Talkback

Following Sepang's grand but one-off return to the Formula 1 calendar this past weekend, conversations have been brewing about the feasibility and possibility of Formula 1 returning to Malaysia for good despite its RM300 million cost. So we ask our listeners: Do you want F1 to return to Malaysia permanently? And, are there other major events you’d like Malaysia to host? Image Credit: EPA Images See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With air quality still unhealthy in parts of the Klang Valley and several events already cancelled over haze concerns. Major events like F1 in Sepang and the KL Marathon still continue, with the former getting a record number of ticket sales. From skipping runs and golf games to altering your daily commute, we ask how much the haze is actually changing your plans. Image Credit: EPA Images See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The debate follows comments from UMNO's Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who wants films and dramas depicting bullying to stop, arguing they could encourage copycat behaviour. He said this after the death of a Form Two student in Kuala Pilah allegedly assaulted by a senior. We open the lines to ask our listeners: Do artists, filmmakers and writers owe society a good moral message? Do we expect them to set a good example? Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A US recruiter has gone viral on TikTok after saying job candidates shouldn’t bring iced coffee to an interview because it can make them look too casual. It’s sparked a bigger debate about workplace etiquette, so we want to know: what’s one workplace behaviour you would ban, and one you wish more people would do or bring back? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato Seri Najib Razak has been granted a conditional pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his SRC International sentence under house arrest until August 2028, once he pays a RM50 million fine. UMNO has raised almost RM1 million in their solidarity fund to help Najib out with this. So in this episode, we attempt to get a sense of how popular Najib remains among Malaysians, and get insights on this from Aziff Azuddin, Associate Researcher at IMAN Research. We also ask our listeners: How do you feel about Najib Razak, and his house arrest? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia has opened a 45-day nationwide public consultation on its proposed gaming sub-code in order to set industry wide standards that developers can use to make their games safer. We speak to Mediha Mahmood and Syamil Abdul Samad from Content Forum Malaysia about why these guidelines are necessary and how they would look practically. We also ask our listeners: Do you or your kids play online games? How can we make online gaming safer? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore's Prime Minister will see his benchmark annual salary rise from S$2.2 million (US$1.7 million) to S$3.6 million, a jump of more than 60%, announced by PM Lawrence Wong himself in parliament. Even before the raise, the Singaporean prime minister’s paycheck was considered one of the highest among other country leaders. But this got us thinking about other jobs that might benefit from this pay bump. So we ask our listeners: With news that the Singaporean PM is up for a million dollar increment, what other professions could use a huge pay raise? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The haze has worsened, with Sarawak's condition not improving and schools forced to shut down. We revisit a conversation we had with Dr Teckwyn Lim, environmental researcher, about why our haze problem has been going on for three decades. We also hear clips on the health side of things, from an interview with consultant respiratory physician, Dr Helmy Haja Mydin. Throughout, we ask our listeners: How is the haze affecting you? What can be done to stop transboundary haze - from us, as citizens, and from the government? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The controversy surrounding Madu Atau Racun, a Malay-language series alleged to involve same-sex relationships, has drawn reactions ranging from the Religious Affairs Minister to the public, with calls for the series to be pulled for going against religious teachings. With discussions about censorship in the air, we ask you: is censorship necessary? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a good ol' breakfast at the kopitiam before a trip to Genting Highlands to a late-night supper at the mamak after a local football game, everyone has their own definition of a perfect day as a Malaysian. So for today's Talkback Tuesday, we ask our listeners: If you could plan your ideal, quintessentially Malaysian day, what would it look like? Image Credit: Pexels, Suria KLCC (Website), Central Market (Website) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Merdeka just around the corner, it is the time of year when we reflect on what brings us together as a nation, from our food and culture to our shared warmth and unity. So, as we prepare to celebrate another year of independence, we ask our listeners: What is your favourite thing about Malaysia, and what is your wish for the country? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the government considers whether elements of GST could be integrated into the existing SST framework, questions remain over how a hybrid system would affect consumers and businesses. So for today’s Talkback Thursday, we speak with Thenesh Kannaa, Executive Director of TraTax, on the differences between GST and SST, the impact on the cost of living, and what an ideal tax system could look like. Then, we ask our listeners: Would You Like to See the Return of GST? