The Breakfast Grille

Japan’s University of Tsukuba took a historic step in 2024 by opening its first overseas campus in Kuala Lumpur, offering a unique program that combines science, design, and global perspectives. But can this ambitious initiative attract students and set a new standard in higher education? Philip See discusses this with its Dean of Faculty, Prof. Dr. Maki Tsujimura.

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Malaysia has emerged as a major data centre hub in Southeast Asia, attracting global hyperscalers and cloud giants such as Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet. What makes Malaysia so attractive for these investments, and how meaningful are the economic benefits? We speak to Cheam Tat Inn, Managing Director of Equinix Malaysia, the global digital infrastructure company.

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On World Radio Day, Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman, Director-General of Radio Television Malaysia, talks about radio’s relevance in the age of streaming and AI, the challenges of talent and innovation within a public broadcaster. And as RTM turns 80 this April, he reflects on what the future is like for the media landscape.

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2025 was the perfect storm for the world's biggest producer of condoms with tariffs, a strong Ringgit and weak procurement demand. Goh Miah Kiat, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Karex Berhad tells us his turnaround strategy to improve margins and why we should still consider their stock.

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Today, February 11th, is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, one of Malaysia's most influential scientists, working in HIV and public health, and who now leads Monash University Malaysia, shares her insights drawing from her experience throughout the decades, assessing what the situation is like today.

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Malaysia’s tourism sector has rebounded strongly after the pandemic, but as Visit Malaysia Year 2026 gets underway, the bigger question is whether this recovery can translate into lasting gains. Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director-General of Tourism Malaysia, discusses strategy, execution, and what Malaysia’s tourism industry could look like beyond 2026.

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2025 was the perfect storm for glove makers hit by the impact of tariffs, intense Chinese competition and their red ocean strategy. We ask Lim Cheong Guan, Managing Director of Top Glove Corporation Bhd if the worst is over for the world's largest glove maker and if margin improvement is in sight.

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Colombia and Malaysia have maintained friendly ties since 1978, cooperating on trade, palm oil and drug trafficking. Philip See will speak with Juan Carlos Moreno Gutiérrez, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Colombia in Malaysia, to explore this bilateral relationship and his insights on the US–Venezuela crisis and its potential regional impact.

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The hospitality industry is a challenging one with global brands present. So what are the challenges for home grown hospitality company,  Exsim Hospitality Berhad? Justin Tan, their managing director, tells us their growth strategy and  why we should consider buying their stock.

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There are plans to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years aimed at reducing the concentration of power, strengthening institutions, and responding to public calls for greater accountability. Danesh Prakash Chacko, Chairperson, Persatuan Bertindak Pilihan Raya Bebas Dan Saksama (TINDAK) tells us if this reform is sufficient and if Kuala Lumpur should have mayoral elections.

This episode of The First Look was brought to you by Emirates. Fly better, fly Emirates.

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