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BMI - Bicara Minggu Ini

BMI - Bicara Minggu Ini

By Norman Goh

BMI - '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.
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Episode 4 - Conversations with Syed Saddiq

BMI - Bicara Minggu Ini Jun 26, 2020

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Episode 35: Abolishment of Mandatory Death Penalty - Former Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto

Episode 35: Abolishment of Mandatory Death Penalty - Former Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto

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.
Apr 03, 202306:13
Episode 34: Malaysia Agreement 1963 & Constitutional Amendment

Episode 34: Malaysia Agreement 1963 & Constitutional Amendment

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. 

Oct 25, 202102:11:22
Episode 33 - Equal before the Law

Episode 33 - Equal before the Law

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”?

Sep 16, 202122:00
Episode 32 - We have a new PM!

Episode 32 - We have a new PM!

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).

Aug 20, 202137:14
Episode 31 - Malaysia at the Crossroads

Episode 31 - Malaysia at the Crossroads

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.

Aug 18, 202119:26
Episode 30 - Education, Disconnected?

Episode 30 - Education, Disconnected?

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.

May 22, 202136:00
IFJ Asia Pacific 2021: Malaysia's Trust in Media

IFJ Asia Pacific 2021: Malaysia's Trust in Media

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

May 10, 202102:01:10
Episode 29 - Conversations with Dr. Oh Ei Sun

Episode 29 - Conversations with Dr. Oh Ei Sun

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?
May 08, 202128:33
Episode 28: Understanding Malay Politics in Sarawak

Episode 28: Understanding Malay Politics in Sarawak

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.
Apr 28, 202101:07:36
Episode 27 - Conversations with Senator Liew Chin Tong

Episode 27 - Conversations with Senator Liew Chin Tong

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.

Apr 07, 202146:06
Episode 26: This Week in Malaysia - A New Star is Born

Episode 26: This Week in Malaysia - A New Star is Born

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. 

Mar 23, 202116:30
Episode 25: Conversations with Radzi Razak (GERAMM) - Shackled Media?

Episode 25: Conversations with Radzi Razak (GERAMM) - Shackled Media?

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?


Mar 01, 202122:55
Episode 24: Changing Malaysian Political Landscape - Prof. Bridget Welsh

Episode 24: Changing Malaysian Political Landscape - Prof. Bridget Welsh

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.

Feb 23, 202138:25
Episode 23: Malaysiakini and Media Freedom in Jeopardy?

Episode 23: Malaysiakini and Media Freedom in Jeopardy?

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. 


Feb 22, 202121:35
 Episode 22: Undi18 or U-Turn?

Episode 22: Undi18 or U-Turn?

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.


Feb 15, 202134:20
IFJ - Collective Agreement for Media Professionals in Malaysia

IFJ - Collective Agreement for Media Professionals in Malaysia

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.

Jan 31, 202101:27:00
Episode 21: Children of the Lost Year (Part 2) - Conversations with YB Maria Chin Abdullah

Episode 21: Children of the Lost Year (Part 2) - Conversations with YB Maria Chin Abdullah

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.

Jan 22, 202122:33
Episode 20: Children of the Lost Year (Part 1) - Conversations with YB Dr Maszlee Malik

Episode 20: Children of the Lost Year (Part 1) - Conversations with YB Dr Maszlee Malik

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.

Jan 19, 202129:40
IFJ - Legal & Employment Rights of Media Professionals in Malaysia

IFJ - Legal & Employment Rights of Media Professionals in Malaysia

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).

Dec 29, 202001:44:33
Episode 19: Sheraton Move Rewind - Malaysia in 2020

Episode 19: Sheraton Move Rewind - Malaysia in 2020

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.


Dec 17, 202001:19:40
IFJ Asia Pacific - Rights of Media Professionals in Malaysia

IFJ Asia Pacific - Rights of Media Professionals in Malaysia

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).

Dec 17, 202001:30:40
Episode 18: Stop The Chop! - Logging for Development or Timber for Fortune?

Episode 18: Stop The Chop! - Logging for Development or Timber for Fortune?

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/

Nov 11, 202036:40
Episode 17: Resetting Malaysia, but how?

Episode 17: Resetting Malaysia, but how?

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. 

Oct 29, 202038:20
 Episode 16: Malaysia’s Game of Thrones

Episode 16: Malaysia’s Game of Thrones

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.


