Current Affairs

Paul James, a Beijing-based correspondent at China Radio International, discusses:

- China's leadership transition - implications for US - rest of the world;

- Corruption - boosting political integrity;

- China's rising territorialism - protecting its maritime interests - to be prepared for "local war" in the information age - how should neighbouring countries view a stronger China military;

- Economic issues - undervalued Yuan - addressing imbalance to boost domestic consumption.

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Umapagan Ampikaipakan, BFM presenter, updates us on the US presidential elections, the likely outcome in the swing states, Virginia, Florida, and Ohio, and whether a tie in electoral votes is likely.

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James Jesudason, a Professor in Social Science at the Colorado School of Mines, tells the likely outcome of the US presidential elections.

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We speak with Pat Lu and Al Jazzura Khan, customers and senior consultants at Genneva Malaysia, on their predicament after Bank Negara Malaysia and other authorities raided the company. 

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US President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney have engaged in the first of the three presidential debates to defend their tax plans. What were the hot topics discussed and who won round one? In the following interview, BFM’s correspondent Sharaad Kuttan, who was on the ground in Washington covering the US presidential elections, has the answers. 

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In the following interview, Umapagan Ampikaipakan discusses with BFM's correspondent Sharaad Kuttan the expectations ahead of the first round of US presidential debates between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Sharaad was in Washington to cover the US presidential debate, which comprises six 15-minute segments focusing on the economy.

For the Post-US presidential debate interview, click here.

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The recently announced Budget 2013 has been widely considered to be an election budget, with a large number of goodies and incentives given to different sections of the public. 
However, observers say that the Budget lacked concrete measures to address Malaysia’s 15 years of consecutive federal budget deficit and a federal government debt of RM502.4 billion -- the highest ever in the nation’s history.
In the following interview, Santitarn Santhirathai, economist at Credit Suisse Singapore discusses how the Budget stacks up from Malaysia’s fiscal perspective.

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In conjunction with the Budget 2013 announcement later today (Sept 28), Yee Wing Peng, Country Tax Leader of Deloitte Malaysia, gleans from regional examples on how Malaysia can broaden its income tax base and address the issue of affordable housing. He also explains why the government should revamp its tax incentive framework, as well as his expectations of Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) and Goods & Services Tax (GST) in Budget 2013.

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Recently, the Asli Centre of Public Policy Studies highlighted gaps in the newly announced National Education Blueprint, saying that these issues must be addressed to avoid “greater polarisation and national disunity” in Malaysia. 

In the following interview, Tan Sri Dato Ramon Navaratnam, chairman of the Asli Centre of Public Policy Studies, discusses his views of the NEB, the importance of mastering English to advance education, as well as why he doesn't agree with the introduction of English medium schools in Malaysia

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Recently, the National Education Blueprint was launched to reform and improve the current state of education in Malaysia. The blueprint details the 11 phases or shifts of key reform, that will be implemented over the next 13 years.

In the following interview, Pradeep Nair, Deputy Vice‐Chancellor at Taylor’s University, shares his perspective on the National Education Blueprint and whether it will bring significant change to Malaysian students and future university undergraduates.

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