02-Aug-24 17:00

Dr Geoffrey Williams, Economist

The stories we covered today include:

5. We check in on our Malaysian athletes at the Olympics. First, updates on our shuttlers, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, who are the first Malaysian women's doubles team to make it to the semi-finals. Then, we discuss the progress of other athletes, focusing on cyclist Datuk Azizulhasni Awang as he prepares for his races. Haresh Deol, Editor at Twentytwo13, shares his thoughts on the overall achievements of our athletes.

4. Forever chemicals, known as PFAS, are notorious for being present in everyday items like non-stick pans. However, new research published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal reveals that PFAS is also found in pesticides used on crops. Dr. Zaki Zainudin, a water quality and modeling specialist, discusses the impact of these forever chemicals and their prevalence in Malaysia.

3. Extending a commercial lease in PJ Old Town for a 99-year period apparently costs RM1,000,000, placing a heavy burden on mom-and-pop shop owners. Rajiv Rishyakaran, ADUN for Bukit Gasing, sheds light on the issue and the potential solutions being considered.

2. The investigation into the death of former political aide Teoh Beng Hock has been reopened following a meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Beng Hock's family, who have been seeking justice for over a decade. We hear from Teoh Lee Lan, sister of the late Teoh Beng Hock, as she expresses her gratitude to Anwar for the meeting.

1. Our top story: The G20 nations have agreed to implement a global tax on the ultra-wealthy to reduce wealth inequality worldwide. However, countries like the US and Germany are skeptical about its implementation. We speak in-depth with economist Dr Geoffrey Williams to explore the feasibility of such a system.

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