In this episode of Are We OK, we sit down with Datuk Seri Dr. Michael Tio, Founder and Group CEO of PKT Logistics, to unpack how he built one of Malaysia's biggest logistics companies from a RM2,000 starting salary. We go behind the story of his iconic warehouses — The Ship, The Wave, and The Lighthouse — and how a simple idea sketched on cardboard turned into a nationwide logistics empire.

We also dive into the bigger picture: why logistics companies are leaving Singapore for Malaysia, how our ports are catching up fast, and why Michael believes Malaysia is sitting on a RM90 billion opportunity between now and 2030. From the automotive boom to semiconductor warehousing in Penang, to his ambitious new inland port project at the Thai border, this episode breaks down what it really takes to build Malaysia into the next big logistics hub in ASEAN.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 - Intro & The Unconventional Approach to Logistics

01:25 - The Underdog Hustle: Making Millions Before Turning 21

05:58 - Life Lessons & Why EQ Matters More Than Grades

07:42 - Giving Up a Lucrative Used Car Business for a RM2,000 Salary

10:05 - How a Partnership with Japan Saved the Business in the 1998 Crisis

13:14 - Moving from Big Projects to Stable Automotive Logistics

17:11 - The Hidden Business Trick to Keeping Shipping Money in Malaysia

18:38 - The Masterplan: Building Four Logistics Hubs in Malaysia

28:13 - Peninsula College: Putting a College Campus Inside a Warehouse

33:11 - What Happens to a Warehouse When Workers Suddenly Quit?

34:00 - Riding the Semiconductor Boom in Penang35:13 - The Northern Gateway: Designing the "Blackwood Complex" at the Border

39:08 - The Trick to Turning a Border Town into a Successful Hub

42:30 - Helping Thailand Ship Faster Through Malaysia

43:58 - Partnering with UUM to Give Students Real Work Experience

47:30 - The Diesel Crisis: How Fleet Cards & Cash Flow Traps Affected Transporters

51:11 - Why Logistics Companies Are Leaving Singapore for Malaysia

53:25 - The RM90 Billion Wave: Why Daiso & IKEA are Choosing Malaysia Over Singapore

54:59 - Why PKT Chose to Bypassed Johor and Avoid Turf Wars

56:55 - Will PKT Logistics Ever List on Bursa Malaysia?

58:28 - Michael Tio's Vision for PKT by 2030

#areweok #michaeltio #pktlogistics #malaysianlogistics #malaysiavssingapore #aseanhub #logisticsindustry #malaysianeconomy #businessmalaysia #supplychain #portklang #penangsemiconductor #podcastmalaysia #malaysianbusiness #fdimalaysia

In this episode of Are We OK, we sit down with Dr Ong Kian Ming (former Deputy Minister of MITI, DAP) and Shahril Hamdan (co-host of Keluar Sekejap) for a fireside chat at the Affin Market Outlook Conference 2026. Two former politicians from opposite sides of the aisle — break down where Malaysia really stands as an investment destination, and whether the country is ready for what's coming next.

The discussion examines whether Malaysia has become too FDI-built — chasing headline foreign investment numbers without translating them into long-term, higher-income jobs at home. We unpack EPF's mandate and who it really serves, the stalemate at the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, and why the Mr DIY success story ended up with its profits parked in Singapore.

Finally, we look ahead to GE16: the likely timeline, the scenarios that could play out, and what each outcome could mean for the economy and for everyday Malaysians.

#AreWeOK #GE16 #MalaysiaEconomy #MalaysiaFDI #AffinMarketOutlook #InvestInMalaysia #MalaysianPolitics #PodcastMalaysia

In this episode of Are We OK, we sit down with two young leaders, Lee Ting Han and Nor Zulaila binti Abdul Ghani (Lily), to talk about the massive changes happening in Johor right now. We take an honest look behind the scenes at what it’s really like to work in state government, how the multi-billion ringgit business boom affects everyday jobs, and why the current election is creating sudden tension between state and federal politicians. Timestamps00:00 - Teaser 00:30 - Meet Lee Ting Han: From Corporate Lawyer to Johor Leader 03:54 - The Reality Behind Johor’s Multi-Billion Ringgit Boom 12:20 - Fixing the Talent Drain & Helping Young Workers Succeed 16:48 - Can Federal and State Leaders Cooperate During Elections? 20:20 - Reviving Johor's Forgotten Towns & Bringing Jobs Back 33:07 - What It’s Really Like to Work in State Government 34:54 - Will Rival Parties Team Up to Form a New Government? 37:21 - The Big Question: Is History Repeating Itself? 47:10 - Meet Saudari Lily: Moving from Community Helper to Candidate 49:25 - Clean Politics: Saving Our Environment & Fighting Online Toxicity 55:41 - The Election Challenge: Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone 57:33 - Handling Complaints, Cutting Red Tape & Making Tough Decisions 62:01 - Facing Harsh Labels & Serving the People Win or Lose 66:34 - Changing the Future: Lily’s Final Message #AreWeOK #MalaysianPolitics #PRNJohor #JohorSEZ #LeeTingHan #DAPLily #BarisanNasional #DAP #MCA #OnnHafizGhazi #PodcastMalaysia

In this episode of Are We OK, former Principal Private Secretary Dato' Dr. Marzuki opens up about the massive internal fractures shaking Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional. We dive into the behind-the-scenes drama of Tan Sri Muhyiddin's camp.

