Enterprise Explores

In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of corporate trust in Malaysia, based on findings from the latest Ipsos Trust Track report. Covering over 160 brands across 19 industries, the latest edition of the report reveals a sharp decline in public trust, dropping to 49 from a steady 56 maintained between 2021 and 2023.Joining us to unpack the key trends behind this shift, discuss which industries saw the steepest drops, and what these changes signal for corporate reputation heading into 2025 is Wan Nuradiah Wan Mohd Rani, Country Lead at Ipsos Public Affairs Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Southeast Asia’s food delivery sector is heating up once again. In 2024, the market grew 13% year-on-year to hit US$19.3 billion, outpacing the broader F&B industry. But the battle is far from over.In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we speak with Weihan Chen, Head of Insights at Momentum Works, to unpack the biggest takeaways from their fifth annual food delivery report. They discuss why Vietnam and Indonesia led the surge, how ShopeeFood overtook Gojek to become the third-largest player, and why platforms are shifting their focus from premium users to mass-market consumers and tourists.Weihan also breaks down the emerging threat posed by TikTok’s foray into local services, what a potential Grab-Gojek merger could mean, and how segmentation, efficiency, and vouchers are reshaping platform strategy. Plus, a deep dive into Malaysia’s unique dynamics, including why its per capita spend on food delivery outpaces Indonesia and Thailand.If you’re in F&B, e-commerce, logistics, or tech—this episode is packed with actionable insights on the future of digital consumption in Southeast Asia.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there a deliberate strategy behind the Trump administration’s flawed tariff math — or is it just chaos cloaked in policy? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we unpack the ripple effects of President Donald Trump’s so-called “reciprocal tariffs,” including a 47% tariff on Malaysian goods.Dr. Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of the Center for Market Education, joins us to break down the flawed logic behind the U.S. calculations, the broader risks of a global trade war, and what Malaysian businesses and policymakers should do in response.We explore the historical cycle of protectionism, how tariffs shrink markets and hurt jobs, and why Malaysia must double down on trade diversification, services liberalisation, and business consolidation to remain competitive.Dr. Carmelo also explains why Southeast Asia may become collateral in the U.S.–China rivalry and how this new multipolar era could reshape global trade for decades to come. Whether you’re a policymaker, exporter, or business leader — this is essential listening.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) schemes to equipment leasing, Malaysia’s booming non-bank credit ecosystem is on the verge of a regulatory overhaul. Enter the Consumer Credit Bill 2025 — a key piece of legislation designed to improve consumer protection, clamp down on unlicensed operators, and bring order to an increasingly fragmented sector.But is the bill striking the right balance? Or could it end up stifling innovation and pushing smaller fintech players out of the market?In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we speak with Lo Khai Yi and Ong Johnson, partners at Halim Hong & Quek, to unpack what the bill means for businesses and consumers. They explore everything from the rise of the Consumer Credit Commission (CCC) to the legal and operational challenges the bill introduces, including licensing hurdles, overlapping regulations, hefty penalties, and the murky future for fintech-driven credit products.We also discuss whether the bill risks regulatory overreach and how Malaysia can regulate responsibly without sacrificing growth and innovation in the credit space.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is setting its sights on an ambitious goal of 31.4 million international tourist arrivals in 2025 and MATTA thinks pickleball might help get us there. With global interest in the sport exploding, MATTA is launching the Malaysia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025, a tourism initiative expected to attract over 1,000 players and 3,000 visitors to Sarawak.In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we speak with Nigel Wong, President of MATTA, and Oscar Choo, Chairman of MATTA’s Sarawak Chapter, to understand why MATTA is backing this emerging sport as a strategic growth driver. They discuss how pickleball can be a catalyst for tourism dollars, the economic impact of niche sporting events, and Sarawak’s role in Malaysia’s broader tourism strategy.The conversation also touches on Malaysia’s post-pandemic tourism recovery, shifting traveller trends, and how MATTA is integrating sports tourism into its long-term priorities. Can lifestyle sports like pickleball serve up more than just fun and help boost Malaysia’s tourism economy?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As AI advances at breakneck speed, the spotlight is often on innovation, automation, and productivity. But behind the buzz lies a growing risk, one that could have existential consequences.In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we speak with Chan Tzu Kit, an AI Risks and Safety Advisor who has worked with leading university groups at Stanford, Yale, and NTU, as well as Malaysia’s own National AI Office. Together, we unpack the less-discussed but critical domain of AI safety, frontier models, and AGI (Artificial General Intelligence).Tzu Kit explains why he believes we are building the world’s most powerful jet engine, without seatbelts. From deepfake scams to potential loss of control over superintelligent systems, we discuss the real-world risks, global power dynamics, and Malaysia’s urgent need to take AI safety seriously.We also explore the ratio of capabilities to safety researchers, the gaps in global governance, and why countries like Malaysia must prepare now, or risk being left behind in the AI arms race.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is only as smart as the data it learns from, and in Asia, where adoption is growing fast, that’s becoming a serious issue for businesses.From scattered data and outdated backups to AI models giving the wrong answers, many companies are starting to realise their systems aren't built to support the tools they’re investing in.So how do you fix what’s under the hood before problems get bigger… and costlier?In this episode, we speak with Matthew Hardman, Chief Technology Officer for Asia Pacific at Hitachi Vantara, about why building smarter, stronger data systems is key to making AI actually work in the real world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When hackers targeted Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in a brazen cyberattack, demanding a US$10 million ransom, it wasn’t just a wake-up call for Malaysia’s aviation sector — it was a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities lurking in our critical infrastructure. As the government takes a firm stance against paying ransoms and calls for bolstering local cybersecurity capabilities, we speak to Adjunct Professor Murugason R. Thangaratnam, Co-Founder and CEO of Novem CS, to unpack what went wrong, how to prevent future breaches, and what this means for the nation’s digital security landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the global workforce decentralizes, countries are racing to position themselves as talent magnets. Malaysia is joining the competition, offering digital nomad visas, competitive costs, and a high quality of life. But beyond the headlines and visa schemes, there’s a deeper question: Are we attracting high-impact individuals who will drive innovation, or are we just becoming a stopover for remote workers priced out of other markets?In this episode, we speak with Thomas Mathew, Group CEO of TalentCorp, to dive into Malaysia’s evolving talent strategy. We explore whether the ecosystem is truly ready to support foreign professionals, how Malaysia stacks up against regional competitors, and the challenges of balancing the attraction, retention, and repatriation of skilled workers — both local and foreign.Join us for an insightful conversation on how Malaysia can build a sustainable, long-term talent hub that benefits both Malaysians and global professionals alike.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly 98% of the population in Malaysia are online, and over 25 million use social media — big numbers that reveal how deeply digital habits are shaping daily life in 2025.From how we search, shop, and spend, to the growing influence of AI and mobile-first behaviour, the Meltwater 2025 Global and Malaysia Digital Report highlights where consumers are heading. Joining us to break down the key findings and what they mean for businesses is Mimrah Mahmood, Vice President and Partner of Enterprise for Asia Pacific at Meltwater.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.