Enterprise Explores

Straight As for Malaysia’s IPO Market? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we dive into the dynamic world of IPOs as Malaysia’s capital market outperforms its regional peers. Despite a 36% decline in overall Southeast Asian IPO proceeds, Malaysia doubled its funds raised in 2024 with 55 listings—the highest number since 2006. With record ACE Market listings and increasing foreign investor interest, we examine what’s fueling Malaysia’s IPO success and whether this momentum can be sustained.Joining us is Wong Kar Choon, Transactions Accounting Support Partner at Deloitte Malaysia. Drawing on insights from Deloitte’s Southeast Asia IPO Capital Market 2024 Report, the conversation explores key drivers behind Malaysia’s robust performance, including strong political stability, attractive price-to-earnings ratios, expedited regulatory approvals, and tax incentives for tech companies. Kar Choon discusses how these elements position Malaysia as an attractive destination for both domestic and international investors and outlines the trends to watch for in 2025. We also delve into the differences between the ACE market and the main market, as well as potential risks from broader macroeconomic uncertainties.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do tariffs shape global trade and impact your bottom line? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we sit down with Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist at Ambank Group, to decode the multifaceted world of tariffs. Drawing on historical insights and current trends, Firdaos explain how tariffs are designed for revenue generation and industry protection and dives into the ripple effects of these types of trade policies, such as rising consumer prices and supply chain disruptions, while also examining how companies can mitigate impacts by lowering production costs and diversifying supply chains.The conversation also touches on Malaysia’s experience during past trade disputes, where investment diversion helped boost sectors like semiconductors, and discusses strategic responses for a volatile trade environment—including diversification of trade channels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re looking at a major shift in how Malaysia’s civil service operates. The Ministry of Digital, in collaboration with Google Cloud, has launched the AI at Work 2.0 initiative, aiming to equip 445,000 public officers with cutting-edge generative AI tools. Beyond the technical capabilities of AI, there are deeper concerns, and from a public perspective, what does this mean for the way citizens interact with government services? We speak to Esther Low as we discuss the opportunities and risks of integrating AI into the civil service, the potential effects on skills development, and what best practices can ensure AI is used to enhance, rather than replace the human workforce.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who controls AI’s future? As China’s DeepSeek and Alibaba’s Qwen push open-source forward, OpenAI is doing the opposite — keeping its most advanced models proprietary.Earlier this year, CEO Sam Altman admitted that OpenAI may be “on the wrong side of history” when it comes to open-source AI, sparking intense debate. Is this a necessary move for safety and sustainability, or a power play that stifles innovation?To unpack this, we speak with Manuel Ho, Co-Founder & CEO of IntentAI, a company building AI Agents for enterprise clients in finance and healthcare. We discuss the global AI race, the ethics of openness vs control, and what this means for businesses, individuals, and the future of AI innovation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As AI becomes more widespread, its potential benefits and risks for businesses become clearer. In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we unpack four emerging AI trends that are set to reshape business with Azwan Baharuddin, Malaysia Country Managing Director of Accenture. Drawing on insights from their 2025 Tech Vision report, Azwan explains how exponential AI growth—termed the "Binary Big Bang"—is poised to upend traditional systems, while AI agents promise to personalise customer interactions if brands can safeguard their unique voices. He also discusses how robots integrated with large language models (LLMs) are beginning to perform complex tasks in human environments, and how generative AI adoption is creating a continuous learning loop that expands both human and machine autonomy.The conversation delves into key challenges such as ethical usage, data privacy, and the need for robust upskilling programs. Azwan emphasises the importance of focusing investments on reshaping core functions rather than spreading resources too thin. Whether you’re a business leader or tech enthusiast, this discussion offers actionable insights on harnessing AI’s potential.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From key leadership changes in Malaysia’s fintech scene and lifting of the digital bank moratorium in the Philippines, to emerging trends in crypto and digital banking, the Malaysian and ASEAN fintech world is off to a dynamic start in 2025. In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we explore these developments with Vincent Fong, Chief Editor of Fintech News Malaysia.Vincent breaks down the latest trends, including Malaysia’s evolving crypto strategy, the competitive dynamics of digital banks, and insights on Singapore’s emerging unicorns. We also explore broader regional trends such as the rise of stable coins, the growth of cross-border payments, and increasing industry consolidation. Vincent shares his expert perspective on how these shifts are reshaping the financial sector and what opportunities and challenges lie ahead for startups and investors alike.