Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services are everywhere, making it easier than ever to split payments with no interest… if you pay on time. But for many young Malaysians, BNPL is turning into a debt trap, with overdue payments piling up before they even realise it.

Are these services really helping people manage their finances, or are they encouraging overspending? Are BNPL providers doing enough to educate users on the risks, or are they relying on people spending more than they can afford?

We speak with Nirmala Supramaniam, Head of the Household Financial Education Department at Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), to break down the reality of BNPL debt. We explore how young Malaysians can make smarter spending decisions, the role of financial literacy, and whether stricter regulations are needed to keep BNPL in check.

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Food is more than just a meal. It is culture, tradition, and a reflection of our world. But the way we grow, cook, and eat is changing. Climate change, rising costs, and new food technologies are affecting what ends up on our plates. To explore what’s next, Kita Food Festival launched The Future of Food Series, a lineup of pop-ups and talks bringing together chefs, farmers, and researchers to rethink what we’ll be eating in the years to come. Today, we speak with Leisa Tyler, Co-Founder of Kita Food Festival, about the biggest challenges facing food today. What’s at risk, and how can we make sure food stays delicious, accessible, and sustainable?

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Planning a trip has never been easier, or more overwhelming. With a few clicks, travellers can compare destinations, book flights, and even take virtual tours of hotels. But with endless options, misleading deals, and scams lurking online, making the right choice isn’t always straightforward.

That’s where Interactive Virtual Tourism (IVT) comes in. By allowing travellers to connect face-to-face with real travel experts, IVT combines the best of personalised service with modern technology. It promises a safer, more informed, and convenient way to plan trips… without stepping into a travel agency.

We speak with Gary Bowerman, Co-Founder of High-Yield Tourism, to explore how IVT is changing the way people experience travel. We discuss what it means for travellers and businesses, and how it fits into Malaysia’s tourism strategy.

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Geopolitics is reshaping global trade, positioning Malaysia, other ASEAN nations, and the Global South as key winners. In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we speak with Aparna Bharadwaj, Managing Director & Partner at BCG Singapore and Global Leader of BCG’s Global Advantage Practice, as she unpacks the forces transforming international trade and what today’s business leaders must understand to navigate this dynamic landscape.

Drawing on insights from BCG’s report ‘Great Powers, Geopolitics, and Global Trade’, the conversation dives into how North America is reducing its reliance on China, while ASEAN and other Global South markets are emerging as key players.  Aparna explains the domino effect of shifting trade flows, the impact of rising tariffs, and the strategic importance of building geopolitical muscle in today’s volatile market.  The discussion highlights opportunities for diversification, the benefits of resilient supply chains, and the potential for nations like Malaysia to capitalise on these trends. 

Here are some AI-generated key highlights from the conversation:

Global Trade Shift: Trade is moving from free-market ideals to systems driven by geopolitics, economic security, and shifting corridors, sparked by the US-China trade slowdown and rising economic nationalism.

Key Trade Corridors: Expect a $160 billion shrink in US-China trade, rapid growth in China–Global South flows, and significant increases in US–India trade—creating a domino effect across regions.

ASEAN & Malaysia’s Edge: ASEAN, especially Malaysia, benefits from a "China plus X" strategy thanks to pragmatic policies, special economic zones, and opportunities in the halal market.

Impact of US Tariffs: US tariffs, a pillar of the "America First" policy, and potential reciprocal measures are reshaping supply chains and trade balances globally.

China’s New Focus & Global South: China is pivoting away from the West toward increased trade with ASEAN, BRICS+, and the global South, where faster GDP growth and resilient FDI flows prevail.

Business Strategies: Key recommendations for businesses include strengthening supply chain resilience, building geopolitical intelligence, exploring new growth markets, considering nearshoring strategies, and diversifying market footprints.

Image credit: Shutterstock

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Did you know there are over 60 Chinese F&B brands in Southeast Asia with more than 6,100 outlets? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, Jianggan Li, Founder and CEO of Momentum Works, tells us about the explosive rise of Chinese food and beverage brands in the region.

