Podcasts about Klang Valley

Bukit Kiara is one of the Klang Valley's last remaining green lungs, a beloved patch of forest that offers a daily dose of nature to thousands of urban dwellers. But beyond its walking trails and morning joggers lies an ecosystem teeming with life — that is also under threat. We speak with Professor Darryl Jones, an urban ecologist and bird expert from the Centre for Planetary Health & Food Security, at the School of Environment & Science, Griffith University, and Dr. Kriban G. Naidu, the immediate past president of Friends of Bukit Kiara, to hear the story of how a shared love for this urban forest sparked a powerful collaboration — and why the time to protect Bukit Kiara is now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As environmental awareness grows, initiatives like Zero Waste Malaysia's Green Wira Programme (GWP) are shaping the next generation of sustainability champions. GWP is an educational programme dedicated to training educators in Malaysia on sustainability and zero-waste living implementation. Currently open to primary and secondary school educators in the Klang Valley, the programme - which is endorsed by the Ministry of Education - equips teachers with the knowledge and skills to lead impactful waste reduction efforts in their schools and communities. Looking ahead, GWP has an ambitious goal: by 2030, it aims to empower 10,000 educators, impact 1,000,000 students, and establish 100 zero-waste schools to drive Malaysia towards a waste-free, sustainable future. What makes this year's edition unique? Irene Chooi, the Education Programme Manager at Zero Waste Malaysia, joins us to share insights on the programme's impact, and what's in store for 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a pregnancy craving to a multi-million ringgit business, in this episode of Open For Business, we sit down with Rosli Manaf, Co-Founder of Homebaker@Clover, to explore the journey of building a successful bakery chain specialising in cinnamon rolls.Rosli shares how this passion project grew into a thriving business with 11 outlets across the Klang Valley, the challenges of scaling in the ever competitive and complex F&B market, and his ambition to make Homebaker@Clover the Krispy Kreme of cinnamon rolls.Tune in to learn:- The transition from a corporate career in IT and telecommunications to starting an artisanal bakery.- How focusing on cinnamon rolls helped Homebaker@Clover stand out.- The challenges, mistakes and lessons learnt of scaling a food business while maintaining quality.- Future growth plans, including franchising and potential international expansion.

Today, we are switching it up a notch and taking you on an “exhilarating” journey behind the scenes of Skyline Luge Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's newest adventure attraction. As the 8th Skyline Luge park globally and the 2nd in Southeast Asia, this “thrilling” (depending on your thrill appetite or level) destination offers a unique blend of gravity-fueled excitement and scenic beauty in the heart of the Klang Valley.We explore the origins of this luge park concept, its latest innovations like Malaysia's first spiral zipline, and how it is shaping the local tourism landscape with Gavin Barnes, the General Manager of Skyline Luge Kuala Lumpur. Get ready to discover what makes Skyline Luge a memorable experience for adventurers of all ages.

This Merdeka and Malaysia Day, Health & Living celebrates iconic institutions of healthcare, from institutions of education, to research and health services. In the heart of KL, the sprawling lands of Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) hold countless memories for generations of Klang Valley residents - either you or someone in your family might have been born there, or received care and treatment over the years. HKL Director Dato' Dr Harikrishna K. Ragavan Nair takes us from the origins of the hospital more than 150 years ago, to how it is transforming for the 21st century.Image Credit: Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL)

We speak with Jeremy Dev, Founder at Far Post Academy, a Malaysian based startup that offers futsal lessons for kids aged 4 years and above.They offer training programs that are designed to hone technical and tactical skills through professional drills, strategic planning, and real-world exposure through representing the academy at games and tournaments. Since the pandemic, the academy has enrolled over 200 kids in the Klang Valley region and are looking at further expansion into other states in Malaysia.In today's discussion, Jeremy will give us a sense of how the academy has evolved over the last 3 years, the challenges they had to pull through as well as the ambitions and hurdles ahead in 2024 and beyond.

