The Breakfast Grille

KAF Digital Bank Revving Up Plans To Disrupt

11 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

BNM has issued 5 digital bank licenses in an already competitive landscape. We speak to Rafiza Ghazali, Designate CEO, KAF Islamic Digital Bank on whe...

At Sunway University, Employability Is A Priority

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recent statistics reveal that up to 40% of graduates are underemployed. Is this structural issue that Sunway University is facing? Professor Sibrandes...

Solarvest Powering Up To Become Regional RE Player

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In renewable energy, Solarvest Holdings can boast of a first mover advantage, having operated in this space since 2012. But as the solar PV landscape ...

Sweden Championing Green Transition With MGTC

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sweden is at the forefront of green technology, being one of the best recycling countries in Europe. And they just signed an MOU with Malaysian Green ...

Sun Life Looks Beyond Insurance

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Founded more than 150 years ago in Canada, Sun Life provides life insurance, health insurance, investments, and financial planning services. Glob...

ALP's OMega Strategy To Transform Warehouse Logistics

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Taiwan's largest institutional logistics player, ALP is on track to complete its first overseas OMega warehouse in Klang this year, with ambitious pla...

Generali Life Malaysia, Small But Big Ambitions

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a very competitive life insurance landscape with 14 players, what niche is Generali Life Insurance intending to carve for itself? We speak to Rebec...

World No Tobacco Day: Policy Perspectives On Nicotine Alternatives

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

According to the United Nations, global smoking rates are on a decline; however smoking prevalence in developing economies like Malaysia remains eleva...

Synergy House Berhad: Furniture Retailer With Big Dreams

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synergy House Berhad is an e-commerce retailer for ready-to-assemble furniture whose products are in many homes in the UK, US and UAE. It will be list...

The Global South's Prosperity Puzzle

28 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In light of global economic headwinds resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, what does this mean for developing countries' gr...

LGMS Taking The Kaizen Approach For Accelerated Growth

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mitsui & Co Japan has raised its LGMS stake to 25% in ACE listed IT and cybersecurity firm LGMS Berhad, opening new markets across 60 countries. W...

Deloitte, Keeping All The Business In The Family

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The business model of accounting firms have evolved from mere compliance auditing to advisory. Revenues have jumped as a result but does arise potenti...

Is IBM Still A Dominant Player?

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is the heyday of IBM behind them, with the likes of Microsoft, Google and Amazon grabbing more headlines these days in the fields of cloud service, ma...

Water Woes Require Structural Reset

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Charles Santiago, Chairman of National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and former Klang MP shares his plans to avoid a water crisis, including checki...

Beyond TeleHealth: UCrest's Big Bet On Digital Healthcare

21 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ucrest-malaysia-digitalising-healthcare-2023-company-prospectsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysian Recycler Heng Hiap's Vision of Plastic Neutrality

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

According to the Malaysian Plastics Sustainability Roadmap, Malaysia targets 76% of plastic waste to be collected for recycling by 2030. How far away ...

Can Niro Ceramic's Recovery Accelerate Their Route To IPO?

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Niro’s recovery from the pandemic goes from strength to strength and on track for a Bursa listing next year. But is it good enough to qualify for th...

Can GCAP Finally Generate Returns From Renewable Energy?

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

G Capital Berhad is a transportation specialist turned utilities player poised to capitalise on Malaysia's renewable energy transition with power purc...

Can GCAP Finally Generate Returns From Renewable Energy?

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

G Capital Berhad is a transportation specialist turned utilities player poised to capitalise on Malaysia's renewable energy transition with power purc...

Siemens Wants To Be Part Of Malaysia's Industry 4.0 Ambitions

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Siemens has had a long history in Malaysia - stretching back more than 110 years ago when it recorded its first sale - until it became Siemens Malaysi...

Smooth Integration Core Priority For Generali Malaysia

14 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Generali Malaysia has completed its acquisition of a controlling majority in AXA-Affin joint ventures in Malaysia and is the second largest general in...

How Can We Make KL A Better City?

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last month, the government announced the delay of the gazettement of the KL Structure Plan 2040 to allow for engagement sessions by DBKL and other sta...

Improving Malaysia's World Press Freedom Index Standing & Politics

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Deputy Communications & Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching sits down to discuss what the government plans to do to take even further, Malaysia's 40-ru...

DXN Relisting To Accelerate Growth

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

DXN Holdings Berhad is involved in the sales of health-oriented and wellness consumer products, and they are distributed through its direct selling ne...

IRB, Is The System Fair, Efficient, Convenient And Certain?

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last year the IRB collected a record RM175 billion in taxes, the highest in history. Much needed since the government is targeting to lower the fiscal...

