Starting January 1st 2026, Malaysia will automatically license major social media platforms with over eight million users, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, and YouTube, under the Communications and Multimedia Act. What impact will this have? We discuss with Dr Benjamin Loh.



• PAS pushes racial rhetorics over Hannah Yeoh's new appointment: PAS has criticised Hannah Yeoh’s historic appointment as Federal Territories minister, framing it as ethnic power concentration. How does PAS’ racial narrative undermine its bid to broaden support? We hear from Dr Oh Ei Sun, principal advisor at the Pacific Research Centre, about this.

• Anti-misogyny training in UK schools: The UK is rolling out anti‑misogyny training in schools to curb violence against women and girls. Teachers will be trained to challenge harmful myths and spot abusive behaviours, while high‑risk students receive extra support. We discuss how effective this plan is. 

• Bridge to Indonesia (from Melaka): Melaka is exploring a 47.7 km bridge to Sumatra, with a feasibility study set to begin next year. Supporters tout its economic potential, while critics question the state’s finances and the need for such a project. We hear thoughts from Associate Professor Dr Fauzan Mohd Jakarni, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at University Putra Malaysia.

• Donald Trump renames the Kennedy Center after himself: This has sparked legal, political, and cultural backlash, highlighting the clash between tradition, law, and Trump’s ongoing culture war. We explore.



Image Credit: Pexels

Starting January 1st 2026, Malaysia will automatically license major social media platforms with over eight million users, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, and YouTube, under the Communications and Multimedia Act. What impact will this have? We discuss with Dr Benjamin Loh.• PAS pushes racial rhetorics over Hannah Yeoh's new appointment: PAS has criticised Hannah Yeoh’s historic appointment as Federal Territories minister, framing it as ethnic power concentration. How does PAS’ racial narrative undermine its bid to broaden support? We hear from Dr Oh Ei Sun, principal advisor at the Pacific Research Centre, about this.• Anti-misogyny training in UK schools: The UK is rolling out anti‑misogyny training in schools to curb violence against women and girls. Teachers will be trained to challenge harmful myths and spot abusive behaviours, while high‑risk students receive extra support. We discuss how effective this plan is. • Bridge to Indonesia (from Melaka): Melaka is exploring a 47.7 km bridge to Sumatra, with a feasibility study set to begin next year. Supporters tout its economic potential, while critics question the state’s finances and the need for such a project. We hear thoughts from Associate Professor Dr Fauzan Mohd Jakarni, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at University Putra Malaysia.• Donald Trump renames the Kennedy Center after himself: This has sparked legal, political, and cultural backlash, highlighting the clash between tradition, law, and Trump’s ongoing culture war. We explore.Image Credit: Pexels

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

Top 5 At 5

Top 5 at 5: All Social Media Platforms To Be Licensed

A new report by the reform group, Projek SAMA examines 28 corruption, criminal breach of trust, and money‑laundering cases involving 21 elected politicians between 2018 and 2025, highlighting patterns of prosecutorial withdrawals, long delays, and inconsistent handling that continue to fuel public perceptions of a two‑tiered justice system. We discuss the findings with Ngeow Chow Ying, a convenor at Projek SAMA. (Starts at 24:26)


• Residents urge stop to Ayer Hitam development: 700 people protested a development deal proposed for an area near Ayer Hitam, one of the remaining forested areas in the Selangor region. We hear from Bandar Puteri 9 Resident’s Association secretary Kathryn Wong for more on the issue. (Starts at 18:14)

• No more pets for pet-friendly malls: After some controversy involving assemblypersons and public boycotts, Sunway Square u-turned on their pet-friendly policy. We get into it. (Starts at 10:32)

• Bad weather worsens conditions in Gaza: A recent storm uprooted tents, collapsed buildings collapsed and killed several people, including a two-week-old baby. We speak to Dr Hani Thuraya, who is the ground coordinator in Gaza for Viva Palestina Malaysia, about what the people of Gaza need to survive. (Starts at 6:12)

