Current Affairs

The blasphemy trial of the Governor of Jakarta is capturing headlines globally as it is seen as a barometer of the influence of Islamic supremacists in Indonesian politics. It resumes today after a brief adjournment. Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or Ahok as he is called, was accused of committing blasphemy after he referred to a verse of the Qur'an while he was delivering a speech in September this year.

Today we ask if this trial is about an instance of blasphemy or is it more about the identity of the Governor - both a Christian and an Ethnic Chinese. We also ask if the trial will address the underlying struggle for state power that is being played out in the background.

Sharaad Kuttan reports.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Current Affairs, we will be exploring the Syariah Court’s Criminal Jurisdiction Act. After PAS leader Datuk Seri Hadi Awang announced that the Rang Undang-Undang 355 will be tabled in parliament next year, many are curious as to what the act entails, and whether or not it will eventually implement the hudud law.

This is a report by Azlyn Balqis and Wan Irdina

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2015 Programme for International Student Assessment, or PISA report, has grabbed both national and international headlines. This comes after Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, showed significant improvement in their test results.

Back home, the education ministry announced that Malaysia’s PISA results has also improved, and is moving towards hitting the global average. However, reports have stated that Malaysia was not included in the 2015 PISA ranking.

We dissect the controversy surrounding the PISA report, and ask; what can Malaysia learn from the latest test results?

This is a report by Ezra Zaid, Aisyah Tajuddin and Wan Irdina.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Auditor-General’s Report 2015 Series 2, released last month, highlighted numerous shortcomings in the financial management of Federal Government, federal statutory bodies and state governments. This is the latest in a series of AG’s reports, revealing wastage and mismanagement of public funds. But what measures has the government taken to solve this problem?

We continue our discussion on Putrajaya’s response to these revelations, as well as issues such as detention without trial and the proposed corporate liability bill.

This is a report by Jason Lim. 

Click here for Part I.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although it’s been a couple of months now, we’ve yet to see any outcome of the probe into the Sabah Water Department’s graft scandal, in which officials were alleged to have abused their powers by awarding contracts to companies owned by their family members or cronies.

BFM explores Putrajaya's response to this issue, and to also follow up on the government’s plans for legislation like the Whistleblower Act and Freedom of Information laws.

This is a report by Jason Lim.

Click here for Part II.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The indigenous people in Malaysia have been building barriers on jungle trails as one of their earliest forms of defense mechanisms against deforestation. The method has been used by the Orang Asli and Orang Asal in Malaysia, since the 1980s.

Recently, the Temiar community near Gua Musang, Kelantan, have set up blockades to protect their ancestral land from logging companies. Over 50 of them were arrested last week following a standoff resulting from this move.

Ahead of the World Human Rights Day tomorrow, we explore the plight of the Orang Asli community at the Balah Forest Reserve. This is where over 200 people, including women and children are battling multi million dollar deforestation projects with blockades made from basic materials like bamboo, wood and rattan.

This is a report by Shawn Tanis.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selangor has experienced continuous water disruptions in the state for the past year, affecting almost 1.6 million of its residents. The matter has been blamed on a number of issues, from poor water pipes maintenance to river pollutions from other states.

In October, BFM talked to MP’s Charles Santiago and Ong Kian Ming on what can the authorities do to mitigate the issue. Now, we decided to sit down with Former Selangor MB, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and get his thoughts on the issue, since it was under his leadership the water takeover talks were initiated.

This is a report by Aisyah Tajuddin. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Current Affairs, we continue our conversation on the current condition of migrant workers in Malaysia.

One of the alarming issues surrounding foreign workforce is how Malaysia has managed its increasing dependency on migrant human resource. BFM explores.

This is a report by Emir Zainul.

This is Part II of this story, click here for Part I. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two major global electronic brands, Samsung and Panasonic, has been accused of mistreating foreign migrant workers in one of their factories in Port Klang. The abuse was brought to light by a series of articles published by the Guardian last month. This has raised multiple concerns over the management of migrant workers in Malaysia.

BFM explores the current condition of migrant workers in Malaysia, and how are they exposed to such abuse and exploitation.

This is a report by Emir Zainul.

This is Part I of this story, click here for Part II.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, UMNO Delegates gathered in PWTC for the annual UMNO General Assembly. 

It has been a challenging year for the party after Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad announced the formation of his Party Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia. Concerns are mounting among Datuk Seri Najib Razak's supporters that Tun Mahathir’s new party may split the Malay vote. However, pundits argue that Najib has succeeded in cementing his leadership within the party, and they are all charged up for GE14. 

We analyzed what was discussed during the General Assembly, and whether the party can unite ahead of the 14th General Election. 

This is a report by Jason Lim and Wan Irdina. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.