Malaysia’s childhood stunting rate has risen to around 24 per cent in 2024, placing it behind several poorer neighbouring countries and signalling a serious public health concern. We discuss what led to this alarming trajectory and how to reverse this long-standing problem with consultant paediatrician Dr Amar-Singh HSS. (Starts at 21:45)



• China-Malaysia tech push: China plans to deepen cooperation with Malaysia’s northern states in tech, energy, and industrial development. Peter TC Chang, former Deputy Director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya, weighs in on the broader impact of this strategic partnership. (Starts at 17:10)

• Spain’s social media ban for under-16s: Spain is following in Australia’s footsteps as it moves towards banning social media for children, proposing laws that include stricter age verification, tougher rules on algorithms, and personal liability for executives over hate speech. The plan has drawn sharp backlash from X's owner, Elon Musk. (Starts at 11:48)

• Court weighs legality of unilateral child conversions: Federal counsel argues that unilateral conversion of minors by one parent is constitutional in an ongoing case linked to Indira Gandhi’s 18-year legal battle. As the High Court makes its decision, we speak to constitutional lawyer Abraham Au on whether the federal counsel’s argument holds any weight. (Starts at 05:45)

• A&W PJ’s return to drive-in dining: A&W’s Petaling Jaya outlet, open for over 60 years, cruises back in time as it revives its original drive-in dining experience. (Starts at 00:22)



Image Credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia’s childhood stunting rate has risen to around 24 per cent in 2024, placing it behind several poorer neighbouring countries and signalling a serious public health concern. We discuss what led to this alarming trajectory and how to reverse this long-standing problem with consultant paediatrician Dr Amar-Singh HSS. (Starts at 21:45)• China-Malaysia tech push: China plans to deepen cooperation with Malaysia’s northern states in tech, energy, and industrial development. Peter TC Chang, former Deputy Director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya, weighs in on the broader impact of this strategic partnership. (Starts at 17:10)• Spain’s social media ban for under-16s: Spain is following in Australia’s footsteps as it moves towards banning social media for children, proposing laws that include stricter age verification, tougher rules on algorithms, and personal liability for executives over hate speech. The plan has drawn sharp backlash from X's owner, Elon Musk. (Starts at 11:48)• Court weighs legality of unilateral child conversions: Federal counsel argues that unilateral conversion of minors by one parent is constitutional in an ongoing case linked to Indira Gandhi’s 18-year legal battle. As the High Court makes its decision, we speak to constitutional lawyer Abraham Au on whether the federal counsel’s argument holds any weight. (Starts at 05:45)• A&amp;W PJ’s return to drive-in dining: A&amp;W’s Petaling Jaya outlet, open for over 60 years, cruises back in time as it revives its original drive-in dining experience. (Starts at 00:22)Image Credit: Shutterstock

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: Rising Childhood Stunting in Malaysia Raises Alarm

The Munich Security Conference 2026 opens under the shadow of U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s sharp critique of Europe’s migration, defense, and free speech policies, compounded by Washington’s Greenland claims that rattled transatlantic trust. As Macron and Merz push for a more independent European path and America’s culture wars seep into security debates, the question is whether Europe can afford its own defense while keeping solidarity alive. (Starts at 21:58)



• Protests against Azam Baki continue: Members of the public and civil society groups organised a protest against the MACC Chief following his latest shareholding controversy and Bloomberg reports that accused the commission of being involved in corporate collusion. We revisit a conversation on the Morning Run, where independent business writer P. Gunasegaram unpacks this controversy. (Starts at 15:46)



• Should art be apolitical?: Politics took centre stage at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival when jury president Wim Wenders said filmmakers should stay out of politics. His comments sparked strong conversation, with some agreeing that artists should refrain from making political statements while others, like author Arundathi Roy calling his stance unconscionable. We get into it. (Starts at 10:58)



• Hamzah Zainudin heading to UMNO?: Ex Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin was sacked from his party last week, along with 16 other party leaders over allegations that they had attempted to oust president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin from his position. Initial rumours say Hamzah is headed back to his old party UMNO. We discuss these rumblings and the state of Bersatu's leadership with Adib Zalkapli, managing director of Viewfinder Global Affairs. (Starts at 05:06)



