Surviving EV Price War: Legacy Brands vs. The China Car Invasion | Dato' Sri Francis Lee (Part 2)

#money Anabelle came back from six weeks in France and posted a carousel about what wealth actually looks like. It hit 2 million views — and the comments split down the middle. So the two of us sat down to argue it out properly. Chuang grew up around Penang old money: families in mansions that look small from the street, patriarchs who make their son-in-law sell the sports car because being seen is dangerous. Five years ago he started selling things off. He drives a 2003 Toyota with 340,000km on it and wears RM9 Decathlon t-shirts. His stated ambition is to be the uncle at the kopitiam at 10 in the morning. Anabelle built a company from her kitchen to 350 employees. She's tried to minimise three times. She still can't get through the drawer. We don't land in the same place, and that's the episode. In this one: — Why old money hides and new money displays — The line between rich and wealthy (and why family offices draw it at USD 100 million) — The friend earning RM8 million a year who calls himself a highly paid dog — Nine bedrooms, ten car spaces, and a family that lives entirely in the kitchen — What Malaysia gives you that you've stopped noticing — Why chasing a retirement number is the wrong game

Most people who follow Malaysian equities know John Huo as the author of Malaysian Multibaggers — the book that breaks down why some stocks turn a company worth RM60 million into one worth RM13 billion, while others sit flat for a decade. But the story that opens this episode isn't from his research. It's personal: a CEO he interviewed as a young financial journalist back in 2011, when the company barely registered. He wrote it off. By 2023, that same company was worth over RM13 billion. He still hasn't forgiven himself for it. In this episode, John breaks down the actual mechanics behind Malaysia's biggest stock winners — not vague investing wisdom, but industry-specific economics: why export exposure is non-negotiable, how to read a quarterly report like a professional instead of just checking the share price, and the five competitive moats that separate a real multibagger from a company that just got lucky for one quarter. He also unpacks how he built his own AI research stack using Claude and Gemini, why some of Malaysia's best-run companies will probably never be multibaggers, and what it actually takes — in hours, not just capital — to find the next one yourself. TL/DW of the episode: → From RM60 million to RM13 billion: the company he passed on as a journalist in 2011 → The 3 non-negotiable rules of a multibagger: skin in the game, export driven, and a real catalyst → The 5 economic moats that actually protect a business — and why the glove industry lost theirs → Reading quarterly disclosures like a professional: the "watch the announcement" method → Is Google still a buy, and could it really 10x from here? → What separates a genuine value trap from a stock that's just temporarily out of favor → How he built his own AI research workflow with Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity John Huo, Investor, Business owner and author of Malaysian Multibaggers: Inside the Companies That Delivered 10–100x Returns on Bursa Follow John here: URL: https://johnhuo.com/ Linkedin:   / johnhuo  

Most people know Dato' Sri Francis Lee for his work in the food and beverage industry, but his second act as an automotive titan is where the real high-stakes drama unfolded. Transitioning into the car business in the late 90s, he partnered with industry veterans to build Hyundai into the #1 non-national car brand in Malaysia, only to orchestrate a strategic exit to Sime Darby in 2004. From securing the iconic Mazda franchise on the first day of Chinese New Year to experiencing a literal misaligned disaster with early Chinese imports in 2005, Dato' Francis has seen every cycle of the automotive industry. Under his leadership, Bermaz Auto grew into a dividend-darling powerhouse, mastering the delicate balance of brand prestige, residual value, and exceptional after-sales service. In Part 2 of this exclusive interview, Dato' Sri Francis Lee tackles the most pressing issue in the auto industry today: the Chinese EV invasion. He breaks down the brutal realities of market dumping, why the Malaysian government instituted the RM200,000 CIF floor price policy, and how legacy brands are fighting back. Plus, he reveals why Bermaz chose to partner with tech-forward Xpeng and shares his vision for a future filled with autonomous and flying cars. TL/DW of the episode: → The Hyundai Hustle: How Berjaya made Hyundai the #1 non-national car in Malaysia by 2004 and the strategic sale to Sime Darby → Early China Car Disasters: The hilarious (and costly) story of importing Chinese cars in 2005 that only swerved left → The Mazda Miracle: Securing the franchise in Bangkok and ordering the first batch of cars during a Chinese New Year dinner → Surviving the EV Price War: Why Chinese EV dumping is destroying resale values and how legacy brands are responding → The RM200,000 CIF Policy Explained: Why the government stepped in to regulate imported EVs and protect local investments → The Xpeng Partnership: Why Bermaz chose AI, autonomous driving, and flying cars for its EV strategy → Business Philosophy: Prioritizing sustainable volumes, consistent shareholder dividends, and employee welfare over aggressive market share