We also break down the high-stakes "purge" within Bersatu and the plot led by Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. Why did PAS President Hadi Awang unilaterally sever ties, and what does this mean for the future of the coalition?

Finally, we discuss the heavy constitutional battles that defined Muhyiddin's time in office, including the untold secrets of the Sheraton Move, his sudden resignation, and the surprising origins of the historic Anti-Hopping Law.

Timestamps

00:00 - Teaser

00:52 - Meet Dato’ Dr. Marzuki: Inside Muhyiddin’s Camp

06:05 - The Real Job of a Political Secretary

10:10 - Bersatu Dynamics & The Sheraton Move Secrets

17:35 - Governing During a Crisis: Muhyiddin’s COVID-19 Era

20:19 - Zahid Hamidi, UMNO & Political Instability

22:20 - The Resignation & Why Bersatu Backed Ismail Sabri

32:30 - Behind Closed Doors: CSA & Anti-Hopping Law Origins

39:20 - GE15, the Hung Parliament & "Power Sharing" Rejected

45:45 - The Bersatu "Purge": Hamzah’s Move & Disciplinary Action55:30 - PAS Cuts Ties: Hadi Awang’s Masterplan Exposed

1:02:53 - The Future of PN, GE16 & Final Thoughts

#AreWeOK #MalaysianPolitics #MuhyiddinYassin #Bersatu #HamzahZainudin #PerikatanNasional #SheratonMove #PodcastMalaysia

In this episode of Are We OK, we sit down with YB Ng Sze Han (Selangor Exco for Investment, Trade, and Mobility) and Yong Kai Ping (CEO of SIDEC) to unpack Selangor's aggressive transformation into a regional high-tech powerhouse. We explore how the state is moving rapidly into high-value sectors, from aerospace manufacturing and autonomous transport to setting up groundbreaking tech hubs.

We dive deep into the success behind Selangor's IC Design Park and the Advanced Semiconductor College of Malaysia (ASCM), detailing the massive resource investments required to train top-tier chip engineers. Finally, our guests share exclusive details on major upcoming initiatives for 2026. They break down the upcoming launch of the Rancangan Selangor Kedua (RS2) five-year plan, the expansion of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) to Bandung, Indonesia, and Selangor's strict new 30% local content requirement and industrial water conditions for incoming data centers.

Chapter Marker:

00:00 - Intro

05:07 - Selangor’s Economic Mindset: "Continuity with Evolution"

07:01 - Building an Ecosystem for the Selangor Aerospace Industry

08:10 - Yong Kai Ping & SIDEC: Driving E-Commerce & Startups to Global Standards

11:09 - The Semiconductor Leap: Scaling Fresh IC Design Engineers

12:13 - Shifting from AI Nusantara to the Advanced Semiconductor College of Malaysia (ASCM)

17:53 - Complementing Penang & Executing the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS)

23:38 - Silicon Valley Mission & Leveraging Overseas Malaysian Professionals

25:28 - MB Amirrudin Shari's Visionary Leadership & "Selangor Speed" Execution

29:20 - Testing Autonomous Transport, Robot Trucks & Drone Tech

33:04 - Preparing for the Aging Society & the Care Economy via Rancangan Selangor Kedua (RS2)

35:53 - SIBS 2026: Scaling the ASEAN Talent Hub & Expanding to Bandung

40:52 - Managing Data Centers: Water Reserve Strategies & 30% Local Content (LED) Policy

45:50 - Cheap GPU Tokens & Training SMEs with the Vira AI Program

47:26 - Combating Negative Viral News Through Direct Youth Engagement

51:28 - Re-strategizing Selangor's Economy for Global Resilience with Financial Experts

#AreWeOK #SelangorEconomy #YBNgSzeHan #YongKaiPing #SIDEC #ICDesign #SemiconductorMalaysia #DataCenters #MalaysianPolitics #RancanganSelangor #RS2 #SIBS2026 #AutonomousTransport #DigitalEconomy #MalaysiaTech #AmirrudinShari

In this episode of Are We OK, we sit down with Yun Liu, Senior ASEAN Economist at HSBC, to discuss why Malaysia is Asia’s "quiet overachiever". We break down the hard fiscal truths behind Malaysia's massive petrol subsidies as global oil prices surge past $100 , and examine what international investors are looking for ahead of the upcoming GE16 election.

