BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Bigger Picture  >  Beyond The Ballot Box  >  25 Years of Resistance: Sevan Doraisamy Reflects on Human Rights in Malaysia

25 Years of Resistance: Sevan Doraisamy Reflects on Human Rights in Malaysia

Sevan Doraisamy, Human Rights Activist

19-Jun-25 15:00

25 Years of Resistance: Sevan Doraisamy Reflects on Human Rights in Malaysia

Sevan Doraisamy is a veteran Malaysian human rights defender and activist who’s been fighting the good fight for more than 25 years. He also served as the Executive Director of SUARAM, one of the country’s leading human rights organisations for 10 years, before deciding to step aside this year.

Over the years, he’s been at the forefront of numerous human rights campaigns, from pushing to abolish ISA (which was eventually done in 2012), to advocating for police accountability and championing freedom of expression. He has faced consequences for his activism, including being detained by authorities numerous times.

In this episode, we speak to Sevan about his years of activism, how much Malaysia has progressed on the human rights front, where we’ve stagnated and the tasks that lie ahead for the next generation of activists.

Image Credit: SUARAM's Facebook

Produced by: Dashran Yohan

Presented by: Dashran Yohan


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

Categories:  Law/Activism

Tags:  the bigger picturebeyond the ballot boxhuman rightsactivismisareformasinajibpolice reformfreedom of expression





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

Dr. Benjamin Loh, Course Director, Bachelor of Digital Media & Communication, Monash University, discusses JKOM's present and future role.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, Adjunct Professor at Taylor's University and former Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry discusses global tariffs.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

H.E. Dr. Hennadii Nadolenko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Malaysia, updates us on the war, political outlook, and the US role in talks with Russia.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr James Dorsey of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies discusses the stakes as US-Iran nuclear talks resume amid military tensions.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, Adjunct Professor at Taylor's University and former Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry discusses global tariffs.

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

Imran Yusof, Head of Research, MBSB Research discusses the impact of new global tariffs on the Malaysian economy and equity market.

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

CK Chang, Founder, Oxwhite.

11:00 AM

Marketing Mojo

Nizwani Shahar, CEO, Havas Malaysia

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Amin, SoyaCincau

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

H.E. Dr. Hennadii Nadolenko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Malaysia, updates us on the war, political outlook, and the US role in talks with Russia.

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

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