Urban revitalisation is sweeping across Malaysian cities, with PJ Old Town as a focal point. But can efforts to modernise historic areas uplift communities without displacing them? Urban planner Mustapha Kamal joins us to discuss the economic logic behind revitalisation, the risks of gentrification, and what it takes to create growth that’s both inclusive and sustainable.

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Stablecoins are being positioned as the critical bridge between traditional finance and the world of blockchain, with the potential to transform how businesses move money and raise capital. But as Malaysia explores this new frontier through regulatory sandboxes, what are stablecoins really, and what will it take to adopt them safely and effectively?

Tech lawyers Ong Johnson and Lo Khai Yi, Partners at Halim Hong & Quek, join us to demystify the world of stablecoins. They break down the different models (fiat-backed, asset-backed, and algorithmic), explain the current gaps in Malaysia's regulatory framework, and make the case for how to build public trust in digital currency.

We discuss:

• The different stablecoin models and which one suits Malaysia best.

• The role of regulatory sandboxes in fostering innovation safely.

• The current "black hole" in regulations for issuing stablecoins.

• How to build trust through clear legal frameworks and reserve backing.

• The potential impact of stablecoins on business and cross-border trade.

  For business leaders, policymakers, and investors looking to understand the future of digital assets in Malaysia, this is an essential legal and strategic guide.

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Southeast Asia's e-commerce landscape is entering a new era. The 'land grab' phase of rapid growth is over, replaced by "E-commerce 3.0", a new game focused on profitability, sustainability, and platform dominance, where giants like Shopee, TikTok Shop, and Lazada now control 84% of the market.

Jianggan Li, CEO of Momentum Works, joins us to unpack the key findings from their latest "E-commerce in Southeast Asia 3.0" report. He dissects the major trends reshaping the industry, from the explosion of live commerce to the massive potential of AI to unlock over $130 billion in additional value by 2030.

We discuss:

• The strategic shift from a "land grab" to a "margin game."

• How live and video commerce now drive 20% of all e-commerce sales.

• The rise of Chinese brands and what it means for local players.

• The role of AI in improving efficiency and personalizing a buyer's journey.

• The POP leadership framework for navigating this new, complex landscape.

  For e-commerce leaders, brands, sellers, and investors, this is an essential guide to the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of digital commerce in Southeast Asia.

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Nearly half of Malaysian businesses are optimistic about growth in 2025, yet most are not planning to significantly increase their headcount. This "do more with less" approach is redefining workforce strategy, forcing leaders to focus on productivity, technology, and retaining top-tier talent in a challenging economic climate.

Rahul Chawla, Head of Talent Solutions for Southeast Asia at Aon, joins us to break down the findings from their latest pulse survey. He discusses why cautious optimism prevails, how to build a resilient workforce, and the sophisticated reward strategies needed to attract and retain the "super talent" that drives growth.

We discuss:

• The paradox of positive business outlook vs. slow headcount growth.

• How to develop a strategic "compensation philosophy" for your business.

• Strategies for retaining "super talent" in critical tech and sales roles.

• Why measuring productivity goes beyond just financial metrics.

• The importance of "knowing your workforce" (KYW) to prepare for the future.

For HR leaders and C-suite executives navigating the complexities of talent management, this episode is a data-driven guide to building a resilient and productive workforce.

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The common narrative is that AI, like the internet before it, will ultimately create more jobs than it destroys. But what if that comparison is a dangerous delusion? Our guest today argues that AI is a fundamentally different force, a productivity tool designed to replace jobs on an unprecedented scale, and the impact is already here.

Dr. Sivapalan Vivekarajah, co-founder of ScaleUp Malaysia Accelerator, joins us to deliver a stark warning about the future of work. He explains why he believes white-collar, digital, and especially junior-level roles are at immediate risk, and why our education system is failing to prepare the next generation for this new reality.

We discuss:

• Why AI is a job replacement tool, not job creation infrastructure.

• The evidence of mass job displacement already happening in tech and finance.

