BMI - Bicara Minggu Ini
Politikk og nyheterBMI - 'Bicara Minggu Ini', or in English, 'The Talk of the Week' is a weekly podcast by Norman Goh, a freelance journalist discussing top issues in Malaysian politics, what’s trending and interviews with people you should know in politics, activists and experts.
Siste episoder av BMI - Bicara Minggu Ini podcast
- Episode 35: Abolishment of Mandatory Death Penalty - Former Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto (00:06:13)
Malaysia unanimously passed the bill to repeal mandatory death penalty and natural life sentence at the Parliament today. After years of work, the bill was approved and paved the way to the reforms of criminal justice system in Malaysia. One of the prominent proponents of such law reform is Kasthuri Patto, former Batu Kawan MP, and she has worked closely with NGOs to push for these reforms.
- Episode 34: Malaysia Agreement 1963 & Constitutional Amendment (02:11:22)
The constitutional amendment on Malaysia Agreement MA63 will be tabled in the last Parliamentary sitting of the year 2021. It was initially scheduled to be tabled on October 26 as the first reading and the second reading on October 28. However, on October 25, de-facto law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar told the Parliament that the cabinet has decided to postpone the amendment to a later date to iron out the details with the Attorney General's Chambers. At the same time, Pakatan Harapan's MP from Seremban, Anthony Loke said in a statement on October 25 that the opposition bloc of MPs are in full support of the constitutional amendments and called on the government to table it immediately in this sitting. This is the second attempt after Pakatan Harapan administration failed in 2019. How different is it this time than in 2019? And will it succeed? In this episode, we have two long term observers from Borneo: Joe Samad from Sabah and James Chin from Sarawak to share their views in a Clubhouse session held on October 25, 2021.
- Episode 33 - Equal before the Law (00:22:00)
September 9, 2021 - It was a day of reckoning. A day of joy and celebration for Malaysian mothers who have been trying so hard for years to finally get an affirmation by the Kuala Lumpur High Court that children born overseas to Malaysian mothers and foreign fathers are automatically entitled to Malaysian citizenship. However, the Attorney General's Chambers had filed an appeal against the high court decision on September 14. In this episode, I speak to Ronan Collins, spouse to Malaysian mother, Choong Wai Li who is one of the six mothers together with Family Frontiers, started the legal proceedings last year seeking a declaration that Malaysian women married to foreign spouses can automatically get citizenship for their children who are born overseas. There were an estimated 40,000 pending applications from Malaysian women seeking citizenship for their children. Public pressures are mounting and growing calls by lawmakers, even members of the cabinet, to rescind the decision by the Attorney-General’s Chambers to appeal against the case. Question is, will the new Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri uphold his mantra of “Keluarga Malaysia”?
- Episode 32 - We have a new PM! (00:37:14)
The history repeated itself again when former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced his resignation on 16 August that led to a frenzy of competing for the numbers to appoint a new Prime Minister for Malaysia. Alas, after a long two weeks of political drama, we have come to an end after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Pahang, consented the appointment of Bera MP, Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the ninth Malaysian Prime Minister. Ismail is also the third PM appointed since the last 14th General Election in 2018. In this episode, I will try to delve deeper into what are among the key things to watch when Ismail Sabri takes his oath of office on 21 August at the Istana Negara. I’m speaking to Raja Iskandar Fareez, communications director of Research For Social Advancement Berhad (REFSA).
- Episode 31 - Malaysia at the Crossroads (00:19:26)
The deadline is over. At 4PM sharp on 18th of August, all 220 MPs submitted their statutory decorations to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Who will be the next Prime Minister, the ninth Prime Minister of Malaysia? After months and weeks of political turmoil in Malaysia, in the face of rising Covid-19 cases in the country, Malaysia finds itself deep in the triple crisis in health, economy and politics. It does seem like there is no end to this, but by this weekend, we may have a new prime minister, until the next general election which may be held sometime next year, or maybe in the next 21 months until the tenure expires in 2023. With me in this episode, Dr. James Chin, political analyst at the Asia Institute, University of Tasmania in Australia.
