Current Affairs

Yesterday’s landmark ruling by the United Nation’s Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague concluded that there is no legal basis for the People’s Republic of China to claim historical rights to resources within what it calls the "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea. This ruling which cannot be enforced sets into motion several possible scenarios. Following the ruling, we look at how the decisions of various stakeholders will shape peace and security in the region.

This is a report by Sharaad Kuttan.

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The U.S State department released its Annual Trafficking in Persons Report on July 1st, and it is known as the benchmark index for global anti-trafficking commitments. Malaysia remains on the Tier 2 Watch List, despite mass graves were found in Wang Kelian, prompting worries about the state of human trafficking in the country.

Today, BFM evaluates the report, the current situation of human trafficking in Malaysia, and whether or not it is conceivable for the country to be upgraded to Tier 1 by the year 2020.

This is a report by Sharyl Kaur and Wan Irdina

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Australia went to the polls over the weekend following a double dissolution by the government of Malcolm Turnbull. But we will not know the result for some days yet as counting in tight seats continues. According to the BBC, 12 out of 150 lower house seats remain in doubt, with the counting of pre-poll, postal and absentee votes to resume on tomorrow. While the Labor is in the lead, incumbent Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has not conceded the elections and said yesterday that he expects to get the 76 seats he needs to form a new administration. Today we ask what dynamics underscored voting patterns and if the political uncertainties will damage Australia in the near future.

This is a report by Sharaad Kuttan.

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In late June, police confirmed a mother’s report that her 10-year old son was befriended and sexually harassed online by a child sex predator. Although Richard Huckle - who was convicted of sexually abusing 200 children - is now behind bars, the news shows that sexually predatory behaviour is not limited to foreigners, and continues beyond the Internet. Many have bypassed defences in our institutions and immigration system, threatening the safety of children. We explore the flaws in the screening processes of Malaysian establishments that are meant to safeguard children.

This is a report by Wang Junmey.

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The minimum wage was first introduced in January 2013 to assist the government’s New Economic Model policy, which aims to transform Malaysia from a middle-income to a high-income economy by the year 2020. During  Budget 2016, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said his government planned to increase minimum wage in the country. We look at possible repercussions. 

This is a report by Jason Lim and Sonia Naidu.

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On Saturday, the 2nd of July, Australia will go to the polls after what observers have noted as the second longest election campaign in Australia's history. At the end of May, the widely respected Roy Morgan Gallup poll put the Labour party ahead of the Liberals at 51% to 49%. However, most recent polls, factoring that both parties are in their respective coalitions show that the Liberal-National Party coalition has edged ahead.

Today we ask who the main players are; the possible role of independents, policies platforms and also which side represents a better deal for Malaysians who look to Australia as a destination for education, investment and even migration.

This is a report by Sharaad Kuttan. 

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In the wake of Richard Huckle’s conviction for sexual abuse cases involving Malaysian children, the Education Ministry is making efforts to combat pedophilia and sexual abuse by upgrading the content of the Reproduction and Social Health syllabus (PEERS). Today, we take a look at the curriculum and ask if an upgrade would be enough to provide students with the relevant knowledge to deal with problems such as sexual predators.

This is a report by Wan Irdina.

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Last week, Indonesia banned its vessels from sailing to The Philippines, after seven Indonesian sailors were kidnapped at gunpoint, and are now being held hostage by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants. This follows the kidnapping and release of four Malaysian sailors, the beheading of a Canadian hostage and a spate of violent incidents over the past year, involving the group based in the Southern Philippines.

Today we explore Abu Sayyaf’s kidnapping industry, the group’s growing allegiance to the Islamic State, and possible measures that authorities can take to curb its criminal activities.

This report is by Jason Lim.

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Last Friday, the UMNO Supreme Council sacked former Deputy President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as well as former Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir. On Sunday they responded to the allegations that they had undermined the party.

This is a report by Keith Kam.

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Putrajaya's revenue has taken a hit, thanks to slumping oil prices. Online businesses or e-commerce, an industry that sees a turnover in the billions of ringgit annually, has moved into the Finance Ministry's radar as a potential source of revenue. The Inland Revenue Board has now been tasked with finding a way to milk this. We explore the growth of e-commerce in Malaysia, how taxation can be imposed on it and how the industry itself can be affected.

This is a report by Keith Kam.

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