Current Affairs

Controversy is brewing over a video produced by a local radio station that some say encourages hatred of trans-gendered people.

Meant to be humorous the video which was produced by Hitz FM and starring two of its DJs shows the two expressing disgust at the sight of a transwoman.

A recipient of the 2016 U.S. International Women of Courage Award, we asked our guest if such videos not only increase the marginalisation of the community but potentially lead to hate crimes as well.

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With speculation on the rise about the 14th General Election, the question of voter engagement has come into focus, particularly the youth vote. Today we get an exclusive on a national survey on youth perception towards the economy, leadership and current issues. Some of the headline findings include, increased youth apathy and disenfranchisement and the lack of political engagement in the face of increased economical concerns such as the rising cost of living and stagnant wages.

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Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Razak's official visit to the US dominates the local headlines, with the mainstream media praising the success of the Malaysian delegation and their meeting with US President Donald Trump. The Prime Minister was at a closed-door luncheon organised by Washington based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and we spoke to its Senior Adviser and Director of the Southeast Asia Programme Dr. Amy Searight to find out more.  

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Last night in Washington DC, statements before the bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister Najib Razak and his US counterpart President Donald Trump, foregrounded trade and security issues. In his trademark style Trump said “We’re talking about trade - very large trade deals”. While Najib touted that his delegation had come “with a strong value proposition to put on the table.” He added, “we want to help you in terms of strengthening the US. economy.” The PM also quoted numbers noting Khazanah’s USD400 million and EPF’s three to four billion to support American infrastructure redevelopment. But will this get Malaysia off the Trump Administration’s “trade cheats list” and kick start bilateral free trade agreement talks? Today, we explore the deliverables from this White House visit.  

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Prime Minister Najib Razak is in Washington DC with a high-ranking delegation which includes the Foreign Minister, Minister of International Trade, as well as Chief Secretary to the Government as well as the National Security Council Director-General. Today we ask what impact the goodwill between President Trump and Najib had on setting up this meeting; the PM's conversation with the Malaysian community in Washington; the strengthening bilateral ties; and the country's need to shape its message to a White House that is seen to be transactional in character.

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Last Tuesday, the Malaysia Marathon, was cancelled with an explanation given two days later by Minister of Tourism. Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz announced that the reason for the cancellation of the marathon was because the organizer could not deliver its initial promise of bringing 5,000 runners from China to participate.The cancelling of the event that was planned for the 1st of October, raised the hackles of local runners. And also lead to allegations that the two Ministries failed in their responsibilities in particular that the race was “not in accordance to international sporting standards which is required by Section 34 of the Sports Development Act 1997.” 

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Yesterday Russian President Vladimir Putin was reported saying that pursuing further sanctions against North Korea is "useless", saying "they'd rather eat grass than give up their nuclear programme”. This comes in response to a move by the US at the UN, following news that North Korea had successful exploded a hydrogen bomb on Sunday. On Monday the US tabled a new UN resolution on tougher sanctions. Russia’s Putin said diplomacy was the only answer. On that score China has welcomed a proposal by Switzerland to mediate negotiations with North Korea.

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On Friday, militants from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army attacked about 25 police posts in the Myanmar’s Rahkine state. As the government security’s took retaliatory action, thousands, both Muslim and Buddhist civilians from the northern part of Rakhine state fled the area towards the border with Bangladesh. It is believed that over 100 people have died since the Friday attack. Today we ask is the government of Aung San Suu Kyi has lost the initiative on the managing the political problem of the Rohingya minority, and if the international community will remain mute in the face of this recent upsurge of violence.

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Four days ago Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported saying that the Government is ready to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the 1985 Memali tragedy.  He added that the government would do so if there is a demand for it. In the clash between security forces and villages in the remote village of Kedah, 14 villagers and 4 police officers were killed. In addition to the deaths, close to 160 people were detained including women and children, and 36 of them subsequently held under the Internal Security Act. At the heart of the incident was Ibrahim Libya, a moniker earned for a year he spent at the University of Tripoli. A candidate for PAS in the 1978 and 1982 General Elections, Ibrahim was caught up the deeply divisive politics of the time. Today we ask, who wants a RCI today and for what purpose, 32 years after the fact.

Watch “Al Fateha Memali” here.

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