HARDtalk in Asia Specials on BBC World

BBC World will showcase a special line-up of HARDtalk programmes, filmed earlier this month during the two-week visit of award-winning interviewer Tim Sebastian to Asia. HARDtalk in Asia Specials begins on Monday, September 22, on BBC World, BBC's commercially funded 24-hour international news and information channel. Sebastian's seven guests include the Prime Minister of Singapore, the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia and Malaysia, and the Vice-President of Indonesia's biggest opposition party.

The trip was Sebastian's first ever visit to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and the first time since 1997 that he has been in Hong Kong. Sebastian is known for grilling the world's newsmakers, and was named Interviewer of the Year by the Royal Television Society in 2000 and 2001.

On Monday September 22, Sebastian talks to the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirayuda, about the many problems before his huge nation. On Tuesday, September 23, Sebastian meets Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister of Singapore, to talk about what the country is doing to tackle the problem of terrorism and whether he is happy with the neighbouring countries' efforts.

Wednesday, September 24, is when Tim Sebastian will talk to Malaysian Foreign Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, about the country's role in the region and how his country is trying to conquer terrorism. On Thursday, September 25, Ma Lik, Secretary General of Hong Kong's biggest pro-Beijing party, will talk to Tim Sebastian, while on Friday, September 26, Sebastian will meet Parti Islam seMalaysia (PAS) Vice-President Mustafa Ali about the role religion plays in winning votes.

On Monday, September 29, Martin Lee, founder of the Hong Kong Democratic Party, shares his views on the postponement of Hong Kong's anti-subversion bill with Tim Sebastian. Sebastian rounds up the Asia Specials (on Tuesday, September 30) with neurosurgeon Dr. Keith Goh.

Dr. Keith Goh led the surgical team that unsuccessfully tried to separate Ladan and Laleh Bijani, the 29-year-old Iranian twins who were joined in the head. The sisters died in the operation held in Singapore, and the case raised serious ethical issues. Should doctors allow patients to go through such risky procedures? Critics argued it was too dangerous but the twins' supporters say they understood the possible consequences and had every right to go through with it. Dr. Goh speaks to Tim Sebastian about the surgery and whether he has any regrets.