BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Evening Edition  >  Top 5 At 5  >  Top 5 at 5: How Do We Make Parliamentary Special Select Committees Permanent?

Top 5 at 5: How Do We Make Parliamentary Special Select Committees Permanent?

Maha Balakrishnan, Parliamentary Consultant and Research Fellow, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Asia Headquarters, Sunway University

08-Aug-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: How Do We Make Parliamentary Special Select Committees Permanent?

A proposal was presented by the Dewan Rakyat’s Standing Order’s committee to the House last week intending to convert the 10 existing Parliamentary Special Select Committees into permanent ones. But what impact will this have on Parliamentary process? We speak to parliamentary researcher Maha Balakrishnan on the existing gaps in the proposal that need to be addressed.

Other stories we covered:

• Bullying prevention in residential schools: It was recently reported that parents are resistant to sending their children to boarding schools due to bullying. Although Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has disputed these claims, we reached out to Marscella Ling, a student leader from #endviolence as to whether measures being taken by the schools and the Ministry are enough. We also hear from lawyer Dato Vignesh Kumar on how the law can be improved to tackle bullying.
• Silambam excluded from Sukma: The ancient martial art from Tamil Nadu, India has been in consideration to become a legacy sport, but its recent removal from the upcoming Sukma Games has raised concerns regarding Malaysian and Indian representation in sports. We talk to Marimutthu Chinnathambi, deputy president of the Malaysia Silambam Association and Haresh Deol, sports journalist from Twentytwo-13 about the situation.
• Drought could push millions into worldwide starvation: This is based on a report published by the US National Drought Mitigation Centre and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. We hear from Prof Dr Fatimah Mohamad Arshad, research fellow at Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Laboratory of Agricultural and Food Policy Studies on the ways droughts can impact regional food security and how we can prepare for it.
• Food influencers — a bridge between doctors and civilians?: While the Health Ministry seems to be all for the idea of engaging food influencers to promote healthier eating habits, experts seem to think otherwise. We talk about this and whether food influencers really have the credentials needed to lead the way into a healthier future.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sneha Harikannan, Tee Shiao Eek, Alia Zefri, Lim Sue Ann

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:  foodinternationalcontroversiessportseducationgovernmentpoliticsLaw/Activismenvironment

Tags:  silambamfoodinfluencerdroughtfood securitySUKMAschoolbullyingdewan rakyatparliamentselect committees





Play / Pause

Listen now : Front Row: Nature blooms, love lingers, and fairies dance in the shadows...

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

Joseph Sroka, Chief Investment Officer, NovaPoint Capital, 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

George Chen, partner and co-chair of Digital Practice at The Asia Group on Nvidia's outlook.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Alissa Rode of IDEAS discusses whether the Government Procurement Bill 2025 effectively addresses transparency and accountability.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Datuk Sheila Majid, Malaysia’s jazz icon, shares her 40-year music journey and insights on the music industry.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Aufa Radzi, Partner at Skrine, discusses the significance of the Federal Court ruling dismissing a company’s bid to reclaim part of a land acquired by the government for the Old Klang Road upgrade.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) We dive into the local and international news that matters to you.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Joseph Sroka, Chief Investment Officer, NovaPoint Capital, 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

What's The Focus

We wrap up the week’s biggest conversations to keep you in the know.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Ned Nazlan, Founder, By The Billions on outdoor adventure, evolving and scaling the business.

11:00 AM

Mattsplained

Matt Armitage, Founder, Kulturpop

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Shin Tseng (Urban Agenda Design/REXKL) and Nigel Wong (MATTA) on how Kuala Lumpur’s living heritage can be preserved and activated for tourism, balancing authenticity with renewal and creating micro-heritage districts ahead of Merdeka.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Datuk Sheila Majid, Malaysia’s jazz icon, shares her 40-year music journey and insights on the music industry.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

3:05 PM

Front Row

Nature blooms, love lingers, and fairies dance in the shadows - that’s the promise of Springtales & Fairies, a concert weaving song and story into a magical night of German lieder. We speak to tenor Scott Woo, and soprano Saori Suzuki to find out more.

3:20 PM

Front Row

Tarakucha! returns in the Lambang Sari Series, fusing big band glamour with orchestral brilliance, starring Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana. The duo join us to share what's in store.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

With an ageing population that’s also facing more non-communicable diseases, more seniors are finding themselves in a caregiver position for their spouses - also seniors. We speak to one of them to find out the mental and physical toll it takes.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

Bar None

We learn about trail running and what it takes to be a trail runner with Ewegene Tan, Race Director of Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB

9:00 PM

The Selector

Covering all styles of music from indie, dubstep, folk, soul, electro and everything in between from some of the most exciting artists in the UK.