The US government is now a strategic shareholder in chipmaker Intel, signaling a new era of state intervention in the US But what are the real risks of this interventionist playbook for innovation, free competition, and investor confidence?

Economist Dr. Carmelo Ferlito joins us to dissect this trend. He argues for a clear distinction between a market economy driven by price signals and a state-led one driven by policy, warning that state intervention often leads to inefficiencies, politically protected monopolies, and an erosion of investor confidence.

We discuss:

• The key differences between a market economy and a state-led economy.

• The dangers of governments "picking winners and losers."

• Why politically protected monopolies stifle long-term innovation.

• The risks to investor confidence when the state becomes a major market player.

• The historical cycles of state interventionism and their consequences.

For policymakers, investors, and business leaders, this is a broad exploration into the complex and cyclical battle between market forces and state control.

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New rules incoming for affiliates, sellers & marketplaces? With Malaysia's new E-commerce Bill set to be tabled by year-end, Ganesh Kumar Bangah, the e-Commerce Chapter Chair of PIKOM, joins us to break down the need for it and key implications.

He discusses the need to regulate dominant marketplaces, the crucial new legal distinction between affiliates and sellers, and his strong advocacy for local brands to build their own e-commerce websites.

We discuss:

• The key aims of the upcoming E-commerce Bill.

• The new distinction between "affiliates" (influencers) and "sellers."

• The argument for regulating dominant, foreign-owned marketplaces.

• Why brands should invest in building their own brand.coms to reduce reliance.

• How the new rules will impact sellers, logistics partners, and consumers.

For e-commerce sellers, brand owners, and digital marketers, this is a deep dive into the changing regulatory landscape and the strategies needed to thrive.

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With Google's massive antitrust trial in the headlines and Malaysia set to amend its own Competition Act, the rules of fair play in business are under the spotlight. But what do these laws actually mean for businesses on the ground, and could you be accidentally breaking them?

Competition law expert Tan Shi Wen, a Partner at Skrine, joins us to demystify this complex area. She explains the two main prohibitions under Malaysian law, why the rules apply to SMEs just as much as corporate giants, and the severe financial and reputational risks of getting it wrong.

We discuss:

• The two main prohibitions in Malaysian competition law.

• Why the law applies to all businesses, not just dominant players.

• The very broad definition of an "agreement" (and its hidden risks).

• The severe penalties for non-compliance: up to 10% of worldwide turnover.

• The upcoming changes to the Competition Act, including a new merger control regime.

For business owners of all sizes, this is a guide to understanding your compliance obligations and competing on merit in today's regulated market.

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Across our cities, empty shop lots and vacant office buildings are a common sight, a sign of wasted potential. But for enterprising individuals and businesses, could these underutilised assets be the next big opportunity?

Cha-Ly Koh, Founder and CEO of the data analytics firm UrbanMetry, joins us to provide a data-driven look at this issue. She discusses her framework for assessing these properties, the key financial and execution risks involved, and why repurposing old buildings is often harder and more expensive than building new ones.

We discuss:

• How to identify and define an "underutilised asset."

• The key financial, legal, and execution risks to consider before repurposing.

• Why it's often more expensive to revitalise old buildings than to build new.

• Why community and social capital are a city's most underutilised assets.

• Policy ideas like a "vacancy tax" and "patient capital" to encourage urban renewal.

For real estate investors, developers, and urban planners, this is an essential, data-driven guide to the challenges and opportunities of urban renewal.

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Artificial intelligence is powering a new wave of innovation, but it's also fueling a darker reality: the rise of 'Dark AI.' From hyper-realistic deepfakes to perfectly crafted phishing scams, how are cybercriminals weaponising this technology, and how can businesses and individuals protect themselves?

Sergey Lozhkin, Head of Kaspersky's Global Research & Analysis Team for APAC, joins us to break down this emerging threat landscape. He explains how Dark AI enhances existing threats, the dangers of unapproved AI tools in the workplace, and why employee education is now more critical than ever.

We discuss:

• What "Dark AI" is and how cybercriminals are using it to create malware and scams.

• Why AI is both a "shield" for defenders and a "sword" for attackers.

• The growing threat of sophisticated, AI-powered phishing and deepfakes.

• The risks of unapproved AI tools and malicious browser extensions in the workplace.

• Why strong cybersecurity basics and employee education are the best defense.

For business leaders and IT managers, this is an essential deep dive into the new frontier of cyber threats.