Most people know Dato' Francis Lee as the man who helped build Berjaya Food into a massive retail behemoth, steering iconic brands like Starbucks and Kenny Rogers Roasters across Malaysia. But his journey didn't start in the boardroom of a food empire—it started with writing audit reports. Plucked from his role as an internal auditor during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Dato' Francis learned the gritty realities of retail survival the hard way. From choosing a literal hole-in-the-ground at Mid Valley over a premium spot at KLCC to save on rent, to revolutionizing Kenny Rogers' service model from a cold-food queue to hot table service, his practical, common-sense approach turned struggling operations into a publicly listed powerhouse. Under his watch, Starbucks Malaysia grew from a single store at KL Plaza to 250 locations by the time he stepped down as CEO in 2017. In this episode, Dato' Francis unpacks the demanding realities of building food and beverage empires. He breaks down exactly why running a restaurant is vastly more complex than scaling a coffee chain, how he navigated intense social and political brand backlash, and shares a surprising perspective on today's economy: why he wouldn't start a business today and actually prefers the path of an employee. TL/DW of the episode: → From internal auditor to CEO: How the 1997 financial crisis sparked an unexpected career pivot → The Mid Valley vs. KLCC dilemma: The strategic real estate decision that saved Kenny Rogers Roasters' capital → Coffee vs. Food: The real economics, high margins, and operational nightmares of both industries → Navigating social media crises and political backlash in a highly sensitive B2C market → Why Dato' Francis advises aspiring entrepreneurs to strongly consider the stability of being an employee first → The truth about listing a company: Why you shouldn't go public unless you're making at least RM10-15 million → Behind the scenes of balancing a high-powered career with family sacrifices Dato' Francis Lee, Former CEO of Berjaya Food Berhad & CEO of Bermaz Auto Group Follow Dato' Francis here: URL: https://www.bauto.com.my/about.php

Navigating Malaysia's socio-political landscape as a minority youth is often reduced to stereotypes, sensationalized headlines, and communal rhetoric. Yet, when you look past mainstream political theater and speak directly to young Malaysians on the ground, a very different reality emerges—one defined by deep political apathy toward traditional race-based parties, everyday economic pragmatism, and an unshakeable sense of belonging to the country. In this episode of Do More, Sharvin sit down with Shalini and Liang Hong, researchers at Iman Research, to dissect the findings of their extensive qualitative fieldwork—"Indian Roots" and "Chinese Shoots"—which surveyed over 100 Indian and Chinese youths across Peninsular Malaysia to understand how they truly feel about nation-building, discrimination, and their future in Malaysia. 00:00 - Introduction: Iman Research & Studying "Kita Orang Sini Juga" 01:40 - Shalini: The Unresolved Reality of Rental & Workplace Discrimination 07:00 - Liang Hong: Why Chinese Youths Don't Care About UEC & Symbolic Politics 12:55 - East Coast Assimilation: Survival Strategies for Minorities-Within-Minorities 19:59 - Rejecting Race-Based Parties & The "Vijay" Political Phenomenon 28:36 - Chinese Pragmatism: Why Malaysian Laborers in Singapore Want to Come Home 36:00 - Systemic Bottlenecks: Matriculation Quotas, Vernacular Schools & Multilingualism 53:35 - Policy Prescriptions: Reforming Civic Education & Building Informed Citizens 01:00:30 - The Urban Indian Poor: Colonial Displacement, School Dropouts & Gangsterism 01:15:00 - "Malaysia is My Home": Why Minority Youths Are Rooted and Staying Put Follow Iman Research here: URL: https://www.imanresearch.com/ Iman Research Orang Kita Report: https://imanresearch.com/uploads/2025%20Report%20Orang%20Kita%20bahasa.pdf

Most people see ZUS Coffee ‪@ZUSCoffee‬ as an overnight success story that just happened to take over Malaysia. Vernon Tian, one of the co-founders instrumental in scaling the brand, says the reality is much more complex. From opening one store every single day to navigating intense social media crises, building a national champion takes more than just good coffee. Before ZUS, Vernon learned the hard way that timing is everything, experiencing the challenges of scaling with startups like Laundry Hero and ezypod. When he joined the ZUS team, they brought that hard-earned agility and digital focus into the coffee world. They aren't just building cafes; they are building a tech-driven beverage ecosystem designed to challenge international giants. In this episode, Vernon breaks down the exact playbook ZUS Coffee used to grow from a single 200 sq ft store to hundreds of locations nationwide. He discusses the realities of supply chain risks, moving into FMCG, and why ZUS is targeting unexpected global markets like Pakistan, Morocco, and the Maldives to build a sustainable, international empire. Because the real disruption isn't just selling coffee. It’s building a global benchmark from Malaysia. TL/DW of the episode: → Why opening one store a day isn't just about speed—it's about systems and setting targets → How ZUS Coffee navigated its biggest social media crisis and protected its brand → The truth behind ZUS's rapid expansion: Were they just "lucky" or strategically positioned? → From 200 sq ft to over a billion ringgit: The economics and margins of scaling a coffee chain → Why ZUS is expanding to Pakistan, Morocco, and the Maldives instead of traditional markets → Moving beyond the cup: How ZUS is transitioning from a cafe to an FMCG powerhouse with over 24,000 touchpoints → What Vernon learned from early startup failures and what he would (and wouldn't) tell his 18-year-old self Vernon Tian, Co-Founder & COO of ZUS Coffee Follow Vernon here: URL: https://zuscoffee.com/ LinkedIn:   / vernontian  

