Enterprise Explores

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a surge in retail investors using apps, data dashboards and now AI-driven tools to make decisions that once belonged mainly to analysts and full-time traders. At the same time, younger Malaysians are moving beyond the traditional blue-chip counters that previous generations favoured, and are beginning to explore new themes like clean energy, technology indices and AI-linked equities.Events like Moofest, which position themselves as platforms to explore the future of wealth and investor education, reflect this shift. The conversation is no longer just about what to buy, but how decisions are being made in a tech-driven landscape and whether AI is helping Malaysians invest smarter or simply trade faster.Today, we speak with Indy Lau, COO of Moomoo Malaysia, to explore how AI is influencing investor behaviour, what the new Malaysian investor looks like, and how platforms like Moomoo are navigating that shift.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salim Abu Haniffa, Executive Director of the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce–Southern Africa, joins us to discuss this "we don't see each other" paradox between Malaysia and South Africa.He makes the case for South Africa as a critical gateway to a $1 trillion regional market, explains the vast, untapped opportunities in areas like halal and agritech, and calls for a shift from "handshake diplomacy" to "supply chain diplomacy."We discuss:The current state of Malaysia-Southern Africa trade relations.Why South Africa is a strategic gateway to the 400-million-person Southern African Development Community (SADC) market.The untapped potential in the halal economy and other key sectors.The risk of Malaysia being "left behind" as regional peers increase engagement.Key recommendations for businesses to de-risk and enter the African market.For business leaders and policymakers, this is a deep dive into the opportunities and misconceptions of doing business in Africa.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, global trade was dominated by goods like oil and cars. But a new report from BCG argues the real battleground of the future is in services. From cloud computing and fintech to streaming, services trade is projected to hit nearly $12 trillion by 2032, creating new tensions and ‘fault lines’" that will reshape the global economy.Aparna Bharadwaj, Global Leader of the Global Advantage Practice at BCG, joins us to unpack these findings. She discusses why digital services have become geopolitical flashpoints, how governments are using non-tariff barriers like data localisation, and why businesses must now develop a ‘geopolitical muscle’.We discuss:What services trade is and why it's growing twice as fast as goods.Why digital services (cloud, SaaS, fintech) are the new ‘fault lines’.The rise of non-tariff barriers like data localisation and digital taxes.Why businesses must build a ‘geopolitical muscle’ to survive.For business leaders and policymakers, this is an essential guide to the new, complex, and high-stakes future of global commerce.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, an American identity has been one of the world's most powerful brand assets. But in a shifting global landscape, is it now a liability? A new survey from Ipsos reveals a 22% global drop in purchase intent for American brands, creating a ‘perception penalty’ that has real economic consequences.Seth Traum, a Partner at Ipsos Strategy3, joins us to unpack the findings from their "Brand America 2025" survey. He discusses why this anti-American sentiment is rising, how some brands like Apple navigate it, and the strategic playbook for brands in this complex new reality.We discuss:The 22% ‘perception penalty’ and its impact on trust and sales.Why US sentiment is rising while global sentiment is falling.Key lessons from the brand strategies of Apple, Tesla, and McDonald's.The importance of monitoring the ‘say-do gap’ between attitudes and actions.Why brands should focus on universal values over a national identity.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Budget 2026 introduced no new broad-based consumption taxes, the landscape for businesses has been far from static in 2025. From the continued expansion of the SST scope to key changes in excise and stamp duties, Geeta Balakrishnan, Tax Director at PwC Malaysia, joins us to break down the key issues.She discusses the ‘grey zones’ in the expanded SST regulations, the bottom-line impact of new excise duties, and the strategic shift to digital compliance with e-invoicing and self-assessment for stamp duty.We discuss:The key consumption tax takeaways from Budget 2026.Why SST collection has now surpassed previous GST levels.The "grey zones" in the expanded SST scope and what they mean for compliance.Key changes to excise duties (EVs, alcohol, tobacco) and stamp duties.The broader push to modernise tax compliance through digitalization.