazil

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made his maiden visit to Brazil where he reiterated that Malaysia would like to join BRICS. We speak to His E...

Malaysia-Canada Relations Stronger Than Ever

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia is one of Canada's largest bilateral merchandise trading partners in Southeast Asia. Bilateral trade between both countries reached RM8.05 bi...

TMK Chemical's IPO To Fuel Growth

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TMK Chemical Berhad is a company that deals in chemical manufacturing, distribution, storage and logistic services, which will go for IPO on 12th Dece...

Bolt: The Next Lightning In A Bottle For E-Hailing?

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The e-hailing industry in Malaysia has been largely dominated by Grab for a long time now, but will Bolt be the challenger that will measure up to the...

SMEs Have A Better Chance With SJPP's Guarantees

08 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in Malaysia's economy, contributing 38.4% to GDP and providing over four million jobs, but the...

What 107 Years Of Independence Feels Like Today

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Finland celebrates its Independence Day on Dec 6th, marking its declaration of independence from Russia after the Bolsheviks took power in late 1917. ...

Navigating Insurance Trends With Allianz Partners

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Allianz Partners, part of the larger Allianz Group, is one of the world's largest insurance and assistance companies. Various trends have emerged in t...

Winstar Capital Berhad Winning Their Way In Aluminium

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Winstar Capital Berhad is an aluminium product manufacturer that is scheduled to be listed on the ACE Market on 19 December. We speak to their Executi...

Nothing About Us Without Us: Are PWDs Given Agency?

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia is a signatory of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and has translated the convention into legislation through...

Moving Beyond Hollywood Blockbusters

01 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We speak to CEO of Golden Screen Cinemas Koh Mei Lee on how streaming has impacted the cinema business as it navigates itself from the pandemic to Hol...

Russia: Enhancing Trade Ties Amid Western Sanctions

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Russia is seeking to enhance trade ties with economies it considers its friends amid sanctions by the United States and its allies over what they deem...

Time To Rid Malaysia Of Crony Capitalism

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We get into a conversation with Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim, an outspoken force against the government, from being critical of corporate deals to his...

Ninja Van: Shaping The Future Of Logistics

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The logistics sector has become increasingly competitive, with players fighting to get a piece of the e-commerce boom. One such player is Ninja Van Ma...

Melaka On Track For FDI Targets

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As our country works in overdrive to attract foreign direct investments, this time, we'll be focusing on Melaka. Being one of the smallest states in M...

Indonesia's Democratic Trajectory Under Prabowo

24 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

2024 is a pivotal year for electoral politics in Indonesia: not only did they have their presidential elections in February; this week they will also ...

Hydropipes Splashing Their Ways To Growth

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hydropipes is a soon to be Leap listed manufacturer of steel pipes. We ask their CEO, Datuk David Ang why they are coming to capital markets as oppose...

Warner Bros Discovery Aims For Max Impact In SEA

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today is World Television Day, first commemorated in 1996 to signify the powerful influence of TV. Over the three decades since, the landscape for med...

The Children Left Behind In Malaysia

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

World Children’s Day commemorates the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which establishes basic protections and rights for al...

TOTO: Toilet Innovations For A More Hygienic Generation

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The United Nations recognises November 19th every year as World Toilet Day and the discussion on this programme centres around TOTO Ltd, a Japanese co...

Two Views On MA63 And Parliamentary Representation

17 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The changing political dynamics at the federal government have led to renewed attention on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and what Sabah & Sarawak ar...

OMS, Diving Deep For Growth

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The internet, a utility that we have become so dependent on, is powered by an unseen network of submarine cables laid on ocean floors across the world...

OYO: Restrategising A (Finally) Profitable Business

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

OYO Rooms, finally turned a profit in its latest financial year since being founded in 2012. The Indian multinational hotel chain which is backed by J...

The Body Shop's New Lease Of Life

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Body Shop is an iconic skincare, cosmetics and perfume brand that was synonymous with conservation and recycling even before ESG became mainstream...

Can ASEAN Supply Chains Remain Resilient?

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Logistics Consulting Asia – Savills (LCAS) is a Malaysian consultancy that helps businesses across Asia strengthen their supply chains and logistics...

Metro Healthcare Growing Foothold In Fertility Treatment

10 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The fertility, obstetrics and gynaecology services industry is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11% to reach RM470 million ringgit by 2026, on the back ...

Higher Education Needs More Than A Blueprint

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Madani Government is working on a new policy blueprint for public higher education to replace the current plan that ends in 2025. What is the poli...

