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New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Western media struggles to grasp Malaysia's complexities, says BBC man [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Western audiences and media often struggle to grasp Malaysia's complexities due to geographical distance and a lack of awareness of its political and historical context, says BBC journalist Jonny Dymond. Speaking exclusively to the New Straits Times ahead of the BBC World Service's World Questions debate in Kuala Lumpur, Dymond said ignorance remains one of the biggest barriers to covering countries like Malaysia, whose realities are shaped by colonial legacies and modern geopolitical pressures. "Most people don't even scratch the surface of what countries like Malaysia are dealing with," he said. "Everything from colonial inheritance to current day tensions. The challenges of geopolitics around here are formidable. You know? "And people, I think, on the other side of the world simply don't understand the balancing act that countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, and other nations in the region simply have to perform all the time. "When countries are told they have to choose between global powers, it's a strange demand to make from 3,000 miles away." Dymond also said the positioning of countries like Malaysia on issues such as the war in Gaza reflects a new divide in global politics. While critical of the term "the global south", which he said oversimplifies diverse countries and perspectives, Dymond acknowledged growing divergence in views between regions. "It's a sign of, a kind of a new division, a different division in the world. I mean, the phrase 'the global south' is a horrible one. "It suggests that there's one lump here and another lump there — but let's use it for the moment." He noted that on issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in Gaza, there was initially a sharp divide between how the West and other parts of the world viewed the situation. "It's worth pointing out, you know, there is a shift also in the West as this war has continued, and more and more people feel uncomfortable, and upset about what has happened. "Again, not my place to judge it, but it is interesting that Malaysia has been so forthright. And, obviously, I think there is a reflection in the government as to what people feel within Malaysia about what's happening in Gaza. "And Malaysia and Malaysia's leadership has made its position very, very clear on Israel and the Palestinians and seems to walk in step with its population there — it seems to speak for many, many Malaysians in their unhappiness at what Israel is doing in Gaza." He also urged Western observers to develop a deeper understanding of Southeast Asia, particularly in light of growing US-China tensions. "It's up to the West to know a lot more about places like Malaysia before it judges them." The BBC World Questions debate series invites members of the public to pose questions directly to politicians and public figures on current political, economic, and social issues. Tonight's debate, which will be broadcast at a later date, will focus on the government's fuel subsidy rationalisation, corruption cases, freedom of speech, and institutional reform. It will also examine Malaysia's foreign policy, especially its efforts to balance ties with the United States and China. Among the panellists are Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh and Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Western media struggles to grasp Malaysia's complexities, says BBC man
KUALA LUMPUR: Western audiences and media often struggle to grasp Malaysia's complexities due to geographical distance and a lack of awareness of its political and historical context, says BBC journalist Jonny Dymond. Speaking exclusively to the New Straits Times ahead of the BBC World Service's World Questions debate in Kuala Lumpur, Dymond said ignorance remains one of the biggest barriers to covering countries like Malaysia, whose realities are shaped by colonial legacies and modern geopolitical pressures. "Most people don't even scratch the surface of what countries like Malaysia are dealing with," he said. "Everything from colonial inheritance to current day tensions. The challenges of geopolitics around here are formidable. You know? "And people, I think, on the other side of the world simply don't understand the balancing act that countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, and other nations in the region simply have to perform all the time. "When countries are told they have to choose between global powers, it's a strange demand to make from 3,000 miles away." Dymond also said the positioning of countries like Malaysia on issues such as the war in Gaza reflects a new divide in global politics. While critical of the term "the global south", which he said oversimplifies diverse countries and perspectives, Dymond acknowledged growing divergence in views between regions. "It's a sign of, a kind of a new division, a different division in the world. I mean, the phrase 'the global south' is a horrible one. "It suggests that there's one lump here and another lump there — but let's use it for the moment." He noted that on issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in Gaza, there was initially a sharp divide between how the West and other parts of the world viewed the situation. "It's worth pointing out, you know, there is a shift also in the West as this war has continued, and more and more people feel uncomfortable, and upset about what has happened. "Again, not my place to judge it, but it is interesting that Malaysia has been so forthright. And, obviously, I think there is a reflection in the government as to what people feel within Malaysia about what's happening in Gaza. "And Malaysia and Malaysia's leadership has made its position very, very clear on Israel and the Palestinians and seems to walk in step with its population there — it seems to speak for many, many Malaysians in their unhappiness at what Israel is doing in Gaza." He also urged Western observers to develop a deeper understanding of Southeast Asia, particularly in light of growing US-China tensions. "It's up to the West to know a lot more about places like Malaysia before it judges them." The BBC World Questions debate series invites members of the public to pose questions directly to politicians and public figures on current political, economic, and social issues. Tonight's debate, which will be broadcast at a later date, will focus on the government's fuel subsidy rationalisation, corruption cases, freedom of speech, and institutional reform. It will also examine Malaysia's foreign policy, especially its efforts to balance ties with the United States and China. Among the panellists are Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh and Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
Spectator
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
How do you pronounce ‘mayoralty'?
