The Breakfast Grille

The Securities Commission is reviewing the Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance (MCCG), last updated in 2021. What changes are needed to encourage more publicly-listed companies to level up on corporate governance practices? We discuss the progress made and gaps to overcome on Malaysian boards with our expert panel.

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As Malaysia attracts billions of ringgit in data centre investments, demand is rising for the critical power infrastructure needed to keep these facilities running without interruption. Fresh from a strong Bursa debut, EI Power finds itself at the centre of this trend, providing specialised engineering and power solutions for mission-critical environments. With a growing order book, regional expansion ambitions, and increasing competition, can the company sustain its growth momentum and translate the data centre boom into a durable long-term advantage?

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While taking on the role recently, and with less than half the government’s term left, we ask the Minister about his concerns about policy continuity amidst political and economic uncertainty. From the much anticipated National Climate Change bill, to issues of carbon tax to the Community Ranger initiative, we ask the Minister what are his priorities. With his own 100 days KPIs, we take a measure of what has been achieved on the Green Agenda.

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Malaysia’s automotive market is becoming increasingly competitive as Chinese brands gain ground with aggressive pricing and technology-rich vehicles. Against this backdrop, Kia has taken direct control of its Malaysian operations for the first time, establishing Kia Sales Malaysia and making Kuala Lumpur its Asia-Pacific headquarters. As the brand embarks on a factory-led reset, can Kia rebuild consumer confidence and strengthen its position in an increasingly crowded market?

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According to the latest Global Terrorism Index, the world is a safer place than it was 10 years ago, with overall terrorist attacks on a declining trend. But the positive trend belies a damaging pattern of states using counter-terrorism as justification for actions that violate international human rights, including in conflicts that are unfolding in the Middle East today. We discuss the real-world implications of inherent tensions between security and liberty with Prof. Ben Saul, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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Inspace Creation Berhad recently made its debut on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market after attracting strong investor interest, positioning itself as a specialist in customised commercial office fit-outs and workplace transformation. As multinational corporations expand their presence in Malaysia and workplace expectations continue to evolve, the company is seeking to grow beyond its current footprint in a highly fragmented industry. But with customer concentration, project-based revenue, and increasing competition all posing challenges, how sustainable is Inspace’s growth strategy, and can its turnkey approach provide a meaningful competitive advantage as it pursues regional expansion?

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As growth in the US market cools down, the battle for pickleball dominance is shifting to Asia, and Selkirk has made Malaysia their Asian HQ.

Mike Barnes, Co-CEO of Selkirk Sport, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss their $30 million investment, their expansion strategy, and why the pickleball economy will avoid the post-pandemic crash of hardware peers like Peloton.

We dive into how Selkirk uses its unique in-house R&D lab to build a strong patent moat , how they leverage sub-brands to create a customer "ladder" without hurting their premium image , and why a cooling market is actually opening up aggressive opportunities for Selkirk to lead a wave of industry M&A and consolidation.
Finally, Mike shares surprising consumer insights on why Southeast Asian players often view a premium paddle as a prime status symbol rather than a price hurdle.

Photo Credit: Selkirk Sport

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Francisco Retondo, General Manager of Sika Malaysia, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss how the specialty chemical giant has decoupled from a slowing global market.

While global sales flattened and a real estate crash hit operations in China, Southeast Asia emerged as Sika's star performer. Francesco breaks down the mechanics of their extensive local footprint, now spanning six factories, and reveals how they are managing a volatile energy crisis.

We unpack the delicate trade-off between protecting profit margins and passing costs down to increasingly price-sensitive local contractors, the strategy for fending off aggressive Chinese suppliers looking for overseas buyers, and Sika's bold corporate roadmap to double its Malaysian business.

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Elsa Bhd is preparing for its ACE Market debut, but this is a firm that is more than your traditional oil and gas services provider. Its managing director, Daniel Ilham Khong talks about Elsa's evolution from engineering consultancy to digital solutions, robotics and energy technology, and whether that transformation can drive its next phase of growth.

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The Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026 to 2035 was launched in March, setting out the policy direction for tertiary education in the country over the next decade. Does this plan address the realities of higher education institutions in Malaysia today, and what will it take to achieve the aim of becoming a global education hub by 2035? We explore themes and trends in higher education with our expert panel.

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