Covid-19 (Part 2) - Cautious Vaccine Roll-Out?
Malaysians read on an almost daily basis how some country or the other has begun their vaccination programme -- Singapore, Indonesia and Myanmar, just to name some regional peers. Are we behind? And if so, is there a good reason why we should not be worried? In fact the World Health Organisation has urged governments to take time to plan their roll-out. Is this what we are looking at? Melisa Id...
13m Feb 05, 2021
13m
Covid-19 (Part 1) - Lives Vs Livelihoods, Rhetoric Vs Reality
Yesterday the government announced that not only was it extending the Movement Control Order and that it would also seek to impose stricter SOPs. However no details were announced regarding the move to tighten SOPs. In this information vacuum, a coalition of more than 40 trade, business and professional associations has urged the government to lift the second MCO -- saying it would kill busines...
13m Feb 04, 2021
13m
Covid-19 (Part 2) - Can We Afford Another MCO?
Yesterday the government announced that not only was it extending the Movement Control Order and that it would also seek to impose stricter SOPs. However, no details were announced regarding the move to tighten SOPs. This comes after mixed messages from government officials on the extension as well as a warning from public health experts that lockdowns at this point in the crisis will not be ef...
13m Feb 04, 2021
13m
Corruption (Part 1) - Going In The Wrong Direction?
In the recently released Corruption Perceptions Index 2020 by Transparency International, Malaysia's rank in the index fell to 57th position out of 180 countries. This was from 51st place in 2019. What accounts from this drop and how can this reversal in the fight against corruption be arrested?  Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Muhammad Mohan, President, Transparency International Mala...
10m Feb 03, 2021
10m
Corruption (Part 2) - What Can Stop The Rot?
With the Reform Agenda halted early 2020 and Emergency Rule imposed at the start of 2021, is there much hope for improved governance in the country in the foreseeable future? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Cynthia Gabriel, Executive Director, Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism.
9m Feb 03, 2021
9m
Corruption (Part 3) - Better Systems or Better People?
From 1 June 2020 enforcement of the Corporate Liability (Section 17A) provision of the MACC Act means that businesses in Malaysia must shoulder the burden of proof that they have put in place "5-principle Guidelines on Adequate Procedures (GAP)" to prevent bribery and treat potential corruption risks within its business. But will they?  Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to KM Loi, President...
7m Feb 03, 2021
7m
Myanmar Coup (Part 1) - Will ASEAN Step Up?
Earlier this morning Myanmar's military announced a State of Emergency for one year -- with all legislative, executive and judicial powers transferred to the top army commander.  Myanmar's Parliament was supposed to convene today -- ushering in the incumbent National League for Democracy into its second term. The November General Election saw a landslide win for it but also significant losses f...
9m Feb 02, 2021
9m
Myanmar Coup (Part 2) - Personal Ambition Derails Democracy?
The coup by the Myanmar military places the country in a State of Emergency for one year -- with all legislative, executive and judicial powers transferred to the top army commander. At the center of this move is top army commander General Min Aung Hlaing, who was due to step down in July this year. Is this move simply the outcome of one man’s ambition to remain in power? Melisa Idris and Shara...
8m Feb 02, 2021
8m
Myanmar Coup (Part 3) - China, US Influence Crucial?
China has responded to the coup -- saying that it hopes all sides in Myanmar can work out their differences within the constitutional and legal framework. Speculation is rife that China approves of this coup. Is that an adequate understanding of China’s role in this crisis?  Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Roy Anthony Rogers, Department of International and Strategic Studies, Universit...
9m Feb 02, 2021
9m
Taman Rimba Kiara (Part 1) - Battle Won, Not Yet The War?
Earlier this week, the Court of Appeal quashed a Development Order by DBKL to develop Taman Rimba Kiara in Taman Tun Dr Ismail. TTDI residents had protested for more than 5 years against the proposed development, in which several blocks of high-end apartments had been approved by DBKL. Community action and legal activism led to this victory but is this the end of the journey? Melisa Idris and S...
15m Jan 30, 2021
15m
Taman Rimba Kiara (Part 2) - Unmasking Murky Development
What is the ethos of planning that our laws recognise and how far is actual governance from it? The judgement of the Court of Appeal that quashed a DBKL development order for a proposed high-rise project in the area highlighted issues of governance - conflicts of interests, duty to provide reasons for decisions, to adhere to plans - and in this instance, the KL Structure Plan.  Melisa Idris and...
13m Jan 30, 2021
13m
Health Frontliners (Part 1) - Reaching Breaking Point?