EU Unity Stronger Than Ever

07 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Coinciding with the 20 years anniversary of the EU Delegation to Malaysia, we ask the Ambassador of the EU to Malaysia, H.E. Michalis Rokas, on the ro...

The World Bank's Prescriptions For Equitable Growth In EAP

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

According to the World Bank, economic growth in East Asia and Pacific region is projected to expand by 5.1% in 2023 thanks to China's reopening. But t...

For Businesses Today, It's Not Just About Profit But Also Purpose

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Should companies be run to earn a profit, or to serve a purpose? Author and London Business School professor of finance, Alex Edmans believes tha...

Policy Urgency To Address Malaysia's Climate Emergency?

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The United Nations has warned that the world is at risk of exceeding the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit for global warming in the next 10 years. How is Mal...

Crest Builders, From Red To Black

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The pandemic and rising input costs hit the construction and property sectors significantly causing listed company, Crest Builders to suffer three con...

Romania-Malaysia Relations: More Similarities In Our Blood

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Romania, a country in Eastern Europe, has much to offer the world - access to at least 10 EU countries via the famed Danube River, accessible from the...

Entrepreneurs At The Heart Of Dymon's Growth

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dymon Asia Private Equity invests in Southeast Asian companies in the lower mid market space, typically looking to invest between 15 to 50 million dol...

Chinese Language In Malaysia: A Tool To Divide Or Unite?

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

April 20th every year is the United Nations Chinese Language Day in recognition of the fact that it is the world's second most spoken language with ov...

TDCX Making SEA The Hub Of CX Outsourcing

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Global business process outsourcing or BPO is a 300 billion US dollar industry, with the customer experience (CX) sub-sector accounting for about a th...

When Will Rubber Industry Hit The Road?

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rubber has had a long history with Malaysia where at one time we accounted for half the world's supply of rubber, transforming Malaysia into Britain’...

Habib Group Glittering On High Demand For Gold

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Homegrown jeweller Habib Jewels has been giving the Gift of Happiness to Malaysians for 65 years and counting. But can Habib keep Malaysian spirits an...

Mydin, Busy Selling But Not For Sale

16 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With Hari Raya round the corner, we check in with Datuk Wira Dr Ameer Ali Mydin, Managing Director of Mydin as to how sales have been, what is his str...

Despite IPO Stall, Carsome On Track To Profit In 2H2023

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Integrated auto e-commerce platform Carsome has the distinction of being the first Malaysian unicorn, reaching the critical USD$1 billion valuation in...

Tune Protect, Tuning In For A Better 2023

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After 3 very challenging years, no thanks to the pandemic, has Tune Protect finally turned to corner? What are the growth strategies, why do they want...

T7 Grows O&G Business Amid Diversification

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

T7 Global Berhad has its roots in the oil and gas industry and now diversified to the construction and aerospace industry. Executive Director, Tan Kay...

Affordable Luxury For Bon Estates

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Founded in Penang in 2012, Bon Estates has come a long way and rebranded itself to target high end luxury consumers in Kuala Lumpur with a handful of ...

Airbnb Bullish On SEA Growth Momentum

09 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Airbnb reported their best financial year to date in 2022, achieving their first profitable full year on the back of the resurrection of the travel an...

TMC Life Sciences, Going Places In A Crowded Market

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Private Healthcare providers saw earnings decline sharply during the pandemic as most differed elective procedures. But is recovery in sight? Nadiah W...

SME Bank, Doing More Than Lending

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

SME Bank as a DFI has multiple mandates but what is their track record in helping SMEs. Datuk Wira Dr Aria Putera Ismail, CEO, SME Bank answers that q...

Amanah Raya, The People's Legacy Manager

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does a MOF company founded more than 100 years ago involved in legacy management, property and fund management still have relevance today. Questions w...

CPTPP Enhances UK - Malaysia Relationship

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With almost two centuries of shared history, the UK without a doubt has had major influence in the political, economical and societal structure of Mal...

Is There Momentum For Criminal Justice Reforms?

02 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The government is abolishing the mandatory death penalty for 11 offences, and will put a cap on prison sentences between 30 to 40 years. What are the ...

Volvo Trucks Building Leadership In Electric Trucks

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Volvo Truck is the largest producer of heavy trucks in Europe and established its presence in Malaysia more than 50 years ago. Managing director, Tony...

Asia School Of Business Endeavors To Transform Executives

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of the pandemic, academics and business schools now face pressures on multiple fronts. We speak to newly appointed CEO of Asia School of B...

Restoring Banking Confidence, No Easy Task

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The speed in which SVB and two regional banks collapsed in US and the subsequent demise of CS took markets by surprise. We speak to Thorsten Beck, Pro...

