Advertise on podcast: The Breakfast Grille

Papa Zola The Movie has taken Malaysia by storm, grossing around RM60 million ringgit domestically and becoming the country’s highest-grossing animated film to date. On today’s Breakfast Grille, Philip See speaks with Mohd Nizam Abdul Razak, Founder and CEO of Monsta Studios Sdn. Bhd, about the film’s success and the journey of building a homegrown animation studio into a global IP powerhouse. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philip See speaks to Simon Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, on how intensifying great power rivalry is closing the space for middle powers. As hedging becomes harder and alignment more consequential, they examine Malaysia and Singapore’s differing strategic responses, what this means for ASEAN’s coherence, and whether multilateral institutions still carry real weight in today’s geopolitical order. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Works oversees more than 20,000 kilometres of roads nationwide, including 33 tolled highways. Beyond ensuring road safety, it plays a key role in driving national growth through infrastructure development at both the federal and state levels. Its Minister Dato’ Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi tells us about these challenges, as well as Sarawak’s political direction, MA63, and the Sarawak Formula. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the first year of the Trump administration, the world has seen shifts in allegiances - economic, political and ideological. Even PM Mark Carney of Canada articulated how middle power countries need to band together. Leo Varadkar, former PM of Ireland shares his views on this issue while he reflects on how current geopolitics might shape the world. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IJN University College is driving advancements in cardiovascular education, research, and professional training for Malaysia’s healthcare workforce. Philip See speaks with its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emerita Dr. Durrishah Idrus, about the college’s unique programs, structured upskilling pathways, and its future plans to achieve full university status. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MAG has had its fair share of turbulence with a revolving door of CEOs and multiple bailouts by Khazanah. Today it has emerged with a cleaner balance sheet whilst enjoying 3 consecutive years of profit.  We ask Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, their outgoing Group Managing Director, on the career challenges,  his outlook of the aviation industry and why  it is time to step away now. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alam Flora is best known for keeping Malaysia’s streets clean but behind the green lorries is a company undergoing a major transformation. Its CEO Shariman Yusuf Mohamed Zain shares insights about the company’s shift from a concession-based waste collector into a circular economy and environmental solutions player. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solar District Cooling Group debuted on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market in September 2024 with ambitions to move beyond contracting into long-term, recurring energy solutions. SDCG Managing Director Edison Kong talks to us one year on, reflecting on the company's life as a publicly-listed company as well as its recent strategic stake sale to Solarvest Holdings. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets are being pulled in multiple directions, from geopolitics, AI disruption and tariff risk. So how should investors position themselves in 2026? Anand Pathmakanthan, Head of Regional Equity Research, Maybank Investment Banking Group, and Patrick Chang, Chief Investment Officer, CIMB Bank Berhad give us their perspective. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legoland Malaysia was the first of its kind in Asia when it opened in 2012 and has since grown into a full resort with a hotel, water park, and SEA LIFE aquarium. We speak to C.S. Lim, Vice President of Legoland Malaysia, on the challenges of staying relevant and how the park is tapping into Visit Malaysia Year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s push towards renewable energy is accelerating, but rooftop solar adoption among households remains low. Zeth Lim, Managing Director of newly-listed Verdant Solar shares his insights into the economics of residential solar, policy support and market realities, as well as his company's post-IPO strategy, and whether rapid growth can be sustained. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s homegrown digital bank Boost Bank Berhad has a clear focus - serving the underserved and underbanked, and helping to close the financial inclusion gap. Fozia Amanulla, Chief Executive Officer of Boost Bank, talks about how the bank blends fintech innovation with traditional banking services to deliver on that commitment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is preparing for a new wave of education reforms under the upcoming Malaysia Future Education Blueprint but will these changes actually improve learning in primary schools? We speak with Chan Soon Seng, Chief Executive Officer of Teach for Malaysia, and Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, Chairperson of Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE), on what needs fixing and what must change for reforms to work. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sabah and Sarawak  are clearly pushing for political and economic autonomy. We speak with James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania and Dr. Evan Lau Poh Hock, Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak,  who gives us their respective views on the political and economic outlook for East Malaysia in 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philip See sits down with Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, University of Mary Washington to talk about the state of US foreign relations in the wake of the attack on Venezuela and the capture of its President Nicolas Maduro, especially how the White House is viewing its alliances and rivalries.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.