The Breakfast Grille

By 2044, Malaysia will face a “silver tsunami”, with 14% of its population aged 65 and above. Chai Sen Tyng, Senior Research Officer at MyAgeing, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and New Sin Yew, Constitutional Lawyer, discuss whether Malaysia is ready for an ageing population.

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The Sabah state elections scheduled for the end of November will be a crucial test for the Madani Government as well as the various political factions and alliances that uniquely operate in the state. We discuss some of the themes to watch during the campaign season with economist Dr. Saizal Pinjaman of Universiti Malaysia Sabah and political analyst Jo-Anna Henley Rampas of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

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With US President Donald Trump declaring his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping “a 12 out of 10,” we ask how much of it is hyperbole and how much is substance. Dr Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation, and Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy at Mizuho Bank , share their thoughts on events of the past week and how it might guide world economic growth in 2026.

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Amid the widespread rise of far-right sentiment in European politics in recent years, Romania has managed to maintain a pro-EU government in its recent elections. But what are the challenges it faces in ensuring political stability at a time of economic uncertainty and the ongoing war in Ukraine? We discuss the dynamics shaping Romania’s future and its bilateral relations with Malaysia with H.E. Nineta Barbulescu, the Ambassador of Romania to Malaysia.

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KNM Group is officially delisted from Bursa Malaysia today, ending its journey as a publicly listed company since 2003. The move should enable it to sell its flagship asset, Borsig, and reduce the company’s debt. Ravindrasingham Balasingham, Group CEO & Executive Director, KNM Group Bhd, shares insights on the company’s next steps and turnaround plan.

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Every year on October 10th, World Homeless Day reminds us that homelessness is not just a local problem, but a global one. Yet in Malaysia, it remains a complex and often misunderstood issue. Dr Nur Fareza Mustapha of Khazanah Research Institute and Shyam Priah Marimuthu, CEO of Yellow House KL, help us unpack the realities behind Malaysia’s homeless population, from the root causes to the stigma and possible solutions.

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Do all companies benefit from the AI boom and how does a tech company navigate the US-China trade tensions. Questions we pose to Dato’ Phua Khein Seng, CEO of Phison Electronics  whilst also asking why investors should pay attention to its stock even after it has rallied by 100% on a year to date basis despite the intense competition and cyclical nature of the business.

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As internal cracks deepen within Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional braces for the Sabah state election and GE16 thereafter, questions loom over the coalition’s cohesion and credibility. Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, Bersatu deputy president and Leader of the Opposition discusses efforts to contain party infighting, PN’s electoral prospects in Sabah, and whether he sees himself as the next prime minister.

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World Cities Day is celebrated on Oct 31st every year and this year’s theme is “People-centred Smart Cities”, a reminder that technology and innovation should serve people, not the other way around. Award-winning architect and sustainability advocate  Dr Tan Loke Mun and urban planning and design consultant, Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar, give their perspectives on Malaysian cities with a special focus on Kuala Lumpur.

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Malaysia wrapped up its year as ASEAN chair with a high-profile summit attended by world leaders, including US President Donald Trump. We speak with Jayan Menon, Visiting Senior Fellow, ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, and Elina Noor, Senior Fellow, Asia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, on Malaysia’s achievements, ASEAN’s strategic challenges, and what lies ahead for the bloc.

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