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As generative AI tools become the go-to shortcut for logos, taglines, and marketing campaigns, creatives warn that algorithm-driven branding harms artistic integrity and originality. But with businesses prioritising speed and cost-cutting, does the average consumer actually care if a design is AI-generated? So for today's Talkback Tuesday, we speak with Alexdrina Chong, artist, illustrator and creative director, on protecting the human soul and emotional resonance in art, as well as Brandon Lee, Co-Founder of Pandan Social, on commercial efficiency and how businesses can use AI without sacrificing brand authenticity. Then, we ask you: Would you hire a designer or copywriter over just using AI? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think RM1 million sets you up for life? Think again. The Star recently published an article highlighting that with double-digit medical inflation and longer lifespans, RM1 million today only feels like RM700,000 in past terms, and financial experts are pushing the target up to RM1.5 million. So for today's Talkback Thursday, we ask our listeners: Do you think you have enough to retire? How are you preparing for retirement? We also speak with Idham Idris, Chief Marketing Officer of Wealth Vantage, on the average Malaysian's retirement plans and what can be done to catch up to the benchmark. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been 50 years since a woman last raced in the Formula One world championship, with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali saying in 2024 that he didn’t expect to see a female driver on the grid within the next five years. This raises broader questions about gender representation in traditionally single-gender-dominated workplaces and how the gender makeup of a workplace can shape its culture. So for today's Talkback Tuesday, we ask our listeners: Is your workplace male or female dominated and how does it affect your work culture? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether it's ghosting, being left on 'read', or passive-aggressive punctuation, digital communication comes with plenty of unwritten rules. In fact, there is even research that shows Gen Z often views a simple period at the end of a text as harsh or angry, while Gen Xers just see it as proper grammar. This got us thinking about other digital pet peeves people might have. So for today's Talkback Thursday, we ask our listeners: What is one thing about online or texting culture that you would get rid of? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan have rewritten the local political playbook. From long-held urban strongholds changing hands to high-profile leadership shifts (including Anthony Loke stepping down as state chief), voters are proving that no seat is safe. So for today's Talkback, we ask our listeners: What's going to determine your vote in the next election? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent study conducted by researchers from Claremont Graduate University in California and Wuhan University in China identified four broad thinking styles, from worriers and practical planners to bodily thinkers and those balancing work and leisure. They reached this conclusion by examining what occupies our minds in everyday life by analysing more than 23,000 real-time thoughts from 258 people over two weeks. We are joined by Dr Chua Sook Ning, clinical psychologist, to examine what these thinking patterns reveal about our minds, how much control we have over our thoughts, and how greater awareness of our thought patterns can shape our wellbeing. Then, we ask our listeners: Do you believe in personality tests, and are they helpful to you? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Touch 'n Go has launched a new Enhanced RFID lane at the AKLEH Dato Keramat Toll Plaza. The lane is powered by homegrown Titan Flow technology using AI, license plate recognition, and dual antennas to boast a 99.98% detection rate, with plans for 10 more lanes nationwide by the end of the year. While it moves Malaysia closer to gateless (Multi-Lane Free Flow) tolling, a full transition remains stalled until overall RFID adoption picks up. So, we ask our listeners: How do you pay at the tollbooth? What's working for you, and what isn't? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To tackle increasing abuse rates, Kelantan police have introduced a new daily KPI requiring station chiefs to make at least one drug-related arrest every single day. But with state prisons already operating at double their capacity and recent reports of police extortion emerging, many are questioning whether a quota-driven, arrest-first model actually makes communities safer. We are joined by Dr Sangeeth Kaur, Co-Chair of the Expert Advisory Group on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation in East and Southeast Asia at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to examine what the global evidence says about punishment versus health-based interventions, the reality of relapse rates, and why solutions like decriminalisation remain a hard sell to the public. Then, we ask our listeners: Do you believe Malaysia's drug problem needs stricter punishment and enforcement or support and rehabilitation? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the backlash over the rubbish left behind at Dataran Merdeka after the 2026 World Cup final screening, DBKL has reminded the public about the importance of basic civic responsibility, while some have also questioned whether better event planning and waste management could help prevent such scenes. We ask our listeners: Why do you think people litter, and what do you think is the best deterrent? Image Credit: DBKL (Facebook) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to an article by The Atlantic, Gen Z's have decided that birding is the ultimate cool new hobby, with young people going to extreme lengths just to spot rare birds. This got us wondering what other unique things people do in their free time. So for today's Talkback, we ask our listeners: What's your latest hobby, and what's a hobby you've been wanting to get into? Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Johor state election now over, attention is turning from campaign promises to what actually drives people at the ballot box. Some voters prioritise the candidate, others stay loyal to a political party, while many are swayed by local issues concerning the country. So for today's Talkback Tuesday, we ask our listeners: When you vote, what matters most to you: the candidate, the party, local issues, or a broader vision for Malaysia? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Johor state elections underway, questions around identity and representation are once again taking centre stage. While some political parties emphasise the importance of voters choosing leaders who share their ethnic background and understand their community, others argue that good representation should not be limited by race, and that leaders can advocate for everyone regardless of their own identity. So we ask our listeners: Do you believe someone of a different race can look out for your interests? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's recent lavish wedding at Madison Square Garden dominated headlines on social media and reportedly cost an estimate upwards of $20 million USD. It got everyone talking about grand celebrations, extravagant guest lists, and dream venues. So for today's Talkback Tuesday, we ask our listeners: Did you have or do you believe in having big weddings? Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your childhood career plan didn’t exactly pan out, you are far from alone. Various studies show that more than half of adults ended up in roles they never imagined as kids, swapping dreams of being an astronaut or a fashion designer for spreadsheets and Zoom calls. So for today's Talkback Thursday, we ask our listeners: What did you want to be when you were growing up and what do you do now? Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That daily coffee, food delivery after a tiring day, or the occasional little treat; self-rewards have become part of how many of us cope and unwind. But when these indulgences become everyday habits, are they quietly taking a bigger toll on our finances than we realise? So we ask our listeners: Are self-rewards bad for financial health? How often do you treat yourself, and how does it affect your budget? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After our recent chat about tanking durian prices, people gave us a collective reality check: apparently, if you don't love the King of Fruits, you deserve to have your IC revoked. That got us thinking about all the controversial hot takes that make us feel like the “least Malaysians to ever Malaysian." So, we ask our listeners: What opinion are you afraid to express because people will judge you as a Malaysian? Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Father’s Day just behind us, it’s a good time to reflect on the role fathers and father figures play in shaping who we become over time. So on Talkback Tuesday, we ask our listeners: What was your dad’s parenting style, and how has it influenced the person you are today? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A video recently went viral showing a group of Malaysian tourists in China shouting and accusing locals of being "smelly". The video has sparked backlash and reignited conversations about how travellers represent themselves and their home countries when abroad. In light of the incident, we ask our listeners: What’s the worst tourist behaviour you’ve witnessed, and how mindful are you of your own behaviour when travelling? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has long been a nation defined by our car-centric culture, but between DBKL considering car-free nights in KL and the upcoming launch of the LRT3 line, do Malaysians have more of an incentive to abandon their cars? We ask our listeners: How often do you take public transport? And what's your experience with it? Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Galen Centre is calling for an extra tax on high-sugar milk products and sweetened condensed milk to tackle rising health concerns. But cutting sugar out of your diet sounds easier said than done for most Malaysians. So we ask our listeners: Do you find yourself consuming a lot of sweet stuff? What would it take to get you to cut or lessen your sugar intake? And if you've already done it, how did you do it? Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent viral petitions calling for the removal of Rohingya refugees from Malaysia have reignited debate around the country's treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. For today's Talkback Tuesday we ask our listeners: Do you believe Malaysia should support refugees? And what's your experience with refugees? Image Credit: UNHCR, Keane Shum See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sweden’s public health agency has urged parents to put their phones away around children, recommending “screen‑free zones” at home and backing a nationwide smartphone ban in schools. So we thought this was the perfect oppoturnity to talk about a long‑running topic that’s been on everyone’s radar: our relationship with our phones and how it shapes daily life. So we ask our listeners: Are you addicted to your phone, or know someone who is? How is it affecting your life? Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've either seen it or been part of it in some way: Queuing up for ages, just to get a taste of a sought-after meal, or concert tickets or a pair of limited edition merch. So we ask our listeners: Are you okay to line up for these experiences, or not so much? And what was an experience that was worth it, or not, that you've ever waited for? Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conversations have ignited on social media about the lack of government land available for hospitals and other forms of public infrastructure while more space is being made available for commercial developments like shopping malls. This got us thinking about the things we would add and remove in the Klang Valley. So we ask our listeners: If you could fix, remove or build one thing in the Klang Valley, what would it be? