Evening Edition

Do you remember when the books you grew up with shaped your childhood? With children reading less, are we seeing fewer readers in the world? We speak to Elina Drucker of Stockholm University on how children's literature has evolved over time and how reading from a young age can be a powerful tool for growth, not just for children, but for the adults raising them too.Image Credits: cottonbro studio, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's appeal against extradition to the US on espionage charges has concluded. We speak to Greg Barns SC about the key legal arguments presented, their potential impact on Assange's future, and how international support might influence this case with significant implications for press freedom and whistleblowing.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Penang House of Music, one of the state's institutions of rich musical heritage, has announced that it will close its doors. This prompted a wave of responses from people, as well as the Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who said he would be looking into how best to help. We speak to Paul Augustin, musician and founder of the music house, on his decision to shut down, as well as what he hopes would happen now.Image credits: Penang House of Music, Official WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An X user has expressed how easy it is to be a great host, over being the perfect guest. This bodes an interesting question on how to balance grace and etiquette in both roles. When you're a guest, do you ask for teh o' ais over plain water? And as a host, do you feel the need to clean your house from top to bottom before your guests arrive? We discuss all the nuances and expectations that come for both roles.Image credit: 123rf.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bit of bad news in terms of our economic development: A recently published article, has revealed that the country’s economic growth in 2023 fell short of expectations, reaching only 3.7% instead of the predicted 4-5%, falling below even the most pessimistic forecasts. We speak to one of the authors of the article, on what he recommends is the best way to go from here.Image credit: Redo_72, PixabaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad is considering introducing designated smoking areas in high-traffic areas, like Jalan Alor and Bukit Bintang, due to space constraints making it difficult to maintain the 3-metre distance rule. We speak to Dr. Zarihah Mohd Zain on how such a move could be enforced and whether it would be effective.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a decade, the Portuguese settlement in Malacca has fought to protect its cultural heritage and livelihoods against the encroaching Melaka Gateway project, now rebranded as the Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone. A recent Malaysiakini article reignited concerns, prompting us to speak with Michael Singho, an activist who first raised the alarm in 2013, on how this mega-project threatens the long-term sustainability of Asia's only Portuguese village.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With up to 164 charges involving money laundering, criminal breach of trust and cheating amounting to RM79 million against three executives of Aman Palestine, we discuss whether this affects the trust that people have that their donations are getting to the right people.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unofficial counts show the former Defence Minister, Prabowo Subianto, securing approximately 60% of the Indonesian vote, and with it, the Indonesian presidency. We speak to Keith Leong, Head of Research at the KRA Group on how Prabowo's complex career might shape his governance, and what his "strongman" approach will bring to both domestic and foreign policy moving forward.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The bid to nominate the New Villages as Unesco World Heritage Sites has generated both support from historians and resistance from political leaders. We speak to Associate Professor Dr. Keith Tan for a nuanced discussion on the pros and cons of listing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bayan Lepas MP Sim Tze Tzin raised concerns on the shrinking Malaysian-Chinese population, pinning hope on the Dragon Year to improve Chinese birth rates. But with births at historic lows, is a symbolic year enough? We speak to Chai Sen Tyng to explore the complex reality of population dynamics among the Chinese community and the impact that this decline will have on the population segment in the coming decade.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clean Cut, our monthly comedy series is back with its sixth episode. You know the drill by now, this is the show where we invite comedians to come to our offices and perform a set in from of the BFM staff, with the challenge that it has to be playable on air. This time around, we have Shamaine Othman, who brings us all the laughs and giggles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The premiere of Rain Town in cinemas, coinciding with Chinese New Year, marks a first for Malaysian cinema: a fully-Cantonese film directed by a Malay director. We speak to film actress Susan Lankester about the culturally borderless quality of Rain Town and its exploration of family relationships.Image Credit: 'Rain Town' Official FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A nine-member Federal Court bench has allowed lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid and her daughter’s challenge to strike out 16 out of 18 Kelantan shariah laws passed by the state legislature in 2019, ruling that it runs contrary to the federal list that stipulates similar offences. Rozana Isa of Sisters in Islam, joins us to understand this ruling, and the significance it has in our legal landscape, particularly when it comes to Islamic law.Image Credits: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tweet on X brought up how air-conditioners are considered a luxury good in India, with a GST rate of 28%, and compared that to the widespread and casual use of the AC in Malaysia. This got us wondering - how do people use, or think about, air-conditioning in our country? And what are the long-term climate costs involved?Image credit: 123rf.