- Episode 30 - Education, Disconnected? (00:36:00)
In this episode, I speak to Kelvin Tan, CEO and co-founder of Project ID, a school-based education initiative to help students and teachers. In 2020, Project ID conducted the Student Voice Matters survey to understand how students are coping with the sudden switch to online learning. This year in 2021, Project ID recently published the first part of the study to see the changes in the Malaysian students’ online learning experience and how they look to move forward.
- IFJ Asia Pacific 2021: Malaysia's Trust in Media (02:01:10)
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Asia-Pacific launched the report on The Trust in Media study in Malaysia, in collaboration with the Merdeka Centre on 10 May 2021. The research is a key activity in the foundation phase of strengthening Malaysia’s Media for Change Project. The project was commissioned to Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research to assess current reporting standards and public perceptions of media outlets, media coverage and journalists. The research concluded in January 2021 and this webinar will discuss the key findings and to launch the Trust in Media report. The webinar featured the following panelists and moderated by Norman Goh, independent journalist and producer of Bicara Minggu Ini: 1. Cynthia Gabriel, Executive Director of Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) 2. Ibrahim Suffian, Programs Director of Merdeka Center for Opinion Research 3. Charles F. Moiera, Freelance Journalist, Associate Member of National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJ) 4. Jahabar Sadiq, Founder of The Malaysian Insight
- Episode 29 - Conversations with Dr. Oh Ei Sun (00:28:32)
In this episode, I am speaking to Dr Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs to discuss about the prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin's political longevity amidst the political crisis. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin still enjoys a high approval rating at 67% in the recent poll by Merdeka Center, suggesting a growing optimism for the leader of Perikatan Nasional coalition. However, the survey showed a clear split on the administration as a whole as the nation struggles to find the footing in securing a clear stability in the government, in the midst of the emergency. As we try to decipher the peculiarity of the polls by Merdeka Center, despite the kerfuffle by several ministers in Muhyiddin’s cabinet, he is set to continue to be comfortable amidst the noise in the Malaysian political landscape. In another matter, Abdul Hamid Bador bid farewell as the inspector-general of police on May 4th and the new IGP is Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, taking over the helm of the police force. Hamid, however, made an explosive allegation about the interference of the executives, accusing the politicians for meddling in the works of the police. Although these allegations are not new, this confirms the long ongoing rumours that the political masters have had hands in the law enforcement. How do we read in between the lines of the polls on Malaysian politics and what future holds for the law enforcement in the country?
- Episode 28: Understanding Malay Politics in Sarawak (01:07:35)
In the last Sarawak state election held in 2016, the then Sarawak Barisan Nasional led by the late Adenan Satem, won with a landslide victory, winning 72 out of 82 seats contested, while the opposition only managed to secure 10 seats. Although we are still in the midst of the emergency, it is expected that the state will call for an election by the end of the year once the emergency is lifted. In this episode, a collaboration with Dr James Chin, professor in Asia Studies at Asia Institute, University of Tasmania, as well as Sarawak’s ROSE or Rise of Efforts in discussing the polemics and dynamics of Malay politics, its influence and power. We were joined by Parti Bumiputera Pesaka Bersatu PBB deputy youth chief, Fazruddin Abdul Rahman, who is also assemblyman for Tupong constituency in Kuching. This discussion is also joined by Abang Halil Abang Nalil, chairman of Sarawak Amanah and Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh, deputy chairman of Sarawak’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
- Episode 27 - Conversations with Senator Liew Chin Tong (00:46:06)
In this episode, I speak to DAP’s national political education director and former deputy defence minister Senator Liew Chin Tong, discussing the changing political landscape in the country after Umno’s ultimatum to Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional. We will be diving deeper into the economic issues we face in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and moving forward as we attempt to pull it through these tough times.
- Episode 26: This Week in Malaysia - A New Star is Born (00:16:30)
What are my top stories of the week? Check out my take of last week's top stories and what you should look out this week as we prepare for Umno's AGM over the weekend.
- Episode 25: Conversations with Radzi Razak (GERAMM) - Shackled Media? (00:22:55)
Malaysia is never shy from one political crisis to another political drama unfolding. It has been a year since the change of administration in 2020 that saw the change of government. Has that event stalled the media reforms in Malaysia? In this next episode of Sheraton Move, One Year On special series, I speak to Radzi Razak, journalist and spokesperson of Gerakan Media Merdeka (GERAMM), taking a look, a review of one year on of the Perikatan Nasional administration and how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted media landscape in Malaysia. Is the progress stalled and reforms stagnated?
