Latest news with #WorldQuestions
New Straits Times
27 minutes 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.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar's tough policy calls reflect leadership, says BBC journalist [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's push to rationalise fuel subsidies and his stance on foreign policy reflect the kind of leadership needed to navigate a complex and divided world, says BBC journalist Jonny Dymond. Speaking ahead of the BBC World Questions debate in Kuala Lumpur, Dymond said rolling back subsidies is a politically difficult task that many leaders tend to avoid due to pressure from powerful interest groups. "To get it done is a sign of leadership in my book," he told the New Straits Times in an exclusive interview. "It's not that I'm approving or disapproving, but I can just see it (that) as a governmental task, it's quite hard." He said that while subsidies are often seen as a way to help the poor, economists argue they disproportionately benefit higher-income groups. "It's very tough to withdraw them because there are always very powerful constituencies that want them cared for, good or bad," he said. "And to get it through, you have to say that it's a function of leadership." He added that previous administrations had sidestepped the issue, while Anwar had taken the unpopular but necessary step. Dymond also touched on Anwar's firm stance on the Gaza conflict, saying it reflected strong public sentiment in Malaysia. "Malaysia's leadership has made its position very clear on Israel and the Palestinians, and seems to speak for many Malaysians in their unhappiness at what Israel is doing in Gaza," he said. He added that criticism of Western double standards in media coverage — particularly comparing Ukraine to Gaza — was a complex issue and would need to be addressed case by case. The BBC World Service is in Malaysia for its World Questions debate series, which 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, particularly in balancing trade 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
an hour ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar's tough policy calls reflect leadership, says BBC journalist
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's push to rationalise fuel subsidies and his stance on foreign policy reflect the kind of leadership needed to navigate a complex and divided world, says BBC journalist Jonny Dymond. Speaking ahead of the BBC World Questions debate in Kuala Lumpur, Dymond said rolling back subsidies is a politically difficult task that many leaders tend to avoid due to pressure from powerful interest groups. "To get it done is a sign of leadership in my book," he told the New Straits Times in an exclusive interview. "It's not that I'm approving or disapproving, but I can just see it (that) as a governmental task, it's quite hard." He said that while subsidies are often seen as a way to help the poor, economists argue they disproportionately benefit higher-income groups. "It's very tough to withdraw them because there are always very powerful constituencies that want them cared for, good or bad," he said. "And to get it through, you have to say that it's a function of leadership." He added that previous administrations had sidestepped the issue, while Anwar had taken the unpopular but necessary step. Dymond also touched on Anwar's firm stance on the Gaza conflict, saying it reflected strong public sentiment in Malaysia. "Malaysia's leadership has made its position very clear on Israel and the Palestinians, and seems to speak for many Malaysians in their unhappiness at what Israel is doing in Gaza," he said. He added that criticism of Western double standards in media coverage — particularly comparing Ukraine to Gaza — was a complex issue and would need to be addressed case by case. The BBC World Service is in Malaysia for its World Questions debate series, which 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, particularly in balancing trade 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.
Free Malaysia Today
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Gen Z face tougher world due to rapid tech growth, says BBC producer
BBC World Questions producer Charlie Taylor speaking with FMT in an interview. PETALING JAYA : The idea that artificial intelligence (AI) will make life easier for the younger generation is a misconception, says BBC World Questions producer Charlie Taylor. Taylor said Gen Z, those born between 1997 to 2012, face unique pressures driven by rapid technology changes, global uncertainty and the long tail of the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Gen Z does not have it easier. They have to be multi-faceted and able to roll and change with the times. It's harder to prepare for your future (due to the constant changes in AI),' he told FMT. Taylor, a BBC veteran of over 30 years, said long-term careers in one place are increasingly rare, and adaptability has become essential. 'It's harder to expect people to have a long career in one place, in one job. There are freedoms in that, but I think people have to be very adaptable (to fit with the times),' he added. He also said that the pandemic had a deep impact on Gen Z, disrupting education and social development. 'They were less at risk from the disease, but actually felt it more keenly through the restrictions on their education,' he added. Taylor is in Malaysia to record World Questions, a global version of the BBC's Question Time, at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre tomorrow night. On journalism, Taylor said AI presents both challenges and opportunities. He said tools like transcription services can ease newsroom workflows, but writing and editorial judgement must remain human-driven. 'AI can help us on the back end of the job, but should it be writing our news pieces? No. We don't want that. And we need to plan to protect that human element,' he said.