Scaling a highly capital-intensive and technically demanding semiconductor manufacturing business from scratch is famously difficult—especially for a female founder with zero initial technical background and no bank track record. Yet, CG Global managed to crack the global supply chain, successfully expanding its manufacturing backbone to serve the stringent medical, aerospace, and automotive sectors. In this episode of Do More, we sit down with Siti Padillah, Founder of CG Global, and Faizal Jalaluddin from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), to dissect the playbook of how a local SME transformed into a globally certified manufacturing powerhouse. Siti shares her gritty entrepreneurial journey: from starting with used machinery and manually recording warehouse stock, to securing critical government intervention grants that fully digitized her operations. She also breaks down the relentless war for talent in Penang, her unique strategies to train non-engineering graduates to survive the MNC poaching squeeze, and the absolute necessity of securing high-level global certifications. Faizal pulls back the curtain on MIDA's "Invest Local" mandate, proving that government agencies do much more than just chase foreign direct investment. He outlines how MIDA acts as a crucial bridge—providing unbanked SMEs with intervention funds, connecting them to global giants like Infineon, and pushing vendor development programs to build Malaysia's industrial resilience. Follow CG Global and MIDA here: (MIDA): https://www.mida.gov.my/ (CG Global): https://cgglobal-cem.com/

Traditional pharmaceutical distribution models operate under thin margins, fixed government fees, and highly capital-intensive storage metrics. When public-listed legacy giant Pharmaniaga hit a sudden PN17 classification due to a massive RM552 million vaccine provisioning write-down, the market braced for a long, drawn-out restructuring. Instead, they executed one of the fastest regularization turnarounds in Bursa Malaysia’s history. In this episode of Do More, we sit down with Dato' Zulkifli Jafar, Managing Director of Pharmaniaga Berhad, to dissect the exact corporate playbook driving their institutional recovery and structural reset. Dato' Zulkifli clears the air regarding widespread public misperceptions surrounding their national concession agreement—clarifying that Pharmaniaga essentially functions as the high-capacity, nationwide "Lalamove or Shopee" logistics grid for healthcare, while product selection and volumes are tightly dictated by the Ministry of Health. We pull back the curtain on the granular unit economics of their rapid recovery: from bringing in 19 private placement investors to raise over RM500 million and paring down debt, to integrating dynamic S&OP demand planning frameworks. He explains the exact operational mechanics behind automating inventory blocks—successfully optimizing their government stockpile requirements from RM400 million down to RM250 million, saving RM7.6 million a year in interest costs alone. Finally, we explore their strategic 2030 roadmap: shifting resources away from legacy distribution grids and executing an aggressive pivot into high-margin upstream manufacturing, fill-and-finish capabilities, and proprietary biologics to protect Malaysia's sovereign drug supply. Follow Dato Zulkifli Jaafar here: URL: https://pharmaniaga.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/datozulkiflijafar/

Most people think Pokémon cards are toys for kids. Adlin Yusman says that's exactly why most people don't understand the collectibles market. After spending years collecting, trading, and building Collektr, he's witnessed the rise of an entirely new asset class—one powered by nostalgia, scarcity, culture, and community. What started with sneakers, watches, and comic books has evolved into a global collectibles economy worth billions. Today, rare Pokémon cards can sell for more than luxury watches, while collectors compete worldwide for items most people once threw away. In this episode, Adlin breaks down the psychology, economics, and business behind collectibles. From a Pokémon card that jumped from USD8,000 to USD44,000 in just months, to the rise of live-stream commerce and auction platforms, this conversation explores why people are willing to spend RM200,000—or more—on a single card. Because the real value isn't cardboard. It's culture, scarcity, and belief. Adlin Yusman Co-Founder of Collektr Follow Adlin here: Collektr: https://collektr.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collektr.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adlinyusman/

Most people spend their entire lives trying to enter the corporate world. Tunku Alizakri already reached the top of it. From leading major institutions to operating at the centre of Malaysia’s financial ecosystem, he has spent decades understanding how power, systems, and large organisations actually work behind closed doors. But instead of staying comfortable, he stepped into a completely different world: startups. Why would someone leave stability for uncertainty? In this episode, Tunku Alizakri breaks down why younger generations are walking away from traditional career paths, why large corporations are struggling to adapt to the speed of technological change, and why AI is forcing entire industries into a state of confusion. From the future of work to the psychology of ambition, this conversation explores what happens when experience collides with reinvention. Because in a rapidly changing world, staying still might be the biggest risk of all. Tunku Alizakri bin Raja Muhammad Alias Board Member; Chairman of Collektr Follow Tunku Alizakri here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alizakri-alias/