BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Evening Edition  >  Top 5 At 5  >  Top 5 At 5: Is a Global Wealth Tax a Fool's Errand?

Top 5 At 5: Is a Global Wealth Tax a Fool's Errand?

Dr Geoffrey Williams, Economist

02-Aug-24 17:00

Top 5 At 5: Is a Global Wealth Tax a Fool's Errand?

The stories we covered today include:

5. We check in on our Malaysian athletes at the Olympics. First, updates on our shuttlers, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, who are the first Malaysian women's doubles team to make it to the semi-finals. Then, we discuss the progress of other athletes, focusing on cyclist Datuk Azizulhasni Awang as he prepares for his races. Haresh Deol, Editor at Twentytwo13, shares his thoughts on the overall achievements of our athletes.

4. Forever chemicals, known as PFAS, are notorious for being present in everyday items like non-stick pans. However, new research published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal reveals that PFAS is also found in pesticides used on crops. Dr. Zaki Zainudin, a water quality and modeling specialist, discusses the impact of these forever chemicals and their prevalence in Malaysia.

3. Extending a commercial lease in PJ Old Town for a 99-year period apparently costs RM1,000,000, placing a heavy burden on mom-and-pop shop owners. Rajiv Rishyakaran, ADUN for Bukit Gasing, sheds light on the issue and the potential solutions being considered.

2. The investigation into the death of former political aide Teoh Beng Hock has been reopened following a meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Beng Hock's family, who have been seeking justice for over a decade. We hear from Teoh Lee Lan, sister of the late Teoh Beng Hock, as she expresses her gratitude to Anwar for the meeting.

1. Our top story: The G20 nations have agreed to implement a global tax on the ultra-wealthy to reduce wealth inequality worldwide. However, countries like the US and Germany are skeptical about its implementation. We speak in-depth with economist Dr Geoffrey Williams to explore the feasibility of such a system.

Image Credit, AlexiRosenfield, Shutterstock

Produced by: Sudais Ferhard, Lim Sue Ann, Alia Zefri, Alena Nadia


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

Categories:  governmentsportsenvironmentLaw/Activismpoliticspropertyinternationaleconomy

Tags:  olympicsbadmintoncyclingpesticidespollutionleasingteoh beng hockanwar ibrahimmaccmalaysian anti-corruption commission (macc)igptaxationtaxwealth taxg20





Play / Pause

Listen now : Opening Bell: (REPEAT) Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth...

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

Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management 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

Prof. Amin Saikal of The Australian National University discusses whether diplomacy is still on the table as US-Iran tensions escalate.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

: Soh Lian Seng, Head of Tax at KPMG in Malaysia, discusses the New Incentive Framework and influencer tax.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Nizam Abdul Razak, Founder & CEO of Monsta Studios Sdn Bhd discusses Papa Zola The Movie’s RM60 million success and the making of a Malaysian animation powerhouse.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Professor Datin Paduka Dr Fatimah Mohamed Arshad, Food Security Chair, UPM talks about the National Food Security Policy 2030 and proposed National Food Security Act.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) We dive into the local and international news that matters to you.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

People, Planet, Profit

We cover the latest news and views in the ESG space to help businesses thrive with impact.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

In an F&B landscape often defined by rapid burnout and aggressive discounting, Arieni Ritzal has taken a different path. Since her last visit to the studio, Gula Cakery has evolved from a boutique success into a disciplined enterprise with 19 outlets and a projected RM20 million in sales for 2025.

11:00 AM

Marketing Mojo

René Menezes, Leader, Kult

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Running a business built on local craft and grit is a cornerstone of Malaysian culture. But as the nation prepares for the massive influx of Visit Malaysia 2026, "passion" alone may no longer be enough to scale. While MSMEs represent 97% of all registered businesses and contribute 38% of the national GDP, many remain tethered to a cash-heavy past that limits their growth. In this episode of Open For Business, We sit down with Previn Pillay, Country Manager of Visa Malaysia, to discuss the invisible infrastructure required to move a business from a simple roadside transaction to a total digital transformation.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Nizam Abdul Razak, Founder & CEO of Monsta Studios Sdn Bhd discusses Papa Zola The Movie’s RM60 million success and the making of a Malaysian animation powerhouse.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

Dr Priya Sharma shares insights on the gap between what business students are taught and how businesses operate on the ground, with regard to labour.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Long after surgery to remove a torn meniscus, people may be left with knee pain and arthritis. We look at other treatment options to avoid this.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

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

6:00 PM

Talkback Tuesday

8:00 PM

BBC World Service