BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Evening Edition  >  Top 5 At 5  >  Top 5 at 5: How Do Malaysians Feel About Najib's Royal Pardon?

Top 5 at 5: How Do Malaysians Feel About Najib's Royal Pardon?

Thomas Fann, Member, Projek Sama

09-May-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: How Do Malaysians Feel About Najib's Royal Pardon?

Projek Sama and Merdeka Center released a survey on public sentiment regarding the royal pardon of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the SRC International trial. While most Malaysians oppose it, the findings reveal notable differences along ethnic and political lines—most notably, support for the pardon is highest among the Indian community. We speak with Thomas Fann of Projek Sama about the significance of the findings, and what the survey aims to achieve.

Other stories we covered:

• ASEAN plus three calls for stronger cooperation: The group, comprising China, Japan, and South Korea, released a joint statement shortly after Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs, warning of rising protectionism and its impact on trade, investment, and financial stability. We discuss the significance of their statement with Dato' Ilango Karuppannan, former Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore.
Government rolls out AI-assisted lung screenings: The Ministry of Health has launched screenings at seven selected health clinics nationwide to enable earlier detection of lung-related diseases among Malaysians. We speak with Dr Anand Sachithanandan, founding president of the Lung Cancer Network Malaysia, to understand how these screenings work.
Malaysian film breaks barriers: A Malaysian short film, Bleat! by Ananth Subramaniam, has made history as the first to be selected for Critics’ Week at Cannes. The film, a Malaysian-Tamil story set in Banting, explores morality, tradition, and the meaning of life through an elderly couple’s discovery that their sacrificial goat is pregnant. We speak to Ananth about the significance of this achievement.
• A new pope emerges from the white smoke: Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has become the 267th head of the Catholic Church and the first American to hold the role. Despite skepticism over an American papal election, his prior role overseeing bishops worldwide positions him as a strong candidate. We explore his appointment and its implications.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Alia Zefri, Dashran Yohan, Sneha Harikannan, Sudais Ferhard, Tee Shiao Eek

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Dashran Yohan


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

Categories:  economytechnologypoliticsgovernmentinternationalenvironmentcorruptionLaw/ActivismeducationcontroversiescultureHistory/HeritageFamily/Parentingmedical advancesperforming artsfilmvisual arts

Tags:  src international trialai in medicineai in healthcarelung screeningbleatmalaysian short filmtamil filmpope leowhite smokerobert prevostnajib razakroyal pardonhouse arrestbnumno1mdbmerdeka centreaseanchinajapansouth koreaaptmohlung cancercannes film festivalconclave





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



11:00 AM

Best of Enterprise

(REPEAT) Co-Founder Loh Sue May and Director of Enrolment Lee Ching Wei talk about EduAdvisor’s journey, their AI-powered SPM tutor app EduBijak, and how they’re adapting to a rapidly changing digital discovery landscape.

12:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

(REPEAT) A double bill review of The Last of Us S2, and Lilo & Stitch, followed by a discussion about the best and worst of adaptations!

1:00 PM

Cruise Control

(REPEAT) Looking for a used electric vehicle? Tune in to hear our tips on what you should look out for.

2:00 PM

Matt-Splained

(REPEAT) Matt and Richard ponder what the future holds for Gen Z in their career world, especially in the age of AI.

3:00 PM

Earth Matters

(REPEAT) Nature Reads, a new series on Earth Matters, talks about indigenous knowledge, forest taboos, fruiting seasons, and the deep relationship between people and place, from the perspective of two authors.

3:30 PM

Earth Matters

(REPEAT) It’s the May edition of Macaranga Wrap Up, featuring the co-founders Law Yao Hua and Wong Siew Lyn.

4:00 PM

Bar None

(REPEAT) We unpack how track cyclists and powerlifters train in this episode of Bar None!

5:00 PM

BBC World Service

BFM presents the BBC World Service, which provides in-depth coverage of issues from around the world.