Talkback

When it comes to education, we’ve really seen the discourse swell over the past few years. Global education has truly evolved and we’ve seen many countries trying to find ways to move education into the 21st century and yet here in Malaysia, there seems to be a feeling of inertia. Meaningful change will take time of course, but we'd like to know what you'd do. On Talkback Thursday today, we’d like you to tell us: What sort of changes you would like to see if you were the Education Minister. Our lines will be open.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an article in FMT today, financial planner Robert Foo of MyFP Services wrote about young Malaysians and their relationships with credit cards.His take on the status quo, is that many fresh grads end up misusing their credit cards, spending on lavish lifestyles and shiny new gadgets - essentially, luxuries, rather than necessities. His advice is to use a credit card as a ‘payment utility’, rather than a cash-up-front device. So on Talkback today, we're asking: Should fresh grads be given credit cards?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Beauty and the Beast debacle has been the topic of discussion this whole week. Our Film Censorship Board (LPF) has said the film is good to go with the inclusion of a minor edit. But in the end, film distributor Walt Disney decided to pull the film off our screens altogether, rejecting the cuts made. So on Talkback today, we're asking: What should or shouldn't be censored in our cinemas? Our lines will be open.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world celebrated International Women's Day yesterday, and many have come out voicing the importance of having more women in the forefront of things. Our very own Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin expressed his wish for a Malaysian society that would move on from being "patriarchal" and "misogynistic" in objectifying women. He added that he also wishes for a female Prime Minister by the year 2050, which is the Najib's administration's target date for Malaysia to achieve developed nationhood. On Talkback Thursday this evening, we'd like to know what your thoughts are about this. Is Malaysia ready for a female Prime Minister? Our lines will be open.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A public library in Oregon, USA is starting a new programme called ‘Adulting 101,’ which is essentially a bunch of classes geared towards helping young people become functioning adults.

The course also includes life skills beyond university like modules on writing a resume and getting a job, moving out and finding an apartment, and more.

So based on that, we’d like to ask you today, do millennials lack life skills or do you think Malaysian millennials are just fine as they are? Our lines will be open.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Saturday, we all saw the reports of an awful cycling mishap that claimed the lives of 8 teenage boys, injuring a further 8. The incident took place at about 3am in Johor Bahru after the group was hit by a woman driving a Nissan Almera. A few days after the incident, the Star published a report that focused on the grieving parents. It talked about how the parents, already distraught at having lost their children, are now being subject to the comments about irresponsible parenting. They made a plea asking for people (netizens) to stop making hurtful comments and to respect their need to grieve.

So we're asking you today, is a child’s behaviour always a reflection of his/her parents?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Treasury Secretary General Tan Sri Sheriff Mohd Kassim at a recent forum called for the civil service to be downsized. This suggestion has been shot down by The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services or Cuepacs. Last year, public servants pay totalled RM74 billion with pensions amounting to about RM19 billion. Collectively, these payments formed the biggest portion of government’s operating expenditure.

So in the face of the rising cost of living, and a challenging economic climate, naturally, burgeoning remuneration and pensions are easy targets. We’re asking you if you think that’s fair? Do you think we have a bloated civil service? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, Taiwan-based Chatime revoked the rights of its Malaysian franchise owner from operating the chain they’ve been building for 6 years. Chatime has 800 outlets worldwide, and Malaysia accounts for more than half of their turnover. In fact, some assumed Chatime was a Malaysian brand until this story broke. They now have less than 45 days to rebrand all 165 outlets, but CEO Bryan Loo is confident that Malaysian consumers will continue to give their support. However, will it be for the bubble tea we know and love or will it be for the Malaysian brand behind it? We want to hear from you. So today we’re asking:

Are Malaysians supportive of Made-in-Malaysia brands? When and why would you choose to go local?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Monday, there was news that the government was considering banning the kapcai, or underbone motorcycles, from entering Kuala Lumpur. The Federal Territories Minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor has said that this is to reduce carbon emissions and congestion in the city, as well as to reduce crime. The news became viral on social media, drawing much backlash from people who disagreed with it. This evening on Talkback Thursday, we're asking you, should kapcais be banned in KL?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Malaysians have our fair share of heroes. Most recently, Mohd Faiz Subri created history by winning FIFA’s prestigious Puskas Award. But Malaysians were quick to swap their support for stick and stones by criticising Faiz's command of the English language after he delivered his acceptance speech at the award ceremony.

This evening on Talkback Thursday, we're asking you, is it fair for us to criticise fellow Malaysians for their command of the English language? Are Malaysians too quick to judge?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.