Talkback

Ramadan bazaars are a cherished tradition, bringing together food, culture, and community in a vibrant, festive atmosphere. From traditional delights to creative fusion dishes, they offer something for everyone. But with rising costs, food safety concerns, and staggering food waste, are they losing their charm? We pose this question to you: What do you love most about Ramadan bazaars, what frustrates you, and do you have any must-try recommendations?

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Era FM’s recent controversy over a video that allegedly mocked a Thaipusam ritual has reignited conversations about cultural awareness and respect. While the DJs have apologized, the reaction underscores the importance of understanding traditions and cultures beyond surface-level perceptions.

So we asked our listeners how much of other cultures have they explored and what culture would they like to learn more about?

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KL Reads has turned silent reading into a social experience, drawing nearly 100 people to Perdana Botanical Gardens every Saturday. The movement, founded by public health professional Navina in 2023, has been running for over 90 consecutive weeks. While participants remain silent, many say it helps them focus, rekindle their love for books, and even form friendships—particularly among introverts.

So we ask you: Do you prefer flying solo, or do you thrive in a group? And beyond reading, what activities do you enjoy alone or with others?

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Uncle Kentang sparked debate after calling out restaurants for sidelining seniors who struggle with digital ordering. Some say printed menus should always be an option, while others argue it's time to adapt. So we ask listeners: Are QR code menus a smart convenience or an unnecessary hassle? And beyond menus, what else has technology made worse?

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A UN-commissioned study highlights a growing youth mental health crisis in six English-speaking countries: the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. This crisis disrupts the traditional U-shaped happiness curve, with young people now reporting lower happiness than older generations. So this got us thinking about the the trajectory of our happiness, so we ask our listeners: What age were they the most carefree? And whether their experience of happiness changed over time?

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Now, the argument against transitioning from a car-centric nation often centers on the lack of first and last mile connectivity affecting our public transport systems. But imagine a Malaysia where our public transport is highly efficient and accessible. Would it be enough to persuade people to stop driving? We find out, with our listeners.

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Perak is projected to reach ageing status by the year 2030, which will make it the first state to do so. This means Perak needs to step up its game in terms of policies that support the elderly. Amidst these conversations are also questions about the idea of ageing, and whether that is something to look forward to or be afraid of. We explore this question with our listeners.

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To mark the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day, we explore the mother tongues spoken by our listeners, and their relationship with languages.

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A trend about meeting one's younger self for coffee has taken the online world by storm, with over 16 million posts of people sharing what their advice to their younger version. Many spoke about healing their past self, reflecting on topics like body image, career planning and relationships. The popularity of this trend is attributed to the idea that it's easier to practice self-love when speaking to a child, and in this case, someone's internal child, rather than an adult. So we ask our listeners: if they could meet their younger self, what would they say?

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The Education Ministry has clarified that only headmasters or authorised teachers can cane students for bullying—parents or guardians of victims are not allowed to do so. But is caning an effective form of punishment, or does it do more harm than good? We get into it.

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