The Breakfast Grille

On today's Breakfast Grille, we delve into the significance of the English language in Malaysia. Despite challenges such as declining proficiency, our conversation illuminates its global importance and the pressing need for educational reform. Through inclusive language policies, Malaysia can chart a course for individual and societal progress.

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Tomorrow is Chinese Language day, UN Celebrated event as it’s one of the 6 official languages used. We look at how Chinese education and language is weaponized and politicised in this country when diversity should be celebrated instead. Or is there merit that Chinese education prevents a national identity? Ngan Teng Ye, president of the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall tells us.

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Sweden's 10.5 million population have been successful in leading the world in pop culture, automotive, social welfare, climate change solutions and renewable energy innovations. The country has also opened its doors to refugees and asylum seekers fleeing persecution. H.E. Dr Joachim Bergström, Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia, talks about how soft diplomacy is effective and how this has changed Swedish society.

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We speak to Dr. Darren Lim, an expert in international relations and a Senior Lecturer at ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australia that discusses the ramifications of Sino-US technology competition and its ongoing effects on this region, including Malaysia. We also explore Australia's evolving discourse on China and its consequential impact on the nation's foreign policy. Additionally, our conversation delves into the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

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MyNews Holdings Berhad saw a second consecutive profitable quarter with a net profit of RM1.27 million for the first quarter ended January 31, 2024. Group CEO, Dang Tai Luk shares with Philip See if the group will continue to deliver strong earnings, and the ROI timeline for its CU mart brand.

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Velesto is the the largest owner and operator of jack up rigs in South East Asia but how does this company intend to navigate an extremely  cyclical industry and has it learnt the lessons of the past where high debts almost crippled it? Questions we pose to their President, Megat Zariman. We also ask if there is still upside to its share price after the recent run up.

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Established in 2014, Epsom College is a British-inspired independent day and boarding school. We ask headmaster, Matthew Brown the relevance of UK education system and curriculum, the composition of students as well as how they measure success.

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Social media has become more than just a place to connect with friends, family and colleagues - it has also become a bustling space for commerce. What is the landscape of Malaysian social commerce and does the industry need regulation to curb predatory practices? We discuss these issues with our panel.

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Fitch Ratings' latest Global Economic Outlook projects this year's GDP growth to come in at 2.4%, which is a 0.3 percentage point improvement from an earlier forecast, and follows a 2.9% growth for 2023. Brian Coulton, the chief economist at Fitch, talks us through how today's current challenges and upcoming events might impact the world's economies continued post-pandemic recovery.

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Manulife Insurance has been in Malaysia for some 60 years and is one of 14 life insurers that operate here. How does it compete in a crowded space, especially with insurtech players also coming onto the scene? We speak to Vibha Coburn, CEO of Manulife Insurance Berhad about her observations on insurance penetration rate in Malaysia, and the impact of inflation on insurance premiums.

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