Current Affairs

Recently, U.S. officials have reported an escalation in Chinese construction developments in the South China Sea. Satellite images of the islands in the disputed region show several potential military facilities close to completion, giving rise to renewed conversation about a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

On Current Affairs, we discuss what to expect from the COC's framework, the difference between a Code of Conduct and the existing Declaration, and the feasibility of ASEAN's efforts to address Chinese militarisation in the South China Sea.

This is a report by Lyn Mak.

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The recent high-profile murder of a North Korean citizen in KLIA has strained the diplomatic relationship between North Korea and Malaysia. The victim is believed to be Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un.

Last week, North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia, Kang Chol, said Malaysian investigators are conspiring with "hostile forces" and accused Malaysia of being in cahoots with Pyongyang’s enemies. In response, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak described the statement as "diplomatically rude" and recalled Putrajaya's ambassador to Pyongyang.

BFM speaks to Prashanth Parameswaran, Associate Editor at The Diplomat, to explore the the implications of the incident on diplomatic ties between the two countries.

This is a report by Wan Irdina

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The hunger strike, a pressure tactic of self-starvation mostly associated to Mahatma Gandhi, has drawn international media attention to the human rights violations committed in federal prisons in Iran, mostly to political prisoners.

Two months ago, Saeed Shirzad sewed his lips together. The political activist began a hunger strike to protest the unreported deaths of prisoners as a result of abuse at the hands of prison officials in Iran.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores the human rights abuse in Iranian federal prisons.

This is a report by Emir Zainul.

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The Nepal government announced in February that over 600 transgender individuals applied for civil service jobs in the country last year, the first time in its history that they were able to check a box on official forms as a “third gender.”

This comes nearly 10 years after Nepal’s Supreme Court first ruled that gender orientation should be based on what an individual identifies him or herself to be.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores how Nepal arose as a leader in transgender rights in the region.

This is a report by Tan Zhai Yun.

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Last week, the global communications marketing firm Edelman released its annual Trust Barometer. The survey revealed that trust is in crisis around the world. The general population’s trust in all four key institutions, namely business, government, NGOs, and the media, has declined broadly -- the first time it’s done so in five years. 

In this climate, the public’s societal and economic concerns can easily turn into fear, which could explain the rise of populism now playing out in several Western democracies.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores the current level of the Malaysian public’s trust towards these four crucial institutions. 

This is a report by Emir Zainul.

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A massive rally to support RUU 355, which is a proposed amendment that will increase the limits of Syariah punishments, was held last Saturday at Padang Merbok.

According to police estimates, close to 20,000 people attended the event organized by PAS. A counter rally protesting the amendment was held in Petaling Jaya on the same day, but only around 200 people showed up at that event.

Some analysts say that the large turnout at the rally demonstrates widespread support for the proposed amendments, but others are not convinced.

To understand the impact and significance of the rallies, BFM speaks to Rashaad Ali, a research analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

This is a report by Jason Lim and Wan Irdina. 

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DMK, the opposition party in India's Tamil Nadu has announced a statewide hunger strike on Feb. 22 in protest against the appointment of Edappadi Palaniswami or EPS as the Chief Minister of the state last week. The move is the latest episode in the tussle for the state's leadership since the death of former Chief Minister J.Jayalalitha in December and the arrest of her successor V.K Sasikala this month.

BFM explores the odds stacked up against EPS from the ruling AIADMK party as he attempts to weather one of India's greatest political storms.

This is a report by Shawn Tanis.

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Today on Current Affairs, we continue our analysis on JAKIM’s efforts to help the LGBT community. 

BFM explores the guidelines laid out by the country’s highest Islamic authority to accept, educate and rehabilitate homosexual Muslims in Malaysia.

This is a report by Wan Irdina. 

If you missed the first part, click here for Part I.

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A 3-minute video produced by JAKIM on homosexuality has gone viral this week on social media. The video mainly propagates that one's sexual orientation can be reversed with appropriate guidance. JAKIM, at the same time, believes that the LGBT community should not be alienated.

BFM dissects how the country’s highest Islamic authority plans to handle non-heterosexual Muslims. 

This is a report by Wan Irdina.

Click here for Part II. 

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A Malaysian ship docked in Bangladesh last week, carrying aid for some 70 thousand Rohingya Muslims who have fled Myanmar, many citing abuses by the country's security forces.

This comes as the Bangladesh government is pushing ahead with a controversial move to relocate these refugees to a remote, uninhabitable island which is prone to flooding.

The international community however has condemned the idea, as it would strip away their rights to freedom of movement, livelihood, food and education.

BFM explores Dhaka's motivations for the move, and whether it will alleviate or instead worsen the abuse and persecution faced by the Rohingya community.

This is a report by Wan Irdina. 

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