Current Affairs

The Presidential race in The Philippines is fast approaching its day of reckoning with polls set for May 9th. We share a long and very porous sea-border with this ASEAN neighbour, in what is a politically volatile region. Indeed The Philippines’ claim to Sabah continues to animate the politics there especially in the Muslim-dominated South. Today we look at the controversial front runner, what a Détente win would mean for the region and the economy of The Philippines.

This report is by Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan.

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Following the nominations for the Sarawak state elections yesterday, parties with the Pakatan Harapan - PKR and DAP - are at loggerheads in 6 seats. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has expressed his disappointment at being “shortchanged”, while PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali referred to the clashes as “unfortunate”. Does this spell trouble for the coalition not just for the next General Elections but in the 2 states it governs? While opposition parties are looking at a drubbing in this 11th state elections, the question remains will the Barisan Nasional headed by the popular Adenan Satem be able to deliver on the much touted Autonomy platform.

This is a report by Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan.

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PBB is the lynchpin of Barisan Nasional in Sarawak. It won 35 of the 71 seats at the last elections. And is expected to contest 40 out of 82 seats. And its strength is in rural Sarawak where 66 seats are located. PBB and its allied parties are expected to hold on to its rural base as by all accounts it is going into this election riding a wave of popularity for the new Chief Minister. But will this translate into support for all Barisan Nasional candidates? Recent surveys show that Sarawakians are happy with Barisan Nasional at the state level but not as happy with Barisan Nasional at the Federal level. Today we ask how is PBB dealing with this contradiction. 

This report is by Sharaad Kuttan.

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The people of Kuantan have been adversely affected by the side effects of bauxite mining, and therefore welcomed the recent extension on the ban on unregulated mining of the aluminium ore, citing health concerns. Today we analyze the public health and safety concerns which lead to the moratorium’s extension, including the possible heavy metal poisoning of Kuantan’s water supply.

This is a report by Jason Lim.

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On the 19th of April 2016, the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs convened to spell out the future of global drug policy. The World Drug Problem has been an item on the UN Agenda for nearly twenty years- the last Special Session on Drugs took place in 1998. What kind of reforms can we expect to see? Where does Malaysia stand in the debate?

This is a report by Sharyl Kaur and Lyn Mak.

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The Finance Ministry has decided to freeze the intake of new recruits in the public sector, effective 1st March. The move has been strongly opposed by the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) on the basis that it will lead to increased unemployment among SPM school leavers. Should our government be acting as an employer of last resort? Is the freeze merely an accounting exercise by the Ministry, or is it driven by more compelling reasons?

This is a report by Aisyah Tajuddin and Tan Yuen Yuen.

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Villagers affected by the Baram dam celebrated a victory after the Sarawak government announced last month that it would revoke the gazette over land earmarked for the hydroelectric project and its reservoir. It was a victory that acknowledged the community’s customary land rights. Some 20,000 people from 30 villages would have been affected if the gazette which allowed for the acquisition their land was maintained. Today we explore the reasons of the revocation of the gazette under Sarawak’s Land Code, and the events leading up to the halting of the project.

This report is by Sonia Naidu and Keith Kam.

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Controversial Mumbai-based Muslim preacher and Tokoh Maal Hijrah awardee continues to divide public opinion and even politicians within both the Barisan Nasional and Pakistan Harapan. Harsh criticism by Penang Second Deputy Chief Minister, P Ramasamy, has been met with a Molotov cocktail attack on his service center. Will police restrictions on the topics he can speak about and demand that he not “denigrate other religions” calm frayed nerves? This morning we look at why some conversations are so difficult.

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Following the dissolution of the Sarawak State Assembly, the contest for leadership of the East Malaysian state begins in earnest. This Thursday the Election Commission with decide on both Nomination and Polling dates. Today we ask if the elections are a barometer of national sentiment or is this a purely Sarawak affair; if the recent Sarawak electoral boundary delimitation exercise made the contest between the parties unfair; and what would the strong mandate for Adenan’s government mean for the Autonomy agenda?

This is a report by Sharaad Kuttan.

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China is both the largest and the most aggressive of the claimants in the South China Sea dispute. Seeing as China is also Malaysia's largest trading partner, Malaysia often finds itself caught between a rock and a hard place when trying to address incursions into Malaysian waters. How will Malaysia balance diplomatic links with China and national security? BFM explores.

This is a report by Sharyl Kaur and Lyn Mak.

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