Talkback

Malaysians love their films. Rarely are our cinemas void of moviegoers, and often, you find you have to compete with what feels like the whole country, when it comes to booking tickets online for a new release. The thing is, that scenario is usually for Hollywood blockbusters and international films; it’s rarely the case when it comes to our locally made films. A great example would be how Marvel’s The Avengers made more money than the top 5 grossing Malaysian movies put together. What does that say about our Malaysian audiences? Worrying still, what does that say about our local film industry?

We asked:  Should we keep supporting the local film industry when they keep churning out terrible films?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rate of women labour participation is a problem not only unique to Malaysia, but the world over. Many countries have recognised that the participation of women in the workforce can boost its economic growth and yet, overlooked labour laws like maternity leave, and demands such as long working hours, have been the reasons why women leave the workforce permanently.

Companies are beginning to practice flexible policies that cater to these issues women in the workforce face, and we want to explore if it has worked on every level. What sacrifices must women make to maintain both career and family life?  Can career progression be achieved when women are granted these rights to practice? Who then bears the extra load at work? Is it fair for other workers to be subjected to the extra responsibility?

Today we’re asking:  are we pampering women in the workforce?

Today’s Talkback Thursday is produced in collaboration with the Economic Transformation Programme and brought to you by BFM.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Evening Edition, in collaboration with Influence 360, presents The Real Deal, a show where we will be looking into both BN's and PR's manifestos within these categories: Economy, Education, Corruption and Crime. To kick things off, we'll be exploring the Economy side of both manifestos; the BR1M initiative in particular, this Talkback evening. 

In Budget 2012, the government announced giving out a one-off cash payment of RM500 to households with an income of less than RM3,000 a month. The effort was to alleviate the burden of low-income earners in facing the rising cost of living.

Main question: Do you think the BR1M initiative helps Malaysians?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accompanying the recent price hike in cigarettes is a proposed amendment to the Control of Tobaccos Products Regulations - another step the government is taking to try and reduce smoking and related non-communicable diseases. While these steps are necessary in helping curb smoking, what about accessible initiatives to help smokers quit the habit?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kuala Lumpur aims to be among the top liveable cities in the world by 2020 and that is evident  in both ongoing and upcoming projects, all with the aim of sprucing up the city’s infrastructure, connectivity and services. There is much to be done to improve KL’s public transportation and overall infrastructure, which the Economic Transformation Programme has acknowledged. One of the National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) covers Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley, and 9 entry point projects have been identified in helping Kuala Lumpur achieve top livability standards. But are these projects enough in staving off competition from other top cities within South East Asia?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has been encouraging the growth of international schools in Malaysia, which have been increasing each year. Education, one of the National Key Economic Areas under the Economic Transfer Programme, has listed scaling of international schools as one of its Entry Point Projects. To date there are 91 international schools currently in operation, with a marked increase of students over the years and it is estimated that by 2020, it will help contribute to a GNI of RM2.6 billion. While the support has been great, and the benefits rewarding, where does that leave the majority of Malaysian students whose only option is our public school? With about 10,000 public schools throughout the country, will we see these schools’ syllabus and curriculum come close to the standard of international schools? How much is being done to support the current public schools’ education system?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A browse through your Facebook posts of late will show many Malaysians posting about how they’re being bombarded by constant cold-calling, SMS-es, online banners, TV and radio commercials and billboards, this hectic season. The most recent in this spate of events is how a political party’s commercial played on one of the local radio stations today, resulting in a huge backlash on the radio station’s Facebook page from their listeners.

The sentiment was similar across the board; personal political agendas should stay away from mainstream media. 

With the polls looming upon us, are Malaysians already fatigued with the many advertising methods used by political parties? Which advertising methods could work in capturing the hearts and minds of Malaysians this election season? We ask the question: Do you think political advertising works? Joining us in this discussion is co-founder of BW Creatives, Vern Lee. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The issue of brain drain is one that plagues countries the world over, and Malaysia is no exception. A 2011 study by the World Bank has shown that the brain drain in Malaysia represents about a third of the total Malaysian-born migrant population, which is estimated at around 1 million. With Malaysians leaving, the talent pool is drying up at rapid pace, possibly affecting our economic growth too. So, what is the government doing to try and retain talent and encourage Malaysians overseas to return home?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Times Higher Education, the world’s most authoritative source of information about higher education, has today published in its magazine, the Asia University Rankings 2013. University of Tokyo in Japan came out tops followed by the National University of Singapore and the University of Hong Kong. Other countries represented include China, Republic of Korea, Turkey, Israel, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Malaysia. Our National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) came in at 87th place together with Lebanon’s American University of Beirut.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Japan and Singapore are likely to have the oldest population by 2030. And in Malaysia, it is estimated that by 2020, 3.4 million Malaysians will be over the age of 65 - that accounts for 10% of the population. Is Malaysia ready for an ageing population? Is the country equipped with aged care infrastructure? Will our children take care of us when it’s our turn to reach that elderly bracket? There are many questions to explore when we stop to think about old age but the one ultimate question we’re asking today is: are children responsible for taking care of their parents in their old age?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.