Oct 25, 202015:10
Episode 15: Politics in Malaysia: Where are heading to?

Episode 15: Politics in Malaysia: Where are heading to?

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?


Oct 18, 202001:14:20
Episode 14: BN, Umno and 1MDB - Conversations with Najib Razak

Episode 14: BN, Umno and 1MDB - Conversations with Najib Razak

[Bicara Minggu Ini] with The Vibes had an opportunity to interview former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on September 20 in the midst of the Sabah state election campaign. In this episode, we discussed about the return of his 'popularity' in the political sphere with his moniker 'Bossku' and his take about the his case in July related to the misappropriation of RM42 million related to SRC International Sdn Bhd and 1MDB where he was found guilty of seven charges. 

Oct 01, 202027:40
Episode 13: Sabah Elections 2020 - The Aftermath

Episode 13: Sabah Elections 2020 - The Aftermath

Bicara Minggu Ini returns with a conversation with Dr James Chin, professor of Asia Studies in the University of Tasmania, Australia to make sense of the outcome from the recently concluded Sabah state election last week. This episode was recorded on September 27, a day after the polling day on September 26 which saw Shafie Apdal led Warisan Plus ousted by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

Sep 30, 202015:29
Episode 12: Reform Agenda On The Halt? Malaysia at the Crossroads

Episode 12: Reform Agenda On The Halt? Malaysia at the Crossroads

[Bicara Minggu Ini] returns this week with a conversation with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)'s member of parliament from Kangar, Noor Amin Ahmad. We discussed about his memories during his younger days in the midst of the start of the Reformasi era in 1998 while representing his school in a chess competition. An academic and researcher prior to joining politics, the mild-mannered lawmaker shares his story and observations on Malaysian political landscape and how will Sabah elections paved the future ahead. 

This episode was recorded on September 5, 2020 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. 

Sep 19, 202044:25
Episode 11: #PulangMengundiSabah & Clashes in the Establishment of Youth Party Platform

Episode 11: #PulangMengundiSabah & Clashes in the Establishment of Youth Party Platform

Coming back this week as we anticipate the nomination day on September 12 in Sabah state election where Sabahans head to the polls on September 26. I speak to 3 young Malaysians; Aaron Denison, Umar Hafiz and Daniel Qayyum who are among a group of young leaders behind the #PulangMengundiSabah, crowdsourcing funds to help Sabahans to return home to cast their ballots in the snap election.  At the same time, there were many chatters and discussions surrounding the hyped youth-centered political party and platform spearheaded by Muar MP and former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq. 

Sep 10, 202046:50
IFJ Asia Pacific: Impacts of Covid-19 on Press Freedom in Malaysia

IFJ Asia Pacific: Impacts of Covid-19 on Press Freedom in Malaysia

Organised by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Asia Pacific, a report on the challenges, issues and controls that journalists and media workers encountered in Malaysia as a result of existing legislation and new controls imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic was published in September 2020.

Listen to the discussion and conversation with four panelists:
- Honourable Wong Shu Qi, Kluang MP from the Democratic Action Party (DAP)
- Tashny Sukumaran, foreign correspondent
- Radzi Razak, journalist and spokesperson of Gerakan Media Merdeka (GERAMM)
- Premesh Chandran, CEO & Co-Founder of Malaysiakini

Sep 09, 202001:05:00
Episode 10: Deciphering Perikatan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan & Sabah Snap Elections

Episode 10: Deciphering Perikatan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan & Sabah Snap Elections

[Bicara Minggu Ini] takes on the discussion and understanding post Slim by-election in Perak where BN maintained a strong majority despite a lower turnout. As Sabah state election looms, how do we decipher the relations in Perikatan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan and the dynamics in Sabah politics? What about the new youth party led by Syed Saddiq? I speak to Dr. Bridget Welsh who is currently Honorary Research Associate with the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia (UoNARI-M) based in Kuala Lumpur.

Produced & Presented by Norman Goh

Sep 03, 202055:20
Episode 9: Malaysia surviving through 2020 & 2021

Episode 9: Malaysia surviving through 2020 & 2021

[Bicara Minggu Ini] is back with this week celebrating National Day on August 31st, discussing matters about our nation's economy and how things will turn out as we close the curtain for the year 2020. What about 2021? Listen to my conversation with Jalil Rasheed, former president and group CEO of Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNB) as he shares his aspirations for Malaysia.

