The Breakfast Grille

This week marks 1 year since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim became Prime Minister. Have the economic policies passed muster and is it easier for businesses? Nordin Abdullah, Vice Chairman, Malaysia Australian Business Council (MABC) and Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist, Bank Islam joins us to discuss this, what are the missed opportunities and what should be on their checklist next.

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Animonsta Studios is the birthplace of BoBoiBoy and Mechamato, a series of movies that has netted the company more than RM86 million at the box office. Add to that, several TV series seasons featuring the same characters that is now broadcast in over 50 countries. Nizam Razak, the co-founder and CEO of Animonsta, talks to us about the long-term plans for the studio going beyond creating content.

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Discussions on the care economy have risen in prominence over the past year, amid a realisation that demographic shifts in society mean the traditional care arrangements in households are not sustainable. What policy measures are needed to cultivate a care economy that creates decent work opportunities while providing quality services for the betterment of society as a whole? We discuss these themes with our expert panel.

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Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil is a multi-stakeholder non-profit organization that unites members from across the palm oil value chain to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil. CEO, Joseph D'Cruz shares with us the latest development in its certification scheme, their efforts to engage with smaller players, and why it deserves the premium.

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Property and housing developer LBS Bina Group has logged an impressive share price performance this year, up by more than 20% on a year to date basis. We ask Executive chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Lim Hock San if margins have compressed, how many more affordable houses can they build as their land bank shrinks, as well as their other ventures like the waterfront port project.

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Dato' Eddie Ong, a well known name in corporate circles has now directed his focus on Hextar Technologies. We ask him why the company is shifting from warehousing and logistics to fintech in what is already in a crowded market. With shareholding in 40 companies, we also ask the rationale behind these acquisition and what is the end game.

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Construction engineering solutions provider PLYTEC Holdings will become the 28th IPO for Bursa Malaysia this year, with a listing price of 35 sen per share on the ACE Market. What do they plan to do with the IPO proceeds of RM37 million amid a soft construction sector outlook? We discuss the growth story of the firm with Yang Kian Lock, Group Managing Director of PLYTEC Holdings.

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As Malaysians despair over the state of economy, the weak Ringgit, underemployment, the polarization of society and even the lack of retirement savings, should we look at ourselves for solutions? James Chai author of the book, Sang Kancil: A Tale about How Ordinary Malaysians Defied the Odds explains why.

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As an ageing nation, Malaysia is becoming old before it becomes rich. How should we revamp the national retirement savings system to provide a better umbrella for old age? We discuss this as well as global investment trends with Dr. Joseph Cherian, Practice Professor of Finance with the Asia School of Business. He is also the author of a recently published compilation of essays, “Track to the Future: Investment, Finance and Lessons for the New Economy.”

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Singapore is on target to hit their international tourist target of 12-14mn in 2023. We speak to Melissa Ow, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board on how this was achieved, why they are taking a targeted approach to growing their share of the tourism pie despite the economic slowdown and the intense competition from the region.

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