'Six!' cried my husband, waving his notebook as he monitored the by-elections. He wasn't counting Reform wins but the ways of pronouncing mayoralty. The most inventive seemed to be Jonny Dymond on Radio 4, who called them mayoralities, introducing an i, as in words such as realities or moralities. Although mayoralities wasn't exactly the required word, it sounded much better than the popular but hideous method of basing its pronunciation on mayor as if it consisted in two syllables, may and or, with the second stressed.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
BBC World Questions arrives in Guyana
On Tuesday 6 May BBC World Questions will come to Guyana to debate the country's political and economic future in the country's capital, Georgetown. Vast offshore oil and gas reserves are transforming the nation. Guyana is now the fastest growing economy in the world. But amid territorial tensions with neighbouring Venezuela and environmental concerns, will oil prove to be a blessing or a curse? And how should the oil revenues be best spent? The BBC World Service programme, which puts people and their questions at the heart of the debate, will be presented by the BBC Correspondent, Jonny Dymond. Jonny will chair the hour-long debate which will be led by questions from a live audience. The panel will include: Gail Teixeira - Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance - The People's Progressive Party/Civic Aubrey Norton – Leader of the Opposition - People's National Congress Reform Party Ayodele Dalgety Dean - Businesswoman and civil society activist Anand Persaud – Editor-in-chief – Stabroek News Gwenan Roberts, Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service English, says: "We are thrilled to be coming to Guyana's capital Georgetown for BBC World Questions, in what is a period of unprecedented economic growth for the country. We encourage audiences to attend and look forward to hearing about the issues that matter most to people locally.' The programme will be recorded in front of a live audience on Tuesday 6 May at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. There will be a reception beforehand with refreshments starting at 6.00pm. Register to be in the audience HERE. BBC World Questions: Guyana will be first broadcast on World Service English on Saturday 10 May. It will be available online, on BBC Sounds and on most other podcast platforms. It is produced by Helen Towner. For press accreditation to attend the debate, interview requests, and any queries about BBC World Service, please contact: About BBC World Service BBC World Service delivers news content around the world in English and 41 other language services, on radio, TV, and digital. BBC World Service reaches a weekly audience of 320m (BBC Global Audience Measure 2024). BBC World Service English is an English-language radio and online network that broadcasts internationally. BBC World Service English reaches a weekly audience of 84m (2024), broadcasting news and current affairs programmes such as Newsday, Newshour, The Newsroom, OS and The Inquiry. It also broadcasts a range of documentaries including People Fixing the World, In the Studio, The Documentary, The Forum, Heart and Soul, and The Climate Question. Recent popular podcasts delivered by BBC World Service English include Love Janessa, The Lazarus Heist, and Dear Daughter, which won the 2022 Podcast of the Year award at the British Podcast Awards. For more information, visit RD
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
BBC World Questions arrives in Bengaluru
On Tuesday 4 March BBC World Questions will come to India to debate the country's political and economic future in the country's IT capital, Bengaluru. The challenges of economic growth, public services, workers' rights, A.I., and the environment will all be up for discussion with a panel of leading politicians, campaigners and journalists. The BBC World Service programme, which puts people and their questions at the heart of the debate, will be presented by the BBC Correspondent, Jonny Dymond. Jonny will chair the hour-long debate which will be led by questions from the live audience. The panel will include: Surabhi Hodigere – Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Kumar Naik – MP, Indian National Congress T.V. Mohandas Pai – Business leader Rashmi Choudhary – Vice President of Karnataka's IT Employees Union (KITU) Dhanya Rajendran – journalist, founder of The News Minute. Gwenan Roberts, Commissioning Editor, BBC World Service English, says: 'We are delighted to be back in India for BBC World Questions, this time in the IT capital of Bengaluru. We hope to be joined by a lively public audience as we debate the key issues facing this urban metropolis, including economic growth, equality, working conditions and the environment.' The programme will be recorded in front of a live audience on Tuesday 4 March at the Bangalore International Centre. There will be a reception beforehand with refreshments starting at 6pm. Register to be in the audience on the BBC Shows and Tours website. BBC World Questions: India will be first broadcast on World Service English on Saturday 8 March. It will be available online, on BBC Sounds and on most other podcast platforms. It is produced by Helen Towner. For press accreditation to attend the debate, interview requests, and any queries about BBC World Service, please contact: RD