On Saturday, some parts of Kuala Lumpur and PJ were also hit by a storm which caused many trees to fall causing damage although this time, no loss of life. We speak to Lim Yi Wei, Assemblywoman of Kampung Tunku as to whether there is enough funding at the state level to ensure that these trees are safe whilst keeping that balance between development and the natural environment.Image Credit: Fire and Rescue Department

KTI Landmark, a Sabah developer is gearing for an ACE market listing in mid-June, raising RM48 million. We ask Managing Director, Gordon Loke what are the intentions for the IPO proceeds, their strategy for growth and are they being overly ambitious with plans to start projects in the Klang Valley.

12tone Ensemble are set to present their second ever concert, “Dream Tryst,” featuring rarely performed choral compositions, right here in Malaysia. Highlights include John Corigliano's "Fern Hill," based on Dylan Thomas' poem, and Benjamin Britten's "Rejoice in the Lamb," set to Christopher Smart's text, among others. Founded in 2023 by Music Director Caeleb Tee, the ensemble comprises experienced choristers from Klang Valley, with Steinway Artist Zhang Chi on piano as a special guest for this concert. Caeleb joins us to discuss what's in store in this exploration of choral literature and poetry.Image Credit: Dream Tryst

We explore IWG Malaysia's ambitious expansion as they gear up to launch four new workspaces in the country. Two of these new centres will be situated in the Klang Valley, while the other two will find their home in Johor Bahru, catering to the growing community of hybrid workers. These new locations, representing Regus and HQ, will enhance IWG Malaysia's portfolio, providing a diverse range of workspace solutions to support businesses in their hybrid work arrangements. The launch, set between April and September, will further strengthen IWG's global presence, adding to its network of over 4,000 locations in 120 countries. Tune in as we uncover how these workspaces align with Malaysia's push for more employee-friendly models, offering insights into how IWG's expansion will shape the future of flexible work environments.

In conjunction with the upcoming by-election happening this weekend, I Love KL decides to travel out of Klang Valley slightly, to pay a figurative visit to Kuala Kubu Bharu. We look at the history of the place, what it's known for now, and whether the negative aspects of development will ever come to this quaint little town.Photo credit: Selangor.travel

Rantaian Urban Green Spaces or RUGS is a conservation initiative with the primary objective of overseeing and fostering collaborative efforts among multiple stakeholders to preserve, revitalise, and interconnect the dispersed green areas within the Klang Valley. Throughout the Klang Valley, smaller, isolated green patches often receive less attention compared to larger forest expanses in other regions of the country. But these green pockets remain crucial habitats for Malaysia's diverse flora and fauna, thus the need for protection and restoration of these spaces. Under the stewardship of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), RUGS works on inclusive planning processes and the empowerment of local communities, and is said to be the first of its kind in Klang Valley and Peninsular Malaysia. As we celebrate International Day of Forests and World Water Day this March, we find out more about RUGS from Vivian Soon (Wildlife and Conservation Officer) and Ng Sean Fong (Data and Policy Officer) who are both with the Malaysian Nature Society.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pertubuhan Cahaya Hawwa, or Percaya, is an NGO dedicated to uplifting and empowering women in need. Despite still being in its infancy, the three women behind the organisation are no strangers to community work, having organised the Sebalang Kasih initiative annually since 2016, which aims to ensure the poor and the less fortunate have kuih raya during the festive Raya period.As we look to "Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress" this International Women's Day, we listen to the stories of Percaya's co-founders on their mission to make a difference. We explore the importance of helping communities in need, no matter how small, working with and supporting single mothers in KL, and their upcoming Cherita Kasih Kita fundraising event that will look to purchase 1000 balang of kuih raya from single mothers to distribute to underprivileged kids around Klang Valley.Photo credit: Jed RT / Shutterstock.com

For patients seeking care in public hospitals, especially beyond Klang Valley, the chances of being able to see a specialist immediately are usually slim. For years, Malaysia has been plagued by a shortage of specialists across various disciplines, and unequal distribution throughout the country. The former is related to the training of specialists, and seems to be on increasingly precarious ground with recent news that the parallel pathway programme is facing problems. We dive into a 101 on the parallel pathway programme with Professor Dr Rosmawati Mohamed, Master, Academy of Medicine Malaysia.

