Following a 4.1 magnitude earthquake in Segamat, Johor, we speak to Goh Thian Lai, a senior lecturer at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, about what happened, and the country's preparedness in dealing with earthquakes.

Other stories we covered:

• Would a standalone Law Ministry work?: Speaking at the ASEAN Law Summit last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a standalone ministry would improve Malaysia’s role in regional legal cooperation and bring ASEAN closer to its 2045 vision. We hear from AG Kalidas, former President of the Malaysian Bar Council, for his thoughts.
• UN declares famine in Gaza: The UN's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has now declared the famine in Gaza as "catastrophic". We reached out to Saul Takahashi, Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Hashim Sani Centre for Palestine Studies of Universiti Malaya about the significance of this declaration.
• Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day: August 25 marks eight years since the start of the Rohingya genocide which saw attacks by Myanmar’s military junta, forcing over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh. We speak to Sharifah Shakira, Founder & Executive Director of the Rohingya Women Development Network organization about an event commemorating the day.
• Lights out in Petaling Jaya: A sudden power outage struck several neighbourhoods including Kelana Jaya, Ara Damansara, Kota Damansara, and Bandar Utama - even affecting our transmission at BFM! We discuss the aftermath and hear your stories of blackouts.

Image Credit: Bernama

Following a 4.1 magnitude earthquake in Segamat, Johor, we speak to Goh Thian Lai, a senior lecturer at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, about what happened, and the country's preparedness in dealing with earthquakes. Other stories we covered: • Would a standalone Law Ministry work?: Speaking at the ASEAN Law Summit last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a standalone ministry would improve Malaysia’s role in regional legal cooperation and bring ASEAN closer to its 2045 vision. We hear from AG Kalidas, former President of the Malaysian Bar Council, for his thoughts. • UN declares famine in Gaza: The UN's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has now declared the famine in Gaza as "catastrophic". We reached out to Saul Takahashi, Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Hashim Sani Centre for Palestine Studies of Universiti Malaya about the significance of this declaration. • Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day: August 25 marks eight years since the start of the Rohingya genocide which saw attacks by Myanmar’s military junta, forcing over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh. We speak to Sharifah Shakira, Founder &amp; Executive Director of the Rohingya Women Development Network organization about an event commemorating the day. • Lights out in Petaling Jaya: A sudden power outage struck several neighbourhoods including Kelana Jaya, Ara Damansara, Kota Damansara, and Bandar Utama - even affecting our transmission at BFM! We discuss the aftermath and hear your stories of blackouts. Image Credit: Bernama

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: The Earthquake That Shook Segamat

A report today from MalayMail compiled the rising instances of the radicalisation of teenagers in Southeast Asia, driven by white supremacist ideology. Authorities say social media posts and online communities play a large factor in this. We unpack the problem in a Malaysian context and discuss rehabilitation and prevention pathways with Aizat Shamsuddin, founder of Initiate.my. (Starts at 23:30)


• Could Tan Sri Azam Baki's time at MACC be coming to an end?: According to a report by Singapore news platform The Straits Times, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not planning to renew the commissioner's tenure after his contract expires in May. We hear from Faisal Aziz, chairman of BERSIH on the importance of a comprehensive transparent investigation into the commissioner's allegations. (Starts at 18:08)

• Jow Ngiaw wins Malaysia's first Emmy: The Pahang born composer won for her work on Apple TV Plus series WondLa. As expected, Malaysians are showering her with love and we discuss if we should really 'claim' her success, given she spent most of her life and career overseas. (Starts at 12:43)

• Malaysia's position in the Middle East crisis: As the US-Israel conflict with Iran intensifies, Malaysia faces a difficult balancing act between diplomacy, neutrality, and protecting its citizens abroad. We hear from Phar Kim Beng, Director of the Institute of International and ASEAN Studies at IIUM, who argues that Putrajaya should prioritise pragmatism rather than take sides in a rapidly escalating war. (Starts at 7:36)

• Do you prefer AI vs human writers?: A recent interactive quiz from the New York Times asked users to blindly pick between works of fiction written by established authors and passages created by generative AI. Data from the quiz showed that a majority of participants preferred the AI written works. We get into it. (Starts at 0:22)


