The Breakfast Grille

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) announced global staff cuts as budget constraints bite. On World Refugee Day, we discuss the challenges of upholding protection for refugees and engaging with the Malaysian government despite resource limitations with Louise Aubin, the UNHCR representative in Malaysia.

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Malaysia has a long history in nuclear technology research, with the genesis of what is today the Malaysian Nuclear Agency starting in the early 1970s. How much progress has Malaysia made in nuclear technology over the past 50 years, and where does it position the country as the momentum shifts on public acceptance of nuclear energy? We discuss this with the Director General Dr. Rosli Darmawan.

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BK Gan, President and CEO of Taylor's Schools and Phillip See will be sitting down to talk about what makes Taylor’s Schools different, the price tag attached to education in international schools, whether there is still demand for such education by Malaysian parents, and more.

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Come July 1st, a whole list of items like selected fruit, fish and even services will become more expensive due to an expansion of the sales and service tax. Why has the government decided to make this move despite cost of living pressures. Questions we pose to the Treasury Secretary General at the Ministry of Finance, Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican whilst we also get a preview of Budget 2026 and the state of the government’s finances.

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The international community has missed the 2025 deadline to eliminate child labour in all its forms. What are the gaps in the legal framework, economic mechanisms and societal viewpoints that need to be addressed for child labour to truly be eradicated in Malaysia? We discuss this with Dr Amjad Rabi, Visiting Expert at the Social Wellbeing Research Center at University Malaya; and Sharmila Sekaran, Chairperson of Voice of the Children.

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Professor Dr. Barry Winn, Vice Chancellor and President, Taylor's University, discusses trends in higher education, parents' expectations and student outcomes, income generation, and more.

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Often overshadowed by its larger neighbours, Eswatini is quietly positioning itself on Africa’s economic map. With political stability, pro-business policies, and a young population, the kingdom is eyeing greater regional integration and trade. Aisalli Ayub speaks with H.E. Menzie Sipho Dlamini, Eswatini’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, on investment opportunities and global partnerships.

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Malaysia has secured the presidency of the UN-Habitat General Assembly for the 2025–2029 term, but is this accolade deserved when there is still a long list of property reforms to be accomplished. And is the property market weighed too heavily in favour of the developers? Questions we pose to Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government whilst asking if he is next in line to lead DAP.

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The government estimates that in 2024, cybercrime incidents incurred total losses exceeding RM1.5 billion ringgit involving more than 35,000 reported cases. As businesses step up safeguards against cyberattacks, how is ACE Market-listed cybersecurity specialist LGMS positioning themselves to benefit from this long-term theme? We catch-up on the business strategy and prospects of LGMS with CEO Fong Choong Fook.

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The value of US-ASEAN trade in goods grew by 13% in 2024 - but is the era of trade growth coming to an end in light of the seismic shift in US economic policy? We discuss the evolution of US-ASEAN economic ties and what's ahead with Marc Mealy, Executive Vice President of the US-ASEAN Business Council. 

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