Following the proposal for a Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, there has now been a proposal to transform the Greater Klang Valley into a special economic zone as well. The SEZ plan aims to reposition the region for larger investment inflows. Might its impact be marginal or momentous? Dr Geoffrey Williams, Economist & Professor, Malaysia University of Science and Technology makes a case for the former.Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Founded in 2017, WORQ is currently present in 7 locations across the Klang Valley and an additional unique location at Perhentian Island, with more in the works, given the potential they see in the industry.WORQ is currently on track to triple its space under management to 450,000 sq ft by 2025 and has ambitious plans to expand its space under management to a sizable 3 million sq ft by 2030.The company started with RM1.5 million in revenue in 2017, made RM17 million last year, and is aiming for RM25 million in 2024, and on the back of 80% revenue growth and mid-teen net profit margins last year, WORQ announced in October that it raised an undisclosed pre-series B backed by 14 follow-on investors including global asset management firm PhillipCapital and the Leong family of Mah Sing Group Bhd.Looking ahead, to support its ambition, WORQ is targeting to raise RM40 million in its Series B funding round.We speak with CEO Stephanie Ping and CFO Andrew Yeow, to get a better understanding of how they've profitability navigated the last 7 years in the coworking landscape despite the downfall of WeWork, how WORQ has partnered with property players and developers to grow, and what the path ahead looks like for the Space-As-A-Service model as the aim to become the Amazon Web Services of office space.

After their recorder studies at the Utrecht Conservatory with Heiko ter Schegget, Teun Wisse and Thomas Triesschijn conceived the idea of inviting their former teacher to form a trio, and thus the Holborne Consort was born. They specialise in performing Renaissance music on replicas of recorders from that period and together, they have performed concerts throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. They have collaborated with numerous ensembles and conductors, and will be performing across several states in Malaysia, and here in the Klang Valley, they will be performing together with renaissance-baroque period ensemble the Wicked Music People in The Bassanos of London, a concert that showcases instrumental music from the court of the English King Henry VIII. We find out what's in store at this international R&B (Renaissance & Baroque!) crossover from Thomas Triesschijn (Holborne Consort) and U-En Ng (Wicked Music People).

Thaipusam falls on the 25th of January this year, with throngs of Hindu devotees here in the Klang Valley heading to the Sri Subrarmaniam Swamy Temple Cave in Batu Caves to commemorate the triumph of Lord Murugan, and the victory of good over evil. But the limestone karst hill that is Batu Caves is also an outstanding nature monument, and of paramount scientific importance for its cave ecosystem and unique animal and plant biodiversity that includes many rare and/or endemic organisms. We speak to eminent botanist Dr Ruth Kiew, and geologist Dr. Ros Fatihah Muhammad, who are both with the Malaysian Cave and Karst Conservancy (MCKC), about the history and wonders of Batu Caves, but also the threats to the area, and why there is an urgent need to secure and permanently protect Batu Caves. We also discuss the important findings from the Batu Caves Scientific Expedition, which Dr Ruth spearheaded back in 2019.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia's land for waste disposal is limited and the existing landfills are rapidly reaching their capacity, it is imperative that every individual do their part to reduce, reuse and recycle. To facilitate and make it easier for consumers to transition to a more eco-friendly lifestyle, Oh Sok Peng founded Refiller Mobile in June 2022. This mobile zero-waste refillery travels around the Klang Valley offering eco-friendly household products, dried food and alternatives. With a goal to address plastic waste and environmental preservation in Malaysia, Refiller Mobile seeks to contribute to a sustainable planet for future generations.

