BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Evening Edition  >  Top 5 At 5  >  Top 5 at 5: Financial Aid Through MyKad - The Way To Go?

Top 5 at 5: Financial Aid Through MyKad - The Way To Go?

Derek Kok, Senior Research Analyst, Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia, Sunway University

09-Sep-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: Financial Aid Through MyKad - The Way To Go?

Malaysians received their RM100 Sara aid on Merdeka, but due to the massive influx of people using their MyKad to redeem the money, there were a few technological glitches and some had to use their own money to pay in the end. Despite this, and concerns brought up by former economic minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, the government is still going on with their plan to hand out the RON95 subsidy using the same MyKad system. We weigh out the pros and cons with Derek Kok.

Other stories we covered:

Guard tussles with Pro-Palestinian protestor: A Suria KLCC security guard attempted to confiscate a Palestinian flag from a protestor who visited the mall after a rally nearby. KLCC management has defended its staff, saying that it was part of their safety procedure, but this incident has ignited calls to boycott KLCC. We speak to Mohd Nazari Ismail, Chairperson of the BDS Movement Malaysia about this.

• Nepal PM resigns after violent protests: Nepal's PM, Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli has stepped down after deadly protests over a social media ban. We spoke to Rajneesh Bhandari, Founder and Chief Editor at the Nepal Investigative Multimedia Journalism Network.

• Malaysian receives PEN-Booker recognition: Pauline Fan bagged this prize for her work as a translator of the English-language version of the historical novel, Hari-Hari Terakhir di Jesselton, which was originally written in Malay by Sabah-born Ruhaini Matdarin. We speak to Pauline herself about the win and significance of the novel.

• The literal cost of eating healthy: Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy teamed up with Universiti Teknologi Mara to conduct a survey, in which they found that the Health Ministry's "suku suku separuh" dietary guide might not be affordable for everybody. We get in it.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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

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:  foodwellnesseducationcultureinternationalcontroversiesLaw/Activismpoliticstechnologygovernment

Tags:  eating healthyPEN-bookerviolent protestsSARA aidfood pricesnepalpro-palestineklccmykad





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist, UBP, tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Krystal Tan, Economist at ANZ Bank analyzes Thailand’s economy under new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and whether his team can deliver results.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Law Teik Hua, Associate Professor at Universiti Putra Malaysia on autonomous vehicles in Malaysia

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Laura Blanco & Abdelwahab Hani of the UN Committee Against Torture discuss humane alternatives to punishment.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Paul Anthony, Taylor’s University gives us his thoughts on EPF's efforts in rebuilding its savings.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Ahmad Dasuki bin Abdul Majid, Chief Executive of PTPTN discusses the repayment rate of PTPTN loans and the Lestari Pendidikan campaign.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist, UBP, tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

Jeremy Goh of CGSI Malaysia unpacks the second quarter corporate result season for Malaysia.

9:35 AM

The Property Show

Patrick Au, CEO of VYROX discusses how the smart home technology has evolved over the years.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Hiro Tan, Managing Director, Rotiboy

11:00 AM

The Workplace

, Aon's Surendran Ramanathan shares findings from its 2025 Malaysia Employee Benefits and Wellbeing Report

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Ganesh Kumar Bangah, Chair, e-Commerce Malaysia, PIKOM

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Laura Blanco & Abdelwahab Hani of the UN Committee Against Torture discuss humane alternatives to punishment.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

This Merdeka and Malaysia Day, we highlight a family whose love for nature runs deep. Wildlife photographer Anuar McAfee and his sons share their adventures exploring Terengganu’s forests, rivers, and skies.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

What happens when older adults misuse substances, such as their own prescription drugs? We speak to an expert to find out the dangers and how to help them.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Big Issue

We speak to Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Tan Sri Dato' Johari bin Abdul about the Indonesian protests and what it says about parliamentary accountability.

7:00 PM

Stories of KL

Architect Yu Cher Tung shares how sketching with Urban Sketchers KL is a way of seeing and remembering the city through art.

8:00 PM

Cruise Control

Daniel Fernandez, Managing Editor, dsf.my