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Top 5 at 5: Where the Freedom of Information Bill Goes Wrong
41 mins·17:00, 14 Jul 2026
Top 5 at 5: Where the Freedom of Information Bill Goes Wrong
41 mins
·
17:00, 14 Jul 2026
·
Recommended
Guest: Wathslah Naidu, executive director, Centre for Independent Journalism
The newly tabled Freedom of Information Bill 2026 has drawn criticism from civil society groups for preserving strict secrecy laws, prompting the government to refer it to a parliamentary special select committee. Wathslah Naidu, executive director at the Centre for Independent Journalism, joins us to discuss the most alarming flaws in the draft and how it impacts journalists and whistleblowers. (Starts at 22:25)
• What's next for Syed Saddiq and MUDA?: Following the Federal Court's decision to uphold Muar MP Syed Saddiq's acquittal, questions remain regarding his political future and his ongoing role within MUDA. We reached out to MUDA President Amira Aisya to share the party's reaction to the ruling and discuss where its co-founder fits into their leadership plans moving forward. (Starts at 17:35)
• Doctor AI to the rescue: A recent survey reveals that nearly 90% of Malaysians are turning to AI tools for medical advice before verifying the information on standard search engines. While public health experts note that AI can improve general health literacy, medical professionals caution that the technology cannot replace physical examinations or official clinical diagnoses. (Starts at 11:42)
• Melaka DAP quits state government: Melaka DAP has announced its withdrawal from the Barisan Nasional-led state government following the passage of a bill allowing the appointment of up to seven unelected assemblymen. Dr Lau Zhe Wei, Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science at International Islamic University Malaysia, joins us to discuss whether this protest will destabilise the state. (Starts at 05:57)
• When our phones get between us: A recent US study highlights the growing impact of "technoference," revealing that teens who feel their parents are frequently distracted by phones report lower emotional security in their relationships. We discuss the push and pull of our attention, and if fully listening has become a rarity. (Starts at 00:28)
Top 5 @ 5 is brought to you by Luno: A smarter way to crypto
Image Credits: Centre for Independent Journalism (Facebook)
Presenter: Dashran Yohan, Susan Tam
Producer: Alia Zefri, Sudais Ferhard, Susan Tam, Sneha Harikannan, Juliet Jacobs
melaka governmenttechnoferencefreedom of information billcivil society activistsMUDA partysyed saddiqhealth adviceAI toolsdap malaysiabarisan nasionalpaying attentionphones
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