Recently Projek Wawasan Rakyat and ABIM created a platform to allow medical frontliners to express their concerns anonymously. This followed the publication of letters to the press expressing frustration and exhaustion. Is this just to be expected in the extraordinary situation that the Covid-19 pandemic presents? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Toh Puan Dr Safurah Jaafar, former direc...
9m Jan 29, 2021
9m
Health Frontliners (Part 2) - Why The Silence?
"Dengar Sini: Kisah Frontliners” by Projek Wawasan Rakyat and ABIM wasn’t the regular showcase of platitudes and praise for medical frontliners. Anonymous comments by medical frontliners were read out detailing less than optimal conditions. Why is there a silence - self-imposed perhaps - about these problems?  Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Sean Thum, Advisor, Malaysian Medics Inte...
9m Jan 29, 2021
9m
Health Frontliners (Part 3) - Sustainable Practices Possible?
Medical frontliners around the world have suffered inordinately either by being at risk from infection or being overworked in failing health-care systems. What have we learned about our own system - its strengths and deficiencies - and are we confident they will be addressed? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Adriana Tan, Vice President of MMI Doctors, a branch of Malaysian Medics Int...
7m Jan 29, 2021
7m
Vaccination (Part 1) - Making A Successful Programme
As the government prepares for the rollout of the national vaccination programme, the question of whether to vaccinate foreign workers for free is still being debated. What will it take to ensure that all non-citizens, who officially make up 10% of the Malaysian population, will have free and equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Rani Rasiah, coordinat...
14m Jan 28, 2021
14m
Vaccination (Part 2) - No One Safe, Until Everyone Safe
14m Jan 28, 2021
14m
Sarawak (Part 1) - Getting Sick In Rural Hinterland
Health experts & activists have repeatedly sounded the alarm on the dire need for more health facilities in Sarawak and Sabah - which collectively cover a bigger geographical area than the peninsula and  still suffer from a smaller distribution of doctors and specialists than the peninsular; a lack of medical centres and amenities -- that in turn raise the cost in accessing health care; and poo...
10m Jan 27, 2021
10m
Sarawak (Part 2) - TB Emergence, Systematic Failure?
Has the Covid-19 pandemic unmasked the structural problems of the health care system in Sarawak, with sufferers of non-Covid-19 disease struggling to gain access to the public healthcare system. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Michael Teo, Member of Parliament for Miri.
10m Jan 27, 2021
10m
Sarawak (Part 3) - Managing Tuberculosis Holistically?
Every Malaysian child is supposed to get a Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine (BCG) jan which is given to prevent tuberculosis. So why are we seeing an emergence of the disease? Aren’t all children getting it, is it not being given in a targeted way or is the vaccine, developed 100 years ago, losing its efficacy?  Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Helmy Haja Mydin, Consultant Respirator...
8m Jan 27, 2021
8m
Covid-19 (Part 1) - Year Of Missed Opportunities?
Exactly one year ago, Malaysia recorded its first Covid-19 case. Malaysia has since reported 689 deaths from Covid-19 and  a cumulative total of 186,849 cases. We’ve since come to learn more about the disease -- but has our approach to managing the pandemic evolved accordingly? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Professor of Medicine and Infectious Disea...
22m Jan 26, 2021
22m
Covid-19 (Part 2) - Reduce or Ramp-Up Testing Debate
Today marks exactly one year since Malaysia reported its first Covid-19 case. And our initial pandemic response had been highlighted as among the best in the world. But a year on, we have to take stock of where we’ve fallen behind, where the weaknesses are, and how we can do better. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to healthcare administrator, Dr Khoo Yoong Khean.
9m Jan 26, 2021
9m
Education (Part 1) - What Students Fear Most?
The 2021 school year for Malaysia has commenced, as students & teachers adapt to online classes and home-based learning. Last year, schoolchildren nationwide had only two full months of in-class sessions -- in February and August. Later in the show we’re going to be hearing from educationists to find out the impact of this on learning outcomes and  how they will be addressed this year. And for ...
7m Jan 22, 2021
7m
Education (Part 2) - 2020 Challenges Addressed?
As we start the academic year, some students are returning to the classroom while others continue with home-based learning. In fact, national school students had only two full months of in-class sessions -- in February and August. The ministry of education has had most of last year to prepare for the start of this academic year -- our second year into the pandemic. What have we done to address ...
14m Jan 22, 2021
14m
Education (Part 3) - Making Schools Safe Again
The first couple of days back at school, and we hear the same issues from last year: sharing of devices; none or limited internet; unconducive learning environments; lack of interest or inability to absorb what’s being taught.Why is it that in our second year of dealing with this pandemic, we haven’t been able to adequately address these issues for our children? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan ...
8m Jan 22, 2021
8m
US Inauguration (Part 1) - Democratic Spectacle Tainted?
