The Breakfast Grille

Episodios

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  Budget 2027: From Across the Aisle 16.10.2026 32m

  We have had a week of discussion since the Budget 2027 was tabled last Friday. Criticisms of MPs from across the Parliamentary aisle have been well telegraphed. Did it tell as much about the Madani government’s thinking as it did about its critics? Was criticism of Perikatan Nasional’s failure to produce an alternative budget, when fledgling Bersama offered the public its tome, a valid one? And is there a danger that the Budget will be passed? We put these questions to the Leader of the Opposition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Can Malaysia Navigate a Fractured World? 15.10.2026 23m

  Malaysia's exports and foreign investment are growing strongly, but escalating US-China trade tensions, rising protectionism and the AI investment boom are reshaping the global economy. On The Breakfast Grille, we speak to Professor Dr Evelyn Devadason of Universiti Malaya and Dr Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of the Center for Market Education, about Malaysia's dependence on foreign markets, whether investment is building genuine domestic capabilities, and the competing arguments for government intervention versus market-led growth. Can Malaysia remain competitive while preserving its economic independence, and does ASEAN offer a credible way forward?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  HSS Engineers: Positioning for Malaysia's Next Infrastructure Cycle 14.10.2026 22m

  HSS Engineers is positioning itself for Malaysia's next infrastructure cycle, expanding beyond traditional engineering consultancy into project management, data centres, water infrastructure and overseas markets. Executive Director Sharifah Azlina discusses the group's growth strategy as well as what it will take to deliver greater value for shareholders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Budget 2027: Can Malaysia Spend Big & Cut the Deficit? 13.10.2026 22m

  With the government targeting up to 5.2% GDP growth and narrowing the fiscal deficit to 3.3% of GDP, questions remain over how long-term fiscal consolidation can be sustained as government revenue isn’t keeping pace with the size of the economy and debt-servicing costs stay elevated. UOB Malaysia Senior Economist Julia Goh joins The Breakfast Grille to go beneath the headline numbers.She evaluates middle-income tax reliefs, the durability of the AI and data centre investment cycle, domestic supply chain integration, indirect tax shifts, and whether potential inflation and rising fixed operating costs threaten the government's medium-term fiscal goals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  MOF on Budget 2027: Subsidies, Goodies & Waad Nasional 12.10.2026 34m

  Budget 2027 delivers record spending, yet the MADANI government says that the fiscal deficit will fall to 3.3% of GDP next year, even though petroleum subsidies have ballooned to RM40 billion. As the government balances pre-election expectations against fiscal discipline, Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican, Secretary General of Treasury at the Ministry of Finance, joins The Breakfast Grille to unpack the trade-offs and calculus behind Budget 2027.He addresses speculation surrounding a pre-election budget, explains why SST compliance and e-invoicing are being favored over a GST comeback, , and discusses how the government plans to manage growing salary, pension, and debt-servicing bills on top of this year’s surge in subsidies.He also explores strategies to plug subsidy leakages, alongside governance reforms including the State-Owned Enterprises Act and mandatory procurement disclosuresSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Budget 2027: Pre-Election Goodies or Fiscal Discipline? 09.10.2026 22m

  As the MADANI government prepares to table Budget 2027, what are the key fiscal numbers and political signals you should be paying attention to? Former Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr. Ong Kian Ming and Dr. Tricia Yeoh of the Asian Institute for Policy and Engagement at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, join The Breakfast Grille to discuss.They explore whether this will act as a pre-election budget, analyse critical indicators and numbers to watch, and discuss the mechanics of GST versus SST.They also highlight the structural reforms they hope the government will spend its political capital on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RT Pastry: IPO, Dividend Pause, & Kuantan Expansion 08.10.2026 21m

