BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Evening Edition  >  Top 5 At 5  >  Top 5 at 5: Road to the White House #3 - A Female President?

Top 5 at 5: Road to the White House #3 - A Female President?

Regina Bateson, Assistant Professor in Political Science, University of Colorado Boulder

21-Oct-24 17:00

Top 5 at 5: Road to the White House #3 - A Female President?

How has Kamala Harris' identity influenced her vice-presidential journey, and how likely are Americans to vote for a female president? In our third edition of 'Road to the White House,' we explore the role of women in US politics with Regina Batson, an Assistant Professor in Political Science at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Other stories we covered today:

· Who Are the T15?: In his Budget 2025 speech, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the wealthiest 15% of Malaysians, called the T15, will lose subsidies for RON95 fuel, healthcare, and education starting mid-2025. We spoke to economist Dr. Geoffrey Williams to clarify who qualifies as T15 and explore potential alternatives.

· New House Arrest Law Considered: Budget 2025 also introduced the possibility of house arrest as an alternative punishment for certain crimes to adress the issue of congested prisons. The announcement has since sparked online debate, raising concerns about whether this could reduce the impact of former Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's prison sentence. We get insights from human rights lawyer New Sin Yew.

· UN Biodiversity Conference COP16: As the 16th UN Biodiversity Conference kicks off, we hear from Julian Hyde, CEO of Reef Check Malaysia, about funding for ecosystem protection, safeguarding Indigenous rights, and the global commitment to protect ecosystems by 2030.

· Popek Popek Parlimen: We look at some of the key discussions in parliament today including security concerns in the South China Sea, updates on the 13th Malaysia Plan, as well as the opposition's reaction to Budget 2025.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Alena Nadia, Sudais Ferhard, Dashran Yohan, Juliet Jacobs

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Sharaad Kuttan


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

Categories:  politics,  government,  international,  Law/Activism,  controversies

Tags:  women in US politics,  Regina Batson,  T15 Malaysia,  house arrest law,  UN Biodiversity Conference,  COP16,  13th Malaysia Plan,  Budget 2025 reaction,  kamala harris,  political science,  Budget 2025,  anwar ibrahim,  subsidies,  prison reform,  najib tun razak,  ecosystem protection,  indigenous rights,  parliament,  south china sea, 


Latest Podcasts




Play / Pause

Listen now : Beyond the Ballot Box:

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

Tony Nash, CEO, Complete Intelligence 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

r. Yang Zi, Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, on the China's top general military purge.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Wan Amirah Wan Usamah, Research Associate, Khazanah Research Institute, unpacks the significance of the BNPL take-up.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Dato' Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi discusses the Ministry of Works’ road projects, national infrastructure, and Sarawak’s political direction, MA63, and the Sarawak Formula.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

We break down the day’s top news with expert insights.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

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

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Tony Nash, CEO, Complete Intelligence tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

Imran Yusof, Head of Research, MBSB Research discusses the outlook for Malaysia's oil & gas sector.

9:35 AM

Ringgit & Sense

Linnet Lee, licensed financial planner at Resolute Planning Sdn Bhd talks about personal finance aspects of Valentine's Day and being in a relationship in general.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Two years ago, TTRacing was already a fast-growing gaming chair brand making its mark across Southeast Asia. Today, they’ve not only expanded their presence in various markets across SEA, but also have pivoted into creating ergonomic lifestyles. We catch up with Founder and CEO Henry Ting to unpack how TTRacing has grown since 2024.

11:00 AM

Tech Talk

Meta’s recent $2 billion acquisition of the Singapore-based Manus AI has signaled a major shift: APAC is now outpacing the West in the race for autonomous agents. As geopolitical tensions rise over tech transfers, Europe is left questioning if its "safety-first" regulations are leaving it behind. We speak with AI expert Clemens Wasner to unpack the fallout of the Meta-Manus deal and what it means for global tech sovereignty. Drawing on his decade of experience in Japan and China, Clemens explores the friction between EU governance and APAC speed, the surprising overlap in robotics and chips, and how localised "Sovereign AI" is reshaping the 2026 economic map.

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Malaysia is riding a record-breaking wave of RM144 billion in data centre investments, yet the "job density" remains surprisingly low. We examine the stark reality of building a digital empire when the nation faces a 90% gap in engineering talent and the looming "brain drain" to Singapore. Carlos Garcia Rodriguez joins the show to deconstruct the execution risks of this surge, from the massive strain on power and water grids to the rising costs of "project overheating." We explore whether Malaysia is destined to be a "digital landlord" for global giants or if we can truly move up the value chain by 2026.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Dato' Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi discusses the Ministry of Works’ road projects, national infrastructure, and Sarawak’s political direction, MA63, and the Sarawak Formula.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Are medical graduates entering the healthcare profession with unrealistic expectations? We look at why career regrets develop among young healthcare workers.

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 Thursday