Today is Inauguration Day for Joe Biden, as he takes an oath to serve as the 46th president of the United States. But what lies beyond the inauguration spectacle are the domestic and international divisions that were made more pronounced under the Donald Trump presidency. Can these divisions be overcome by the incoming Biden Administration? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Meredith Weis...
15m Jan 21, 2021
15m
US Inauguration (Part 2) - Obama Presidency Reboot?
What will be the focus of the incoming Biden Administration leading a country and economy devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic? Beyond the consensus about China as a threat, what can the rest of Asia expect from this superpower? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to John Pang, Senior Fellow, Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities. Bard College, New York.
13m Jan 21, 2021
13m
Covid-19 (Part 1) - Pandemic's Dual Crisis Addressed?
14m Jan 20, 2021
14m
Covid-19 (Part 2) - Health, Economic Strategies In Tandem?
14m Jan 20, 2021
14m
Emergency (Part 1) - Is Executive Power Limitless?
The Emergency Ordinance 2021 was officially gazetted yesterday with 18 provisions, among which stipulate that the Prime Minister and the Cabinet will continue to have executive power but also take the function of law-making once done by Parliament; that no legal action & prosecution can be brought against the government or public officer for actions they carry out during this period; and that i...
9m Jan 16, 2021
9m
Emergency (Part 2) - What Rights Are Still Guaranteed?
One of the provisions of the Emergency Ordinance states that an independent special committee will be established to advise the Agong on the need to continue the state of Emergency. But can it be truly independent? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Lim Wei Jiet, Secretary-General, National Human Rights Society (Hakam).
8m Jan 16, 2021
8m
Emergency (Part 3) - Selangor's Assembly Suspended?
We continue our conversation about the consequences of suspending Parliament and other state legislatures under the state of Emergency. Will states comply with the demands of the Federal Executive? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Teng Chang Khim, Selangor State Exco and Former Speaker of the Selangor Assembly.
8m Jan 16, 2021
8m
Emergency (Part 1) - Dictates Of Pandemic or Politics?
The surprised declaration of a nation-wide Emergency has left the public asking if this was motivated by the political interest of the current government or the needs of the public health crisis. Tonight Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to prominent economist and former senior United Nations official, Jomo Kwame Sundaram.
16m Jan 13, 2021
16m
Emergency (Part 2) - Parliament, DUN Suspensions Downside
Does Parliamentary oversight impair an efficient public health programme? What other chilling effects will the Emergency declaration bring despite assurances given.  Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Tricia Yeoh,  CEO of the think tank, Institute for Democracy & Economic Affairs.
13m Jan 13, 2021
13m
Consider This: HSR - Victim Of Poor Politics?
On January 1st, the prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore issued a joint statement that the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project had been terminated after they failed to agree on changes to terms of the project that been tabled by Malaysia following the change of government here in 2018. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, Transport and Rail Planner and F...
19m Jan 06, 2021
19m
Consider This: HSR - A Missed Opportunity?
The termination of the KL-Singapore High Speed Rail projects, after the governments of both countries said they could not come to an agreement. What impact will the cancellation have at both ends of the track? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Walter Theseira, Associate Professor of Economics, Singapore University of Social Sciences.
9m Jan 06, 2021
9m
Consider This: HSR - Behind The Game Changer
On January 1st, the prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore issued a joint statement that the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project had been terminated after they failed to agree on changes to terms of the project that been tabled by Malaysia following the change of government here in 2018. Tonight we ask what is the true cost of the cancellation. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan spea...
10m Jan 06, 2021
10m
Harassment (Part 1) – Political Will, Bipartisan Support?
A petition was read out in Parliament today, urging the Dewan Rakyat to expedite the tabling of the Sexual Harassment Bill. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Kasthuri Patto, DAP MP of Batu Kawan, who tabled a motion of appeal for the attention of Speaker Art Harun on a new anti-sexual harassment law, for tabling in Parliament at the next sitting in March.
8m Dec 19, 2020
8m
Harassment (Part 2) – Civil Society Pressure, Public Awareness
A petition was read out in Parliament today, urging the Dewan Rakyat to expedite the tabling of the Sexual Harassment Bill. The petition was an appeal from 512 Malaysians calling for the Dewan Rakyat to debate the bill. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Nisha Sabanayagam, Programme and Operations Manager, AWAM.
9m Dec 19, 2020
9m
Harassment (Part 3) – Drawing Lines Around Stalking
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) showed despite more than a third of Malaysians having had experienced stalking, existing laws in Malaysia do not adequately help those at the receiving end. But do we understand where the lines ought to be drawn. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Yu Ren Chung, Deputy Executive Director, WAO.