We also dive into "durian economics" explaining how Vietnam rapidly captured China's massive market over Malaysia —and look at the structural hurdles and shifting supply chains shaping the future of ASEAN.

00:00 - Trailer

00:26 - Intro & Guest Introduction: Meeting HSBC's Yun Liu

01:45 - From the IMF to Hong Kong: Yun Liu's Global Background

12:37 - Mapping the ASEAN Economy: Who is Leading the Race?

14:31 - The Massive Footprint of Chinese FDI in Southeast Asia

16:17 - What Does an Economist Actually Do?

21:57 - Durian Economics: Why Vietnam is Crushing Malaysia in Exports

31:04 - Diversity in ASEAN & Penang as the Silicon Valley of the East

34:10 - Deep Dive into Vietnam's Rapid Economic Rise & Energy Risks

41:10 - Malaysia: Asia's Quiet Overachiever?

43:23 - The Ticking Fiscal Cost of RM1.99 Petrol

48:32 - Prediction Time: What Global Investors Expect From GE16

52:17 - Outro: Ipoh Dreams & Unforgettable Malaysian Hospitality

#AreWeOK #MalaysiaEconomy #GE16 #HSBC #YunLiu #DurianEconomics #MusangKing #Subsidies #ASEAN #FDI #PenangSiliconValley #VietnamEconomy #MalaysianPolitics #FiscalReform

In this episode of Are We OK, former minister Nik Nazmi opens up about the massive internal fractures shaking the government and PKR. We dive into the behind-the-scenes drama.We also break down the high-stakes launch of Bersama, the brand-new political party founded by Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi. Why did these long-time reformists abandon the party they spent 20 years building? Finally, we discuss the heavy policy battles that defined his time in office including the shift away from blanket subsidies and how Malaysia's rare earth minerals are getting caught in a global US-China Cold War.

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro

01:20 - The Launch of Bersama: A Political Startup

10:45 - Reality of Power: Missing the Cabinet Cut in 2018

23:30 - Breaking Stigmas: Mental Health in Malaysian Politics

48:20 - Rare Earths & Geopolitics: Navigating US vs. China

58:08 - Losing Anwar’s Inner Circle & Splitting the Ministry

1:01:20 - "Fixed" Party Polls & Resigning From Cabinet

1:20:32 - Fantasy Politics: Could KJ Ever Join Bersama?

1:34:10 - Defensive Strategies & The Battle for Pandan

#AreWeOK #MalaysianPolitics #NikNazmi #RafiziRamli #AnwarIbrahim #Bersama #PKR #UnityGovernment #RareEarthMinerals #CabinetDrama #MalaysiaNews

In this episode of Are We OK?, things get real. We’re diving straight into a massive political bombshell: Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi have officially resigned as MPs to start a brand-new political party. Is this a bold move for change, or a chaotic play that will tear the government apart?

Next, we look at the sudden uproar surrounding Tony Pua. Finally, the battle lines are being drawn for an explosive election season. We talk about the tense situation on the ground in Johor , why the usual political attacks aren't working anymore , and our exact timeline for when we head back to the ballot box.

00:00 - Teaser

03:34 - The Resignation Shockwave: Rafizi’s Huge Gamble

12:01 - Tony Pua’s Post: Did He Just Cross the Line?

20:58 - Johor PH Convention: Why the Strategy is Backfiring

31:09 - Prediction Time: The Secret Election Timeline

34:02 - Outro & Next Guest Announcement

#AreWeOK #MalaysianPolitics #RafiziRamli #NikNazmi #TonyPua #PakatanHarapan #BarisanNasional #JohorElections #MalaysiaNews

In this episode of Are We OK, we break down the growing political speculation surrounding Rafizi Ramli and whether a high-stakes contest in Bandar Tun Razak could signal deeper tensions within the government. Is this a real political battle or just noise?We also examine Rafizi’s evolving role as a political figure: Is he more effective as an opposition voice rather than an insider within the system?

The discussion expands into broader questions about governance, political strategy, and whether personality-driven politics is overshadowing real policy debates.

Finally, we explore key economic and policy issues shaping Malaysia today from taxation and fiscal decisions to the wider economic direction of the country and what it means for everyday Malaysians.

In this episode of Are We OK, we dive into the high-stakes world of Malaysian politics and pressing social issues.

We debate the strategic timing of the next General Election, analyzing whether a "sooner rather than later" approach favors Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim amidst global economic instability.

We also explore the impact of political "superstar" return to UMNO and the shifting dynamics between major political coalitions.

Finally, the conversation shifts to public policy, addressing the controversial "coffee fiasco" and the critical brain drain crisis currently hollowing out Malaysia’s medical sector.