Aug 31, 202046:45
Episode 8: Breaking the Old Politics in Malaysia

Episode 8: Breaking the Old Politics in Malaysia

We are currently stuck in the whirlwind of the old politics and we have to admit that we still have leaders thinking that race-based politics is still relevant because of the current realities, so to speak. How do we break away from the old politics, will that ever happen at all in Malaysia? Bicara Minggu Ini speaks to Nathaniel Tan from Projek Wawasan Rakyat (POWR) and uncover some of his 'radical' propositions for Malaysia 2.0.

Aug 13, 202045:25
Episode 7: Wither the Malaysia Baru?

Episode 7: Wither the Malaysia Baru?

In this conversation with Zan Azlee - a man with many hats as a journalist, documentary film maker, writer and also an academician, Bicara Minggu Ini discusses with Zan about the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on press freedom, deaths in custody, political upheavals to the fight against the spread of fake news. 

Aug 11, 202047:10
Mahathir’s new party & exodus in Bersatu?

Mahathir’s new party & exodus in Bersatu?

[Bicara Minggu Ini] takes on Episode 5 of Quick Takes this week with Tarrence Tan, a fellow journalist for a round up of top stories of the week and looking ahead to the second week of August with Mahathir's new party, Lim Guan Eng's court trial and Sabah state snap elections.

Aug 09, 202035:30
Episode 6: Masa depan dan hala tuju Parti AMANAH Negara

Episode 6: Masa depan dan hala tuju Parti AMANAH Negara

[Recorded in Bahasa Melayu] Dalam episod ini di Bicara Minggu Ini, perbincangan kali ini memberi fokus kepada Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH) dan setelah Langkah Sheraton pada bulan Februari lalu telah memberi impak kepada Pakatan Harapan. Bagaimana dengan Amanah dalam menghadapi situasi yang berbeza sekarang? Dengarkan perbincangan saya dengan Shazni Munir, ketua pemuda AMANAH yang baru dilantik pada Julai 2020.

Aug 09, 202052:20
[ACYPL] The Covid-19 Outbreak: Perspectives From Malaysia

[ACYPL] The Covid-19 Outbreak: Perspectives From Malaysia

[American Council of Young Political Leaders] ACYPL International Townhall Series - A discussion examining the successes, slip-ups, and sequences of the Malaysian government's response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Aug 07, 202001:19:10
Episode 5: Bersatu in Perikatan Nasional - Conversations with Wan Ahmad Fayhsal

Episode 5: Bersatu in Perikatan Nasional - Conversations with Wan Ahmad Fayhsal

In this episode of Bicara Minggu Ini, we will be focusing on Bersatu in the new administration under the Perikatan Nasional, how the party will face the upcoming battle in Sabah. I speak to Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, senator and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, who is also in the run for the party election as the chief of Armada, the youth wing of Bersatu.

Aug 06, 202027:29
Breaking the Newsroom: Discrimination and Sexism Part 2

Breaking the Newsroom: Discrimination and Sexism Part 2

What are among the stereotypes towards women in journalism and how will we address this? What are among the obstacles of addressing the gender equality issues, particularly in newsrooms in Malaysia? In the next episode of 'Malaysian Women in Journalism' series, I speak to Boo Su-Lyn, editor-in-chief of Code Blue, an independent health news portal with the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy.
Aug 01, 202027:25
Special Episode - Conversations with Fahmi Fadzil: What's next for PKR and Pakatan Harapan?

Special Episode - Conversations with Fahmi Fadzil: What's next for PKR and Pakatan Harapan?

The next episode of Bicara Minggu Ini, we're back to the usual weekly discussions on current affairs and this week, we will be focusing on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and how the party will move forward, anticipating a possible snap election this year. BMI speaks to Fahmi Fadzil, Lembah Pantai MP and PKR's communications director to understand better about PKR's future direction ahead in the midst of the political upheaval.

Jul 31, 202054:00
Breaking the Newsroom: Discrimination and Sexism Part 1

Breaking the Newsroom: Discrimination and Sexism Part 1

Discrimination and sexism towards women journalists and editors are not new, although there are more women being employed in broadcast stations as anchors, hosts and TV crew. In the next episode of 'Malaysian Women in Journalism' series, I speak to Tehmina Kaoosji, independent broadcast journalist who is also the board member of Institute of Journalists Malaysia to talk about breaking the norms in the newsroom.

