BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Evening Edition  >  Top 5 At 5  >  Top 5 At 5: Myanmar's Health Crisis Battles For Survival

Top 5 At 5: Myanmar's Health Crisis Battles For Survival

Shinjiro Murata, General Director , Médecins Sans Frontiéres (Japan)

22-Aug-24 17:00

Top 5 At 5: Myanmar's Health Crisis Battles For Survival

The stories we covered today:

1. Our top story: The worrying state of Myanmar's public health systems, following the extreme escalation of conflict following the Myanmar millitary coup. We speak about this with Shinjiro Murata, general director of Médecins Sans Frontiéres.

2. Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is being investigated for Sedition, after a clip of him appearing to question why the Sultan of Pahang, the then Yang diPertuan Agong, did not invite him to the palace to be sworn in as prime minister, at the conclusion of the 15th general elections. This has resulted in an onslaught of criticisms, police reports, and the Pahang royal household's ire. We hear from former deputy law minister Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, who is not in favor of the Sedition Act being used in this case.

3. A boat carrying 20 passengers capsized in Sungai Kayan, Kuching, and while 17 were rescued, three unfortunately drowned. Following this, there have been increased calls to expedite the construction of a bridge and roads so residents do not need to rely on precarious river transport. We hear comment from Meneng Biris, who is PKR’s Women's Wing Chief for Mas Gading.

4. There are tentative plans to bring back the Butterworth-Bangkok train service, which was stopped back in 2016. We speak to Nigel Wong, the honorary treasurer and spokesperson of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, on how this will impact tourism between Thailand and Malaysia. We also hear thoughts from Ooi Geok Ling, former managing director of Penang Global Tourism.

5. Two astronauts are now stranded on the International Space Station, after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft encountered issues while they were there. But the question most people would have, is how our body responds to spending that amount of time in space. We hear insights from Dr Rihana Bokhari, space physiologist and Acting Chief Scientific Officer at the Translational Research Institute for Space Health.

Image credit: Hafiz Johari, Shutterstock

Produced by: Alia Zefri, Juliet Jacobs, Alena Nadia, Lim Sue Ann

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:  politicsgovernmentinternationalLaw/Activismhealth policy

Tags:  myanmarpublic healthhealth crisissedition acttraintourismspace





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

Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist, UBP 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

Ken Foong, Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence gives us an outlook for Singapore’s property market.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Lim Wei Jiet, Constitutional Lawyer discusses the urgent reforms needed to strengthen judicial manpower.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Prof. James Chin of the University of Tasmania and Prof. Dr. Evan Lau Poh Hock of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak discuss the political and economic outlook for Sabah and Sarawak in 2026.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Amin Ashaari, CEO & Co-Founder of SoyaCincau, shares his views on government apps.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

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

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist, UBP 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

The Property Show

Dr. Suraya Ismail of Khazanah Research Institute discusses homeownership and housing affordability in Malaysia.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

FeedMe. Restaurants are under pressure like never before like rising costs, staff shortages, shrinking margins, and systems that were never designed for today’s pace of business. We speak with Squall Tan, CEO of FeedMe, about how a simple frustration with slow service and wrong orders led to the creation of a full F&B operating system now used across the region. Squall shares how FeedMe evolved from a homegrown POS into an integrated platform that helps restaurants automate ordering, reduce operational blind spots, and make smarter, data-driven decisions. From why most F&B businesses fail, to how AI is reshaping restaurant operations and what it takes to scale a food-tech company across Asia, this is a discussion on how technology is quietly redefining the F&B industry.

11:00 AM

The Workplace

Fahad Naeem, Country Director, Randstad Malaysia. Malaysia’s job market is moving fast in 2026, with new roles opening up, salaries shifting, and employers competing harder than ever for the right talent. But beneath the activity lies a deeper transformation in how Malaysians choose where and why they work. We speak with Fahad Naeem, Country Director at Randstad Malaysia, about the findings from Randstad’s 2026 Job Market Outlook and Salary Guide, and what they reveal about Malaysia’s push towards a higher-value workforce. From skills shortages and AI-driven role changes, to rising employee confidence and the growing importance of trust, flexibility, and learning opportunities, this conversation explores why pay alone is no longer enough to attract or retain top talent. It’s a timely look at what employers must rethink in 2026 and what professionals should watch for as Malaysia’s workforce enters a new chapter.

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Costco vs. Trump. Penta’s Bryan DeAngelis explores why retailers are suing over "Liberation Day" tariffs and if the White House’s domestic capital is waning. Plus, has the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela rewritten the power dynamic between D.C. and the Private Sector?

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

We find out about a Semai fruit season homestay finally opening to the public, supported by Gerimis Art, sharing forest life, culture, and community-led ecotourism.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

UMMC performed a liver transplant that saved the life of a four-month-old baby. The surgical team shares the harrowing experience.

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

Big Issue

We speak to Danial Rahman, CEO, Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute and Datuk Ilango Karuppannan, former Malaysian ambassador about Trump's 'New World Order'.

7:00 PM

Stories of KL

We learn about KL Car Free Morning- a weekly community initiative that opens KL streets up to the public.

8:00 PM

Cruise Control

The VW Golf GTI Mk8.5 might sound like an incremental upgrade, but it's worth checking out if you're a fan of the brand. Tune in to hear why.