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 : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

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

Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank 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

Thomas Cheong, President of Principal APAC & Middle East and VP of Principal Financial Group talks about investment strategies for private equity.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Felix Neoh, Director of Financial Planning at Finwealth Management discusses the upcoming mandatory financial education module for loan takers.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Dato Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman, CEO of SDEC, outlines the company's strategy to make Sarawak a regional digital powerhouse by 2030.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Ahmad Yazid Othman, Senior Fellow at Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Melayu (MTEM) discusses amendments on good governance in MARA and the agency's broader role today.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Benjamin Barton, Associate Professor, University of Nottingham Malaysia unpacks Trump's threat to sue the BBC for 1 billion dollars.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank tells us where international markets are heading.sia and international capital markets.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Thomas Cheong, President of Principal APAC & Middle East and VP of Principal Financial Group talks about investment strategies for private equity.

9:35 AM

Ringgit & Sense

Rumi Yeo, Author & Financial Coach discusses his book How Your Mind Thinks About Money.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Rajagopal Yagambram, Founder, Planet Zoo

11:00 AM

Tech Talk

Khalil Nooh, Co-Founder & CEO, Mesolitica

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Thanneermalai Somasundaram, Managing Director, Thannees Tax Consulting Services

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Our flagship show, we feature both game-changers and groundbreakers in the hot seat.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

Neil Woods was once a dedicated narcotics officer. Today, he’s one of the leading advocates of drug policy reform who believes the entire war on drugs has failed. What changed?

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Endometriosis is often misdiagnosed or ignored. We look at the gaps in diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, and why women deserve a chance to improve their quality of life.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Talkback Thursday

8:00 PM

BBC World Service