Evening Edition

Over the weekend, a Facebook post by the Director-General of Health, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah garnered a lot of attention for stating that 40 healthcare workers were infected after receiving the vaccines. We discuss the context behind those infections, and look at why this doesn't mean that the vaccines are not effective. Image Source: Jonathan Borba, Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Over the weekend, a Facebook post by the Director-General of Health, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah garnered a lot of attention for stating that 40 healthcare workers were infected after receiving the vaccines. We discuss the context behind those infections, and look at why this doesn't mean that the vaccines are not effective. Image Source: Jonathan Borba, Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The government is looking into creating a new regulatory body to oversee parcel delivery services, in order to ensure the welfare and safety of delivery riders. Dhanya Nair tells us more. Image Source: Liza Summer, Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An article from The Vibes reported that the country's production of high quality vegetables are being exported overseas leaving locals concerned that their vegetable supply are third-grade quality leftovers. We discuss with Heng Song Han the quality of our produce and what consumers should look out for when purchasing vegetables. Image Source: Chantal Garnier, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener...

Pfizer has received criticism for the gradually increasing price of its vaccines, especially when compared to other brands like AstraZeneca which cost significantly less. We look at the complexities of pricing vaccines and how it affects countries differently. Image Source: Samuel Regan-Asante, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting today, those sentenced to up to three years of imprisonment can now qualify for community service instead of serving time. We explore how this amendment made under the Emergency Ordinance could impact our prison system. Image Source: Rodolfo Quirós, Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an effort to reduce greenhouse emmissions, France will be giving its citizens the chance to trade in their old, exhaust-heavy cars, for a 2,500 euro grant to buy an electric bicycle. Image Source: Tower Electric Bikes, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Malaysiakini article reports that foreign workers are often not aware of their rights, and this situation opens them up to exploitation by employers. We speak with researcher Aslam Abd Jalil about what can be done to empower foreign workers so that they are able to seek help when their rights are violated. Image Source: Shivendu Shukla, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

A monthly wage of RM1,000 for fresh graduates has been the status quo for at least a decade according to surveys from the Ministry of Higher Education. Experts say that this is a systemic problem not caused solely by the pandemic. Dr Juita Mohamad shares her insights. Image Source: RODNAE Productions, Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chinese government has asked the country’s websites and mobile apps to redesign their pages so that they are easier to use for all age groups. Shawn Tanis tells us more. Image Source: Marcus Aurelius, Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During a recent working visit to Sarawak, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin purportedly said that Sabah and Sarawak had higher status as regions (wilayah) rather than states. We speak with Tawau MP Datuk Christina Liew about the distinctions between state and territory, and whether a new title could bring about other changes that have been long called for by East Malaysia. Image Source: Fahr...

Several areas in KL were impacted by heavy rain and flash floods yesterday, affecting Ramadan bazaars and causing traffic congestion. We speak with water engineer Dato’ Paduka Ir. Hj Keizrul Abdullah to find out the causes of flash floods in the city, and talk about what else needs to be done to better mitigate the problem. Image Source: Jonathan Ford, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

As Malaysia’s population moves towards becoming an ageing society, experts suggest that the government should implement a national insurance scheme to address the increase in national spending. We speak with Dr Khor Swee Kheng, specialist in health policies, about what a national insurance scheme would look like, and how it would fit into our healthcare system. Image Source: Hush Naidoo, Uns...

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that not much is left in the government coffers after spending over RM600 billion on battling the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. We speak with Professor Mahendhiran Nair to get a better understanding of what this means for our economy. Image Source: Abdul Razak Latif, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uber, Paypal and Walgreens have teamed up in the US to help provide free rides to vaccination centres. Shawn Tanis from BFM's News Desk tells us more. Image Soure: Dan Gold, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Ministry recently announced that vaccinations will not be given at night during Ramadhan. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said this is because people will not show up to their appointments at those times, due to tarawih prayers. We speak to Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, on how this might affect the national vaccine rollout. Image Source: Macau Photo Agency, Unsplash See omnystu...

The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has proposed that companies should give time off to their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccination shot. What else can employers do to encourage vaccine uptake, and to support their staff when they receive the jab? We speak with Avinash Kumar, Managing Director at Monroe Consulting Group, for his thoughts. Image Source: Nataliya Vaitkevich, Pexels See omny...

The government has issued 84 notices against eateries for charging more than RM1 for a glass of plain water. Now, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry says it shouldn't cost more than RM0.30 per glass. Shawn Tanis from BFM's News Desk tells us more. Image Source: Clint McKoy, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private universities in Malaysia are gradually adopting online learning, losing their traditional features due to the pandemic. As a result, these institutions are continuing to experience a decline in tuition fees and a decrease in enrolment of international students. We look at how universities are coping with this shift. Image Source: Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Berjaya Corp Bhd recently announced that its group of companies will be implementing batik as its official attire opening up a conversation of promoting the use of batik clothing. Shawn Tanis tells us more. Image Source: PENpics Studio, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With puasa set to begin next week, we look at what some of the best practices at Ramadhan Bazaars are and how consumers can stay safe. Image Source: Esperanza Doronila, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celcom Axiata Bhd and Digi. Com Bhd are in “advanced discussions” to merge in order to form the largest mobile service provider in Malaysia. We look at what this means for the telco industry, and whether we can expect more mergers to happen in response to the pandemic. Image Source: Paul Hanaoka, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The International Air Transport Association has urged for requirements like proof of vaccination and testing to be lifted once the COVID-19 crisis is under control, citing worries that the restrictions may become permanent measures that will deter more people from travelling in the future. Image Source: yousef alfuhigi, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Korea has become the first country to drop out of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, as Japan faces a possible 4th wave of COVID-19 infections. We explore what this move might mean for the Olympics, as well as the seismic shifts that are happening in the arena of international sporting events. Image Source: Vytautas Dranginis, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Perikatan Nasional government is reviewing Gamuda Berhad's proposal for four of its highways to be acquired by the government. We look at what the repercussions might be if the government decides to proceed. Image Source: Thomas Depeyroux, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.