Malaysians received their RM100 Sara aid on Merdeka, but due to the massive influx of people using their MyKad to redeem the money, there were a few technological glitches and some had to use their own money to pay in the end. Despite this, and concerns brought up by former economic minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, the government is still going on with their plan to hand out the RON95 subsidy using the same MyKad system. We weigh out the pros and cons with Derek Kok.

Other stories we covered:

• Guard tussles with Pro-Palestinian protestor: A Suria KLCC security guard attempted to confiscate a Palestinian flag from a protestor who visited the mall after a rally nearby. KLCC management has defended its staff, saying that it was part of their safety procedure, but this incident has ignited calls to boycott KLCC. We speak to Mohd Nazari Ismail, Chairperson of the BDS Movement Malaysia about this.

• Nepal PM resigns after violent protests: Nepal's PM, Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli has stepped down after deadly protests over a social media ban. We hear from Rajneesh Bhandari, Founder and Chief Editor at the Nepal Investigative Multimedia Journalism Network about what's happening on ground. We also speak to Bhaskar Gautam, a researcher based in Nepal about other factors at play here, that caused so much public anger.

• Malaysian receives PEN-Booker recognition: Pauline Fan bagged this prize for her work as a translator of the English-language version of the historical novel, Hari-Hari Terakhir di Jesselton, which was originally written in Malay by Sabah-born Ruhaini Matdarin. We speak to Pauline herself about the win and significance of the novel.

• The literal cost of eating healthy: Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy teamed up with Universiti Teknologi Mara to conduct a survey, in which they found that the Health Ministry's "suku suku separuh" dietary guide might not be affordable for everybody. We get in it.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sneha Harikannan, Sudais Ferhard, Tee Shiao Eek, Alia Zefri

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Sharaad Kuttan, Susan Tam

This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  food,  wellness,  education,  culture,  international,  controversies,  Law/Activism,  politics,  technology,  government

Tags:  eating healthy,  PEN-booker,  violent protests,  SARA aid,  food prices,  nepal,  pro-palestine,  klcc,  mykad,