Current Affairs

In 2015, over 1 million people – refugees, displaced persons, and other migrants – have made their way to Europe. They are either escaping conflict in their country and in search of better economic prospects. While the numbers have shown a decreasing trend in 2016, yet over 100,000 people reached Europe in June.

Today, we look back at Europe’s refugee crisis and explore the efforts made by European authorities to reduce the surge of refugees into the continent.

This is a report by Wan Irdina

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While Asia’s Trump - Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte - visits our shores, we continue to be wrapped up in the story that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Headlines this morning suggest a range from anxiety (Sinar Harian) to contempt (Malay Mail). But are these sentiments grounded in the facts about the man and his worldview? Today we explore how a Trump presidency will shape politics closer to home.

This is a report by Sharaad Kuttan.

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The line dividing normal, everyday conversations from ‘offensive’ speech is sometimes very thin. Under Malaysian legislation, speech that offends the religious feelings or sensibilities of others, can be penalised.

BFM explores the laws surrounding offensive speech, as well as its appearance on social media.

Lyn Mak has the story.

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We take a deeper look at the recent case of a teacher who is under investigation for allegedly molesting nine students at a Tamil primary school in Hulu Selangor. He was transferred to another school, with the authorities assuring they would monitor him closely.

Was this the right move on the part of the Ministry of Education? Should he be presumed innocent until proven guilty? We speak to James Nayagam, Chairman of the Suriana Welfare Society.

This is a report by Shawn Tanis and Wan Irdina. 

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Prime Minister Najib Razak is in China on a six-day visit. This comes after the visit of Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte’s turn away from the US and pivot towards China was characterised by a kind of colourful aplomb that we’ve come to expect from the Filipino leader.

By contrast, Najib has not engaged in such grandstanding, but analysts are reading a similar narrative in his visit. A “wobbly domino” is one expression that’s been used, while others frame the Malaysian position as a balanced approach considering the new realities.

To help us unpack the many issues unfolding is Prashanth Parameswaran, associate editor for the current affairs magazine, The Diplomat.

This is a report by Sharaad Kuttan, Jason Lim, Emir Zainul, and Wan Irdina. 

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Yesterday, Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali tabled the state budget of RM3.45 billion on a forecasted revenue of RM2.55 billion leading to a deficit of RM900 million. Last year the Selangor government allocated RM2.88 billion for its 2016 Budget on an expected revenue of RM2.244 billion.

Today, we ask if this is an election budget with its increased allowances to Ketua Kampung, doubling on free bus services, increased allocations to vernacular schools, and an additional bonus for civil servants. Critics have also pointed to the strategy of running a deficit while maintaining high reserves. In August, Azmin noted that the government is looking at diversifying its revenue source and we ask what concrete measure is the state government taking to achieve this? And if too much emphasis has been placed on redistribution and not on aiding business generate growth.

This report is by Sharaad Kuttan.

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Last year, the Selangor government allocated RM2.88 billion for its 2016 Budget. In terms of scale, this is just 1% of the Federal budget 2017 at RM260.8 billion. At a round-table discussion of the state 2017 Budget in August this year Menteri Besar Azmin Ali has set out the State government’s agenda. Chief among it is diversifying the state government’s sources of revenue and reviewing the state’s poverty line.

Today, we look at the issues relevant to the state’s budget.

This report is by Ibrahim Sani and Sharaad Kuttan.

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Looking beyond the numbers, we speak about the problem of implementation of the budget, the persistent concerns over leakages and the lack of thinking about creating mechanism to address them. We speak to the only socialist in the august house about the conversation that needs to happen if the Budget is to be a serious document and not an exercise in public relations. 

This is a report by Sharaad Kuttan. 

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Before the Budget announcement Jeffrey Kitingan, Bingkor State Assemblyman, was reported asking; “will Budget 2017 see the return of the 40% Net Revenue Entitlement and other additional revenues assigned to Sabah and agreed in the formation of Malaysia in 1963 and entrenched in the Federal Constitution?” On Friday, the answer was unequivocal: But the increasingly vocal demands based on the notion of “state rights” is not going away anytime despite the use of the Sedition Act. Some 11 of the over 400 sedition cases from 2010 till this year relate to talk of Sabah and Sarawak in the Federation.

Today we explore the Budget 2017 from Sabah's perspective. 

This is a report by Sharaad Kuttan. 

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UMNO Division Chief and Red Shirt Group Leader, Dato' Jamal Yunos was remanded yesterday to aid investigations following numerous police reports lodged against him for allegedly inciting hate and violence. This comes after the growing tensions between Bersih and the Red Shirts supporters in the past few weeks, ahead of the Bersih 5 rally.

BFM explores the rise of the Red Shirts, if it will have any effect on the political landscape of Malaysia, and the role of relevant authorities in managing the movement-countermovement dynamic.

This is a report by Sharyl Kaur and Wan Irdina

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