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.

Budget 2026 signals Malaysia’s boldest digital push yet, with initiatives ranging from a RM2 billion Sovereign AI Cloud and RM5.9 billion R&amp;D, commercialisation and innovation (R&amp;D&amp;C&amp;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.

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Enterprise Explores

Can We Execute Malaysia’s Digital Ambition?

CEOs in Malaysia are embracing AI but balancing courage with caution as they push for productivity, innovation, and measurable ROI.



Dickson Woo, Country General Manager and Technology Leader at IBM Malaysia, discusses the key takeaways from the IBM 2025 CEO Study and what they reveal about how Malaysian leaders are rethinking the future of work.



From calculated risk-taking to building AI-ready teams and bridging skills gaps, we explore how courage, data, and collaboration can help Malaysia’s workplaces turn technology into true performance.

CEOs in Malaysia are embracing AI but balancing courage with caution as they push for productivity, innovation, and measurable ROI.Dickson Woo, Country General Manager and Technology Leader at IBM Malaysia, discusses the key takeaways from the IBM 2025 CEO Study and what they reveal about how Malaysian leaders are rethinking the future of work.From calculated risk-taking to building AI-ready teams and bridging skills gaps, we explore how courage, data, and collaboration can help Malaysia’s workplaces turn technology into true performance.

How AI Is Shaping Malaysia’s Workplaces From Caution to Courage

Corporate gifts and entertainment are essential for building goodwill, but they're also a notorious tax "grey area." Where does a non-taxable gift end and taxable income begin? And how can your business ensure its entertainment expenses are 100% deductible?



Tax expert SM Thanneermalai of Thannees Tax Consulting Services joins us to navigate these "grey areas." He explains the critical difference between a personal gift and a taxable business transaction, the rules for 50% vs. 100% deductions, and why meticulous documentation is your best defense in an audit.



We discuss:


When a "gift" is (and is not) taxable income for the recipient.


The "50% vs. 100%" rule for deducting entertainment expenses.


How to claim a 100% deduction (e.g. staff entertainment, promotional items with logos).


The tax implications of "grey areas" like large monetary gifts and nominees.


The critical documentation businesses must keep to justify their claims.



For business owners and finance teams, this is an essential exploration into navigating the tax rules of gifts and entertainment, especially as tax authorities become more sophisticated.

Corporate gifts and entertainment are essential for building goodwill, but they're also a notorious tax "grey area." Where does a non-taxable gift end and taxable income begin? And how can your business ensure its entertainment expenses are 100% deductible?Tax expert SM Thanneermalai of Thannees Tax Consulting Services joins us to navigate these "grey areas." He explains the critical difference between a personal gift and a taxable business transaction, the rules for 50% vs. 100% deductions, and why meticulous documentation is your best defense in an audit.We discuss:<ul><li>When a "gift" is (and is not) taxable income for the recipient.</li><li>The "50% vs. 100%" rule for deducting entertainment expenses.</li><li>How to claim a 100% deduction (e.g. staff entertainment, promotional items with logos).</li><li>The tax implications of "grey areas" like large monetary gifts and nominees.</li><li>The critical documentation businesses must keep to justify their claims.</li></ul>For business owners and finance teams, this is an essential exploration into navigating the tax rules of gifts and entertainment, especially as tax authorities become more sophisticated.

Are Your Corporate Gifts Tax-Deductible?

Malaysia's recently passed Gig Workers Bill aims to formalise the industry and provide social protections. But for platform operators, its "one-size-fits-all" approach, heavily based on e-hailing, poses a critical threat to the 70% of gig workers who are part-time and work in diverse sectors like care and logistics.



GoGet's Franchesca Chia and Kiddocare's Rahman Hussin join us to unpack the serious, on-the-ground flaws in the bill.  A critical look at the unintended consequences of well-meaning regulation.

Malaysia's recently passed Gig Workers Bill aims to formalise the industry and provide social protections. But for platform operators, its "one-size-fits-all" approach, heavily based on e-hailing, poses a critical threat to the 70% of gig workers who are part-time and work in diverse sectors like care and logistics.GoGet's Franchesca Chia and Kiddocare's Rahman Hussin join us to unpack the serious, on-the-ground flaws in the bill.&nbsp; A critical look at the unintended consequences of well-meaning regulation.

Can We Execute Malaysia’s Digital Ambition?

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