8m Dec 19, 2020
8m
COVID-19 (Part 1) - Pzifer-BioNTech Vaccine Approval Hailed
The UK has become the first country to approve the Pfizer-Bio-n-Tech Covid-19 vaccine -- making the first 800 thousand doses available next week. While this is being hailed as the harbinger of the pandemic’s end, it has come with costs -- costs that many are willing to overlook in exchange for a promised return to normality. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Sanjeev Krishna, Professor of...
9m Dec 02, 2020
9m
COVID-19 (Part 2) - Multiple Vaccines A Policy Headache?
Along with Pfizer’s vaccine we have many vaccine candidates that seem to be on the cusp of approval. This no doubts complicates the decision that policymakers have to make. How would you like policymakers to think through and make that comparison? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Sanjeev Krishna, Professor of Molecular Parasittology and Medicine, Institute of Infection and Immunity in L...
9m Dec 02, 2020
9m
COVID-19 (Part 3) - Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics
Underscoring the pandemic’s public health response but perhaps not getting as much attention as vaccines, are diagnostic tests and therapeutics. Our guest explains why the development of affordable diagnostics and therapeutics, as part of the public health tool kit, is so important. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Sanjeev Krishna, Professor of Molecular Parasittology and Medicine, Inst...
9m Dec 02, 2020
9m
HIV/ AIDS (Part 1) - An Epidemic That Taught The World
The 1st of December is World AIDS Day, and as at the end of 2019, the global death toll from AIDS was roughly 33 million people since its onset over 40 years ago. In all, 76 million people have been infected, and scientists estimate that another 1.7 million people continue to acquire HIV every year. Where does Malaysia stand in its fight against this epidemic? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan sp...
9m Dec 02, 2020
9m
HIV/ AIDS (Part 2) - Global Conversations, Pragmatic Policies
Successes in reducing infections from Intravenous Drug Use as well as Mother to Infant transmission has been showcase of sensible policies that followed on global conversations around the epidemic. Will we continue to extend evidence-based policy formulation? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Professor Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President, International AIDS Society, Vice-President (M...
9m Dec 02, 2020
9m
HIV/ AIDS (Part 3) - Are We Ready For PREP?
With the tagline, “Undetectable Means Untransmissible”, the development of PREP is the next step in the management of the epidemic. Are we following the science? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Professor Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President, International AIDS Society, Vice-President (Malaysian AIDS Council) and the dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Universiti Malaya.
9m Dec 02, 2020
9m
Prihatin (Part 1) - Wage Subsidy Programme, How Effective
The Wage Subsidy Programme that was first announced in March - subsidising wages for 3 months. It was extended for another 3 months, under the PENJANA package. And once again in September - extended for another 3 months. What have we learned so far about the effectiveness of the Wage Subsidy Programme? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Associate Professor Mohd Yusof Saari, Chief Economis...
12m Dec 01, 2020
12m
Prihatin (Part 2) - Long Term Plans to Protect Livelihoods?
How effective would you say the breadth and depth of the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional has been as a form of social assistance? > Were these benefits easily and quickly disbursed to distressed households? Were any groups or categories missed by the BPN? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Firas Raad, World Bank Group Representative to Malaysia.
12m Dec 01, 2020
12m
Budget 2021 (Part 1) - Perikatan Nasional Win is PKR's Loss?
The government of Muhyiddin Yassin won a crucial victory today as the Dewan Rakyat greenlit a draft Budget 2021. After 13 days of debate, the budget bill moved past the 'Policy Stage' following a voice vote of lawmakers. There was, however, an attempt to call for 'bloc voting', which would've meant that every MP’s vote would be counted. But it did not get sufficient support from 15 MPs, only 13...
10m Nov 27, 2020
10m
Budget 2021 (Part 2) - Backroom Deals Sunk Confidence Vote?
In the run up to this parliamentary session, discussion about the legitimacy of this government was rife, that there was a need for a de facto vote of confidence, with calls for the PN government to demonstrate its numbers. But to the surprise of many the Budget Bill never made it to the bloc voting. So what happened today in Parliament? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Bridget Welsh, A...
8m Nov 27, 2020
8m
Budget 2021 (Part 3) - Passed Today, Defeated Tomorrow?
The Perikatan Nasional government, led by Muhyiddin Yassin, won a crucial victory today as the Dewan Rakyat greenlit a draft Budget 2021. After 13 days of debate, the budget bill moved past the 'Policy Stage' following a voice vote of lawmakers. But what did we really observe in Parliament today? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to political scientist Wong Chin Huat.
8m Nov 27, 2020
8m