The World Happiness Report for 2025 was released earlier this year with Malaysia ranking 64th out of 143 countries. This marks a decline from 59th place in 2024. We are joined by Eugene Tee, an associate professor of psychology from HELP University to discuss the state of happiness amongst Malaysians.

Other stories we covered:

• Malaysia reports surge in hand, foot and mouth diesease: Over 99, 000 cases of HFMD have been reported this year so far. Across Malaysian states, higher case numbers have been reported compared to this same time last year. We talk about the seriousness of the disease, and what parents can do with family medicine specialist Dr Emma Fazilah Zulkifli.
• Indigenous Iban community facing eviction: The indigenous Iban community, Rumah Jeffrey were told by the Sarawak Forest Department to evacuate within 30 days. This notice came after indigenous resistance to a timber plantation project that overlapped with their territory. We discuss Rumah Jeffrey’s eviction in the context of Sarawak’s land law with Matek Geram, a geospatial expert for the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association.
• The Marcos-Duterte power struggle: The feud between the President and the Vice-President of the Philippines continues but is at a crossroads. The impeachment bid against Vice-President Sara Duterte is due to corruption and an alleged assassination plot against former ally and current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. We speak to Matthew Ordonez, Assistant Professorial lecturer at De La Salle University about the implications of the Senate race, and what the future holds for the president.
• Government revitalising the local entertainment industry: Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced the Concerts and Events in Malaysia Incentive. The incentive aims to not only build our own local music industry, but also to attract international shows. We talk about whether this rebate programme will be successful in attracting local and international talent.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sudais Ferhard, Lim Sue Ann, Alia Zefri, Sneha Harikannan

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:  technology,  economy,  politics,  government,  international,  environment,  corruption,  Law/Activism,  education,  controversies,  managing,  culture,  History/Heritage,  performing arts,  film,  music,  managing disease,  Family/Parenting

Tags:  hands foot mouth disease,  rumah jeffrey,  marcos-duterte,  malaysian entertainment industry,  concerts and events in malaysia initiative,  world happiness report,  hfmd,  indigenous people,  iban,  eviction,  sarawak,  Philippines politics,  assassination,  fahmi fadzil,