- Episode 24: Changing Malaysian Political Landscape - Prof. Bridget Welsh (00:38:24)
February 23, 2020, the day that altered the direction of Malaysian political landscape from an unseemingly political coup that shattered Pakatan Harapan’s helm at leadership from the historic win in the 2018 General Election. A year after the infamous political coup, some would say a backdoor government by Perikatan Nasional led by Bersatu’s president Muhyiddin Yassin and the faction that broke away from PKR’s leadership led by Azmin Ali. It all happened within a swoop and a year later, where are we today? In this first episode of the special series, "Sheraton Move, A Year On", I’m speaking to Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Fellow with the University of Nottingham Malaysia’s Asia Research Institute.
- Episode 23: Malaysiakini and Media Freedom in Jeopardy? (00:21:35)
Malaysia’s leading independent news portal Malaysiakini was handed a hefty half a million ringgit fine after they were found to be in contempt of court by the Federal Court on February 19, the penalty was more than double the fine prosecutors had sought. The highest court of the country ruled that Malaysiakini was guilty of contempt over five comments posted by readers on its website last year, saying that it was responsible for the dissemination of remarks deemed to have undermined the “system of justice” in the country. The editor-in-chief and co-founder Steven Gan, was found not guilty of the charges. This is the landmark decision by the Malaysian courts, if not, the first to be trialled directly in the Federal Court, contrary to the usual legal proceedings. How will this affect the future media landscape in Malaysia and how will newsrooms operate after this? In this episode, I speak to Premesh Chandran, CEO and co-founder of Malaysiakini to tell us more.
- Episode 22: Undi18 or U-Turn? (00:34:20)
It all began with the remarks made by the Senate Speaker who is also the Senate President, Tan Sri Rais Yatim, who said that the decision to lower the voting age to 18-years-old starting this July was one made hastily and teenagers are still not ready to commit to the democratic process. Just recently, deputy youth and sports minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal who was once a special officer to the minister Syed Saddiq who said that Malaysians are not ready to vote at 18 years old. I speak to Tharma Pillai, the co-founder of Undi18, a youth-led movement dedicated to democratic reform whom he co-founded with his lifelong partner, Qyira Yusri. Both of them were pivotal in lobbying the then PH government to lower the age of voting to 18.
- IFJ - Collective Agreement for Media Professionals in Malaysia (01:27:00)
Collective agreements (CA) is an important agreement between an employer and a union which includes the terms and conditions for employees. The National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM) together with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) organised a webinar on Collective Agreements (CA) for Media Workers in Malaysia on January 26, 2021. This event is supported by the European Union and the Embassy of Switzerland in Malaysia. We are bringing to you experts from the Industrial Relations Department and the Malaysian Trade Union Congress to share their knowledge on CA. Among the topics covered are the Industrial Relations Act pertaining to CA, arbitration, filing of cases, its impact during Covid-19, workers’ rights and other unions CA conditions.
- Episode 21: Children of the Lost Year (Part 2) - Conversations with YB Maria Chin Abdullah (00:22:33)
This will be the second part of my conversation and discussion on Children of the Lost Year, as part of my policy analysis and my attempt to understand the current situation of our education policy in the midst of the pandemic. In this episode, I speak to the Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah to share her views and experiences, particularly in the low-cost housing or flats in her constituency and what we can do to move forward.
- Episode 20: Children of the Lost Year (Part 1) - Conversations with YB Dr Maszlee Malik (00:29:40)
We’re back in another lockdown as we usher in a new year in 2021 and despite the good news of the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccine, we will still have to brace ourselves with the new wave of infections in Malaysia that broke the 4,000 mark in daily new cases. Last year, millions of students had to stay home during the early measures of lockdown in the country. Classes only resumed in June but later the schools were ordered to close again in November 2020. Nevertheless, some students and teachers have gotten used with home-based learning via online platforms, but what about students from low-income families who cannot afford to have any devices or internet services at home? What about the students in the remote areas in Malaysia? This will be the first part of my conversation and discussion on Children of the Lost Year, as part of my policy analysis and my attempt to understand the current situation of our education policy in the midst of the pandemic. In this episode, I speak to the former Education Minister and Simpang Renggam MP, Dr Maszlee Malik to share his views on this matter.