  RT Pastry raised RM16.5 million from its ACE Market IPO to fuel expansion into new markets like Kuantan, but why did this profitable, formerly dividend-paying, cash-generative business tap the public capital market instead of using its own cash?Mike Tia, COO of RT Pastry, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss. We dive into why RT Pastry chose Kuantan over Johor or Penang, declining same-store sales performance, and how shifting consumer spending is impacting product strategy.We also explore why the company raised RM16.5 million in public capital despite already generating strong cash flow and the reasons behind changes in its dividend history following a payout pause in the year before listing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Easybook: Can AI & Government Deals Drive Its IPO? 07.10.2026 21m

  After 20 years of selling bus tickets online, Easybook is making a major move into government business, installing its own AI-powered cameras at terminals to catch off-the-books passengers and stop revenue leakages. William Lee, Founder and CEO of Easybook, joins The Breakfast Grille to unpack why the company is betting big on managing physical terminals and public infrastructure instead of just selling tickets online. He shares the tough lessons learned from trying to scale across Southeast Asia, and explains how landing higher-margin government contracts might finally clear the runway for their long-awaited IPO.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Censof : From Government Software to a Broader Tech Play 06.10.2026 22m

  The Bursa-listed Censof Holdings has spent decades building a strong government financial-management software business. Now, it is looking to broaden that franchise through cloud, AI, automation and a new partnership with Microsoft. Ameer Shaik Mydin, Censof's Group MD discusses the firm's evolution and what investors can expect from its next phase of growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Can Malaysia Turn Film Success Into an Industry? 05.10.2026 23m

  Malaysia’s film industry is enjoying renewed momentum, with local productions attracting larger audiences and government incentives helping to bring international shoots to the country. But box-office success and foreign productions do not necessarily create a sustainable domestic industry. We speak to FINAS CEO Dato’ Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib about the effectiveness of public funding, developing local talent and intellectual property, and how FINAS balances its roles as both industry developer and regulator.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Global Conflict: Signs of Escalation? 02.10.2026 23m

  Two days ago the US completed its withdrawal from Iraq, two decades after its invasion, in a move the American historian Paul W. Schoeder then called, “the fatal leap”. What will analysts be making of this American adventure in Iraq beyond the body count? And just as US President Donald Trump’s “war of choice” has put the Straits of Hormuz and the Bab El Mandeb on our lips, the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad is now coming into view. Tucked between Poland and Lithuania, it is home to the Baltic Fleet and sits 600km away from the main body of the Russian Federation. President Vladimir Putin has warned NATO that Russia is prepared to use all weapons in its arsenal including nuclear options if this enclave is attacked. East Asia has its signs of rising tensions too. So where is the world headed?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Is F1 Worth RM300 Million a Year? Sepang CEO Responds 01.10.2026 30m

  Nine years after Formula 1 last roared through Sepang, the pinnacle of motorsports makes a surprise return to Malaysia, not as the Malaysian Grand Prix, but as the Bahrain Grand Prix. Azhan Shafriman Hanif, CEO of the Sepang International Circuit, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss what it could take to justify a RM300 million bill for a permanent slot on the F1 calendar.With ticket demand surging past 95,000 thanks to F1's booming global popularity, Shafriman takes us behind the scenes of Sepang’s unique commercial arrangement with the Bahrain International Circuit and the logistics behind pulling this off on a compressed two-month timeline.Plus, he tackles the ultimate question: does a single-weekend economic boost justify spending RM300 million annually on a regular spot on the F1 calendar?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Why Bermaz Rejects Price Wars for Mazda & Xpeng 30.09.2026 36m

  As Chinese automakers aggressively expand and compete abroad, legacy automotive distributors face unprecedented market disruption. Dato' Seri Francis Lee, Group CEO of Bermaz Auto Berhad, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss why they prioritise niche, sustainable sales volumes over aggressive price wars.This comes as revenue has fallen from RM3.9 billion in FY2024 to RM2.3 billion in FY2026, while net profit has fallen from around RM350 million to RM106 million.   Francis outlines Mazda’s shift toward premium positioning and hybrids, details the strategic boundaries set for Chinese EV partner Xpeng, and explains how conservative balance sheet management supports the company’s dividend record.   Can Bermaz Auto’s commitment to sustainable volumes & protecting brand value hold up as Chinese marques reshape the automotive landscape?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Thailand’s Almost Democracy Unpacked 29.09.2026 30m

