Enterprise Explores

In a world constantly being reshaped by the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven innovations,  the Ministry of Digital, in collaboration with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), seeks to lead Malaysia into the global digital revolution through “Horizon”, a comprehensive and strategic publication. This publication focuses on three key pillars: business, investors and society, providing a reference guide for stakeholders seeking reliable data and informed perspectives from domain experts.During the launch of “Horizon”,  we spoke to Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, the CEO of MDEC, Raja Azmi Adam, Director of Strategic Pursuit Public Sector, ASEAN, at Google Cloud, and Dato’ Abdul Rashid Mohd Ghani, the CEO of Kridentia Tech, looking into the future of Malaysia’s digital economy, following the global digital revolution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PropertyGuru's recent decision to go private, just over two years after its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange, raises crucial questions for Southeast Asian tech companies. With a $1.1 billion valuation in its proposed privatisation deal—down approximately 30% from its initial equity value of US$1.6 billion at IPO—this move underscores the challenges regional tech firms face in the competitive and volatile US market.In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we delve into PropertyGuru's proposed privatisation and consider whether other Southeast Asian tech companies should reassess their US listing ambitions.Joined by Ng Zhu Hann, CEO & Founder of Tradeview Capital, we explore the what, why, and how of privatisations, focusing on why a company like PropertyGuru might choose to go private after a public listing, the difficulties of being a publicly listed company (especially on a US exchange) and whether more Southeast Asian tech firms might (or should) follow a similar path.Tune in to discover whether it’s time for SEA tech companies to rethink US listings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The complexities of the modern workforce would only make sense for organisations to further understand the dynamics that drive employee satisfaction and retention. As a means to that end, the Randstad 2024 Employer Brand Research provides a comprehensive look at the current state of the job market in Malaysia. Key findings from the report revealed that 1 in 3 Malaysians has never used AI at work, and 81% of Malaysians recognise the impact AI will have on their jobs.From the emergence and influence of AI to the foremost reason for job switching, what can employers do when faced with the challenge of meeting these expectations amid economic pressure and ongoing digital transformation?We speak to Jonathan Sia, Head of Contracting at Randstad Malaysia to further unpack the research report. We discuss the key findings of the report and explore how organisations can adapt and address employee satisfaction, and actionable steps that can bridge the generational divide in technology use.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia’s regulated crypto sector continues to grow, it faces significant hurdles that could impact its long-term trajectory. From the banking sector’s reluctance to onboard regulated digital asset exchanges to the pressing need for tax clarity, these challenges are critical for the industry's future.In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we speak with Aaron Tang, President of the Malaysian Digital Asset Platform Association (MDAPA) (who is also APAC GM for Luno) and Lucas Ooi, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer of Halogen Capital. We discuss the current state of Malaysia’s crypto landscape, the key obstacles that need to be addressed, and what the industry hopes to see in the upcoming 2025 Budget to ensure the sector’s continued growth and success.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Malaysia, sustainability reporting has been mandatory for all PLCs since 2016, and now Bursa Malaysia is raising the bar with enhanced reporting requirements. These new standards are designed to align local practices with international best practices, pushing companies to improve their sustainability efforts and disclosures.To support both listed and non-listed businesses on their ESG journeys, Bursa Malaysia has launched the Centralised Sustainability Intelligence (CSI) Solution. This innovative platform, powered by a consortium of partners including PwC, ERM, AWS, and Alliance Bank, is crafted to streamline ESG data collection, enhance disclosures, and drive supply chain decarbonisation.In the latest AWS CXO Coffee Club, BFM sat down with a panel of CSI partners to explore their roles in this ecosystem and how their combined efforts can help businesses navigate the complexities of new sustainability standards. Our discussion delves into the practical tools and strategies available to companies, aiming to empower them on their path to achieving meaningful ESG outcomes.The panelists included Wong Hui Yin, Executive Vice President, Index & Sustainable Business at Bursa Intelligence; Sidhartha Sharma, Industry GTM Lead at AWS; Wong Seng Kee, Country Managing Partner, Malaysia & Brunei at ESG-focused consulting firm ERM; Dominic Chegne, Partner at PwC Risk Services; and Roy Heong, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Innovation at Alliance Bank.Tune in to learn how this collaborative approach can simplify your sustainability reporting and support your organisation's broader ESG goals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent years, Malaysia has seen a surge of excitement with major foreign direct investment (FDI) announcements from global giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Bytedance. These investments promise to boost the economy, create jobs, and drive innovation. But how much of this excitement translates into real, sustained economic impact?In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we dive into the intricacies of FDI and Domestic Direct Investment (DDI), examining the challenges and opportunities they present for Malaysia's economy. With insights from Dr. Ong Kian Ming, former International Trade Deputy Minister and Pro Vice-Chancellor of External Engagement at Taylor's University, and business commentator and columnist Pankaj Kumar, this discussion sheds light on the true value of investment announcements, the risks of overhyping them, and the importance of balancing foreign and domestic investments for long-term economic stability.Whether you're an investor, business leader, or simply curious about Malaysia's economic landscape, this episode offers valuable insights into what really matters when it comes to actualizing and sustaining investments in the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the critical issue of youth employment in Malaysia, as we explore how young talents can stand out in a fiercely competitive job market. With global youth unemployment at its lowest level in 15 years, Malaysia still faces a significant challenge, with the youth unemployment rate hovering around 12.5%.We speak with Camelia Loh, Founder & CEO of Kabel, a job-matching platform connecting employers with interns and fresh graduates, about the strategies for young job seekers to differentiate themselves before, during, and after the hiring process. From the importance of developing soft skills and effective networking to leveraging digital tools, Camelia shares insights on how young talents can enhance their employment prospects and thrive in today’s evolving workforce.Whether you're a fresh graduate, an intern, or an employer looking to tap into young talent, tune in to this conversation for valuable perspectives on how Malaysia can shape a more dynamic and inclusive job market for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What could digital-first insurance look like for consumers? This is something Enterprise Explores as we dive into a potential transformative development in Malaysia’s insurance and takaful landscape—the Digital Insurers and Takaful Operators (DITO) Framework.Unveiled by Bank Negara Malaysia in July, this framework is set to pave the way for digital-first insurance and takaful operators, providing a unique pathway for new entrants to demonstrate their viability over a foundational phase lasting between three to seven years. During this period, new entrants will benefit from a more proportionate minimum paid-up capital, allowing them to scale their operations in alignment with their business maturity.To help us unpack the intricacies of the DITO Framework and what it could mean for the industry and end-consumers, we’re joined by Vincent Fong, Chief Editor & Country Manager of Fintech News Malaysia, and Ravi Kittane, Partner at EY Consulting. We also explore the key pillars of the framework, including the market opportunities it creates, the challenges digital insurers might face, and the critical role of technology and innovation in shaping the future of insurance in Malaysia.Whether you’re in the fintech space, part of the insurance industry, or simply curious about the future of digital-first financial services, this episode offers valuable insights into how the DITO Framework could redefine the landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Enterprise Explores the semiconductor industry to understand Malaysia’s pivotal role in the global ecosystem and value chain. With Malaysia supporting approximately 13% of global backend semiconductor operations and standing as the fifth-largest integrated circuit exporter globally, the country plays a crucial role in this high-stakes industry.We explore insights from the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs' (IDEAS) report, "Semiconductors: Navigating Supply Chain Resilience and Trade," which sheds light on the complexities of the semiconductor supply chain and the significant geopolitical risks involved. With Taiwan’s dominance in chip production and rising global tensions, how can Malaysia strengthen its position while navigating these challenges?Joining us today is Sharmila Suntherasegarun, Assistant Manager with the Economics and Business Unit at IDEAS, to discuss Malaysia’s current strengths, the risks posed by global shifts, and the strategic recommendations to ensure Malaysia’s continued relevance and growth in the semiconductor landscape. We’ll also delve into the potential of multilateral trade agreements, labour shortages, and the investment opportunities that could propel Malaysia further up the semiconductor value chain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Enterprise Explores the findings of CelcomDigi's ‘National Scam Awareness Survey 2024’ with Philip Ling, Head of Sustainability at CelcomDigi. As Malaysia becomes increasingly digitised, with over 90% of respondents regularly visiting community internet centres, the survey sheds light on the growing threat of scams and fraud.We’ll explore key insights from the survey, which polled over 10,000 respondents from low-income communities, focusing on their experiences with scams, knowledge of scam tactics, and the effectiveness of preventive measures like personal data protection and the 997 hotline of the National Scam Response Centre.Philip discusses the rising trends in scam activities, the current state of scam awareness in Malaysia, and the steps we can take to enhance our nation's scam prevention strategies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.