A Bit of Culture takes a detour from its usual format to give the host, Kam Raslan a bit of a break. In step producer, Haniff Baharudin, again, for a chat with a wayang kulit musician that's based in Kelantan. This comes after BFM's trip to the East Coast a few months ago, to learn about what life is like outside the Klang Valley, from all aspects, be it political, social and cultural. Tune in to hear what it's like for Abdul Rahman Dollah, or Abang Man, as he dedicates his life to wayang kulit, and his thoughts on how the art can survive modernity and other challenges.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of anime, comics, and gaming as we explore the vibrant tapestry of Animangaki 2023. Join us for an engaging conversation with Yvonne Sing, the founder and director, along with Jo Lynn Lim, the co-director of Animangaki. Together, we'll uncover the true essence of ACG culture and its significance, especially now that these conventions happen more frequently across the Klang Valley. How do they keep things fresh, and make sure that Animangaki is still relevant among fans? Tune in to hear their thoughts, perspectives and reflections on the ACG scene.

A Bit of Culture takes a detour from its usual format, ahead of the upcoming PRN 2023! Last month, a group of producers were sent to the East Coast to learn about what life is like outside the Klang Valley, from all aspects, be it political, social and cultural. While we were in Kelantan, we were given the opportunity to meet Poksu Agel, a highly respected traditional arts practitioner and activist that has been in the scene for years. Producer Haniff Baharudin went to his home to speak to him and discover what being a music and arts practitioner is like in Kelantan and whether social and political climate, and modernity have a huge impact on his craft and life there.

The recent relocation exercise at the end of July, which involved contract doctors being given permanent positions, has been generating headlines because of the significant impact that it has on various healthcare facilities across the countries. While some states like Sabah and Sarawak are reported to have gained more medical officers, other major hospitals particularly around the Klang Valley are facing a net loss of trained medical officers - a gap that the Minister of Health Dr Zaliha Mustafa says will be filled by December at the latest. We discuss how these relocations are affecting doctors and patient care with Dr Sivabala Selvaratnam, Vice Chairman of MMA's Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers, and Specialists. Image Credit: nty/123RF

The EPF Belajawanku Guide says that a single person in the Klang Valley can live on RM1930. We check in with a BFM intern, Ethan Kow to see if that is true. This is then followed by financial advice provided by Idham Idris, a professional financial planner from Wealth Vantage who provides some tips to make balancing the books a little easier.

Come June, local dance organisation MyDance Alliance will present the sixth MyDance Festival, with the theme “Unity in Diversity”. The festival aims to reunite the dance community in Malaysia following the disruption of the pandemic, to enjoy live performances and to celebrate the diversity of local dance culture. The festival will present four different programs across various arts spaces in the Klang Valley, featuring traditional dances from Malay, Indian and East Malaysian cultures, alongside contemporary dance works too. We find out more from Rithaudin Abdul Kadir (Vice President of MyDance Alliance) and Bilqis Hijjas (Secretary, MyDance Alliance).Image Credit: James Quah

Paramount Corporation Berhad is a property developer with established townships in Klang Valley, Kedah and Penang. It also ventured into co-working space, owns a hotel in Kuala Lumpur as well as a fine dining restaurant Dewakan, which was recently awarded a Michelin Star. On the education side, the divestment has paved the way for a 12 sen special dividend or a one-off yield of more than 10%. YTD, the stock has done well, up 16%. With all this mind, what sort of growth trajectory is Paramount on in the coming years? We speak to Jeffrey Chew, CEO of Paramount Corporation Berhad.

After nearly three years of pandemic-impacted operations, the Oriental Group of Restaurants has finally returned to the black with revenues almost back to pre-MCO days. What fortunes will this Year of the Rabbit bring to this leader of Cantonese cuisine in the Klang Valley? Its founder and chairman Datuk Seri Philip Siew talks about the challenges the company had faced, the lessons learned and how to apply them going forward.