• China raises taxes on condoms: From January next year, condoms and other contraceptives will lose a tax exemption they have enjoyed for more than 30 years. We discuss whether this works in the grand scheme of encouraging parenthood. (Starts at 0:23)


Image Credit: Shutterstock

A new report by the reform group, Projek SAMA examines 28 corruption, criminal breach of trust, and money‑laundering cases involving 21 elected politicians between 2018 and 2025, highlighting patterns of prosecutorial withdrawals, long delays, and inconsistent handling that continue to fuel public perceptions of a two‑tiered justice system. We discuss the findings with Ngeow Chow Ying, a convenor at Projek SAMA. (Starts at 24:26) • Residents urge stop to Ayer Hitam development: 700 people protested a development deal proposed for an area near Ayer Hitam, one of the remaining forested areas in the Selangor region. We hear from Bandar Puteri 9 Resident’s Association secretary Kathryn Wong for more on the issue. (Starts at 18:14)• No more pets for pet-friendly malls: After some controversy involving assemblypersons and public boycotts, Sunway Square u-turned on their pet-friendly policy. We get into it. (Starts at 10:32)• Bad weather worsens conditions in Gaza: A recent storm uprooted tents, collapsed buildings collapsed and killed several people, including a two-week-old baby. We speak to Dr Hani Thuraya, who is the ground coordinator in Gaza for Viva Palestina Malaysia, about what the people of Gaza need to survive. (Starts at 6:12)• China raises taxes on condoms: From January next year, condoms and other contraceptives will lose a tax exemption they have enjoyed for more than 30 years. We discuss whether this works in the grand scheme of encouraging parenthood. (Starts at 0:23) Image Credit: Shutterstock

Top 5 at 5: A Look at Corruption After 2018

Malaysian Women's Action for Tobacco Control and Health or MyWATCH recently released the 2025 Malaysian Tobacco Industry Interference Index, a biennial report which looks at the extent to which the tobacco industry and its proxies is involved or interfered with public health policies. To shed light on their report, we speak to Associate Professor Dr Norashidah Mohamed Nor, an economic expert with myWATCH. (Starts at 21:46)

• Durian Tunggal case reclassified as murder: The announcement comes from the Attorney General's Chambers, amidst mounting public scrutiny from the family of the deceased. We speak to criminal lawyer, Goh Cia Yee, about what this reclassification means and how cases involving police violence are typically handled. (Starts at 17:16)
• RapidKL updates transit passes for 2026: From increased prices to changes to eligibility, Prasarana says these changes come after a decade of expansion in the Klang Valley public transportation network. We dicsuss the changes, and more. (Starts at 12:42)
• Better food security with crop rotation: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is looking to expand crop rotation practices nationwide, specifically in food parks in Selangor and Johor. For more on this, we hear from Muhammad Firdaus Sulaiman, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture at University Putra Malaysia. (Starts at 06:35)
• Bao business shuts doors after seven decades: The Yik Keng Traditional Bao Shop at Mutiara Island Wholesale Market will close down after the family-run business failed to find a successor for the business. We get into the loss of family-run businesses amidst a gentrified economy. (Starts at 00:24)

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Malaysian Women's Action for Tobacco Control and Health or MyWATCH recently released the 2025 Malaysian Tobacco Industry Interference Index, a biennial report which looks at the extent to which the tobacco industry and its proxies is involved or interfered with public health policies. To shed light on their report, we speak to Associate Professor Dr Norashidah Mohamed Nor, an economic expert with myWATCH. (Starts at 21:46) • Durian Tunggal case reclassified as murder: The announcement comes from the Attorney General's Chambers, amidst mounting public scrutiny from the family of the deceased. We speak to criminal lawyer, Goh Cia Yee, about what this reclassification means and how cases involving police violence are typically handled. (Starts at 17:16) • RapidKL updates transit passes for 2026: From increased prices to changes to eligibility, Prasarana says these changes come after a decade of expansion in the Klang Valley public transportation network. We dicsuss the changes, and more. (Starts at 12:42) • Better food security with crop rotation: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is looking to expand crop rotation practices nationwide, specifically in food parks in Selangor and Johor. For more on this, we hear from Muhammad Firdaus Sulaiman, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture at University Putra Malaysia. (Starts at 06:35) • Bao business shuts doors after seven decades: The Yik Keng Traditional Bao Shop at Mutiara Island Wholesale Market will close down after the family-run business failed to find a successor for the business. We get into the loss of family-run businesses amidst a gentrified economy. (Starts at 00:24) Image Credit: Shutterstock

