BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Evening Edition  >  Top 5 At 5  >  Top 5 at 5: Rethinking How We Tackle Poverty

Top 5 at 5: Rethinking How We Tackle Poverty

Dr Kenneth Simler, Development Economist

08-Oct-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: Rethinking How We Tackle Poverty

Malaysia’s poverty policies often rely on ethnic-based approaches—but experts say this fails to address deep regional divides. We spoke to developmental economist Dr Kenneth Simler, formerly with the World Bank, about why poverty remains concentrated in states like Sabah and what a fairer strategy might look like.

Other stories we covered:

• Vape tax could rise tenfold: The Ministry of Health has proposed raising the vape liquid tax from 40 sen to RM4 per millilitre to curb usage. We reached out to Dr Wency Bui, Senior Lecturer at the School of Business & Economics at Universiti Putra Malaysia, to ask if higher prices can effectively deter vaping or risk driving it underground.

• Transport experts want meaningful initiatives: Ahead of Budget 2026, transport experts are calling for modest but high-impact solutions, like shaded walkways and safe crossings, over mega infrastructure projects. We asked Masria Mustafa, Associate Professor at the School of Civil Engineering at Universiti Teknologi MARA whether smaller, people-focused investments can create lasting change.

• Leasehold reminder for PJ homeowners: With many Petaling Jaya homes nearing the end of their 99-year leases, residents are being reminded to act early to secure renewals that can take up to two years. We reached out to Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran and chairman of the Section 16/3 Petaling Jaya Residents Association, VKK Raja Teagarajan, on why this issue matters now and what steps leaseholders should take.

• Penang to gazette 10 dishes as National Heritage: Ten beloved Penang dishes, including nasi kandar and roti benggali, will soon be gazetted as National Heritage. Officials say it’s a step to preserve local food culture. We discuss.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sneha Harikannan, Lim Sue Ann, Alia Zefri, Sitara Darini, Sudais Ferhard

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Susan Tam


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

Categories:  foodcultureHistory/Heritagepropertyfinancial wellnessalternativesCars/MotoringwellnessLaw/Activism

Tags:  national heritagepenangpetaling jayahomeownerstransportmega-infrastructure projectsvape taxpovertysabahBudget2026





Play / Pause

Listen now : The Workplace: Sawu Fang Kuan, Senior Client Officer, Ipsos Malaysia & Hetal...

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 Waterer, Chief Market Analyst, KCM Trade 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

Farlina Said,Director of the Centre for Technology and Policy at ISIS Malaysia talk about the tech side of the US-Malaysia trade agreement.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dato' Wong Siew Hai, President of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) discusses how the US-Malaysia trade agreement might impact Malaysia's semiconductor industry.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Jayan Menon of ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute and Elina Noor of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discuss Malaysia’s year as ASEAN chair and key takeaways from the summit.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Thomas Daniel of ISIS Malaysia discusses the potential outcomes from US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s second Asia tour.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

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

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Tim Waterer, Chief Market Analyst, KCM Trade tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

Amalia Zarir, Analyst, MBSB Research gives an outlook as well as buy ideas for investors in the auto sectors.

9:35 AM

The Property Show

Kenneth Soh of PropertyGuru and & iProperty Malaysia discusses rising property scams and how to restore trust in the housing market.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Shane Happach, CEO, Coda

11:00 AM

The Workplace

Sawu Fang Kuan, Senior Client Officer, Ipsos Malaysia & Hetal Doshi, Organisational Psychologist & CEO, O-Psych

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Previn Pillay, Country Manager, Visa Malaysia

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Our flagship show, we feature both game-changers and groundbreakers in the hot seat.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

4:05 PM

Health & Living

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Big Issue

7:00 PM

Stories of KL

We speak to Datuk Hajeedar Abdul Majid about how his decades of architectural work has shaped Kuala Lumpur.

8:00 PM

Cruise Control

Daniel Fernandez, Managing Editor, dsf.my