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re talking about this because of a online discussions spurred by a user on threads @ashekperodua, who shared that their son, currently in their third semester at university, started talking about marriage even though they still had five semesters left. So we ask you: When's the right time to get married? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Things have been buzzing after Pandan MP and former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, along with Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad recently announced their departure from PKR to take over Parti Bersama Malaysia. There has been a lot of speculation of snap elections. So we asked our listeners: If GE16 happened tomorrow, which party would you vote for? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We recently spoke to Nurhisham Hussein, Economic Advisor in the Prime Minister's Office and the head of the Secretariat of the Crisis Management Taskforce team of the National Economic Action Council. He said that if the conflict in the Gulf continues on its current trajectory, Malaysia could start seeing critical disruptions in supply and its not just of fuel. So we ask our listeners the ultimate question: If we are hit by a supply-side crisis, are you ready? And in general, are you good in a crisis? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agoda's 2026 Travel Outlook shows Gen Z Malaysians are turning away from solo trips, with most choosing family or partners to travel with instead. So we open up the floor to our listeners and ask: Do you like traveling solo or with company? And more broadly, what kind of traveller are you? Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 118 Mall is set to open in Kuala Lumpur this August, featuring more than 300 stores, cinemas, and large event spaces, positioning it as more than just a shopping centre but a full lifestyle hub. But the more important question is, what do KL-ites feel? So we discuss this, and open the floor up for our listeners and ask them: Where's your go-to hangout or lepak spot and why? What kind of hangout spot do you want to see more of? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uncertainty over Malaysia’s broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 appears to be easing, with Telekom Malaysia reportedly close to securing a deal estimated at around RM200 million. We speak to sports journalist Haresh Deol on the cost pressures, past broadcast models, and what it means if Malaysians miss out on free-to-air coverage. Then we ask you: Does the World Cup matter to you? Is it worth broadcasters paying RM200 million so you can watch it locally? Would you be willing to foot that bill? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Badminton World Federation has announced that it will reintroduce the 3×15 scoring system across all official badminton and Para badminton tournaments. So tonight, we ask you: What sports do you enjoy watching? And do you prefer sports that are fast and exciting, or ones that are slower but showcase skill, endurance, and resilience? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's World Book Day, a day to celebrate the joy and pleasure of reading. So we thought we'd open the floor to our bookworm listeners and ask: What’s something great you’ve read recently? And bonus points: what’s your favourite book? Image Credit: Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rose Rouse, a social activist from the UK who advocates for positive media representation around ageing, recently wrote an article in The Guardian explaining her stance against the idea of bucket lists which she believes are reductive. We ask our listeners if they have a bucket list, and if they've checked any items off the list. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An article from SAYS recently highlighted mixed views among Malaysians on double parking. Some see it as inconsiderate, while others consider it acceptable in certain situations. We put the question to you: is double parking ever okay, and why or why not? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an interview we had with Lee Hwok-Aun, Senior Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, he suggested Malaysians split fuel subsidies evenly with the government. This was in response to the World Bank warning that our current subsidy model could become unsustainable amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. So we put the idea to our listeners: Should subsidies be shared 50‑50? Would you pay more? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tourism industry has been significantly impacted globally due to the Middle East conflict, with widespread airspace closures, flight cancellations, and heightened travel advisories. In our conversation with Nigel Wong recently, he advised Malaysians to travel locally. So we asked our listeners: What is your favourite ever Cuti Cuti Malaysia experience? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA’s Artemis II mission marks humanity’s return to the Moon, with four astronauts set to orbit our nearest celestial neighbor. It’s a step toward building a permanent presence beyond Earth, raising questions about whether space could become our next home. So we ask our listeners: Would you like to live in space? Do you think the future of humanity lies away from Earth? Image Credit: Pixabay *Note: This podcast picture was generated with AI See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SPM results for this year are out. So we ask our listeners: Do you remember the day you received your SPM results, and how did you score? Did it affect your life? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.