Top 5 at 5: Big Tobacco vs. Public Health

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced a Cabinet reshuffle this afternoon, the results of which have been surprising. We speak to Dr Syaza Shukri, Associate Professor of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia, to make sense of the decisions made and its potential implications for governance.


• Youth groups gear up for anti-graft rally: A new secretariat of youth organisations is planning a nationwide anti-graft demonstration early next year, following resolutions passed at the annual Kongress Anak Muda. We hear from Faisal Aziz, chairman of Bersih, on the rally’s objectives, and Fadhil Kasim, vice president of Liga Demokratik, who explains the urgency of the rally.

• Seri Negara reopens after heritage restoration: Galeri Seri Negara, formerly known as King’s House and part of the Carcosa complex, opens to the public on 20 December after a 10-month restoration project under Khazanah Nasional’s Warisan KL initiative. We get into it.

• Illegal steroids flooding local communities: Authorities recently raided several premises in the Klang Valley linked to the illegal trade of anabolic steroids, seizing over RM3 million worth of products. We speak to Nor Hamidi bin Shahirudin from the Pharmacy Enforcement Division on enforcement efforts, and Harpreet Kaur, Executive Director of the Malaysian Pharmacists Society, about the high demand for these illicit medicines.

• Doctors prescribe ‘nature time’ for mental health: Globally, physicians are now prescribing time outdoors to improve stress, mental health, and immunity, highlighting the benefits of integrating more green spaces into urban life. We discuss.

*Correction: In the podcast, Syaza Shukri is incorrectly referred to as the Head of Department of Political Science and Madani Studies at IIUM. Her correct designation is Associate Professor at said department.

Image Credit: Anwar Ibrahim Official Facebook

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced a Cabinet reshuffle this afternoon, the results of which have been surprising. We speak to Dr Syaza Shukri, Associate Professor of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia, to make sense of the decisions made and its potential implications for governance. • Youth groups gear up for anti-graft rally: A new secretariat of youth organisations is planning a nationwide anti-graft demonstration early next year, following resolutions passed at the annual Kongress Anak Muda. We hear from Faisal Aziz, chairman of Bersih, on the rally’s objectives, and Fadhil Kasim, vice president of Liga Demokratik, who explains the urgency of the rally.• Seri Negara reopens after heritage restoration: Galeri Seri Negara, formerly known as King’s House and part of the Carcosa complex, opens to the public on 20 December after a 10-month restoration project under Khazanah Nasional’s Warisan KL initiative. We get into it.• Illegal steroids flooding local communities: Authorities recently raided several premises in the Klang Valley linked to the illegal trade of anabolic steroids, seizing over RM3 million worth of products. We speak to Nor Hamidi bin Shahirudin from the Pharmacy Enforcement Division on enforcement efforts, and Harpreet Kaur, Executive Director of the Malaysian Pharmacists Society, about the high demand for these illicit medicines.• Doctors prescribe ‘nature time’ for mental health: Globally, physicians are now prescribing time outdoors to improve stress, mental health, and immunity, highlighting the benefits of integrating more green spaces into urban life. We discuss. *Correction: In the podcast, Syaza Shukri is incorrectly referred to as the Head of Department of Political Science and Madani Studies at IIUM. Her correct designation is Associate Professor at said department. Image Credit: Anwar Ibrahim Official Facebook

Top 5 at 5: All Social Media Platforms To Be Licensed

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