Spain's Economic Renaissance

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Spain was once seen as the laggard of the Eurozone, but following the post-pandemic recovery it is now one of the bloc’s outperformers. We discuss t...

Mega Fortris, Sealing Their Way To Success

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Security seals are often a forgotten part of the supply chain. We speak to the world’s 3rd largest player which is due to list on Bursa Malaysia as ...

Ukraine: Driving Trade Amid An Ongoing War

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ukraine has been in the midst of war after Russia invaded its western neighbour nearly 1,000 days ago, and now controls around 18% of that country. To...

Malaysia-Cuba Relations: Common Ground To Work From

03 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia and Cuba have had diplomatic relations since 1975 and citizens of both nations don't require visas to visit each other. Yet, bilateral trade ...

How To Make It As An Author In Malaysia

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

November has become associated with novel writing, thanks to the grassroots NaNoWriMo movement, to the extent that in the US, November 1st is designat...

Levi's Keeping It's Heritage Relevant In SEA

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Levi's, a brand synonymous with jeans, has a 170-year heritage. But does it still have a cache, and how does this world-leading apparel maker compete ...

3REN: Automation Solutions For A High Tech Future

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

3REN Bhd is a soon-to-be-listed automation solutions and engineering services provider, primarily focusing on the semiconductor, electronics, and manu...

Does French Laicite Unite Or Disenfranchise?

27 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The past year has seen a seismic shift in the political landscape in Europe, with far-right groups and ideologies gaining momentum across the continen...

Budget 2025, Good But Can Be Better

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Budget 2025 is the most expansionary in history at RM421bn with the goal of fiscal consolidation while growing the economy through the introduction of...

Leslie Lopez: The Siege Within

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

1MDB is undeniably the largest financial scandal in Malaysia’s history. Malaysian journalist Leslie Lopez has released his first book, The Siege Wit...

Swiss Re, Insuring The Insurers

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Swiss Re a key player in the insurance business has been providing coverage to insurance companies as a reinsurer since 1863. Paul Murray, CEO of Life...

Countdown To The 2024 US Presidential Election

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Eligible American voters have just two more weeks to cast their votes for either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump to be t...

Steps, Not Strides Towards Fiscal Sustainability

20 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Madani government unveiled the most expansionary budget in history with a federal expenditure of 421 billion ringgit. With a theme; ‘MADANI Econ...

Scaling Pilots To Modernize Malaysia's Agroeconomy

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We speak to Anuja Kar, Senior Agriculture Economist at the East and Pacific Region Agriculture and Food Global Practice of the World Bank as she helps...

How Impartial Is The Dewan Rakyat Speaker?

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of the Budget 2025 tabling, we get the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Johari Abdul to give a rundown on the parliamentary agenda this sess...

Will The Madani Government Do The Right Thing In Budget 2025

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The theme of this year’s national budget is MADANI Economy: Prosperous Nation, Well-being of the People. It is the third budget by the government le...

Volatile Markets Ahead But Stay Invested In Equities

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Markets have been volatile due to uncertainty over the pace of the Fed Fund rate cut and US elections. Yet, equity markets have been resilient with th...

Pearson VUE Eyes SEA Market For Future Growth

13 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pearson VUE, a subsidiary of the British education conglomerate Pearson plc, is responsible for administering high-stakes examinations in a range of d...

Navigating Geopolitics: The View from Manila and Hanoi

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Both Vietnam and the Philippines are claimant states in South China, but they have different relationships and approaches towards China. We discuss ho...

Gerakan, Finding A New Purpose

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Founded in 1968, Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia advocates for a non-racial, secular, and socially just Malaysia. Once a dominant force, particularly in...

InvestSarawak: From Fossil Fuels To Renewables

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarawak is Malaysia's largest state by land area yet it contributed only 9.1% to the country's GDP last year. That is now expected to change with the ...

Scania: A Heavy Commercial Vehicle Maker's Evolution

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scania has been in Malaysia manufacturing heavy commercial vehicles like lorries and buses from its sole assembly plant in Port Klang since the 1970s....

For SDCG, Going Green Pays Off

06 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Solar District Cooling Group Bhd specialises in supplying building management systems, solar thermal systems, and energy-saving services. Listed on Bu...

Apple Vacations: Towards A Sustainable Tourism Business

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Apple Vacations is one of Malaysia's largest outbound travel agencies with a history dating back to the mid-1990s when travelling on group tours was t...