• Passengers demand quiet on LRTs: A report from The Sun detailed how commuters take issue with the loud advertisements that are played on the LRT, especially in the morning when they want a peaceful journey. We discuss their experiences. (Starts at 00:23)



Image Credit: Shutterstock

The Munich Security Conference 2026 opens under the shadow of U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s sharp critique of Europe’s migration, defense, and free speech policies, compounded by Washington’s Greenland claims that rattled transatlantic trust. As Macron and Merz push for a more independent European path and America’s culture wars seep into security debates, the question is whether Europe can afford its own defense while keeping solidarity alive. (Starts at 21:58)• Protests against Azam Baki continue: Members of the public and civil society groups organised a protest against the MACC Chief following his latest shareholding controversy and Bloomberg reports that accused the commission of being involved in corporate collusion. We revisit a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/azam-baki-can-the-macc-still-be-trusted">conversation </a>on the Morning Run, where independent business writer P. Gunasegaram unpacks this controversy. (Starts at 15:46)• Should art be apolitical?: Politics took centre stage at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival when jury president Wim Wenders said filmmakers should stay out of politics. His comments sparked strong conversation, with some agreeing that artists should refrain from making political statements while others, like author Arundathi Roy calling his stance unconscionable. We get into it. (Starts at 10:58)• Hamzah Zainudin heading to UMNO?: Ex Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin was sacked from his party last week, along with 16 other party leaders over allegations that they had attempted to oust president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin from his position. Initial rumours say Hamzah is headed back to his old party UMNO. We discuss these rumblings and the state of Bersatu's leadership with Adib Zalkapli, managing director of Viewfinder Global Affairs. (Starts at 05:06)• Passengers demand quiet on LRTs: A report from The Sun detailed how commuters take issue with the loud advertisements that are played on the LRT, especially in the morning when they want a peaceful journey. We discuss their experiences. (Starts at 00:23)Image Credit: Shutterstock

Top 5 at 5: How is Europe Responding to Trump's World Order?

Civil society groups have welcomed the government’s plan to separate the powers of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor. They emphasized that the reform’s credibility hinges on genuine prosecutorial independence, especially through a strong appointment process for the Public Prosecutor. We get into it. (Starts at )



• Azam Baki faces legal action: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki is under renewed scrutiny after fresh protests erupted over his alleged shareholdings, while he simultaneously initiated legal action against Bloomberg for reporting that he held 17.7 million shares in a financial services company. Arief Hamizan, from Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) weighs in. (Starts at )



• SOPs on encroaching worship sites: Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari announced new standard operating procedures for reporting houses of worship that encroach on public or private land, aiming to streamline complaints and ensure fair handling by local authorities. We discuss this new development. (Starts at )



• Bangladesh election results: Bangladesh’s election delivered a landslide win for the BNP, the first free and fair polls in nearly 20 years. Tarique Rahman pledged clean politics, while analysts warn the real challenge is meeting the democratic demands of the 2024 uprising. We hear from Dr Niaz Asadullah of Chulalongkorn University on what this means for Bangladesh’s future. (Starts at )



• Olympic bronze and cheating confessions: Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid stunned viewers at the 2026 Winter Olympics when, moments after winning bronze in the men’s 20 km biathlon, he tearfully admitted on live TV that he had cheated on his girlfriend, calling it “the worst week of my life” and pleading for her forgiveness. We discuss this moment. (Starts at )



