BFM 89.9
The Business Station
Copyright © 2025 BFM Media Sdn. Bhd. 200601017962. All rights reserved
Copyright © 2025 BFM Media Sdn. Bhd. 200601017962. All rights reserved
Top 5 at 5: Japan's Snap Elections Set to Begin
41 mins·17:00, 23 Jan 2026
Top 5 at 5: Japan's Snap Elections Set to Begin
41 mins
·
17:00, 23 Jan 2026
·
Recommended
Guest: Naoko Kumada (Adjunct Fellow), S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
The country's parliament dissolved today after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced that a snap election is set to begin on February 8th. We speak to Naoko Kumada, Adjunct Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies to break down what this election signals about Takaichi's tenure as PM and find out how this election will affect the current diplomatic deadlock between Japan and China. (Starts at 21:47)
• New affordable medical insurance plan introduced: The government will be introducing a new medical and health insurance and takaful plan, which will offer coverage for Malaysians up to the age of 85. The base plan is said to be more affordable, but does it really address consumers' challenges? For this, we hear from Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of the Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy and Professor Dato’ Dr Syed Mohamed Aljunid, President of the Malaysian Health Economic Association. (Starts at 15:03)
• Parliament limits interaction between MPs and the media: Journalists now need prior approval from the Speaker’s office before they can approach MPs for interviews inside the parliament building, and access to Parliament's press conference area is also being restricted. This new rule has sparked backlash from stakeholders who say it limits the freedom of information to the public. We discuss. (Starts at 10:37)
• New seed laws concern farmers: The announced changes to the Protection of New Varieties of Plants Act 2004, sparked concerns from farmers who believed Malaysia was surrendering its sovereignty to foreign bodies. We discuss these concerns with Nurfitri Amir Bin Muhammad, the Coordinator of the Malaysian Food Sovereignty Forum. (Starts at 6:15)
• Oscar 2026 nominations announced: Ahead of the awards show on March 15th, we break down the films that received the most nods and snubs and discuss the ever-changing importance of the Oscars as an institution. (Starts at 0:22)
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Presenter: Lee Chwi Lynn, Sudais Ferhard
Producer: Sudais Ferhard, Tee Shiao Eek, Alia Zefri, Juliet Jacobs, Sneha Harikannan
Japan snap election 2026Malaysia medical insurance planAffordable health insurance MalaysiaParliament media restrictionsSeed law MalaysiaFood sovereignty MalaysiaOscar 2026 nominationsSanae TakaichiPress freedom Malaysiaelections
Share:
Recommended
Jan 23
·
37 minsMirabel Ting - Rising Through Loss
Jan 23
·
40 minsCity Stunned In Norway
Jan 23
·
43 mins28 Years Later: The Bone Temple + Zombies on Screen
Recent episodes
0
Latest stories
Podcasts · Jan 23 · 12:00PM
Mirabel Ting - Rising Through Loss
37 mins
Podcasts · Jan 23 · 37 mins
Mirabel Ting - Rising Through Loss
Podcasts · Jan 23 · 11:00AM
City Stunned In Norway
40 mins
Podcasts · Jan 23 · 40 mins
City Stunned In Norway
Podcasts · Jan 23 · 10:00AM
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple + Zombies on Screen
43 mins
Podcasts · Jan 23 · 43 mins
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple + Zombies on Screen