Strong Foundations To Grow Malaysian German Ties

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Germany celebrates Unity Day today but 34 years after the creation of a United East and West Germany, what challenges does the EU's most powerful memb...

Decoding Madani Foreign Policy

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has earned both flowers and brickbats in his interactions with foreign leaders, most recently with President V...

Can Monash Malaysia Maintain Momentum?

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Monash University Malaysia has the distinction of being the first foreign university in the country and celebrated its 25th anniversary last year...

Datacenters: Boon Or Bane For Malaysia?

29 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon Web Services are just some of the biggest names that have invested in the development of data centers in Malaysia, but ...

KPKT On Madani Government Support For Home Ownership

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Ministry of Housing and Local Government is responsible for addressing a wide range of issues important to Malaysians, including affordable housin...

Can ASEAN Navigate The Geopolitics Of A Multipolar Era?

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We are living in the Asian century, with the meteoric rise of China, India and ASEAN economies heralding the era of multi-polar geopolitics. Is this a...

ICAEW Leading The Way For Accountants

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has appointed Alan Vallance as its new Chief Executive. He joins us to discuss his vision ...

Otis Leans On Digital Tech To Lift Business

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Otis Elevator Company is responsible for installing elevators in some of the most iconic buildings in the world, including the Petronas Twin Tower...

HSS Engineers: Low Profile Firm, High Profile Portfolio

22 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bursa Malaysia-listed HSS Engineers has had an illustrious 40 year journey transforming Malaysia one infrastructure project at a time - it was involve...

Bersatu's Narrative For Malaysia

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Parti Pribumi Bersatu was born from the internal strife of UMNO in 2016 and over the course of 5 years  rose to the pinnacle of Malaysian politic...

Centurion: Tapping Demand For Specialised Accommodations

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Singapore Exchange-listed Centurion Corporation is in the business of owning, developing and managing purpose-built workers' accommodation as well...

Can Ukraine Widen Its Circle Of Allies In ASEAN?

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the war in Ukraine drags on over multiple years, how has the conflict with Russia shaped Kyiv's foreign policy direction? We speak to Hennadiy Maks...

INCEIF: In Pursuit Of Islamic Finance Innovations And Beyond

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia has the distinction of being at the forefront of Islamic finance, with the third largest market for Islamic financial assets, behind only Ira...

LH Plus Prepares For Next Phase Of Growth

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

LH Plus Sdn Bhd is a local plastic manufacturing company that produces products like OEM parts, and home & kitchen products, among others. Its cha...

Selangor: Ambitions To Be A Regional Gateway

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Invest Selangor is the one-stop agency for international investors keen to put their money into the state. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year,...

Steel Hawk Soaring On Debut

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Steel Hawk Bhd is the first company to undergo a listing transfer from Bursa Malaysia’s LEAP to the ACE Market under the new market transfer framewo...

Scouting For Talent In The Social Media Age

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Music consumption today has long shifted from the age of physical music media like vinyl, CDs and cassettes, and so too has the discovery of new talen...

CelcomDigi Bullish On 5G Evolution

08 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia’s telecommunications sector was reshaped when Celcom and Digi merged in December 2022 with dominance over 47% of the market. Almost two yea...

AME ELITE, In A Sweet Spot For Industrial Parks

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Industrial parks are a sweet spot in the property space with the sudden deluge of data centres and logistic warehousing demand in Malaysia. But do we ...

MN Holdings Powering Their Next Stage Of Growth

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ace listed, MN Holdings Berhad, engaged in underground utilities and substation engineering services and solutions has seen their share prices soar by...

Agreeing To Disagree In Selangor State-Federal Relations

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia is constitutionally a federation where there is a strong central government but yet the individuality of states are also maintained. Is that ...

Infineon Banks On Kulim 3 For Future Growth

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kulim, Kedah is the site of what will eventually become the world’s largest 200mm silicon carbide wafer fabrication owned by Infineon Technologies, ...

Azalina Othman: Patriotism, Reforms & Umno

01 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said is the current minister in the PM's department in charge of law and institutional reform. On this Breakfast Grille, she...

Royal Selangor Keeping Tradition Alive

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As we gear up to celebrate the 67th National Day tomorrow, we’re featuring a Malaysian brand that’s even older than our country at 139 years old -...

Assessing Malaysia's Readiness To Become An Ageing Nation

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia is expected to transition to ageing nation status by 2030 where over 15% of its population will be above 60-years-old. Associate Professor Dr...

A United Malaysia Is Worth Fighting For

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof recently revealed that there have been differing legal views between the federal and state levels, as ...