Drawing insights from the "Chinese F&B in Southeast Asia" report, our conversation unpacks the key factors driving this expansion — from how these brands strategically adapt to local markets in Malaysia and Singapore to the challenges of overcoming certification hurdles such as Halal compliance. We discuss how these innovative brands are reshaping the region’s competitive landscape by leveraging digital platforms like TikTok to fine-tune their marketing strategies and customise their product offerings to local tastes.

We also examine the broader impact of this influx on local businesses and established international franchises, debating whether this trend poses a threat or creates new opportunities. Whether you're a local entrepreneur, investor, or industry insider, this discussion offers insights on how traditional culinary brands can innovate and thrive in today’s dynamic market.

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Malaysia’s unemployment rate has hit its lowest point in nearly a decade, signalling a major shift in the job market. But is this real economic growth or just a temporary post-pandemic effect? While hiring is on the rise, youth unemployment remains a challenge, and businesses still struggle to find skilled talent. Are Malaysians securing quality jobs, or is the gig economy playing a bigger role? We break down the trends, challenges, and future of the workforce in this deep dive into Malaysia’s labour market.

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From Khazanah’s impressive 2024 performance to MAHB’s privatisation, in this episode of Enterprise Explores, we delve into the inner workings of Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, Khazanah Nasional. The firm plays a crucial role in managing the nation’s wealth—but what drives its decisions, and how does it justify them?

Drawing on insights from its 2025 Annual Review, our discussion with Managing Director Dato' Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir highlights Khazanah’s impressive 24.6% return on investments in 2024 and how Malaysian assets drove that performance.

We also explore the rationale behind its four-portfolio structure that balances commercial returns with developmental impact, and examine how political stability, attractive market conditions, and regulatory incentives have fueled success in Malaysian capital markets.

Looking ahead, he discusses the potential risks for 2025—from global macroeconomic uncertainties to shifts in foreign investment flows—and outlines strategic measures to safeguard national wealth while capitalising on growth opportunities.

Dato' Amirul also sheds light on the strategic rationale behind MAHB’s privatisation—designed to unlock capital for future investments and boost efficiency in the aviation sector—as well as the evolving role of Jelawang Capital in nurturing Malaysia’s startup ecosystem.

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Straight As for Malaysia’s IPO Market? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we dive into the dynamic world of IPOs as Malaysia’s capital market outperforms its regional peers. Despite a 36% decline in overall Southeast Asian IPO proceeds, Malaysia doubled its funds raised in 2024 with 55 listings—the highest number since 2006. With record ACE Market listings and increasing foreign investor interest, we examine what’s fueling Malaysia’s IPO success and whether this momentum can be sustained.

Joining us is Wong Kar Choon, Transactions Accounting Support Partner at Deloitte Malaysia. Drawing on insights from Deloitte’s Southeast Asia IPO Capital Market 2024 Report, the conversation explores key drivers behind Malaysia’s robust performance, including strong political stability, attractive price-to-earnings ratios, expedited regulatory approvals, and tax incentives for tech companies. Kar Choon discusses how these elements position Malaysia as an attractive destination for both domestic and international investors and outlines the trends to watch for in 2025. We also delve into the differences between the ACE market and the main market, as well as potential risks from broader macroeconomic uncertainties.

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How do tariffs shape global trade and impact your bottom line? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we sit down with Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist at Ambank Group, to decode the multifaceted world of tariffs. Drawing on historical insights and current trends, Firdaos explain how tariffs are designed for revenue generation and industry protection and dives into the ripple effects of these types of trade policies, such as rising consumer prices and supply chain disruptions, while also examining how companies can mitigate impacts by lowering production costs and diversifying supply chains.

The conversation also touches on Malaysia’s experience during past trade disputes, where investment diversion helped boost sectors like semiconductors, and discusses strategic responses for a volatile trade environment—including diversification of trade channels.

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Today, we’re looking at a major shift in how Malaysia’s civil service operates. The Ministry of Digital, in collaboration with Google Cloud, has launched the AI at Work 2.0 initiative, aiming to equip 445,000 public officers with cutting-edge generative AI tools. Beyond the technical capabilities of AI, there are deeper concerns, and from a public perspective, what does this mean for the way citizens interact with government services? We speak to Esther Low as we discuss the opportunities and risks of integrating AI into the civil service, the potential effects on skills development, and what best practices can ensure AI is used to enhance, rather than replace the human workforce.

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