  In 2023, Pita Limjaroenrat, a Thai politician grabbed headlines when his party won the largest share of Parliamentary seats in the 2023 General Elections. With almost 4 million more votes than their nearest rivals, he and his party were seen as the face of a Thailand hungry for reform. Yet, he and his party were prevented from taking office in a series of legal manoeuvres that have come to define Thailand’s democratic deficit. With a ten year ban to wait out, the telegenic businessman turned politician splits his time between Bangkok and Boston, where he is Senior Fellow at Harvard University. He has just launched the English edition of his memoir, “The Almost Prime Minister”.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  When Do We Get Blue Skies Back? 28.09.2026 23m

  The haze pushed the air quality reading in Serian past 500, triggered an emergency and closed hundreds of schools, and Sarawak is still choking. So when do we get our blue skies back? With a Super El Niño set to peak between November and January, we ask what's coming next for our heat and water, and whether MetMalaysia's RM242 million upgrade will warn us in time. We speak to Ambun Dindang, Deputy Director-General (Operations) at the Malaysian Meteorological Department for insights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Mondelēz International : Inside the Chocolate/Snacking Business 25.09.2026 22m

  Cocoa prices, changing consumer habits and increasingly complex supply chains are reshaping the business of snacking. Simon Crowther, Managing Director for Malaysia and Singapore at Mondelēz International, joins us to discuss the cost pressures facing chocolate makers, how the company is responding through its new RM90 million Crumb Tower in Shah Alam, and the challenges of sourcing commodities such as palm oil responsibly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Can Jotun Paint Its Next Century of Growth? 24.09.2026 22m

  As Jotun enters its second century, Malaysia is playing an increasingly important role in the Norwegian coatings maker’s Southeast Asian strategy. With local manufacturing and R&D capabilities already established, the company is looking to opportunities in data centres, infrastructure and more sustainable coatings while navigating volatile raw-material costs and intensifying competition. Can Jotun maintain its premium positioning while using Malaysia as a platform for its next phase of regional growth?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  GSMA on $1.2T Telco Capex, 6G, & Spectrum Policy 23.09.2026 22m

  With global mobile operators facing a $1.2 trillion capital expenditure cycle alongside flat revenue growth, GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath joins The Breakfast Grille to examine the changing economics of mobile connectivity.Vivek addresses who actually captures economic value as telcos fund the digital infrastructure, why regulators should not maximise monetisation on spectrum pricing and whether further market consolidation is inevitable. He also discusses how satellite networks and direct-to-device connectivity are disrupting traditional boundaries.Image Credit: GSMASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Can Public Trust in the Police Be Restored? 22.09.2026 23m

  Over 137 thousand personnel are part of the force, about 100 thousand less than teachers in our country. But one troubling feature of the force is what the study called the “persistent challenge of police misconduct within our criminal justice system”. In a new study titled “Restoring Public Trust: A Policy Analysis of Police Misconduct and Governance Frameworks in Penang and Selangor, Malaysia” raises this issue and more. Interestingly, the study notes that in disciplinary cases from 2020 to 2023, the vast majority were in the category titled “Integrity and Standards Compliance Breeches”. Surprisingly there were only 1% under “Direct Bribery and Financial Corruption” cases. We take a deeper look at the study.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Business Of Watching Vehicles 21.09.2026 23m

  Cartrack tracks 2.8 million vehicles across 24 countries, listed on the Nasdaq through its parent Karooooo, and has been in Malaysia since 2014. But just over two million of those subscribers sit in South Africa — a business built on a crime rate and an insurance market that don't work the same way here. So what actually makes a Malaysian operator buy, and where does Malaysia rank in the region? We speak to Carmen Calisto, Co-CEO at Cartrack Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.