Current Affairs

The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement has been signed by all 12 member nations. Each country now has until February 2018 to get it passed at their respective legislative assemblies. At this point, Malaysia is the only one that has done so at the Dewan Rakyat.

We find out where the TPP is, and how uncertainty caused by the US Presidential Election this November might (or might not) affect its progress.

This is a report by Keith Kam and Wan Irdina.

Go to TPPA Yea or Nay for an earlier update on the TPP.

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Malaysia, along with the rest of the Asian countries, has been embarking on reforms to push through growth amid a slowing global landscape.

We explore how Malaysia has come along with its reform efforts, where it stands within Asia, if it faces a risk in lagging behind the region's reform efforts, and most importantly, what could be done better.

This is a report by Wei Lynn Tang.

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The Malaysian government has proposed establishing Parliamentary Select Committees, or PSCs as part of measures to reform parliament to better serve the country. Citizens Groups such as G25 want these PSCs be used to select heads of important bodies such as the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission. They also want permanent Committees to be established to oversee critical areas such as finance, the environment and human rights.

We explore how PSCs in Australia and the UK function to gain some insights into best practices that Malaysia’s own parliamentary select committees can emulate.

This is a report by Jason Lim.

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With Round One of the US presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump now over, pundits say Trump came across brash and confrontational, while Clinton seemed calm and collected under fire. Is that an accurate assessment? Ankit Panda, associate editor for the current affairs magazine The Diplomat, weighs in.

This is a report by Melisa Idris.

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In the 1960’s and 70’s, student activism in newly-independent Malaysia was at its peak. During that early period of political upheaval and socio-economic struggle, the student union became a force to be reckoned with, and an instrument for change.

Could this be the case again today? The amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 allows students to be involved in politics, but only on a restricted basis. Government officials have also repeatedly urged students to focus on their studies rather than get involved in politics. 

This is a report by Liyana Zulkifli, Wan Irdina, and Lyn Mak.

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In 2010, the cabinet formed a committee to promote interfaith understanding and harmony. This comes after a research found that Malaysians lacked knowledge of the religions and beliefs of others. After several interfaith dialogues, the Committee to Promote Inter-Faith Understanding and Harmony has recently proposed that interfaith studies should be incorporated in the education system. Today, BFM explores the implementation of such subject and its significance to Malaysians.

This is a report by Shawn Tanis.

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Spurred by the collapse in oil prices, Saudi Arabia has come up with Vision 2030, a plan to lower its dependence on oil exports and diversify the economy. However, the Kingdom faces a tough balancing act, as it seeks to trim its fiscal deficit through a period of prolonged low crude oil prices, whilst dealing with increasing youth unemployment.

Will Saudi Arabia be successful in achieving their Vision 2030? BFM explores.

This is a report by Lee Sheung Un and Keith Kam.

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Among the many criticisms leveled against the Association Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, disunity is most alarming. From the South China Sea dispute to free trade, the 10-member bloc of ASEAN has been unable to offer a unified stance on the region's most pressing issues. 

This, however, is not the first time ASEAN has failed to act on the prevalent issues in the region. In 2006 and 2014, the bloc maintained a deafening silence as the Thai military staged a coup d’ etat and seized government power.

Has ASEAN been promoting the people-centred community - a concept they aspired to be 49 years ago - and is it able to stay united in the future? BFM explores.

This is a report by Wan Irdina. 

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It appears house-buyers now have a helping hand if they can't get the loan they need to buy their homes, thanks to the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry which has given property developers the licence to lend money. Is this a good idea? Who will benefit and who will lose out? Or will this be the win-win solution it was intended to be?

We find out from stakeholders on both sides of the divide - the property developers and the house buyers.

This is a report by Keith Kam.

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On August 24th Turkish forces invaded Syria, joining the likes of the US, Russia and Iran as the latest foreign power to intervene in the war torn country. We explore Turkey’s motivations for joining the Syrian conflict, and how this may unravel the already complex relationships between the various groups and foreign powers, fighting for control of the country.

This is a report by Jason Lim

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