Jul 29, 202032:11
Resurgence of #MeToo - What You Missed Last Week

Resurgence of #MeToo - What You Missed Last Week

[Bicara Minggu Ini] takes on Episode 4 of Quick Takes this week with Annabelle Lee, journalist from Malaysiakini.  Annabelle recently wrote about an exposé on sexual harassment against young women, taking onto social media to name and shame the perpetrators. We will be rounding up the top stories of the week and looking ahead as we end the month of July.

Jul 27, 202043:50
Hazards at work: Her story

Hazards at work: Her story

In the third episode of [Bicara Minggu Ini] Malaysian Women in Journalism on “Hazards at work: Her Story”, I speak to Yiswaree Palansamy, journalist with Malay Mail Online, discussing stories and experiences of our female journalists carrying out their duties in reporting on the ground. 

Jul 21, 202031:50
Quick Takes on #OurTime, The Week That Was in Parliament

Quick Takes on #OurTime, The Week That Was in Parliament

[Bicara Minggu Ini] takes on the next episode of Quick Takes this week with Challenger's Jean Vaneisha and Alicia Nicholle, taking a look at the first week of the second parliamentary session for the year 2020. It began with much drama and saw the change of the House Speaker, sexist and racist comments made during debates and how the youth reacted to the conduct of some members of the House. 

Jul 19, 202031:50
What future holds for Basketball in Malaysia?

What future holds for Basketball in Malaysia?

This is the first episode of Bicara Minggu Ini's new series, Sukan & Sports. Basketball is not in the most popular sport in Malaysia, but the game itself, is a big industry in Europe, countries like the United States, Japan, China and in Southeast Asia, the biggest sport in the Philippines. What future holds for Basketball in Malaysia? Listen to what Jordan Yap (Senior Sports Journalist, China Press) and Mislan El-azzam (Sports Commentator) got to say about the future of the sport in the country.

Jul 17, 202046:05
Migrants and Refugees: Giving Voice to the Voiceless

Migrants and Refugees: Giving Voice to the Voiceless

[Malaysian Women In Journalism] Many have read and heard many stories about migrants, both documented and undocumented, as well as refugees in Malaysia, their struggles and constant fear to survive after escaping from their home country seeking for a better future. In the second episode of the special series on Bicara Minggu Ini, I speak to Mahi Ramakrishnan, independent journalist and film maker, about migrants and refugees in Malaysia.
Jul 14, 202030:25
Quick Takes - #MeToo Stories, Social Security Net & Parliament

Quick Takes - #MeToo Stories, Social Security Net & Parliament

[Bicara Minggu Ini] second episode of Quick Take on current affairs with Arinah Najwa,   currently an investment firm consultant. She was formerly the special functions officer to the Youth and Sports Minister, Young Southeast Asian Leaders’ Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellows Alumni. 

Jul 10, 202047:00
Reforming Press Freedom: From a Journalist to a Lawmaker

Reforming Press Freedom: From a Journalist to a Lawmaker

This is the first episode of the Malaysian Women in Journalism series on [Bicara Minggu Ini]. I recently spoke to YB Wong Shu Qi, Kluang member of Parliament, who was formerly a journalist with Merdeka Review and later debuted in her first election in 2013, elected as Senai assemblywoman. In 2018, she contested in Kluang parliament seat and defeated former MCA vice president Gan Ping Sieu with a majority of 23,053 votes. Here's her story about her role from a journalist to a lawmaker.

Jul 07, 202023:20
Struggling Newsrooms in Covid-19 Part 2: News is Not Dead

Struggling Newsrooms in Covid-19 Part 2: News is Not Dead

The Covid-19 pandemic has swept across the globe with more than 11 million people infected and half a million deaths recorded. How do newsrooms and journalists cover the story? The impact of the pandemic is wide ranging, that includes keeping the newsrooms up and running. Bicara Minggu Ini speaks to a veteran journalist, Jahabar Sadiq who is also the CEO and founder of The Malaysian Insight.

Jul 03, 202037:20
Quick Takes - What's up with the oldies and Parlimen Digital

Quick Takes - What's up with the oldies and Parlimen Digital

The first edition of a short version of Bicara Minggu Ini, today's Quick Takes on current affairs with Qyira Yusri, education director and co-founder of UNDI18, as we discuss about recent political dramas over the weekend and the very first sitting of Parlimen Digital on July 3 and 4 this week. 

Jun 29, 202031:21