The Breakfast Grille

The Madani Government is working on a new policy blueprint for public higher education to replace the current plan that ends in 2025. What is the policy direction we should be taking to improve the higher education landscape for national progress? We discuss themes in higher education with Dr. Sharifah Munirah Alatas, an Independent Scholar and Chair of the Malaysian Academic Movement (GERAK), and Dr. Wan Chang Da, a Visiting Senior Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute

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Spain was once seen as the laggard of the Eurozone, but following the post-pandemic recovery it is now one of the bloc’s outperformers. We discuss the factors in the change in Spain’s economic narrative as well as the aftermath of the tragic floods that hit Valencia early this month with H.E. Jose Luis Pardo, the Ambassador of Spain to Malaysia.

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Security seals are often a forgotten part of the supply chain. We speak to the world’s 3rd largest player which is due to list on Bursa Malaysia as to their reasons for listing, how they got OCBC to be their shareholder and why should you buy their share. Their Group MD, Datuk Adrian Ng joins us.

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Ukraine has been in the midst of war after Russia invaded its western neighbour nearly 1,000 days ago, and now controls around 18% of that country. Today, Ukraine's Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Trade & Agriculture, Taras Kachka, who is on a mission around the world to drum up more trade, shares about the ongoing challenges and whether or not there is still potential for more bilateral trade with his country.

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Malaysia and Cuba have had diplomatic relations since 1975 and citizens of both nations don't require visas to visit each other. Yet, bilateral trade remains low. Florentino Batista González, the ambassador of Cuba to Malaysia shares his views on the potential of bilateral relations after both countries became BRICS partners, as well as how the continued US economic embargo on the Caribbean island nation is wreaking havoc on its citizens' wellbeing.

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November has become associated with novel writing, thanks to the grassroots NaNoWriMo movement, to the extent that in the US, November 1st is designated as National Authors Day. In this spirit, we discuss themes related to the Malaysian writing and publishing industry with author Cheeming Boey and publisher Amir Muhammad of BukuFixi.

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Levi's, a brand synonymous with jeans, has a 170-year heritage. But does it still have a cache, and how does this world-leading apparel maker compete in SEA? We pose these questions to Sameer Koul, General Manager for Southeast Asia and Country Manager for Thailand, Levi Strauss & Co.

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3REN Bhd is a soon-to-be-listed automation solutions and engineering services provider, primarily focusing on the semiconductor, electronics, and manufacturing sectors. Koh Dim Kuan, its executive director and CEO, shares the company's future plans following its listing to raise some RM31 million to expand its operations and to enhance its R&D capabilities.

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The past year has seen a seismic shift in the political landscape in Europe, with far-right groups and ideologies gaining momentum across the continent, including in France. Is the French principle of laicite a bulwark or a vulnerability in the face of the far-right movement? We get a better understanding of the concept and how it's implemented with Ambassador Jean-Christophe Peaucelle, Counselor for Religious Affairs at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

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Budget 2025 is the most expansionary in history at RM421bn with the goal of fiscal consolidation while growing the economy through the introduction of new taxes and incentives. To delve into the implications of this budget for businesses, we speak with Tai Lai Kok, Head of Corporate Tax at KPMG, and Datuk William Ng, National President of the Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA).

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