A rant on how hard it is to navigate shopping malls has turned into a full-on conversation about shopping mall layouts, where people talk about the best and the worst of malls in the Klang Valley. We get into it.Image source: Noppasin Wongchum, Shutterstock

Klang Valley residents have had to endure long commutes on roads and on trains. Is this due to our flawed transportation model? What should the priorities of our new Minister of Transport be? We ask Dr Rosli Khan, Transport Consultant, that question.Image credit: Anthony Loke Siew Fook / Facebook

Earlier this month, the Malaysian Meteorological Department had issued an early monsoon warning that the annual North-East Monsoon that lasts from November to March could see higher rainfall this year. As we've already seen floods happen in several parts of the country in the past month and amidst fears of a similar disaster as we saw in the Klang Valley last December, we speak to consultant emergency physician Datuk Dr Alzamani Mohammad Idrose, for some flood safety tips to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Image Credit: 123RF/fuadstephan

Founded in 1995, Homefield Real Estate has grown from a small setting establishment in Subang Jaya to a privately owned real estate company in Klang Valley. They specialise in residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural sale, purchase and rental, project marketing and more. Munirah Mohamad, the founder and director of Homefield shares how they strive to provide quality services to the customers.Image Credit: Homefield Official Website

We look at how we're developing the Klang Valley, with Bukit Dinding in the headlines. First, we talk about one of the central points of contention: how do environmental impact assessments, or EIAs fit into conversations around new developments? And then - what should be prioritised when it comes to developments in KL? Image source: Friends of Bukit Dinding, Facebook

The full reopening of the economy has seen the return of road congestion and mounting frustration over the lack of commuting options in the Klang Valley. What policies would best address the gaps in urban public transport? Aziff Azuddin, independent urban mobility researcher give us his prescription for Budget 2023.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

The full reopening of the economy has seen the return of road congestion and mounting frustration over the lack of commuting options in the Klang Valley. What policies would best address the gaps in urban public transport? Aziff Azuddin, independent urban mobility researcher give us his prescription for Budget 2023.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

A group of residents has issued a Letter of Demand to KL City Hall and the Federal Territories Ministry for information on flood mitigation measures being taken. Because let's not forget how last year's monsoon season led to the worst incidents of flooding in the Klang Valley. The latest Attorney General's Report published last month, also revealed that DBKL has only implemented 7.7% of flood mitigation measures detailed in the 2017 flood management master plan. Lim Wei Jiet is representing the residents.Image Credit: RustyR / Shutterstock.com

A group of residents has issued a Letter of Demand to KL City Hall and the Federal Territories Ministry for information on flood mitigation measures being taken. Because let's not forget how last year's monsoon season led to the worst incidents of flooding in the Klang Valley. The latest Attorney General's Report published last month, also revealed that DBKL has only implemented 7.7% of flood mitigation measures detailed in the 2017 flood management master plan. Lim Wei Jiet is representing the residents.Image Credit: RustyR / Shutterstock.com

AirAsia has announced that will offer Malaysia's first air-flown, intercity food delivery from Penang to the Klang Valley. People on Twitter chime in to this idea, and we join the conversation.Image source: Azhari Fotolestari, Shutterstock

If you're a resident in the Klang Valley you would have heard the warnings against giving money to beggars, as they're likely to be part of sydincates that use children, mothers and disabled people to carry out their activites. A Tweet making this very warning went viral, prompting responses from users on what they do when they're approached on the street.Image Source: Rapideye, Istock

While Klang Valley folk are no strangers to horrible traffic congestion during peak hours, it seems as though the traffic situation is now worse than pre-pandemic times! Numerous articles, viral tweets, complaints, and studies have been done over the last couple of months to determine why roads in KL and parts of Selangor are perpetually jammed, with no real solution in sight. Obviously, this has an effect on one's productivity and mental health. We speak to a psychologist to understand its impact.Image Credit: shutterstock | msyaraafiq

