Philip See speaks to Simon Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, on how intensifying great power rivalry is closing the space for middle powers. As hedging becomes harder and alignment more consequential, they examine Malaysia and Singapore’s differing strategic responses, what this means for ASEAN’s coherence, and whether multilateral institutions still carry real weight in today’s geopolitical order.


Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Philip See speaks to Simon Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, on how intensifying great power rivalry is closing the space for middle powers. As hedging becomes harder and alignment more consequential, they examine Malaysia and Singapore’s differing strategic responses, what this means for ASEAN’s coherence, and whether multilateral institutions still carry real weight in today’s geopolitical order. Image Credit: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a>

Sharper and stronger than a double espresso. The Morning Run stretches your mind and braces you for the business day. It's your fast track into work where you can hit the ground running. From 6am to 10am weekdays, the Morning Run brings you the biggest stories and must-listen-to interviews. Stay enlightened, make educated business and investment decisions.

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.

The Resilience of ASEAN Amidst A Fragmented World

The US-Malaysia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade that was signed in October last year remains in limbo as the Trump administration tries to sort out its tariff regime. What does the uncertainty mean for US-ASEAN business activity? We break down the latest developments on US tariffs and discuss what growing US involvement in critical mineral supply chains means for ASEAN with Marc Mealy of the US-ASEAN Business Council.

The US-Malaysia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade that was signed in October last year remains in limbo as the Trump administration tries to sort out its tariff regime. What does the uncertainty mean for US-ASEAN business activity? We break down the latest developments on US tariffs and discuss what growing US involvement in critical mineral supply chains means for ASEAN with Marc Mealy of the US-ASEAN Business Council.

 Will US-China Minerals Rivalry Be Zero-Sum for ASEAN?

The global Sukuk market entered 2026 with strong momentum after a record year in 2025, when global issuance grew 25% year-on-year to surpass USD 300 billion for the first time. Then came the US-Iran war, triggering a 35% plunge in first-quarter global Sukuk volumes, effectively grounding the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market to a halt in March.

Bashar Al Natoor, Global Head of Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings, joins The Breakfast Grille to break down how the asset class is navigating this ultimate geopolitical stress test.

We dive into why global yields refuse to return to pre-war baselines, how Malaysia’s local, ringgit-denominated market acts as a shield against international volatility, and whether the future of Shariah-compliant capital will be powered by blockchain tokenisation.

The global Sukuk market entered 2026 with strong momentum after a record year in 2025, when global issuance grew 25% year-on-year to surpass USD 300 billion for the first time. Then came the US-Iran war, triggering a 35% plunge in first-quarter global Sukuk volumes, effectively grounding the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market to a halt in March.Bashar Al Natoor, Global Head of Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings, joins The Breakfast Grille to break down how the asset class is navigating this ultimate geopolitical stress test.We dive into why global yields refuse to return to pre-war baselines, how Malaysia’s local, ringgit-denominated market acts as a shield against international volatility, and whether the future of Shariah-compliant capital will be powered by blockchain tokenisation.

How the US-Iran War Shook the Global Sukuk Market

Malaysia's food delivery market has evolved beyond restaurant meals into a broader contest over groceries, convenience, and quick commerce. As rivals tap into larger ride hailing, e-commerce, and fintech ecosystems, foodpanda is pursuing a more focused strategy centred on operational efficiency and rapid delivery. With competition intensifying and its parent company undergoing global restructuring, can foodpanda build a sustainable and profitable business without the advantages of a super app?

Malaysia's food delivery market has evolved beyond restaurant meals into a broader contest over groceries, convenience, and quick commerce. As rivals tap into larger ride hailing, e-commerce, and fintech ecosystems, foodpanda is pursuing a more focused strategy centred on operational efficiency and rapid delivery. With competition intensifying and its parent company undergoing global restructuring, can foodpanda build a sustainable and profitable business without the advantages of a super app?

The Resilience of ASEAN Amidst A Fragmented World

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