The biggest story today: The Malaysian labour force has boomed to an all-time high of 17.15 million people in the second quarter of 2024. We are joined by Calvin Cheng, a Fellow in the Economics, Trade and Regional Integration Division, at the Institute Of Strategic & International Studies or (ISIS) Malaysia to talk about whether we're on the right trajectory.

Other stories we covered in this episode:

· Economist Geoffrey Williams told FMT that a small e-payments tax could tackle low levels of EPF savings among Malaysians. We explore what this would entail, and whether an inheritance tax could also be introduced in the country with the economist.

· In the aftermath of the Nenggiri by-election, talks of a grand coalition between the federal government and PAS have emerged. We spoke to Professor Wong Chin Huat, Deputy Head of Strategy for the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (Kuala Lumpur Office) at Sunway University.

· Teochew opera is normally performed when the Buddhist and Taoist devotees celebrate the seventh month of the lunar the Hungry Ghost festival but local organisers are struggling to find Malaysian opera troupes to carry on this declining tradition. So we spoke to Pauline Fan, creative director of PUSAKA on the impact of losing these traditional art forms and how we can preserve these art forms.

· Tensions between the Philippines and China are brewing, with the two countries most recently trading blame over colliding vessels at the Sabina Shoal after a long history of skirmishes in disputed areas. Professor Dr Aruna Gopinath, an expert on the Philippines and on international relations, formerly with Universiti Malaya and Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, weighs in on this conversation.

Image Credit: Resume Genius, Pexels

Produced by: Dashran Yohan, Alena Nadia, Sharaad Kuttan, Lim Sue Ann, Tee Shiao Eek

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn

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

Categories:  politics,  government,  international,  performing arts

Tags:  employment,  taxation,  teochew,  performing arts,  opera,  philippines,  china,  international relations,  pas,  politics,