BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Evening Edition  >  Top 5 At 5  >  Top 5 at 5: Judicial Vacancies Stir Political Storm

Top 5 at 5: Judicial Vacancies Stir Political Storm

Ben Suffian, Director, Merdeka Centre

09-Jul-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: Judicial Vacancies Stir Political Storm

The retirement of Chief Justice Tengku Maimun and Court of Appeal President Abang Iskandar has left Malaysia’s judiciary without clear successors, triggering widespread concern over transparency and independence. The delay in appointments has drawn criticism from legal circles, the Malaysian Bar, and even members of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s own party. We speak to Ben Suffian, director of the Merdeka Centre about what this means for the prime minister, and the judiciary.

Other stories we covered:

• Sarawak assembly expansion: Sarawak’s legislative assembly has tabled a bill to increase its elected representatives from 82 to 99, citing demographic shifts, urban growth, and the need for fairer representation. There have been pushback from opposition, as well as concerns from electoral groups like Tindak Malaysia about undermining eelectoral parity. We speak to Danesh Prakash Chacko, director of Tindak Malaysia about those concerns.

• River tragedy sparks road safety concerns: The deaths of a family of six, discovered inside a submerged car in Sungai Korok, have intensified scrutiny over hazardous road conditions near rivers. We speak to Associate Professor Dr Ng Choy Peng from the Civil Engineering Department at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, about safety measures along high-risk routes.

• Delivering parcels through train: A logistics company is pushing for a move that allows them to deliver parcels in the Klang Valley through the LRT system and electric vehicles. This is aimed to reduce maintenance costs and congestion, but scalability is a concern. Nischal Muniandy, Senior Executive of Research, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs weighs in on this.

• France returns stolen African artefacts: France has agreed to return a symbolic “talking drum” to Ivory Coast, part of a broader reckoning with its colonial-era acquisitions. While a handful of countries are following suit, the UK continues to resist calls to repatriate high-profile items looted during military expeditions. We dive into this.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sharaad Kuttan, Sneha Harikannan, Alia Zefri, Lim Sue Ann, Dashran Yohan, Sudais Ferhard

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Sharaad Kuttan


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

Categories:  History/Heritageculturevisual artsCars/MotoringtraveltechnologygovernmentpoliticsinternationalcorruptionLaw/Activismcontroversies

Tags:  ivory coastparcel deliverySungai Koroksarawak legislative assemblyjudiciary appointmentartefactsmuseumfrancelrtelectric vehiclecar accidentriverPrime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahimjudicial system





Play / Pause

Listen now : Morning Brief: Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid, Criminologist and Deputy Dean, Faculty...

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

Tim Mulholland, President, TJM Limited, Chicago 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

Sam Fazeli, Bloomberg Intelligence discusses the impact of US policy on the pharmaceutical industry.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Ismet Yusoff, Chief Executive Officer, Minority Shareholders Watch Group (MSWG) discusses the fiduciary duties of company directors.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Dato’ Sri Azmar Talib, CEO of TRX City discusses plans for the 10th tower at Tun Razak Exchange and how it reinforces Malaysia’s status as a financial hub.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid, Criminologist and Deputy Dean, Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya discusses Malaysia's anti-trafficking efforts and its progress.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Raymon Ram, President of Transparency International Malaysia on MACC's performance and challenges.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Tim Mulholland, President, TJM Limited, Chicago tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Sam Fazeli, Bloomberg Intelligence discusses the impact of US policy on the pharmaceutical industry.

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

Miranda Yeoh, Co-Founder, Paolo Paolo Gelato

11:00 AM

Mattsplained

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Halim Hong & Quek's legal experts break down the SC's new Social Exchange guidelines, a regulated platform for funding social impact projects in Malaysia.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Dato' Sri Azmar Talib, Chief Executive Officer, TRX City Sdn Bhd

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

3:05 PM

Front Row

3:15 PM

Front Row

The Women’s Aid Organisation is teaming up with artist Eng Tay for a special charity exhibition called Art & Soul. We find out more from Vivienne Lee Abudllah, a member of WAO’s Fundraising Committee.

3:20 PM

Front Row

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Doctor in the House: Public hospitals are packed and private healthcare is increasingly expensive. Will Budget 2026 bring relief and will private hospitals play their role?

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

Bar None

9:00 PM

The Selector