US President Donald Trump has claimed that over-the-counter painkiller Tylenol, if used by pregnant women, increases their chances of getting autistic children. Medical experts have criticised his statement, saying that no direct studies exist to support his claims. We find out more from Dr Norazlin Kamal, Consultant Developmental Paediatrician.

Other stories we covered:

• Malaysians to be executed in Singapore: Two Malaysian men, K. Datchinamurthy and Pannir Selvam, are facing execution in Singapore for heroin trafficking, with Datchinamurthy scheduled to hang this Thursday despite legal challenges and Pannir’s final appeal recently dismissed. Malaysian MPs are urging intervention to delay Pannir’s sentence, citing ongoing investigations into the drug syndicate that recruited him. We hear from M. Ravi, the lawyer who formerly represented Pannir Selvam and K. Datchinamurthy*.

• Mufti weighs in statutory rape debate: Federal Territories mufti Ahmad Fauwaz stated that civil law overlooks the moral issue of premarital sex, asserting both parties are culpable, even in rape cases. We hear the perspective of Dato’ Mohamad Azam Mohamad Adil, the director general of Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia, and Dato’ Farouk Musa, Founder and Director of Islamic Renaissance Front.

• Freak storm in KL: A sudden and violent thunderstorm swept through Klang Valley, causing widespread damage to homes, vehicles, and infrastructure, with residents likening it to a tornado. We spoke to Ambun Dindang, Deputy Director General of Operations at METMalaysia about what the storm means. We also speak to Dr Chong Kai Lin, senior lecturer in the Environmental and Disaster Management faculty at University Utara Malaysia on how to spot early warning signs.

• Port Dickson to be renamed: A coalition of NGOs wants the town to be called Pantai Dermaga, citing the need to drop colonial names and reclaim local ones. We discuss.

*Correction: In the podcast, M. Ravi was incorrectly identified as the current lawyer representing K. Datchinamurthy. While M. Ravi formerly represented him, Datchinamurthy is now represented by N. Surendran. We regret the error.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Tee Shiao Eek, Sudais Ferhard, Alia Zefri, Sneha Harikannan, Susan Tam

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Sharaad Kuttan, Susan Tam

This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  History/Heritage,  culture,  environment,  Cars/Motoring,  Law/Activism,  politics,  controversies,  international,  health policy

Tags:  mufti,  K. datchinamurthy,  tylenol,  port dickson,  thunderstorm,  klang valley,  statutory rape,  singapore,  execution,  pannir selvam,  president donald trump,  autism,