Pressing Matters

On the 10th anniversary of the launch of the controversial blog Rocky's Bru, we speak to the author of the blog, veteran journalist and former editor of several publications, including Business Times and The Malay Mail. Can blogs "whack both sides" or do they have to nail their allegiances to the mast. We go back to the time when Tun Dr Mahathir was patron of Blog House and how recent politics has...

A. Asohan, executive editor and co-founder of Digital News Asia reviews the biggest news of the technology sector in 2015. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yamin Vong, editor of NST’s auto supplement 'Cars, Bikes & Trucks' is back on Pressing Matters, in part two of out review of auto news in 2015. In this episode, he discusses the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement, and what it will mean for AP holders. To listen to part 1 of this interview, go to http://www.bfm.my/pm-yamin-vong-nst-cars-bikes-trucks-higher-car-prices-in-2016.html Se...

P. Gunasegaram, CEO and Founding Editor of KiniBIZ discusses the three main things that have defined 2015 -- 1MDB, the RM2.6 billion donation and the weak ringgit.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yamin Vong, editor of NST’s auto supplement 'Cars, Bikes & Trucks' discusses the major auto news of 2015, including the impact of the weakening ringgit on car manufacturers, and the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

P. Gunasegaram, CEO and Founding Editor of KiniBIZ puts the Edra Energy-CGN Group deal under the microscope.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Syed Amierul Asyraf, editor-in-chief for social news portal, GreaterMalaysia.com, discusses the challenges of being an online media and how the site deals with controversy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s TV landscape is rapidly evolving as new media players such as HyppTV and iflix gain ground, competing hotly with existing TV players such as Astro and Media Prima, and threatening to turn TV topsy-turvy. P. Gunasegaram, CEO and Founding Editor of KiniBIZ looks at the latest global and local trends in the industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the media tries to reach new and often younger audiences, they have sought to innovate with format and language. The stated aim of CiliSos.my is “to make mundane things like news and current events entertaining and informative in equal measure.” But is it in danger of dumbing down with its focus on form - like lists - over content as its detractors see it. Today we speak to its edit...

 Two years ago the United Nations declared today International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. The killing of journalists with impunity continues unabated. But its not the only challenges that the media faces in the region. These include restrictive legislation, interference from corporate interest, a lack of media literacy among the public and weak unions. Today we look a...

Gayathry Venkiteswaran, former Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance, is part of a group of journalists trying to raise awareness about the missing Orang Asli children in Kelantan. She discusses the gaps in the media coverage of the case, and raises key questions that remain unanswered.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, the Attorney-General’s Chambers rejected Bank Negara’s recommendations for action against 1MDB. P. Gunasegaram, Joint CEO and Founding Editor, KiniBIZ discusses the A-G's and Bank Negara's disagreement over 1MDB. He also discusses if the rebound in the ringgit has marked a turning point for the local currency. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veteran journalist, Jahabar Sadiq of The Malaysian Insider, looks at Prime Minister Najib's international image following critical reportage from global media organisations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joint CEO and Founding Editor of KINIBIZ, P.Gunasegaram, estimates the economic losses caused by the haze for the past 18 years. He also looks at Sime Darby, which has lost more than a fifth of its market value eight years after its re-listing. We explore if Sime is indeed worth more than the sum of its parts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to veteran sports journalist about why sports is in the doldrums, why certain stake-holders are ignored and if there is light at the end of the tunnel. We also ask what the role of government be in managing sports ought to be and if there is a model in sports governance we can emulate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

P. Gunasegaram, the joint CEO and Founding Editor of KiniBiz, discusses the cover story in the publications latest issue, 'The Uncertain State of The Nation'. With so much uncertainty in the air, where does the nation go from here? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lailatun Khalilah Nasir, Executive Editor at Malay-language newspaper Sinar Harian, gives an insight into Sinar’s editorial stance on the issues of the day, including the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement and the 1MDB saga. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

P. Gunasegaram, the Joint CEO and Founding Editor of KINIBIZ discusses his key takeaways from the much-awaited central bank’s press conference last week.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shannon Teoh, the Malaysian correspondent from Singapore Straits Times explains how he writes Malaysian news for a Singaporean audience. Listen to his take on reporting about issues like 1MDB, the Low Yat fracas, Johor relations, etc to our neighbours down south.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will the ringgit breach RM4 to the US dollar? P. Gunasegaram, the Joint CEO and Founding Editor of KINIBIZ discusses what Bank Negara is doing to ensure this does not become a self-fulling prophecy. Guna also addresses the question, are Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) really necessary? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

P. Gunasegaram, of  KINIBIZ disusses why pricing of this deal is important to dispel the notion that this is not a bailout of 1MDB. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leslie Lau, Executive Editor at The Malay Mail Online joins us this week to talk about the dress code and the ongoing bad taxi sagas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

P. Gunasegaram and the Morning Run crew debate AirAsia X's aim to return to profitability by the end of the year.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ringgit last week hit RM3.77 against the US dollar -- lowest level in nine years. However in the next two days, it rebounded to be the best performing currency in the last two weeks. We explore the mechanics of the ringgit's movement and reasons behind its current weakness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) issued a clarification of how its RM42 billion debt was used which raised more questions than answers. On the same day, Bank Negara Malaysia said it has also begun a formal enquiry to see whether the company has breached any rules and legislation under its purview. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.