• Why junior-level and entry-level roles are the most vulnerable.

• How our education system must fundamentally change to adapt.

• The case for Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a necessary societal solution.

  For business leaders, educators, and policy markers trying to understand the profound shifts ahead, this is an urgent and essential conversation about preparing for an AI-driven future.

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Building and scaling a responsible e-commerce platform in an environment that’s moving fast and not always clean isn’t always an easy feat. Nur Azre Abdul Aziz, Director of Strategic Partnerships at TikTok Shop Malaysia joins us to explore some of the real challenges the platform is grappling with, the hard lessons, the trade-offs and the growing pains of not only shoppers, but also millions of sellers and creators.

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The recent debate over stamp duty on employment contracts has left many Malaysian businesses confused and concerned. Following a major policy clarification from the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) on June 6th, what do companies really need to do to ensure compliance, and what comes next as we head towards a full self-assessment regime in 2026?

This conversation brings the regulator and an industry advisor to the table for more clarity. Shafudin bin Yacob from LHDN and Soh Lian Seng from KPMG in Malaysia join us to break down the new rules, remaining gray areas, and how businesses can prepare for the future of stamp duty.

We discuss:

• LHDN's new three-tiered policy on employment contracts explained.

• How to prepare for the Stamp Duty Self-Assessment System (SAS).

• The stamp duty implications for intercompany service agreements.

• Why businesses need to conduct a "health check" on past documents.

• The remaining gray areas that still require clarification from authorities.

For business owners, HR managers, and finance professionals, this is an essential guide to navigating the evolving landscape of stamp duty in Malaysia.

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A recent warning from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) has put company secretaries on high alert. With increased enforcement for non-compliance, the risk of hefty fines and even disqualification is now a serious reality for this often-misunderstood profession. But what does this mean for business owners and directors?

This news prompts a crucial conversation that goes far beyond paperwork. Joined by lawyer Sheba Gumis from Skrine and Chartered Accountants SS Gan of SS Gan & Co, we explore the true role of the company secretary as a key governance advisor, a steward for the board, and a vital officer of the company.

We discuss:

• The risks company secretaries face from SSM's enforcement.

• What "reasonable diligence" means in practice and how to prove it.

• Why the CoSecs are gatekeepers of governance, not just a filers.

• How directors can better leverage their CoSec as a strategic advisor.

• Red flags to watch for in both directors and CoSec services.

For business owners, directors, and company secretaries navigating this heightened regulatory environment, this conversation is an essential guide to compliance, risk, and corporate governance.

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Malaysia's EPF system, designed for a different era, is proving insufficient for a future of longer lifespans and flexible work. As millions face retirement insecurity, the conversation must shift from merely fixing the old model to building a new one. But what should that new social safety net look like?

Economist Dr. Geoffrey Williams joins us to make the case for a radical solution: a universal, non-contributory, basic pension. He dismantles the "work longer, save more" myth and lays out a position for how Malaysia can afford a more inclusive and resilient retirement system for all its citizens.

We discuss:

• Why the current retirement models are inadequate in today's environment.

• The long-term economic consequences of a retirement savings crisis.

• The blueprint for a non-contributory universal basic pension in Malaysia.

• How it could be funded by subsidy rationalisation or a Malaysian "super fund."

• The long-term economic case for a universal pension versus the status quo.

• Debunking the "work longer" myth as a viable solution to the crisis.

For policymakers, economists, and anyone seeking a bold, workable solution to Malaysia's retirement crisis, this lays out the essential argument for fundamental change.

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When tech giants dangle massive signing bonuses worth hundreds of millions, it’s more than just competition — it’s a global war for talent. And if you're a Malaysian startup, scale-up, or mid-sized tech company, how do you even begin to compete?

We dive into the legal and ethical battleground of talent poaching with Ong Johnson and Winn Wong of Halim Hong & Quek. We unpack what businesses can do right now to safeguard their talent from being swept away by global players and whether non-competes are enforceable in Malaysia.

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