Current Affairs

Earlier this year, the Nobel-prize winning economist, Paul Krugman, wrote: “The intervals between economic crises seems to be getting shorter, and the fallout from each one seems to be worse than the last.”

While some parts of the world are still struggling to recover from the 2008 global financial crisis, there are already signs indicating that the next crisis is not too far off the horizon — especially for economies riding on credit-fuelled growth.

Is this outlook unnecessary pessimism? Or is it a realistic expectation? And if it is, how will another crisis impact Malaysia?

Listen to the podcast for excerpts from the Perdana Leadership Foundation CEO Forum 2014 and its session on ‘How Strong is Malaysia? A Resilience Scorecard for Malaysia’.

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Beijing's decision to vet candidates for Hong Kong's 2017 elections through a nomination committee demonstrates their reluctance to allow full democracy for the Special Administrative Region. In response, peaceful protests have been held since the National People's Congress Standing Committee's decision on vetting candidates was passed in August. The latest in the series, which involved 14,000 university students, ends today but the Occupy Central movement is expected to begin its protests on the 1st of October. Will Beijing give in?

This is a report by Haniff Baharudin

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In a fortnight, we will have the tabling of the Budget. Questions that often arise are how sound these proposals are economically, and to what extent the government will adhere to its cost estimates. Today, we look at a proposal to strengthen the check and balance function that the legislature provides. We speak to Nur Jazlan, who proposed a mechanism, akin to an Office of Budgetary Estimates, to aid the legislature in its role to scrutinise budgets.

This is a report by Aziff Azuddin.

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Azmin Ali has been sworn in as the new Menteri Besar of Selangor. His appointment follows the controversial crisis that has stretched over a period of several months. Questions now arise on how he will lead Malaysia's richest state and what he will bring to the table. We explore this question with a political analyst and constitutional law expert.

This is a report by Aziff Azuddin & Haniff Baharudin.

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Reporting from the recently concluded 60th PAS Muktamar, Sheridan gives us a run down on the many issues facing the party. Sheridan wrote in the run up to the Annual General Meeting that the party was facing a trust deficit with the electorate, and that contradictions between the party's ideological commitments and the demands of working in a modern political coalition were coming to a head. He quoted a senior PAS leader, saying that mood going into the Muktamar was "bleak".

We also ask if party President Hadi Awang has the support of the majority of the party, and if the party if aligned with grassroots sentiment.

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Another book on federalism as it is practiced in Malaysia is in the works. This comes after the recent publication of “50 Years of Malaysia: Federalism Revisited”, edited by Andrew J. Harding and James Chin. Francis Hutchinson and Wong Chin Huat edit this new book. We look at the approach this new book will take and the principle of subsidiarity that some observers think might be a direction to move in.

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Over four million people in Scotland will vote today in a referendum on whether or not to remain part of the United Kingdom. The latest “Poll of Polls” published by ScotCen Social Research puts the ‘No’ vote at 51 percent, and ‘Yes’ just two points behind, at 49 percent. In a vote where the winning side needs 50% + 1 of votes cast, it is clear that neither side can now be completely confident of victory. Melisa Idris asks why the referendum is too close to call.

This is a report by Melisa Idris.

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It has been five months since US President Barack Obama's articulated his "Pivot to Asia" policy. It signalled his Administration's outreach to Asia-Pacific nations on both economic and regional concerns. In his 2011 speech to the Australian parliament, he said "Let there be no doubt: in the Asia-Pacific in the 21st century, the United States of America is all in". In the background is China, with its territorial claims in the South China Sea and its growing status as an economic force. We explore how will members states of ASEAN deal with the shifting balance of power in the Asia-Pacific?

This is a report by Aziff Azuddin.

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Yesterday, a rare campus-based rally was organised by Universiti Malaya’s academic staff union - Persatuan Kakitangan Akademik Universiti Malaya - in support of its president and law professor Azmi Sharom recently charged with sedition. A 300-strong crowd, made up of students, lecturers, and politicians, gathered peacefully to demand academic freedom, as well as the repeal of the Sedition Act. Azmi Swas charged with sedition last week for comments he made to the media on the 2009 Perak crisis. BFM was there to record the event.

This is a report by Haniff Baharudin

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As part of our coverage for Malaysia Day, we take a closer look at the state of literacy in East Malaysia. Sarawak and Sabah occupy the lowest two spots in the national statistics of literacy.

Accessibility to the schools in the rural areas remains the obvious barrier, but there is also a mindset of indifference about education within the community that contributes to the low level of literacy in the Borneo states.

Listen to the podcast to better understand the social and cultural constraints that keep East Malaysian children out of schools.

 
This is a report by Haniff Baharudin

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