- IFJ - Legal & Employment Rights of Media Professionals in Malaysia (01:44:32)
Hundreds of editors and journalists were laid off and rendered unemployed as a result of the challenges faced by the media industry to stay afloat. The Covid-19 pandemic came as a double whammy, forcing several media companies to shut down and downsized to keep themselves afloat. In this webinar forum, we will be speaking to key experts to understand how existing laws and regulations impact media personnel’s news gathering activities and social media posts during the pandemic. Panelists gave an overview of the workplace rights and obligations of media workers to strengthen their knowledge of behavioral principles with existing legal frameworks (both employment and national media laws). This webinar forum was organised by International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Asia Pacific and National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM).
- Episode 19: Sheraton Move Rewind - Malaysia in 2020 (01:19:40)
Budget 2021 was finally passed in the Dewan Rakyat, let’s face it. 111 to 108 and one absent. We have 220 MPs, two passed away this year. As we wind down the clock and the curtain falls to close the end of the year, the stage of political dramas draw to a close of the chapter in 2020. It is the year we all want to forget, or rather calling it a disastrous one. This episode, I’m speaking to Baru Bian, former Works Minister during the Pakatan Harapan administration and also the MP for Selangau in Sarawak. He was the former Sarawak PKR Chairman before the change of government in February 2020 and left the party to join Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB). In this episode, I will be discussing with Baru about the current state of politics at the federal level with much uncertainties and turmoil, seeing both sides of the divide are weak as well as the upcoming Sarawak state election which will be due to be held in 2021.
- IFJ Asia Pacific - Rights of Media Professionals in Malaysia (01:30:40)
Media professionals in Malaysia still face many restrictive laws despite seeing an improved press freedom ranking in the last two years. In this webinar, we will be discussing about the current media landscape in the country, existing legal framework for the media and procedures for both avoiding charges and dealing with the ramifications. This webinar forum was organised by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Asia Pacific and supported by Switzerland Embassy in Malaysia, The European Union, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), and National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM).
- Episode 18: Stop The Chop! - Logging for Development or Timber for Fortune? (00:36:40)
In the 1970s, more than two thirds of the land in the Borneo island were covered in rainforest, lush greenery, flora and fauna. One of the last bastions of untouched rainforest in the world. In less than four decades, much of it has been lost and we are now looking at a grim figure of 30 percent left of rainforest cover in Borneo. Much closer to home in Sarawak, while the state government boasts more than 60 percent of forest coverage and sustainable forest management, replanting of trees, we still continue seeing timber industry continue to grow rapidly. In this episode, I speak to Peter Kallang from SAVE Rivers to talk about the ongoing logging activities affecting northern Sarawak communities from the Kayan and Penan tribe in Gerenai. Do support this campaign and sign the petition here https://saverivers.org/stopthechop/
- Episode 17: Resetting Malaysia, but how? (00:38:20)
Stop. Pause. Politics. Covid-19. Quarantine. Unemployment. Deaths. With all the political drama over the week, what can we do to reset Malaysia? What can we expect from the upcoming Budget 2021 scheduled to be tabled on November 6? I speak to Ivy Kwek, research director of REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) to delve deeper in understanding the events in the country and the region, and how these will impact many of us in Malaysia.
- Episode 16: Malaysia’s Game of Thrones (00:15:10)
It has been a depressing week for many of us, while some others are fighting hard on the frontlines in Sabah to help those who are affected by the pandemic. In this episode, I will be selecting the top stories over the week and Malaysia’s political drama is as exciting as the series of Game of Thrones.
- Episode 15: Politics in Malaysia: Where are heading to? (01:14:20)
Since the end of the last Sabah state election, Parti Warisan Sabah fell short and we saw a change of state government through the ballots. However, Sabah is now known as the Little Wuhan, with hundreds of cases reported on a daily basis. With emerging infection clusters all of Malaysia, all hands on deck to manage the third pandemic wave in the country. In this episode, I’m collaborating with a new-found friend, Harith Mohamad who runs NadiKita podcast program. We will be discussing the dynamics of politics in Malaysia, and more recently, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s audience with Yang diPertuan Agong on October 13. As the power plays at the centre of the country, what future unfolds for all Malaysians?