Image Credit: Shutterstock

Civil society groups have welcomed the government’s plan to separate the powers of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor. They emphasized that the reform’s credibility hinges on genuine prosecutorial independence, especially through a strong appointment process for the Public Prosecutor. We get into it. (Starts at )• Azam Baki faces legal action: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki is under renewed scrutiny after fresh protests erupted over his alleged shareholdings, while he simultaneously initiated legal action against Bloomberg for reporting that he held 17.7 million shares in a financial services company. Arief Hamizan, from Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) weighs in. (Starts at )• SOPs on encroaching worship sites: Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari announced new standard operating procedures for reporting houses of worship that encroach on public or private land, aiming to streamline complaints and ensure fair handling by local authorities. We discuss this new development. (Starts at )• Bangladesh election results: Bangladesh’s election delivered a landslide win for the BNP, the first free and fair polls in nearly 20 years. Tarique Rahman pledged clean politics, while analysts warn the real challenge is meeting the democratic demands of the 2024 uprising. We hear from Dr Niaz Asadullah of Chulalongkorn University on what this means for Bangladesh’s future. (Starts at )• Olympic bronze and cheating confessions: Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid stunned viewers at the 2026 Winter Olympics when, moments after winning bronze in the men’s 20 km biathlon, he tearfully admitted on live TV that he had cheated on his girlfriend, calling it “the worst week of my life” and pleading for her forgiveness. We discuss this moment. (Starts at )Image Credit: Shutterstock

Top 5 at 5: Guardrails for the Public Prosecutor

Malaysia just climbed three places in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), released by Transparency International on the 10th of February.  Out of 182 countries Malaysia moved to the 54th place, improving from 57th place last year - and now ranks third among ASEAN countries in the CPI, behind Singapore and Brunei. We dive into the report with Raymon Ram, president of Transparency International-Malaysia. (Starts at 24:23)


• Herzog goes home: Israeli President Isaac Herzog ended a 4-day visit to Australia to commemorate victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting. His presence drew opposition from all over, with over 10,000 protestors gathered in Sydney and Melbourne. Kean Wong, a journalist based in Sydney, shares his on-the-ground experience of the rally. (Starts at 17:53)

• Road rage and retribution: In Cheras, a 70-year old man was assaulted after a minor collision, leaving him with multiple injuries and stitches. Netizens have raised questions over the punishment, after it was reported that the assailant was fined RM5,500. We discuss the optics. (Starts at 12:03)

• Impounded for tiger pelts: A Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur charged a Malaysian businessman under the Wildlife Conservation Act for illegally keeping a tiger skin in his home, sentencing him to two years in jail and a RM300,000 fine. Elizabeth John, Communications Manager at TRAFFIC shares insights. (Starts at 6:27)

• When traffic becomes torture: This past week, netizens have been documenting and lamenting the horrid conditions on the roads of Klang Valley, with some having to spend hours stuck in congestion. We discuss how bad it's been, and what needs to be done. (Starts at 0:24)


Image Credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia just climbed three places in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), released by Transparency International on the 10th of February. Out of 182 countries Malaysia moved to the 54th place, improving from 57th place last year - and now ranks third among ASEAN countries in the CPI, behind Singapore and Brunei. We dive into the report with Raymon Ram, president of Transparency International-Malaysia. (Starts at 24:23) • Herzog goes home: Israeli President Isaac Herzog ended a 4-day visit to Australia to commemorate victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting. His presence drew opposition from all over, with over 10,000 protestors gathered in Sydney and Melbourne. Kean Wong, a journalist based in Sydney, shares his on-the-ground experience of the rally. (Starts at 17:53)• Road rage and retribution: In Cheras, a 70-year old man was assaulted after a minor collision, leaving him with multiple injuries and stitches. Netizens have raised questions over the punishment, after it was reported that the assailant was fined RM5,500. We discuss the optics. (Starts at 12:03)• Impounded for tiger pelts: A Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur charged a Malaysian businessman under the Wildlife Conservation Act for illegally keeping a tiger skin in his home, sentencing him to two years in jail and a RM300,000 fine. Elizabeth John, Communications Manager at TRAFFIC shares insights. (Starts at 6:27)• When traffic becomes torture: This past week, netizens have been documenting and lamenting the horrid conditions on the roads of Klang Valley, with some having to spend hours stuck in congestion. We discuss how bad it's been, and what needs to be done. (Starts at 0:24) Image Credit: Shutterstock

Top 5 at 5: Rising Childhood Stunting in Malaysia Raises Alarm

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