Image Credit: Shutterstock

A report today from MalayMail compiled the rising instances of the radicalisation of teenagers in Southeast Asia, driven by white supremacist ideology. Authorities say social media posts and online communities play a large factor in this. We unpack the problem in a Malaysian context and discuss rehabilitation and prevention pathways with Aizat Shamsuddin, founder of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Initiate.my">Initiate.my</a>. (Starts at 23:30) • Could Tan Sri Azam Baki's time at MACC be coming to an end?: According to a report by Singapore news platform The Straits Times, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not planning to renew the commissioner's tenure after his contract expires in May. We hear from Faisal Aziz, chairman of BERSIH on the importance of a comprehensive transparent investigation into the commissioner's allegations. (Starts at 18:08)• Jow Ngiaw wins Malaysia's first Emmy: The Pahang born composer won for her work on Apple TV Plus series WondLa. As expected, Malaysians are showering her with love and we discuss if we should really 'claim' her success, given she spent most of her life and career overseas. (Starts at 12:43)• Malaysia's position in the Middle East crisis: As the US-Israel conflict with Iran intensifies, Malaysia faces a difficult balancing act between diplomacy, neutrality, and protecting its citizens abroad. We hear from Phar Kim Beng, Director of the Institute of International and ASEAN Studies at IIUM, who argues that Putrajaya should prioritise pragmatism rather than take sides in a rapidly escalating war. (Starts at 7:36)• Do you prefer AI vs human writers?: A recent interactive quiz from the New York Times asked users to blindly pick between works of fiction written by established authors and passages created by generative AI. Data from the quiz showed that a majority of participants preferred the AI written works. We get into it. (Starts at 0:22) Image Credit: Shutterstock

Top 5 at 5: Radicalisation of Teens Growing in the Region

MUDA is preparing for its inaugural party elections, scheduled for later this week. We are joined by Amira Aisya, the acting president of MUDA, to delve into the impact of these elections on internal party dynamics. We will also discuss the implications of founding member Syed Saddiq's decision not to contest, and how these events collectively shape the party's future identity leading into the next general elections. (Starts at 23:32)


• Jelutong landfill reclamation project fails environmental assessment: This is a win for residents and environmental activists who have opposed the project due to potential public health risks and pollution of the ecologically diverse 'Middle Bank' area located near the landfill. We learn more about these concerns with Bandar Sri Penang Resident's Association chairman Dr K Ganesh and Honorary Secretary of Sahabat Alam Mageswari Sangaralingam. (Starts at 16:57)

• Less food waste this Ramadhan: The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation reported a nearly 12 percent reduction in food waste during this year's Ramadan season, compared to 2025. We discuss the new methods introduced to curb food waste. (Starts at 11:23)

• Is the US-Iran conflict a bid for oil control?: Senator Lindsey Graham has openly framed the conflict as a chance to control vast reserves and reshape the Middle East. The Straits of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s crude flows, have become the flashpoint driving both soaring prices and hawkish rhetoric. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump insists that the war will end soon. We get into all this with Dr James Dorsey, adjunct senior fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. (Starts at 6:27)

• Jacinda Ardern leaves New Zealand: The former Prime Minister joins a record number of New Zealanders leaving the country for sites like Australia and the UK which they believe house better costs of living, job opportunities and housing availability. We discuss New Zealand's perennial 'brain drain' problem. (Starts at 0:23)


