Talkback

2017 is here and money seems to be on our minds a lot. Malaysians are still struggling with healthcare costs. Parents have had to pay double for their children's school supplies. Recently-married couples are nursing personal loans they took to finance their big day. Malaysians are taking up 2 jobs to sustain their income. And amidst all this, loan sharks lurk in the background offering their hassle-free services; until, of course, you default on your loan repayment.

This evening on Talkback Thursday, we're asking: Would you use a money lending facility to help with your debt? Our lines will be open.

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It was reported yesterday, that IDEAS, (Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs) doesn’t support the idea of cash incentives to encourage more births. This was with regard to the Terengganu government’s programme to raise birth levels in the state. IDEAS says that it’s irresponsible and dangerous to encourage families to have more children when they can’t afford it. And it's hardly surprising to hear Malaysians say these days that money is the reason why they think twice about having kids. On Talkback Thursday today, we're asking: Is money the deciding factor, when it comes to having kids? Our lines will be open.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This evening on Talkback, we’re talking about the bane of every Malaysian driver, traffic. Inspired by what’s currently happening in Paris where they’ve banned cars for the second day running as a means of controlling pollution, we’d like to know how you’d respond to the same being done here, as a means of controlling the traffic situation.

So we’d like to ask you today, would you support the banning of cars to improve traffic conditions?

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There’s an article in the Malay Mail about how Malaysians with Master’s degrees are finding it difficult to land solid, well-paying jobs. According to the report, high-paying jobs are scarce and with a growing number of degree holders competing for them, even a good Master’s degree doesn’t give you that edge. Statistics from various agencies are indicating that hiring growth has not caught up with the supply of both undergraduates and postgraduates.

So we’d like to ask you today, does the job situation concern you? Do you feel that you have job security?

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Just a couple of days ago, there was a report about an app called ‘YELLOW’ which apparently has 5 million users and has been dubbed as "Tinder for teenagers". With no age-restrictions or checks and balances in place, the app has received criticism for attracting age-inappropriate users. This evening on Talkback, we’re addressing the topic of teenagers finding love, online and via dating apps, and would like to know how you feel about it. Our lines will be open.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A school in Scotland, has stopped setting homework for its 175 pupils, after 80% of pupils and more than 60% of their parents voted in favour of scrapping homework altogether. Instead of homework, the children will be encouraged to read books and comics, and to play. We’re looking at a far more comprehensive and holistic approach to learning these days (in line with the new education blueprint) and the question is whether our traditional emphasis on homework really meets today’s learning needs? On Talkback Thursday this evening, we're asking: Is homework still relevant? Our lines will be open.

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Do you find yourself doing things for your children that they are old enough to do for themselves such as cutting up their food, doing their washing or changing their sheets? BFM is presenting our first-ever health event focusing on children’s health this weekend; ‘BFM’s Health & Living Junior’ and today on, we’re going to kick things off by exploring an area of parenting that many of Malaysian parents (whether or not we like to admit it) are familiar with. The concept of ‘over-parenting’.

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Earlier this year, a primary school teacher in Hulu Selangor was transferred to another school after he was found to allegedly have molested nine students. Education director-general Tan Sri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof has said that the standard operating procedure was fair to the parties and that there is a need to ensure that natural justice prevails. However, parents have reacted furiously to the news of the transfer.

So we’d like to get your opinion this evening. Should the presumption of innocence apply to those who work with kids?

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Following the announcement that Malaysia may scrap the Formula One Grand Prix race after our contract ends in 2018, the conversation about the future of motorsports in Malaysia has really caught on. So today, we’d like to explore what you think. If you had to chose between F1 and MotoGP, which one would you keep? Or are you in the camp that thinks that we should do away with motorsports completely? Our lines will be open.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow, Malaysians will be glued to their TVs and radios for Budget 2017. Analysts are speculating that the focus might be on cash handouts, property - especially for first time home buyers and subsidy cuts to name a few. How will the government balance the need to reform the country's economy and meet the expectations of the people? On Talkback Thursday this evening, we're asking: What's on your Budget 2017 wishlist? Our lines will be open.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.