BFM

The Ulu Muda Forest Reserve lies on the north-eastern flank of Kedah, bordering Thailand.
Despite its rich biodiversity, immense natural beauty and function as a water catchment area for the Muda, Pedu and Ahning dams, the Ulu Muda forest has become the latest victim of illegal and uncontrolled logging. We get the low-down of what's happening to the forest reserve from Hymeir Kamaruddin, an eco-guide and Director of Earth Lodge, who has been exploring and working in the Ulu Muda area since the late 1990s.

World Turtle Day is celebrated annually on the 23rd of May. In conjunction with this year's celebration, we speak to Chen Pelf Nyok, the co-founder of the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia, to discuss the need for turtle conservation and the threats being faced by these shelled reptiles, which include the exotic food trade, habitat destruction, global warming and the illegal pet trade.

We get you out of bed, to your first cup of coffee or to your first destination of your day with thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping all our lives.

Join Freda Liu and Angeline Teh as they round up news from the SME industry.

Founders of Doggy Bag Malaysia are ambitious. They are making sure that they meat dogs’ needs and offer pawsitively delicious food. However, is there a market in Malaysia for dog food delivery? Jeevan Sahadevan from Leverage Lab points out the language used in their marketing delivery as well as offering the right packages could help grow the sales of these doggy bags.

It is challenging for a big company like Petronas Chemicals to deliver high growth as the company has become entrenched in the olefins and fertilisers divisions. PChem's share price is at about the same level over the last 5 years save for oil and currency related volatility. Projects like SAMUR and Rapid give the company some hope.

The US markets were weak last week because the latest FOMC minutes revealed that the Fed is becoming more OK with a June rate rise.

This will have an obvious bearing on the US-Japan standoff currently going on about the yen's strength.

The Morning Run Crew brings you todays's business headlines: 

- Grexit, Brexit, and everything in-between

- Norway: Leading the way in ethical investing

The Morning Run Crew brings you today's business headlines: 

-SPAD's paper on ridesharing in Malaysia

- Tune Protect's CEO resigns, citing 'personal reason'

- Goldman Sachs shareholders sound out over executive pay hike

Sabah last month temporarily halted the long-held practice of barter trade with our neighbouring countries, after four Malaysian sailors were kidnapped by Filipino gunmen.

Authorities are of the opinion that barter trade allows opportunities for smugglers and other activities that could jeopardise state security.

BFM explores how the barter trade ban could affect Sabah's economy, amid fears it could cost the state hundreds of millions of ringgit in lost revenue.

Report by Sonia Naidu and Jason Lim