200 smart lamp posts are going to be installed around the Klang Valley, to help with 5G networking - they also come equipped with safety features and the latest technology... and they cost approximately RM154,000 each. Which has of course prompted questions about how this price is justified, and how this contract was awarded in the first place. We dive into these tricky issues of procurement and transparency with Sri Murniati Yusuf from IDEAS.Image Source: NAOWARAT, Shutterstock

Recurring flash floods & worsening traffic in the KL & Greater Klang Valley Area have had many reconsidering the ‘liveability' of our cities. Tonight on #ConsiderThis we ask our guests how to make our cities more liveable.

The government has announced proposed private sector plans to build three new highways in the Klang Valley to resolve congestion issues. We discuss whether the rationale for more highways holds water and policy measures to ease perennial urban traffic jams with transport consultant Rosli Azad.Image credit: shutterstock

Mirza Iqmal Sariffudin from Transit Malaysia explains what has caused Malaysia, and especially Klang Valley, to be so car-centric as the number of motor vehicles in Malaysia stands equal to its population by the end of 2020. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Mirza Iqmal Sariffudin from Transit Malaysia explains what has caused Malaysia, and especially Klang Valley, to be so car-centric as the number of motor vehicles in Malaysia stands equal to its population by the end of 2020. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

ALR made a conditional offer to acquire the 4 Klang Valley highway concessionaires, based on total enterprise value of RM5.5 billion. But is the conditional offer fair and sound? And who does it really benefit? Pankaj C Kumar, business commentator breaks down the details for us. Image credit: Unsplash.com

The government has agreed to a proposal by Amanat Lebuhraya Rakyat (ALR), a private and “not-for-profit” company to restructure four Klang Valley highway concessionaires, which will ensure that toll rates will not rise until their concessions expire. But is the price tag of RM5.5billion fair and who actually stands to benefit? P. Gunasegaram, independent writer and consultant gives us the answers. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

The flood disaster that struck the Klang Valley at the end of last year has prompted a lot of serious conversations about how our city is designed and managed. Pereka Bandar weighs in on the conversation by proposing a water-sensitive urban design approach that will be able to manage and potentially mitigate floods in our city. They also suggest that we adopt the concept of “sponge cities”, currently implemented by some urban centres in China.Image Source: Wan Fahmy Redzuan, Shutterstock.com

Our guest on the show this week is Fay Cheng, who started Myat & Potatoes, an online kitchen where you can get amazing Burmese food. Fay started Myat & Potatoes as an initiative to help out her Burmese cooks and staff members to earn some side income during a time when many have lost their jobs. And through it, they are really sharing their underrepresented cuisine across the Klang Valley, winning hearts with iconic Burmese dishes like mohinga and lahpet thoke.IMAGE SOURCE: Myat & Potatoes / INSTAGRAMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show, we speak with Adrian Yap, the founder of Tiffin. Tiffin is a company that's been blending the culinary and creative worlds to bring us some of the most exciting food events we've seen in Klang Valley in the past few years. Over the pandemic though, Tiffin as a brand has had to pivot to other avenues, infusing their creative eye into any and all projects they're a part of. So today, we'll hear about the Tiffin journey, and find out what lies ahead for the company.IMAGE SOURCE: TiffinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show, we speak with Adrian Yap, the founder of Tiffin. Tiffin is a company that's been blending the culinary and creative worlds to bring us some of the most exciting food events we've seen in Klang Valley in the past few years. Over the pandemic though, Tiffin as a brand has had to pivot to other avenues, infusing their creative eye into any and all projects they're a part of. So today, we'll hear about the Tiffin journey, and find out what lies ahead for the company.IMAGE SOURCE: TiffinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.