A&W's Recipe For Longevity Reaping Returns In Malaysia

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Despite global inflation and supply chain troubles permeating 2022, A&W Malaysia recorded its best performance to date on the back of new store op...

InNature Leans Into ESG And Pivots To Influencer Marketing

26 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Euromonitor International estimates that the market size for beauty will grow to nearly USD$550 billion dollars in 2027, with much of that driven by t...

Brazil And Malaysia Share Common Goals And History

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia and Brazil have established their respective embassies for four decades already. Brazilian ambassador, H.E. Ary Norton de Murat Quintella sha...

Is Democracy A One Size Fits All?

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

First invented by the Greeks in 5th Century BC, democracy has grown to be a very appealing form of government for many countries in the world. While t...

A Boost For Malaysia's Digital Banking Landscape

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The consortium comprising Boost and RHB Bank is one of 5 digital banks in Malaysia licenced by Bank Negara back in April 2022 and before 2023 ends, we...

Will The Tokyo-Seoul Rapprochement Hold?

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Japan and South Korea have long had a frenemy-type relationship as a result of historical grievances. Does the recent visit to Tokyo by President Yoon...

Ramkarpal Singh: From Parliament Backbencher To Policy Front Line

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has made reforms the cornerstone of his government agenda, hence the Law and Institutional Reform portfolio un...

Faber-Castell: Is The Stationery Business Moving Anywhere?

19 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Faber-Castell is a 261-year-old stationery maker that has had a presence in Malaysia for more than 40 years, manufacturing erasers and ballpoint pens,...

China's Emerging Role As A Global Diplomat

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Started in 1919, Chatham House is an independent policy institute headquartered in London. We discuss recent world developments with the director of A...

50 Earthshots To Save The World

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Earthshot Prize, launched in 2019 by William, the Prince of Wales aims to catalyse solutions that can repair the planet and avert environmental di...

Can Indonesia Bring Back ASEAN's Shine?

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) chairs the 2023 ASEAN Business Advisory Council. We speak to Arsjad Rasjid, the chairman on th...

Sunzen Biotech: From Animal Health To Financial Solutions

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sunzen Biotech started off specialising in animal health and in the past 25 years, it dabbled in CPO trading, traditional complementary medicine, huma...

Oppstar Berhad: More Than A Kampung Champion?

12 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The global semiconductor sector is poised for a downturn this year, but the gloomy outlook hasn’t deterred the expansion plans of Oppstar Berhad, a ...

What Powers The VC Industry

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The venture capital landscape has had a boom in the past decade with a trajectory that is unlike any other. What's the story behind the successful fir...

INSEAD Making Sustainability A Cornerstone Of MBAs

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Masters in Business Administration or MBA was once seen as the golden ticket to advancement in the corporate world. However with changing attitudes ...

Minister Azalina Othman: Paving The Way For A Woman PM?

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with International Women Day, we speak to one of the most powerful women in the government of the day, law minister Datuk Sri Azalina o...

Women Driving The Digital Economy

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Women make up 35% of the workforce in the Malaysian tech space, but are they equally empowered as their male counterparts to take on leadership roles?...

What's Driving TT Vision's Meteoric Share Price Increase?

05 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

400%! That is how much the share price of TT Vision rallied by post its IPO on 18 January 2023. The stock has since given up some gains but is still u...

Bata: Stepping Up Its Sole Purpose Of Making Shoes

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At any given point in time, more than 210 million people in over 60 countries are wearing a Bata shoe. How did a Czech brand founded in 1894 end up in...

What's Driving Paramount's Share Price Gains?

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paramount Corporation Berhad is a property developer with established townships in Klang Valley, Kedah and Penang. It also ventured into co-working sp...

Budget 2023: Will The Madani Philosophy Yield Policy Results?

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Dato' Sri Anwar Ibrahim returned to the role he held two decades ago and tabled the largest budget in history this month with a RM388 b...

British Council, The UK's Soft Power Institution

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The United Kingdom is ranked 8th in the 2022 Monocle soft power survey no thanks to its strong currency of language and culture. Helped by the British...

Budget 2023 Is Right Direction But Lacks Boldness

26 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Finance Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim tabled his maiden budget last week, three months after taking office. How well are the principles of Malaysi...

The Rise Of Middleman Economy Comes At A Price

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For past few decades, we have been seeing the rise of the role of middlemen and as they hold tremendously strong market power, economists have attribu...

Fresh Perspectives From First-Time MPs

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the lead up to the 100 days mark of the unity government, we sit down with Syerleena Abdul Rashid, MP for Bukit Bendera and Lee Chean Chung, MP for...

LH Plus, The Future Is Still In Plastics

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

LH Plus, one of the oldest plastics companies faced rising costs and supply chain constraints during the pandemic. We check in with Callum Chen, CEO o...

