Enterprise Explores

As e-commerce platforms like Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok become essential for local entrepreneurs, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), questions have emerged about the fairness of commission fees and the broader regulatory landscape. The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Costs of Living has been and are taking steps to review these fees, sparking a national conversation on how to create a level playing field for smaller businesses in the digital marketplace.To help us unpack what these potential changes mean for entrepreneurs and consumers alike is Ganesh Kumar Bangah, Chair of e-Commerce of the National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM). In this conversation, we explore how modernising outdated laws could foster a more inclusive e-commerce environment, drive local innovation, and elevate Malaysia as a digital leader in Southeast Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As high-tech industries like semiconductors and digital technologies grow, the demand for skilled talent is rising. Traditional education often falls short, leaving many working adults struggling to keep up. Wawasan Open University (WOU) is changing that with flexible open distance learning, allowing professionals to upskill while continuing their careers.Today, Vice Chancellor and CEO of Wawasan Open University, Professor Lily Chan, shares how the university is bridging the skills gap and supporting Malaysia’s economic vision with innovative programmes and strong industry partnerships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As foreign e-commerce platforms grow across Southeast Asia, there is rising debate about how to protect local SMEs from being outpaced. In this episode, we explore potential policies that could shape Malaysia's digital economy, weighing the benefits and risks for local businesses, innovation, and foreign investment. Dr Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of the Center for Market Education, joins us to discuss strategies to support MSMEs while fostering a digital-first economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does Malaysia’s true regional value lie in being ASEAN’s startup sandbox? Could an integrated ASEAN startup ecosystem unlock the region’s full potential, or is this too ambitious for such a fragmented landscape? As Malaysia looks ahead to its ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, Enterprise Explores dives into the value, opportunities, and challenges of building a more connected regional startup community with Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle Fund, and Renuka Sena, CEO of Proficeo. We also explore Malaysia’s potential role in driving this agenda.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our continuing coverage of Budget 2025, today, we’re diving into Malaysia’s 2025 Budget and its focus on artificial intelligence (AI). Joining us today to break this down are Warren Leow and Khalil Nooh from the National AI Consortium (KAIN). Warren is CEO of AI-driven creative tools provider Pixlr and Khalil is Co-Founder & CEO of Mesolitica -a startup that is developing a Malaysian LLM. We’ll explore the hits and misses from Budget 2025, the critical steps Malaysia needs to take in AI development, and how KAIN is working to shape the country’s AI future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should Penjana Kapital and MAVCAP have been merged into Khazanah? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we dive into that and other key reactions to Budget 2025 and its impact on the startup ecosystem.Last Friday, the government unveiled a record RM421 billion budget, with significant allocations for startups and tech innovation, including:- RM1 billion for the National Fund-of-Funds (NFOF) under Khazanah, with RM300 million earmarked for venture capital fund managers in 2025.- RM1 billion for the Dana Perintis fund, with RM200 million allocated for 2025 to support local startups.- RM65 million for Cradle Fund to help startups expand regionally and globally.But do these measures meet the expectations of the startup community?Joining us to discuss the potential hits and misses of the budget are Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO and Founding Partner at 1337 Ventures, and Gokula Krishnan Subramaniam, Founder and CEO of Vircle. We’ll explore whether these initiatives truly address the needs of startups, what the community is looking for, and more.This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing – Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s new in consumption taxes in Budget 2025, and why is GST considered more efficient than SST? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we unpack the key consumption tax measures from Malaysia’s 2025 Budget and their potential impact on businesses.From the expansion of Sales and Service Tax (SST) to premium foods, to new excise duties on sugary drinks, we break down what businesses need to know and prepare for.Joining us is Geeta Balakrishnan, Tax Director at PwC Malaysia, to discuss the broader fiscal strategy behind these changes and how companies can navigate the evolving tax landscape.We also dive into the ongoing debate between SST and GST, exploring which model might be more effective for Malaysia. Tune in to learn how these policies could shape your business operations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Enterprise Exclusive, we speak with Mike Walsh, CEO of Tomorrow, who will also be a keynote speaker at the MDX Summit 2024, organised by MDEC. We explore the future of digital transformation, focusing on how disruptive technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and the metaverse are reshaping business ecosystems. Mike will share insights on how leaders can harness these technologies to innovate, build scalable digital economies, and navigate the age of superintelligence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we dive into Malaysia’s Budget 2025 and its implications for businesses with a focus on digital transformation and economic growth. Joining me are Ong Chin Seong, Chairman of PIKOM, and Aaron Sarma, General Partner of ScaleUp Malaysia, to unpack key incentives aimed at fostering innovation and supporting SMEs.Budget 2025 outlines a clear commitment to building Malaysia’s digital economy, with initiatives including:RM3.8 billion in loans from Bank Negara Malaysia to help SMEs automate and digitalise operations.RM100 million for Digital Economy Centres to support small entrepreneurs selling products online.Accelerated e-invoicing implementation from July 2025.Tax incentives for high-tech sectors like integrated circuit design and smart logistics.Increased focus on cybersecurity and investment frameworks to attract high-value digital technology investments.We discuss how these measures will shape the future of Malaysia’s tech sector and explore the opportunities and challenges for businesses navigating this evolving landscape. Tune in to hear how Budget 2025 could impact your business and drive Malaysia’s digital future.This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing – Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we unpack Malaysia’s 2025 National Budget and its implications for the business community with Farah Rosley, Malaysia Tax Managing Partner at Ernst & Young Tax Consultants.The budget introduces a range of measures aimed at strengthening fiscal consolidation, accelerating industrial transformation, and supporting high-tech sectors, with a strong emphasis on digitalisation, sustainability, and broadening the tax base. Key highlights include:- A new 2% tax on chargeable dividend income for individual shareholders exceeding RM100,000,- An expanded Sales tax scope to include additional services and non-essential goods, such as salmon and avocado. Sales- Tax exemptions will remain for essential food items.- A progressive expansion of Service Tax to cover B2B commercial service transactions starting 1 May 2025,- Phased increases in excise duty rates on sugary drinks,- Continued support for SMEs and new tax incentives for technology, renewable energy, and logistics sectors,- A strong push towards automation and ESG initiatives, aligned with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030,- The introduction of a carbon tax on the iron and steel industries starting in 2026 to encourage low-carbon technologies.Farah discusses these key measures and what the business community needs to know about tax policies, funding opportunities, and navigating the evolving fiscal landscape.This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing – Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.