Image Credit: Parti Muda Malaysia Facebook

MUDA is preparing for its inaugural party elections, scheduled for later this week. We are joined by Amira Aisya, the acting president of MUDA, to delve into the impact of these elections on internal party dynamics. We will also discuss the implications of founding member Syed Saddiq's decision not to contest, and how these events collectively shape the party's future identity leading into the next general elections. (Starts at 23:32) • Jelutong landfill reclamation project fails environmental assessment: This is a win for residents and environmental activists who have opposed the project due to potential public health risks and pollution of the ecologically diverse 'Middle Bank' area located near the landfill. We learn more about these concerns with Bandar Sri Penang Resident's Association chairman Dr K Ganesh and Honorary Secretary of Sahabat Alam Mageswari Sangaralingam. (Starts at 16:57)• Less food waste this Ramadhan: The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation reported a nearly 12 percent reduction in food waste during this year's Ramadan season, compared to 2025. We discuss the new methods introduced to curb food waste. (Starts at 11:23)• Is the US-Iran conflict a bid for oil control?: Senator Lindsey Graham has openly framed the conflict as a chance to control vast reserves and reshape the Middle East. The Straits of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s crude flows, have become the flashpoint driving both soaring prices and hawkish rhetoric. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump insists that the war will end soon. We get into all this with Dr James Dorsey, adjunct senior fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. (Starts at 6:27)• Jacinda Ardern leaves New Zealand: The former Prime Minister joins a record number of New Zealanders leaving the country for sites like Australia and the UK which they believe house better costs of living, job opportunities and housing availability. We discuss New Zealand's perennial 'brain drain' problem. (Starts at 0:23) Image Credit: Parti Muda Malaysia Facebook

Top 5 at 5: MUDA To Hold First Time Party Elections

Nepal's first elections since the Gen Z led protests September 2025 have concluded with a landslide victory from relative newcomers Balendra Shah and his party Rastriya Swatantra Party. We find out what led to this historic win, the impact of the youth on this result and where this leaves the ousted previous regime with Dr Puspa Sharma, senior research fellow from NUS Institute of South Asian Studies. (Starts at 23:23)


• Islamic academic Mohamed Syed Naquib Aljunid passes away at 94: A giant in the world of Islamic thinking, Syed helped establish multiple Islamic institutions in Malaysia and even inspired Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim early in his political career. We hear about the legacy he left behind from Khairudin Aljunied, Professor of Islam in Southeast Asia at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization at IIUM. (Starts at 17:17)

• Proposal to split up constituencies: Two MPs Tony Puah and Azli Yusof say it's time to create new seats in larger constituencies to aid MPs that are spread too thin. We weigh out the pros and cons of this idea. (Starts at 12:43)

• US-Israel war on Iran continues: At day 9 of the war, updates include strikes on Iranian oil storage depots, Iranian President Massaoud Pezeshkian apologising to neighbouring countries for launching attacks and the appointment of new Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei. We unpack these updates with Julia Roknifard, senior lecturer at Taylor's University (Starts at 6:33)

• Timothee Chalamet vs 'Old World' art forms: In a recently aired interview, Oscar nominee Timothee Chalamet made a slight at ballet and opera, saying no one cares about these art forms any more, much to the disappointment from members of the performing arts industry. We discuss if these comments were well intentioned or disparaging. (Starts at 0:24)


Image Credit: Shutterstock

Nepal's first elections since the Gen Z led protests September 2025 have concluded with a landslide victory from relative newcomers Balendra Shah and his party Rastriya Swatantra Party. We find out what led to this historic win, the impact of the youth on this result and where this leaves the ousted previous regime with Dr Puspa Sharma, senior research fellow from NUS Institute of South Asian Studies. (Starts at 23:23) • Islamic academic Mohamed Syed Naquib Aljunid passes away at 94: A giant in the world of Islamic thinking, Syed helped establish multiple Islamic institutions in Malaysia and even inspired Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim early in his political career. We hear about the legacy he left behind from Khairudin Aljunied, Professor of Islam in Southeast Asia at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization at IIUM. (Starts at 17:17)• Proposal to split up constituencies: Two MPs Tony Puah and Azli Yusof say it's time to create new seats in larger constituencies to aid MPs that are spread too thin. We weigh out the pros and cons of this idea. (Starts at 12:43)• US-Israel war on Iran continues: At day 9 of the war, updates include strikes on Iranian oil storage depots, Iranian President Massaoud Pezeshkian apologising to neighbouring countries for launching attacks and the appointment of new Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei. We unpack these updates with Julia Roknifard, senior lecturer at Taylor's University (Starts at 6:33)• Timothee Chalamet vs 'Old World' art forms: In a recently aired interview, Oscar nominee Timothee Chalamet made a slight at ballet and opera, saying no one cares about these art forms any more, much to the disappointment from members of the performing arts industry. We discuss if these comments were well intentioned or disparaging. (Starts at 0:24) Image Credit: Shutterstock

Top 5 at 5: The Earthquake That Shook Segamat

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