Top 5 at 5: How Data Centers Might Cause a Water Crisis

Charles Santiago, Chairman, National Water Services Commission (SPAN)

24-Jan-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: How Data Centers Might Cause a Water Crisis

Pause
Embed

The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has raised concerns about the unsustainable water usage of data centers as the country sees a surge in billion-ringgit investments. Charles Santiago, SPAN Chairman, discusses the risks and what needs to change.

• Is the Gaza ceasefire holding?: Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, but questions remain about its effectiveness. Assal Rad, scholar of Middle East History and Politics, examines what this deal means for Gaza and what will happen next.

• Free HPV vaccines available now: The National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) is offering free HPV vaccines until January 26 to those aged 13-26 to prevent cervical cancer. Walk into their office at Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz between 8:30 AM and 10 PM to get your jab. If you're older, you might still be eligible—WhatsApp +60 10-350 1833 to check. For more on why this initiative is crucial, we hear from Dr. Leevyadhashiny Ganasan, NCSM Health Promotion Lead.

• Planets "align" in the night sky: A planetary "parade" is currently happening until mid-February, which means we get to see a smattering of planets in the night sky, all visible to the naked eye. Chong Hon Yew, member of the Penang Astronomical Society, shares what to expect.

• 2025 Oscar nominations announced: Leading the nominations is the Spanish-language French musical crime comedy, Emilia Pérez, with 13-nominations. Following closely behind are The Brutalist and Wicked with 10-nominations each. We discuss the nominations that excite us most.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sneha Harikannan, Dashran Yohan, Lim Sue Ann, Alia Zefri

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: politics, government, international, environment, film, culture, managing disease, health policy

Tags: planetary alignment, water, data centres, gaza, gaza ceasfire, israel-gaza conflict, cervical cancer, vaccine, vaccine roll-out, astronomy, oscars, oscars nominations,

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

Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst & Writer, The Macro Butler 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

John Zogby, Founder of Zogby Strategies, weighs in on how the US views the latest strikes on Iran.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Ng Zhu Hann, Founder & CEO of Tradeview Capital talks about EPF's dividend announcement.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Adam D. Dixon, Adam Smith Chair and Director of Panmure House discusses state capitalism, geopolitics, and implications on Malaysia.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

P. Gunasegaram, Independent Business Writer, examines whether Vantris Energy Bhd’s RM480 million government support is a recovery plan or a bailout.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, provides the Iran's perspective on the recent US-Israeli attack of the country.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst & Writer, The Macro Butler tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

Pinnacle Perspectives

Ts. Syed Saggaf Syed Ahmad, President of MOGSC discusses how Malaysia’s oil and gas sector can navigate challenges after the 2025 Petronas Activity Outlook shortfall.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

From one restaurant in 1990 to a multi-brand F&B group, Serai’s journey spans generations. We speak with the family behind Serai Group about capital, growth and what it takes to sustain a restaurant business for over three decades.

11:05 AM

FTA

Hassan Alsagoff (Regional Head of Loyalty and Marketing), Grab

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

As the US Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariff play, new mechanics for a 10% global tax are already emerging. Dr. Carmelo Ferlito argues that protectionism is a "civilisational retreat" that makes societies poorer and starves innovation. Discover why in this conversation.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille (REPEAT)

Adam D. Dixon, Adam Smith Chair and Director of Panmure House discusses state capitalism, geopolitics, and implications on Malaysia.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

In one month, Orang Asli communities faced evictions, arrests and logging without consent. Are reform promises failing? Koong Hui Yein, a Programme Manager at RimbaWatch, explains what is at stake.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Grief is never linear. Some people go through the five stages of grief, but some don’t. We speak to a counsellor about what you need to know about grieving.

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

Today I Learned

What Stories Lie in The Forgotten Valley of Wang Kelian?

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

Set-piece goals were the way to go as Arsenal won their battle against London neighbours Chelsea. We review that game, and many others, on this episode!

8:00 PM

A Bit of Culture

Kam Raslan, Matt Armitage and Hafiz Noor Shams sit together to talk about technology's effects on pop culture, reading the manual and books becoming luxury items.

PROGRAMMES