BFM :: Spotlight (Morning Run)

ASEAN - Inadequate, Yet Indispensable

July 28, 2020 01:37 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MB

So far, ASEAN’s confirmed cases of Covid-19 are a fraction of its total population - but the risk of more infections remain heightened. Meanwhile, the economic fallout of restriction measures and border closures continues to wreak havoc on economic projections. Does ASEAN have the tools to respond robustly to the pandemic, or is every nation looking out for itself? We discuss the state of play and whether the current crisis presents an opportunity for reform. Image Credit: EPA-EFE ...

Finding Employment — And Hope — In A Crisis

June 30, 2020 01:30 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MB

Graduating, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, into a pandemic and a recession can be a harrowing experience. But could these short-term stresses lead to longer, more persistent issues in a person's career? What lies ahead for COVID-19's "lockdown generation?" Featuring: Julia Azureen. Special thanks to Rahmah Pauzi, Kathleen Kwan and Shary Jimie.

Using Scholarships as Tools for Development

January 28, 2020 01:30 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MB

Scholarships, highly-coveted by students and their parents, are often seen as a gateway for individuals to receive world class education which might otherwise be beyond their means. But on a national scale, scholarships are also used as a tool to develop a nation by educating its people. We discuss how scholarships came to be prominent in Malaysia as well as why sponsoring students to go abroad might not be sustainable for the country’s future.

Brotherhood In Schools

December 31, 2019 01:30 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MB

To close the year, we look into Asrama Malaysia by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to promote understanding and harmony among different races. They program has about 1,000 secondary school students who study in day schools and live together. However the enrolment of non-Malay students has been below MOE’s target. How effective has this program been in fostering unity? The students tell us about their escapades with other races.

Becoming Ourselves

December 17, 2019 01:30 - 20 minutes - 19 MB

Former first lady, Michelle Obama, and actress, Julia Roberts were in Kuala Lumpur to speak to Asia Pacific leaders of the Obama Foundation and members of the media about leadership and not giving up. The session was moderated by Deborah Henry, and this recording has been edited for brevity and flow.

Killing the Ghosts of the Past

December 03, 2019 01:30 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MB

Shonchi or Sanchita Islam, a British musician and artist living in Malaysia and the UK speaks about her music and struggles with multiple mental health conditions brought about by trauma and abuse. She collaborates with Malaysia Mental Health Association (MMHA) to create more awareness about mental health issues.

From Poop Culture to Pop Culture

November 19, 2019 01:30 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MB

Toilets have been around since the third millennium BC. They’re perhaps the most important invention in the world and a true marker of a civilised society. Yet, one third of the world still practices open defecation and lack proper sanitary conditions. For a special World Toilet Day look, the founder of the World Toilet Organisation comes on Spotlight to discuss his passion for the loo, the taboos surrounding it and the issues faced regarding toilets around the world.

Living with a Black Dog

November 05, 2019 01:30 - 21 minutes - 20 MB

About 30% of Malaysian adults experience mental health issues while two in five adolescents suffer from anxiety, one in five has depression and one in ten has suicidal thoughts (National Health & Morbidity Survey). What is it like to live with a black dog (mental health condition)? How can companies support their employees and normalise the conversation around mental health? Guests: Dakshayani Batmanathan, Speaker at HeadsUp!, Global Shapers KL Edika Amin, Speaker at HeadsUp!, Global Shap...

The Misunderstood Community

October 29, 2019 01:30 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MB

The Indian community, especially the B40 segment is plagued by myriad of social, developmental and economic issues. Income inequality, poverty and violence continue to drag on the chances for the community to uplift itself. We shine a light on how this happened and the problems that they face.

Brexit Unpacked

October 22, 2019 01:30 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MB

We navigate the twists and turns of the Brexit saga to understand why Northern Ireland, the smallest country in the UK, is holding up Brexit; the likelihood of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill being passed or another Brexit referendum; the impact of Brexit on Malaysia; and whether it is wise to still invest in London. Guests: Dr. Dagmar Schiek, Professor of Law, Queen's University, Belfast Mark Langhammer, Senior Trade Unionist, National Education Union, Belfast Chan Yu-Meng, Executi...

