Talkback

In a recent report released by international research firm McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), Malaysia has failed to rein in household debt that started ballooning since the 2007 global financial crisis and may expose the country to crisis should the credit bubble burst. Just how are Malaysians sustaining their lifestyles? What are you spending most on? Do you spend more than you earn?  See omn...

Britain voted on Tuesday to become the first country to allow a "three-parent" IVF technique which doctors say will prevent some inherited incurable diseases but which critics see as a step towards creating designer babies. The designer-babies debate has been an intense one, with many opposed to the idea, saying it is akin to playing God and purely unethical. But if it can help eradicate diseases...

Around this time last year, we entered 2014 with caution amidst reports of fuel and sugar subsidy cuts and possible increases in toll rates, public transport fares and so on. This year, we've entered a volatile 2015 with oil prices hitting an all-time low and the Ringgit labeled as Asia's worst performing currency. We asked on Talkback Thursday if the falling ringgit and oil prices had taken a tol...

Borneo charted new territories for themselves now that Sabah has joined Sarawak in binning the “lain-lain” race category on government documents and generic forms. The decision came after the Sabah state government deliberated on the matter and decided that the column should now be replaced with a blank space to allow applicants to identify their respective ethnicities. Just to refresh...

Part of the revision for Budget 2015 that was announced today was for the National Service Programme to be deffered for one year. The move is estimated to cut RM400 million from federal spending. While the programme has garnered both positive and negative feedback from Malaysians over the years, we asked you if you think the NS programme should be discontinued? See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Would you choose a fair work-life balance over a big fat paycheck? Well, according to a survey carried out recently, Malaysians prefer a happy lifestyle, centred on work-life balance, over a successful career that brings in the big bucks. The Kelly Global Workforce Index (KGWI) carried out by global recruitment firm, Kelly Services, found that 67% of Malaysians felt that way together with 65% of r...

A vote is currently being done by the Ministry of Education whether or not to ban the use of hand phones in schools. The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) is championing the cause, saying the ban will help curb the recordings of bullying among students. But w hat about the security aspect that comes with a child owning a hand phone for that direct connection with their parents? Our...

The Education Ministry will allow Form 6 students to ditch their school uniforms for traditional attire and other apparel. The move, announced last month, is part of the government's exercise to rebrand Form 6. What do you think about this rebranding exercise? How would you rebrand Form 6? Our lines were open. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been four years since it's inception and a lot has changed. In 2012, Malaysia was ranked 18th in the World Bank's Doing Business Report but today we are ranked 6th. The country is becoming wealthier and change is underway. But are you satisfied with the economic direction of the country? Are you feeling the difference? And is it enough?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

What makes a city liveable and loveable?  It is a collaboration between a government that prioritises safety, healthcare, educational resources, infrastructure and the environment along with a citizenry that takes ownership of their surroundings. The River of Life project is one of the many initiatives towards making Kuala Lumpur more liveable and loveable. It aims to transform specific...

Last month, residents and companies in PJ were up in arms over the one-way road change within the PJ State area. There was a lot of confusion and traffic jams, with upset drivers claiming that there weren’t sufficient signages to explain the change. Today, it has been announced that 8 roads will be renamed from tomorrow (November 26th) onwards. The names of these roads will be changed to hon...

Today is Universal Children’s Day. Nearly 25 years ago, the world made a promise to children: that we do everything in our power to protect and promote their rights to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential.  As with many other countries, Malaysia has old challenges combined with new problems that deprive many children of thei...

The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) will hold a two-day regional forum later this month, which is said aims to help local Muslim doctors reconcile their beliefs in spiritual beings and black magic with modern medicine.   In an age where humanity is landing probes on comets 300 million miles away, does superstition have a place in modern medicine? Is it possible to reconcile the supernatu...

Recently Lee Chong Wei’s B sample tested positive, with a potential suspension looming for the world badminton champ. Chong Wei is more than just a badminton player for Malaysians; he’s a symbol of national unity. A figure that all Malaysians admire. Will Chong Wei’s fall from grace affect our unity? Or will we rally behind the man? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Malaysia has been described as a fast-developing country, working hard in wanting to achieve its Vision 2020. People say we're a progressive nation but are we really? Or have we become a regressive one? Our lines were open. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was reported that SPAD has put a recommendation in to the Transport Ministry to increase public transport charges nationwide. While the proposal awaits green light, many are already up in arms over the matter. But some have argued that a public transportation hike is unavoidable given the meager wages sustained by workers of transportation companies. Whatever the outcome, what we want to know i...

We’ve known for some time that the inevitable will happen - an end to the fuel subsidies. And whilst we’re aware that at some point it will happen, details of how it will happen have been somewhat unclear.   Yesterday October 27th, it was revealed that as of next year the fuel subsidy rationalisation programme will be divided into three tiers. Those earning less than 5K will recei...

Our Nasi Lemak dish has always been the talk of the country, but more so now ever since it was announced that the iconic Malaysian dish will be the Tourism Ministry’s ‘weapon’ to entice Japanese tourists to the country. But is that really all we have to offer to attract tourists? We found out what you thought this evening on Talkback Thursday.  See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Women were an important feature in the Prime Minister's Budget 2015 tabled last Friday. The Women, Family and Community Development will be allocated RM2.26 billion to enhance contribution to women, on top of the government's initiation to have 30% of women in decision-making positions as well. But with such policies in place, are we walking the talk? Our lines were open. See omnystudio.com/listen...

It's that time of year again, the budget. This year, it's rumoured that the focus will be on stimulating growth, improving Malaysia's fiscal position and raising the people's standard of living. How will the Government balance the need to reform the country's economy and meet the expectations of the people? What expectations do you have for the budget 2015? Our lines were open. See omnystudio.com/...

It was reported recently that Malaysia may be headed for a retirement crisis as tens of thousands of Malaysians depart the workforce for their golden years with less savings than is needed to keep them out of poverty. With this revelation in mind, are you willing to work beyond the age of 60 to sustain your golden years? We asked you today on Talkback Tuesday.  See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The Evening Edition addressed the topic that had Malaysians talking non-stop since its announcement - the fuel price hike. Effective from midnight last night, the price of RON95 petrol and diesel increased by RM0.20 sen per litre. Petrol stations were packed to the brim adding to the heavy traffic that accompanied the heavy rain. Were you stuck in that jam when all you wanted to do was get home? W...

Parents are up in arms again, and this time it’s about the Ministry of Education’s decision to bar Form 5 students from applying for pre-university programmes using their SPM forecast results. The announcement came as a shock to all; parents and private institutions most of all. Forecast results, in practice at least, have been used by private institutions upon which students are given...

It's reported in the papers today of how a Casanova conned a single mother of RM90k. This adds on to the numerous stories we've been reading in the papers, and seeing on social media, including how scammers have been terrorizing our bank accounts and credit cards. Have you been a victim of a scam? Call us and share your experience with us this evening on Talkback Thursday. Our lines will be open....

The Science vs Arts argument has long been in the books, with Science always being the preferred choice over the often depicted "lesser-successful" Arts education. And today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that Malaysia will continue to push for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education to help propel the tech-driven economy and to help encourage future leaders. Is it...