When it comes to relations with China, Southeast Asian countries tread between anticipation and unease, relying on its economic might but also wary of its military ambition. How might the Covid-19 pandemic reshape alliances in the region? We discuss the dynamics at play with long-time Southeast Asian political observer Murray Hiebert, author of the book "Under Beijing's Shadow: Southeast Asia's China Challenge."



Image Credit: Shutterstock

When it comes to relations with China, Southeast Asian countries tread between anticipation and unease, relying on its economic might but also wary of its military ambition. How might the Covid-19 pandemic reshape alliances in the region? We discuss the dynamics at play with long-time Southeast Asian political observer Murray Hiebert, author of the book "Under Beijing's Shadow: Southeast Asia's China Challenge."

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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The Breakfast Grille

Featuring the cream-of-the-crop as well as the controversial, the Breakfast Grille is the flagship show of BFM. Expect no-holds-barred interviews to get to the truth and into the minds of business leaders, policymakers and changemakers.

Southeast Asia - Balancing Beijing

Budget 2027 delivers record spending, yet the MADANI government says that the fiscal deficit will fall to 3.3% of GDP next year, even though petroleum subsidies have ballooned to RM40 billion. As the government balances pre-election expectations against fiscal discipline, Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican, Secretary General of Treasury at the Ministry of Finance, joins The Breakfast Grille to unpack the trade-offs and calculus behind Budget 2027.

He addresses speculation surrounding a pre-election budget, explains why SST compliance and e-invoicing are being favored over a GST comeback, , and discusses how the government plans to manage growing salary, pension, and debt-servicing bills on top of this year’s surge in subsidies.

He also explores strategies to plug subsidy leakages, alongside governance reforms including the State-Owned Enterprises Act and mandatory procurement disclosures

Budget 2027 delivers record spending, yet the MADANI government says that the fiscal deficit will fall to 3.3% of GDP next year, even though petroleum subsidies have ballooned to RM40 billion. As the government balances pre-election expectations against fiscal discipline, Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican, Secretary General of Treasury at the Ministry of Finance, joins The Breakfast Grille to unpack the trade-offs and calculus behind Budget 2027.He addresses speculation surrounding a pre-election budget, explains why SST compliance and e-invoicing are being favored over a GST comeback, , and discusses how the government plans to manage growing salary, pension, and debt-servicing bills on top of this year’s surge in subsidies.He also explores strategies to plug subsidy leakages, alongside governance reforms including the State-Owned Enterprises Act and mandatory procurement disclosures

MOF on Budget 2027: Subsidies, Goodies & Waad Nasional

As the MADANI government prepares to table Budget 2027, what are the key fiscal numbers and political signals you should be paying attention to? Former Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr. Ong Kian Ming and Dr. Tricia Yeoh of the Asian Institute for Policy and Engagement at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, join The Breakfast Grille to discuss.

They explore whether this will act as a pre-election budget, analyse critical indicators and numbers to watch, and discuss the mechanics of GST versus SST.

They also highlight the structural reforms they hope the government will spend its political capital on.

As the MADANI government prepares to table Budget 2027, what are the key fiscal numbers and political signals you should be paying attention to? Former Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr. Ong Kian Ming and Dr. Tricia Yeoh of the Asian Institute for Policy and Engagement at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, join The Breakfast Grille to discuss.They explore whether this will act as a pre-election budget, analyse critical indicators and numbers to watch, and discuss the mechanics of GST versus SST.They also highlight the structural reforms they hope the government will spend its political capital on.

Budget 2027: Pre-Election Goodies or Fiscal Discipline?

RT Pastry raised RM16.5 million from its ACE Market IPO to fuel expansion into new markets like Kuantan, but why did this profitable, formerly dividend-paying, cash-generative business tap the public capital market instead of using its own cash?

Mike Tia, COO of RT Pastry, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss. 

We dive into why RT Pastry chose Kuantan over Johor or Penang, declining same-store sales performance, and how shifting consumer spending is impacting product strategy.

We also explore why the company raised RM16.5 million in public capital despite already generating strong cash flow and the reasons behind changes in its dividend history following a payout pause in the year before listing.

RT Pastry raised RM16.5 million from its ACE Market IPO to fuel expansion into new markets like Kuantan, but why did this profitable, formerly dividend-paying, cash-generative business tap the public capital market instead of using its own cash?Mike Tia, COO of RT Pastry, joins The Breakfast Grille to discuss. We dive into why RT Pastry chose Kuantan over Johor or Penang, declining same-store sales performance, and how shifting consumer spending is impacting product strategy.We also explore why the company raised RM16.5 million in public capital despite already generating strong cash flow and the reasons behind changes in its dividend history following a payout pause in the year before listing.

Southeast Asia - Balancing Beijing

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