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We return to the controversial Royal pardon for jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak after his lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah revealed the contents of the outgoing Agong's purported letter to the Pardon's Board. We speak to Shazwan Kamal about how this "revelation" changes the optics of the controversy and its impact on Umno's fractured internal dynamics.Photo credits: Afif Abd. Halim, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Obeying laws, paying taxes, properly disposing of waste; these are just a few ways that people can contribute to their country. But what does it really mean to be a contributing citizen, and how do different individuals approach this concept? We discuss this with our listeners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The alleged absconding of former Sarawak governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is believed to be in a critical health condition, has caused a stir within the local media sphere. Taib's second wife, Raghad Kurdi, has denied the abduction. This is coming on the heels of Taib's children suing Raghad over the transfer of shares owned by their father to her name in a public listed conglomerate. We talk to Claire Rewcastle Brown, Founder of the Sarawak Report on these recent developments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you show up at a family gathering, which version of you do you become? Are you the unofficial tech-support, or are you the doctor that everyone comes to for medical advice? Are you quiet, or are you a chatterbox? We ask listeners what role they play when it's time for a family get-together.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reports of cancer patients resorting to loan sharks to fund the high costs of treatment, has called to question the financial accessibilty of cancer care. We unpack the financial barriers to accessing adequate medical treatment with Dr. Murallitharan Munisamy, Director of the National Cancer Society Malaysia.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People on social media have been sharing snippets of their lives, back when they were young, wild and free (or more specifically, back when they were 21). We share our own experiences, and hear some of our listeners, on what it was at that age and how much has changed since then. Image credit: 123rf.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sentence and fine reduction of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has divided public opinion, while Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's call for respect for the decision continues to be challenged. We speak to Dr Syaza Shukri on the political ramifications of these events. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not so easy to bounce back into the working world once unemployed. The emotional spiral that follows is difficult to break from, and many may end up resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms. We speak to clinical psychologist, Sarah Zehan, on the support systems that need to be provided to the unemployed to keep their spirits strong through vulnerability.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A viral thread on X has made us wonder: When you’re in a crisis, what kind of support would help you most? Some prefer to be left alone, while others prefer words, actions or even physical support - but how do we know what's best? We share our thoughts on the nature of both giving and reaching out for help in sensitive times.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin on the swearing-in of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Johor as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and how the role of the YDPA and the royal ceremony underlines the cultural and sociopolitical DNA of Malaysia.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Utusan Malaysia put the entire country on edge, after publishing and then retracting a news article on Najib Razak's possible pardon. We try to make sense of what a pardon could mean, and how that could impact how we think about justice.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Netflix documentary, 'Man on the Run' was released a year ago, but recently re-entered the spotlight when Najib Razak's legal team asked for it to be taken off the platform. We speak to its producer and director Cassius Michael Kim about the making of the movie, and why the 1MDB scandal has continued to capture imaginations.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A video clip posted on X went viral for showing a traffic policeman soliciting a fine from a travelling British couple for a speeding offence, which has reawakened old conversations about why bribery continues to be so endemic in our country. We open up the phone lines and ask listeners if this has happened to them, and how they've responded.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar's appointment as the eighth Governor of Sarawak has been met with positive reception from Sarawakians and state leaders alike, though there continues to be some surprise surrounding the retirement of the outgoing governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud - a significant and controversial figure in Sarawakian politics. We speak to Robert Lau, former senator, to understand the significance behind Wan Junaidi's appointment.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent tweet on X from BFM asked a simple enough question: What was the most useful thing you learned in school? We had a lot of thoughts, and figured our listeners would have too, so we opened it up for discussion!Image Credit: RTMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Thursday, January 25th 2024, Malaysia’s human rights record was examined by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the fourth time. To understand how it's gone, we speak to Jerald Joseph, who was part of the Malaysian COMANGO delegation in Geneva.Image Credit: X / MYGenevaUNSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MPH Bookstores recently announced the closure of its Mid Valley Megamall store after 25 years of operation. Sad news for Klang Valley readers who grew up loving books, and as an extension, the stores that hold them. We speak to Micheal Cheang about the special memories that bookstores like MPH hold for many of its readers, and why we're so attached to them.Image Credit: Facebook / MPH ClicksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No sleeping at certain hours, sweeping on Chinese New Year, or cutting your nails at night. If you've heard these beliefs throughout your life, you're not alone. A discussion on X about supersitions got us talking about whether we're superstitious, and which ones have stuck with us.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore's transport minister, S. Iswaran, has stepped down after being charged with corruption and abuse of power (to which he pleaded not guilty). We speak to Walid Jumblatt Abdullah about the larger political implications of this case.Image Credit: BloombergSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever entered a building just to find yourself going in circles, higher and higher, just to get a parking? For many people who live in these buildings, this is their experience daily! A discussion on X about the issue of excessive parking provisions in dense developments have spurred us to ask where exactly our priorities are, when it comes to building design and development.