Current Affairs

Seven people have been killed in central London after three men drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge and launched a knife attack on people enjoying a Saturday night out in pubs and restaurants around Borough Market. This marks the second attack, in as many weeks, to hit the U.K., this time coming a mere five days before a contentious general election. This morning, Professor A.C. Grayling from the New College of Humanities in London spoke to us about the impact - if any - that both these attacks could have on polling.

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Early this morning news broke that US President Donald Trump would take the US out of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Trump said  “In order to fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate pact.” Today we ask if the US got a bad deal in the 2015 Agreement, and where the global initiative to stem climate change will go.

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Recently, Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia came out to criticise Utusan Malaysia for its stinging editorial on a proposed amendment to Singapore’s Elected Presidency system. The High Commission understood the editorial as suggesting that in Singapore, "meritocracy [is used] as an excuse to discriminate against Malays", that "meritocracy is open to manipulation", and that "Malays [have] become weaker and marginalised from the corridors of power”. Singapore believes that these are “baseless and mischievous allegations”.

Today, we ask what are the core bilateral issues remain between the two countries? And how successive Malaysian administrations have dealt with a relationship that comes with lots of historical baggage.

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Last Thursday, The Malaysian Bar reiterated its demand for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission or IPCMC, after yet another alleged death in police custody. This brings to a total of four deaths in police custody this year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi earlier revealed that there were 1,654 people died in police custody from 2010 till February 2017. Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores why there is a need for an independent commission to monitor the police force for better transparency and to uphold integrity. This is a report by Emir Zainul.

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As the Islamic State’s influence grows in South East Asia, we explore why education and rehabilitation efforts must be used in tandem with more forceful measures, in dealing with the IS threat.

This is a report by Jason Lim.

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President of The Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has declared martial law for 60 days over the souther island of Mindanao following clashes between military forces and the ISIS-inspired fighters. The gun battle began after government troops raided the hideout of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon in Marawi City. Marawi City is a largely Muslim city with a population of over 200,000. The US Department of Justice has listed the Abu Sayyaf leader among the most-wanted terrorists worldwide, with a reward of up to RM15 million for his capture. But it’s the question of using martial law which is drawing the most attention. Today we ask where the Republic is headed under Duterte.

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Jobs can be a political hot potato for any democratically elected government. MIDF Research recently gave us numbers on Malaysia’s youth unemployment rate which stands at 10.5%. MIDF Research considers this normal when compared with regional and global economies. But is normal for economists can become a political hot potato for politicians. Today we explore the debate over jobs growth in Malaysia.

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For youths entering the job market now, their prospects may be tough. Recent reports by Bank Negara and other researchers have found that youth unemployment in Malaysia is emerging as a severe problem. The disproportionately high rates of unemployment among the youths is compounded with rising costs of living and headwinds in the global economy. In this episode of Current Affairs, BFM explores the factors contributing to the problem and possible solutions. This is a report by Tan Zhai Yun.

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Over the weekend Parti Keadilan Rakyat held its National Congress. Concerns about the upcoming 14th General Elections clearly cast a shadow over the party. Having helmed the Pakatan coalition in the state of Selangor as well as provided a crucial bridge between the Democratic Action Party and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), the party has faced many challenges ahead. Today we look at how the party has negotiated the taint of corruption as well as how it positions its jailed leader Anwar Ibrahim ahead of the next General Elections.

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We continue our analysis on how some ASEAN countries are coping with the threat of homegrown Islamic State militants, returning from the Middle East.

As countries share intelligence and resources to fight IS, many governments are enacting tougher anti-terrorism laws that target extremists. However, human rights groups are concerned that these laws may also be used to crack down on civil society, including dissenters and political opponents of some ruling regimes.

We explore whether the IS threat warrants the use of tougher legislation, at the possible expense of the human rights, freedom of speech and personal liberties of ASEAN’s general population.

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