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or industry stakeholder, this conversation offers insights into the current state and future of fintech in the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E-commerce is evolving fast, and if there’s one platform that’s been shaking up the industry, it’s TikTok Shop. Just a year after launching in the United States, it has already raked in a staggering US$9 billion in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV). But beyond the numbers, this signals a massive shift in how consumers discover and buy products, that is, through entertainment-driven commerce.Here in Southeast Asia, TikTok Shop has already made waves, especially in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. But what does the latest data tell us about its growth trajectory? How should businesses adapt? What are the opportunities and pitfalls? And, most importantly, what actionable steps should brands take to stay ahead?To help us unpack these insights, we speak with Jianggan Li, Founder and CEO of Momentum Works, on Momentum Works, and analytics and e-commerce operation platform Tabcut’s latest report, “TikTok Shop in the US 2024”. We discuss:- The rise of TikTok Shop in the US and its global implications- What Southeast Asian businesses can learn and apply- The future of live commerce and influencer-driven sales- Actionable strategies for brands to thrive in this new era of e-commerceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Platforms like Instagram are trying to lure creators away from TikTok with initiatives like the Breakthrough Bonus. At the same time, an increasing number of American users are migrating to Xiaohongshu (RedNote), a Chinese social media platform, despite security concerns. This has raised questions about its future growth and the potential strain on its censorship mechanisms. But is this the right response to platform instability, or is it just a temporary fix?In today’s conversation, we dive deep into the volatile world of social media, where shifting user behaviors, regulatory hurdles, and uncertain platform futures present major challenges for creators, influencers, and brands alike. We speak with Amin Ashaari, CEO and Co-Founder of SoyaCincau, to explore the effects of platform volatility, the role of emerging tech, and practical strategies for creators to stay relevant and resilient in this unpredictable environment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From governance costs ranging between RM500k and RM3.5 million to board diversity extending beyond gender and age, this episode of Enterprise Explores unpacks findings from the 2024 Directors’ Remuneration Report, a joint initiative by Aon and FIDE FORUM. We examine how financial institutions structure compensation for their boards—and the implications for governance, accountability, and talent retention.We explore the spectrum of governance expenses while delving into key issues of transparency, diversity, and continuous director education. The discussion also addresses how Malaysia can align its board practices with global governance standards to bolster oversight and strengthen leadership.Joining the conversation are Tay Kay Luan, CEO of the Financial Industry Education Forum (FIDE FORUM), and Rahul Chawla, Head of Talent Solutions for Aon in Southeast Asia. They highlight the importance of ongoing education for directors, given the rising stakes in cybersecurity, ESG, and other complex risks. We also discuss why fair, transparent pay is crucial for attracting top board talent—and how institutions can balance public scrutiny with the need to avoid underqualified or ill-prepared directors.Whether you’re a corporate board member, a financial-sector stakeholder, or simply curious about the evolving governance landscape, this conversation provides actionable insights on diversity, director remuneration, and best practices shaping boardrooms today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s ties with Japan have long shaped its industrial growth, but is new momentum emerging through M&A deals, cross-border investments, and strategic partnerships into Malaysia’s SMEs and MTCs?From local succession challenges and IPO deadends to industrial reorganisations and the rise of halal products, in this episode of Enterprise Explores, we unpack Malaysia’s evolving role as an attractive destination for Japanese capital with Yusuke Ojima, Head of ASEAN and Malaysia Managing Director at Nihon M&A Center—an advisory firm that bridges Japanese and Malaysian businesses.We also examine Malaysia’s language advantage, transparent financial systems, and ASEAN market reach, all of which make the country an ideal springboard for regional growth.Whether you’re tackling succession planning, seeking potential buyers, or exploring expansion across Asia, discover how IPOs vs. M&A trends influence local business exits, why client diversification is vital for long-term stability, and how future shifts in EV and hydrogen technologies could spark new cross-border collaborations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.