Belt & Road Opportunities

October 15, 2019 01:30 - 19 minutes - 18 MB

In line with the Budget 2020 announcement of a special channel under InvestKL to attract more investments from China, we examine the opportunities presented by the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), a platform for Malaysian companies to explore more trade and investments to/from China and other participating countries. What are the risks? What are the promising sectors? Which technology companies are we hoping to attract? We speak with Dr. Ong Kian Ming, Deputy Minister of International Trade an...

Trade War Gainers And Losers in Malaysia

October 08, 2019 01:30 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MB

Calvin Cheng, Researcher at the Economics, Trade and Regional Integration division of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), examines the impact of the US-China trade war on Malaysia and whether it’s fair to compare Malaysia and Vietnams’ economies. Global supply chains have changed and we should instead track Taiwan which has been importing more from Malaysia. Cheng also makes a case for economic reforms and regional integration to insulate our economy.

Trade War, Cold War

October 01, 2019 01:30 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MB

Gary Hufbauer, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington DC, examines how President Trump will play out the negotiations, why China might win in the long-term, and a trade war that is becoming a Cold War.

Microfinance: Can Small Loans Tackle Big Problems?

September 24, 2019 01:35 - 20 minutes - 19 MB

When microfinance became prominent in the 1980s, it was touted as a beacon of hope—something that has the potential to both empower women and end poverty. But it also has fierce critics, who say micro loans are, at best, unproductive, and at worst, a poverty trap. On this episode of Spotlight, we delve into the complexities of microfinance.

The Rising Tide of Radicalisation

September 17, 2019 01:30 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MB

As displaced Islamic State fighters from Syria seek to return to Malaysia, what are the type of dangers and risks these returnees might pose? Should Malaysia open its doors to welcome back those who turned their back on the country? We speak to some experts to discuss these threats and also the rising influence that the Islamic State might have in the region.

The Wait To Become Malaysian

September 11, 2019 01:35 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MB

For stateless children and their families, the process to obtain Malaysian citizenship is lengthy and complex. We speak to Dr Hartini Zainuddin, children’s rights activist and founder of Yayasan Chow Kit on her experience navigating the system for her adopted daughter, who finally obtained citizenship after many years of waiting.

A Path Towards Unity, From East to West

September 10, 2019 01:35 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MB

Ahead of Malaysia Day, we hear from our fellow East Malaysians as they share their hopes, dreams and fears for the nation moving forward. They talk about what makes Sabah and Sarawak special and what Malaysia Day means to them.

Unrecognized Malaysians

September 03, 2019 01:35 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MB

What do you do when you're born and raised in Malaysia, but are denied recognition by the state you pledge allegiance to? This is the dilemma facing stateless children, who are penalized for circumstances beyond their control. Virman Juri, a stateless teenager shares his experience navigating life without proper documentation and his ongoing quest to gain citizenship.

Industry Captains Get Candid About Merdeka

August 30, 2019 01:35 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MB

What does it mean to lead a strong Malaysian brand? To represent Malaysia on the global stage? This Merdeka, we speak to leaders of corporate Malaysia about what independence means to them, both personally and professionally. Tune in to hear from Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Tengku Dato’ Sri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Datin Ami Moris and Tunku Alizakri Alias about their first Merdeka experiences as well as their hopes for the nation.

Fortunes of Melaka

August 27, 2019 01:35 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MB

Melaka was one of the most important entrepôts in the world in the 15th century that eventually attracted colonial powers to come and conquer the Malay peninsular. Learn how the Melaka sultanate hegemonised their rule for more than 100 years, why they adopted Islamic faith, and what led to their dramatic downfall into the hands of the Portuguese. We speak with Barbara Andaya, a Professor of the Asian Studies Program at the University of Hawaii. She is a leading history scholar on Malaysia, ...

Investing In Communities-in-need

August 20, 2019 01:35 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MB

Instead of relying on government funding and donations, we explore progressive funding mechanisms such as social impact bonds and social venture capital funds with Melissa Foo, Head of Social Innovation unit at Agensi Innovasi Malaysia (AIM). She also talks about AIM's fledgling efforts in this space.

Social Protection Instead Of Affirmative Action

August 13, 2019 01:35 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MB

Race-based affirmative action policies have been an albatross around the neck of all Malaysians. Leaders like Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tun Daim Zainuddin are now touting needs-based affirmative action. Our panel experts argue for social protection instead of affirmative action as the progressive way forward. Forming the panel is Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Norma Mansor at the Social Wellbeing Research Centre of Universiti Malaya, and Stephen Barrett, Chief of Social Policy at UNICEF. ...