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We sit down with Anas Amdan and Shahrizal Denci, co-founders of Bantu Tani Sdn Bhd, to explore how Malaysia’s food waste crisis isn’t just an environmental problem but also an economic one.Every day, Malaysia discards around 17,000 tonnes of food, almost half of which is still edible. Behind that number lies a hidden cost for SMEs, especially in agriculture and food retail, where waste isn’t waste until someone fails to extract value from it. For entrepreneurs like Anas and Shahrizal, the challenge isn’t just about saving food, it’s about redesigning systems so surplus becomes opportunity.From logistics bottlenecks to shifting consumer mindsets, we discuss how Bantu Tani is building a business model around redistribution, recovery, and revaluation as well as what it would take to make food waste reduction a legitimate part of Malaysia’s food security strategy rather than a side campaign.From Budget 2026 incentives to cultural barriers, it’s a conversation about turning what we throw away into an engine for resilience, sustainability, and growth.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2026 signals Malaysia’s boldest digital push yet, with initiatives ranging from a RM2 billion Sovereign AI Cloud and RM5.9 billion R&D, commercialisation and innovation (R&D&C&I) fund to new AI and cybersecurity training incentives for SMEs.But beyond the hype, can Malaysia really execute? Are our SMEs ready to go digital, and do people even understand what these AI initiatives mean for them?Alex Liew, Chairman of the National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM), joins us to discuss whether Malaysia’s new tech policies can deliver real-world impact, and how execution, inclusivity, and cyber trust will define the country’s digital future.This episode of Enterprise Explores was brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Malaysia’s Budget 2026 freshly tabled, many SMEs and mid-tier companies are parsing through the fine print to understand what the government’s promises of reform and inclusion actually mean for them.We speak with Datuk William Ng, National President of  the Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA), to discuss what’s in Budget 2026 for SMEs — from financing access and compliance pressures to digital readiness and export potential. Does this “Rakyat’s Budget” truly deliver on its promise to strengthen Malaysia’s small-business backbone, or are entrepreneurs still waiting for deeper, structural support?Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack Malaysia’s 2026 National Budget and its implications for the business community with Farah Rosley, Malaysia Tax Managing Partner at Ernst & Young Tax Consultants.The continuity in the Budget 2026 reinforces fiscal consolidation and economic resilience, with a strong focus on strengthening existing tax frameworks, targeted incentives, and continued subsidy rationalisation. Key highlights include:A reduced fiscal deficit target of 3.5% of GDP, signaling continued fiscal discipline.Subsidy rationalisation measures, including the capping of RON95 petrol, contributing to a total expected savings of RM15.5 billion.Strengthened tax collection through the nationwide rollout of e-invoicing by mid-2026 and a new stamp duty self-assessment system.A new outcome-based incentive framework for corporate tax, linking financial support to measurable outcomes like employment and technology transfer.Key targeted incentives for businesses, including:An expanded RM1.5 million tax deduction on listing expenses for the energy, utility, and technology sectors.An accelerated capital allowance to promote domestic direct investment and digital technology adoption.A 10-year tax exemption for domestic sales from food security projects.Support for regional integration through initiatives like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and the ASEAN Business Entity Framework.A continued focus on sustainability, with enhanced green technology incentives and the impending introduction of a carbon tax.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We sit down with Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist at AmBank Group, to look ahead to Budget 2026 through the lens of Malaysia’s broader economy.As global uncertainties persist, inflationary pressures remain, and fiscal consolidation efforts continue, Malaysia faces the challenge of sustaining growth while navigating structural reforms and maintaining investor confidence. Yet within these headwinds lie opportunities, from targeted subsidies and smarter spending to policies that could strengthen productivity and long-term competitiveness.Firdaos shares his insights on what to watch in this year’s budget, from the assumptions guiding fiscal strategy to the key indicators shaping Malaysia’s outlook for 2026 and beyond.From reform priorities to spending trade-offs, it’s a grounded look at how Malaysia can balance stability with ambition as Budget 2026 is tabled.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.