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In a global debt market of over $100 trillion, the Shariah-compliant Sukuk market has just crossed its own major milestone: $1 trillion. But what exactly are these Islamic financial instruments, how do they differ from conventional debt, and what's driving their rapid growth?

Bashar Al Natoor, Global Head of Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings, joins us to get into all this and more.

We discuss:

• What Sukuk are and how they differ from conventional bonds.

• The key drivers behind the market's growth to over $1 trillion.

• The important difference between asset-based and asset-backed Sukuk.

• Malaysia's role as an evolved domestic ecosystem vs. the GCC's US dollar market.

• The powerful and growing synergy between Islamic finance and ESG investing.

For investors, financial professionals, and policymakers, this is a deep dive into one of the fastest-growing segments of the global debt capital market.

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Amidst geopolitical uncertainty and relentless pressure on supply chains, Asia's manufacturing sector is turning to technology to stay competitive, with 94% of leaders planning to invest in AI. But what are the real-world use cases, and what are the biggest hurdles to successful adoption?

Marcelo Tarkieltaub, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Rockwell Automation, joins us to dissect the findings from their 2025 "State of Smart Manufacturing" report. He discusses the skills gap, the challenge of legacy infrastructure, and Asia Pacific's unique "pragmatic" and efficiency-driven approach to AI.

We discuss:

• The key use cases for AI in manufacturing (quality, efficiency, and cybersecurity).

• The biggest challenges to adoption: the skills gap and legacy systems.

• Why APAC's adoption strategy is more "pragmatic" than other regions.

• The mindset shift: viewing sustainability as a key driver of efficiency.

• Practical first steps for SMEs to begin their smart manufacturing journey.

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Beyond the gleaming skyscrapers and historical landmarks, what is the true heritage of a city like Kuala Lumpur? As we celebrate Merdeka, we explore how our urban heritage can be a living asset, preserving our unique identity while powering industries like tourism.

Shin Tseng of REXKL and Nigel Wong of MATTA join us to discuss this critical topic. They explore the move beyond tangible architecture to embrace intangible culture, the challenge of maintaining authenticity while improving sites for tourism, and the debate over Kuala Lumpur's unique "tapestry" or "Rojak" identity.

We discuss:

• Why heritage is more than just buildings, it's about living, intangible culture.

• How to balance "polishing" a site for tourism while keeping it authentic.

• The debate over Kuala Lumpur's unique and complex heritage identity.

• Why local residents are the true "soul" of any heritage site.

• A vision for curating micro-heritage districts to celebrate our diversity.

  For urbanists, tourism professionals, and anyone passionate about the future of our cities, this is an exploration into the art of celebrating and preserving our national identity.

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Months after new reciprocal tariffs were announced, initial data shows that Asian exporters have been front-loading shipments to the US to get ahead of the hikes. But what does this early reaction tell us about the real impact on trade, and what comes next after the frenzy?

Darren Tay, Head of APAC Country Risk at BMI, joins us to break down the findings from their new report. He analyses the varied responses across the region, from Taiwanese firms absorbing costs to Japanese exporters buffered by a weak yen, and explains why we should brace for a "payback" period and a global slowdown in 2026.

We discuss:

• The "front-loading" effect and what the initial trade data reveals.

• How Taiwan is absorbing the tariffs and how currency changes have buffered Japan

• Why Asian financial markets have been surprisingly resilient so far.

• The long-term impact: a global slowdown and reduced reliance on the US.

• Why 2026 is the year to watch for the full "payback" from the tariffs.

  For business leaders, exporters, and investors, this is a data-driven analysis of the new tariff landscape.

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TikTok Shop's global business is booming, doubling its GMV to over $26 billion in the first half of 2025. But beneath this explosive growth, the ecosystem is in constant flux, with Indonesia overtaking the US as the largest market and a rapid turnover of top influencers and products.

WeiHan Chen, Insights Lead at Momentum Works, joins us to dissect the findings from their latest report on this dynamic platform. She discusses the different growth drivers in Malaysia versus other key markets, the real challenges sellers face in a content-driven environment, and the maturity gap in live commerce between Southeast Asia and the West.

We discuss:

• The key drivers behind TikTok Shop's $26B global growth.

• Why Indonesia has re-emerged as the platform's largest market.

• The challenges for sellers (and why over half of US stores had zero sales).

• The maturity gap in live commerce between Southeast Asia and the US.

• Why brands need a clear, diversified channel strategy to succeed.

  For brands, sellers, and marketers navigating the future of social commerce, this is an essential deep dive into the strategies and volatility of the TikTok Shop ecosystem.

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