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 13 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi suggested an enactment of the Fixed Term Parliament Act to prevent mid-term changes of the government. Later, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Cabinet had yet to convene any discussion on this. We speak to Tharma Pillai about why the call for this legislation was made.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The field of higher education is one that is rapidly evolving, with online learning increasingly becoming a feature of many institutions. We speak with Open University Malaysia's (OUM) Professor Dr Santhi Raghavan, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Learner Experience & Technology, and Professor Datuk Dr Mohammad Tajudin Mohammad Ninggal, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic & Research, about how OUM is working with industries and fostering partnerships to ensure their role in the future of education in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a trip down memory lane today, after an X user asked people to think back to when they were a child, and what they perceived the pinnacle of wealth to be. We discuss some of our perceived notions of luxury back then - think giant boxes of colour pencils, dollhouses, a full set of encyclopaedias, and bellbottoms, among others!Image Credit: FreepikSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year, search and rescue dogs were in the spotlight because of their role in saving victims of the Batang Kali landslide; later, Blake (an English Springer Spaniel), a key member of Search And Rescue Dogs Malaysia, was euthanised due to advanced euthanasia, drawing millions of tributes online from Malaysians. We speak to the folks behind the team about how these dogs are trained and the sort of work they do. We also hear from our listeners about their own heroic dogs, in ways both big and small.Image Credit: Facebook / SAR Dogs MalaysiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A user on X shared that he looked at reviews for the Pejabat Agama Islam Daerah Sepang, and that people were unhappy about them not picking up calls despite having many staff in the office. We expand this to talk about our experiences with customer service at government departments, both the good and the bad.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia will soon have its human rights performance reviewed by countries around the world in the United Nations through a process called the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The Coalition of Malaysian NGOs in the UPR Process (COMANGO) recently organised a media briefing to provide an overview about the UPR process. We speak to Ryan Chua, programme director at Pusat KOMAS about what this process will involve, and why it is important.Image Credit: Facebook / COMANGOSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A discussion on the usage of bank card lanes at toll booths and why there hasn't been as much uptake, is currently ongoing on X, so we discuss whether we (and listeners) have chosen to make the transition yet.Image Credit: BernamaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Khairi Anwar and Tan Meng Kheng, the director and producer of the film of Mentega Terbang respectively, have been charged in the magistrate’s court, with "deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of others". We speak to Fahri Azzat about these charges, the legalities involved, and what this turn of events indicate for the creative industries and freedom of expression in the country.Image Credit: Facebook / Anomalist ProductionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The residents of Taman Tasik Titiwangsa have had longstanding complaints about illegal stalls, vendors, and businesses that have been set up in the area, particularly due to the popularity of the Titiwangsa park and lake, causing congestion, blocking roads, and the piling up of garbage. The residents claim that despite numerous complaints to City Hall (DBKL), nothing has changed. We speak to a representative of the residents about their concerns, and hear from numerous others who live in the area.Image Credit: The StarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A viral video of a man who repaired a pothole himself and then painted the words “duit saya” over it in Taman Sentosa, Klang, reignited perennial complaints about our roads being poorly maintained - and who should be taking responsibility for this. We discuss this and how the authorities can handle road maintenance more effectively.Image Credit: UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Africa is taking Israel to the International Court of Justice, claiming the Gaza attacks amount to genocide and are in contravention of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. We speak to a human rights lawyer to understand the processes involved in this. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Merdeka 118 tower was officially opened on Jan 10, 2024, and reactions to it have been mixed, to say the least. We discuss the idea of building skyscrapers in Malaysia, and whether this is something people are still excited by.Image Credit: The StarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Molotov cocktail was thrown into Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham’s house, causing a fire. This comes two weeks after he made remarks on including non-Muslims in a special committee on Syariah law, which he later withdrew. We discuss the incident, and how highly charged political rhetoric should be mitigated.Image Credit: Facebook / Ngeh Koo HamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We love our food, but is that love enough to queue for it? And most importantly, for how long? A discussion on X made us contemplate how long we're willing to line up for food, and what goes into our willingness to do this.Image Credit: Facebook / Xing Fu Tang MalaysiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah is continuing to struggle with water supply issues, and this has been brought to light again after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim requested a report on the RM 3 million allocation that was approved by him last year for this issue. We talk about what's happening on ground at UMS, and why there needs to be more transparency between the university and its student body. Image Credit: WikimediaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.