Is Pavilion REIT On A Growth Trajectory?

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Retail spending is back with a vengeance, at least for now. This is evident in the traffic jam in the mall car parks, packed eateries and the long que...

Is Kimlun A Big Beneficiary Of MRT 3?

19 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kimlun Corporation Berhad is a contractor which has a niche in private sector projects but has been winning sizeable jobs in Sarawak. The differentiat...

Global Solidarity To Türkiye Over Earthquake

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tragedy struck Türkiye early last week as a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern and central Türkiye which has seen over 35,000 deaths so far.&n...

Can Doctor Anywhere Spread Its Wings Beyond Asia?

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling sick but don't want to visit a Doctor physically or want to schedule an appointment but can't get through the busy lines? Doctor Anywhere is a...

Barry Callebaut: Cocoa-tiously Optimistic Growth

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Switzerland-based Barry Callebaut is the world's biggest chocolate producer making supplying 1,000 tonnes of chocolate a day to companies like Nestlé...

Karex: Has More Room To Grow

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Karex Bhd, the world's largest condom maker suffered 2 years of consecutive losses but the worst appears to be over. We speak to Goh Miah Kiat, CEO of...

Building A First World Radio Business

12 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with World Radio Day, the founder of this station, BFM 89.9, Malek Ali shares with us how radio will survive the age of disruption for ...

For Spina Bifida Champion, Passion For Science Underpins Political Ambitions

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Noraishah Mydin Abdul Aziz gained public prominence when she was fielded as the Pakatan Harapan candidate for Putrajaya in GE15, representing...

Can Schaeffler Malaysia Remain Resilient In Face Of A Downturn?

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Schaeffler Group started more than seven decades ago in Germany and is now a leading global automotive and industrial supplier. But the success of...

Will Alliance Bank Be Able To Outperform Its Peers With Its Acceler8 2027 Strategy?

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As inflation pressure rises and economic activity slows, Malaysian banks will likely see weaker loans growth in 2023. Newly appointed CEO of Alliance ...

Despite The Issues, The Outlook Can Still Be Positive For Malaysia

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

World Bank has forecast economic growth of 4% for Malaysia in 2023. Decent projections at first glance but what can be gleamed from their Economic Mon...

Building A F&B Multibrand Empire, One Cup At A Time

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Boba craze might have died but Loob Holding, parent of Tea Live and Bask Bear Coffee has grown exponentially despite the pandemic. We ask their CE...

Trinidad Group Riding The Recovery Wave In The Hospitality Sector

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trinidad Group began as a cigar distributor and retailer in 2002. Over the past two decades, the company expanded into hotel and F&B management as...

Can Volvo Go Fully Electric By 2030?

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Analysts have described the Volvo Geely merger as one of the most successful in a decade. Volvo’s IPO in 2021 was seen as instrumental to help it re...

KJ: Down But Not Out Of Malaysian Politics

29 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Prior to GE15, Khairy Jamaluddin boldly stated his ambitions to become the Prime Minister of Malaysia, before his unceremonious sacking from UMNO last...

NanoMalaysia's Ambitions Hardly Nano-Sized

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We speak to Dr. Rezal Khairi bin Ahmad CEO of NanoMalaysia Berhad on how this agency has been working towards energizing industries through the commer...

Return To Quality: Needed Investments In Public Education

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Despite the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 providing the roadmap for education transformation, the quality of public education has suffered a ...

What's Next For Tencent?

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The past two years have been cruel for the China Tech companies and while most of the spotlight was focused on Jack Ma and Ali Baba, there was another...

Can The KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Stay Relevant?

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We take time to reflect on the position and role of the Chinese in Malaysian society, business and politics with Ngan Teng Ye, President of The KL &am...

Semiconductors, The New Cold War

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Semiconductor industry is worth USD 580 billion dollars and has become a key part of the trade war between China and the US. Can Malaysia benefit ...

Oriental Group Getting Their Act 兔-gether This CNY

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After nearly three years of pandemic-impacted operations, the Oriental Group of Restaurants has finally returned to the black with revenues almost bac...

MYAirline, The Newest Way To Fly

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 2022 Malaysia saw the launch of Malaysia’s new low-cost carrier, MYAirline. From 3 destinations in December last year, the carrier aims to expand...

What To Do With Your Money In 2023?

15 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

2022 was a disastrous year for many asset classes driven by an aggressive interest rate cycle by the Fed and also the Russia Ukraine war. Mark Mobius ...

Will China's Reopening Salvage Malaysia's Tourism Industry ?

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After three years, China eased its zero-Covid policy and reopened its borders on the 8th of January. We speak to Dr. Sri Ganesh Michiel, National Pres...