COVID-19 (Part 2) - When the Pandemic Retreats, Will Racism?
There has been an uptick in racially-charged hate speech on Twitter, as the COVID-19 pandemic developed. While racialised like this are happening all over the world during the outbreak, it’s quite interesting to deconstruct the way it’s happened here in Malaysia. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Tham Jia Vern, Researcher at The Centre, author of “Like a Virus: How Racial Hate Speech Loo...
9m Apr 09, 2020
9m
COVID-19 (Part 3) - Is Indonesia a Timebomb?
Dr Musa Nordin on Agenda Awani a few nights ago, spoke about the necessity of increasing border control between Malaysia and Indonesia, to prevent the possibility of another Covid cluster emerging. He called Indonesia a “time-bomb”. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Andreas Harsono, Researcher, Human Rights Watch, Indonesia author of “Ethnic and Religious Violence in Post-Suharto Indones...
8m Apr 09, 2020
8m
Socso - (Part 1) GLC Changes, In Whose Interest?
Socso Chairperson resigned today. Zakri Khir, an insurance industry veteran, was appointed in 2018, by the now-defunct Council of Eminent Persons, based on his expertise in the insurance and risk business. A government MP is slated to replace him.  Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan scour the news of the day.
8m Apr 08, 2020
8m
Consider This: (Part 2) Conferencing Platforms, Security Concerns
Due to the MCO, video conferencing services have been widely adopted by Malaysians for everything from cabinet meetings, to working from home, to yoga classes. However today, the National Security Council -- in a letter addressed to top civil servants -- had warned that hackers could be listening to their video-conferencing conversations. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Razwan Mokhtar,...
8m Apr 08, 2020
8m
Prihatin Plus - (Part 3) Safeguarding Future Productive Capacity
The think tank Research for Social Advancement, or better known as REFSA, recently published a Working Paper comparing stimulus measures across Malaysia, Singapore and the UK. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Ivy Kwek, Research Director at REFSA.
9m Apr 08, 2020
9m
Prihatin Plus (Part 1) - Where Are MCO Bottlenecks for SMEs?
Prime Minister today announced an additional RM10 billion stimulus package for SMEs - increasing the wage subsidies, a special grant for micro-entrepreneurs, and tax relief for private landlords who slash rental for commercial tenants. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Michael Kang, President of the SME Association of Malaysia.
12m Apr 07, 2020
12m
Prihatin Plus (Part 2) - Were SMEs Overlooked in First Announcement?
Following the announcement of the first Prihatin package questions were raised about its what it was intended to achieve. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Terence Gomez, Professor at the Faculty of Economics at University Malaya.
6m Apr 07, 2020
6m
Prihatin Plus (Part 3) - Is Government Failing to Deploy GLCs?
"There is little indication that the Prime Minister is using this government ecosystem effectively to deal with this pandemic," wrote Terence Gomez. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to the Professor at the Faculty of Economics at University Malaya.
10m Apr 07, 2020
10m
Covid-19 (Part 1) - MCO Comes Down Hard but Proportionate?
Malaysia reported 217 new confirmed cases as of noon today, bringing the total number of cases to 3333. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan scan Covid-19 and other news for you tonight, including how to calibrate the tighter controls on MCO.
10m Apr 04, 2020
10m
MCO (Part 2) - Domestic violence, Unintended Consequences?
Women’s rights groups have noted an increase in domestic violence in the first two weeks of the MCO. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Melissa Mohd Akhir, Director of Capacity Building for Women’s Aid Organisation.
10m Apr 04, 2020
10m
MCO (Part 3) - Helping Government Fill the Gap?
Last weekend, it was announced that NGOs would no longer be allowed to distribute food and essential items to the homeless and the needy, under the MCO restrictions. But following criticism from civil society the Women and Family Ministry announced new guidelines for NGOs to continue their work. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Operations Director, Justin Cheah for Kechara Soup Kitchen.
8m Apr 04, 2020
8m
Covid-19 (Part 1) - Does Prihatin Package Lack Firepower?
Recently announced, the Muhyiddin Administration’s Prihatin Package has been criticised for not having enough emphasis on the needs of SMEs which are the backbone of the economy. Is that a fair assessment? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, in charge of the economy.
8m Apr 03, 2020
8m
Covid-19 (Part 3) - Recovery and Rebuilding Trust
What can be done to help the economy post-MCO and in what is expected to be a prolonged recession? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, in charge of the economy.
10m Apr 03, 2020
10m
Covid-19 (Part 2) - Constraints on Stronger Government Intervention
Do falling revenues weigh on the mind of government in shaping a plan for rescuing then reviving the economy? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, in charge of the economy.
9m Apr 03, 2020
9m
Covid-19 (Part 1) - Johor-Singapore Inextricably Linked
On tonight’s show, we focus on the challenges faced by Malaysians working in Singapore. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to KF Seetoh Founder of Makansutra, based in Singapore on the impact on the MCO on businesses there and the livelihoods of Malaysians.
13m Apr 02, 2020
13m
Covid-19 (Part 2) - Busy Causeway Silenced
The Singapore-Malaysia Special Working Committee was set up in the wake of the MCO that was going to have a significant impact on the massive cross-border connections between the two countries. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Menteri Besar of Johor, Datuk Hasni Mohammad to understand the specific challenges the MCO poses for the southern state.
7m Apr 02, 2020
7m
Covid-19 (Part 3) - Open Borders Again?
Can the Causeway between Malaysia and Singapore bustle again and return to a time when hundreds of thousands of people crossed the southern border daily? What would it take to return to that dynamic?  Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Menteri Besar of Johor, Datuk Hasni Mohammad.
8m Apr 02, 2020
8m
COVID-19 (Part 1) - What the Numbers Tell Us
Tomorrow, we head into Phase 2 of the Movement Control Order, which will see stricter rules on operating hours in place.  Have we done enough in Phase 1 of the MCO to help flatten the curve? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, former Health Minister and Head of Selangor's Special Taskforce on COVID-19.
12m Apr 01, 2020
12m
COVID-19 (Part 2) - Ready for Targeted, Risk-based MCO?
As part of the Selangor COVID taskforce, we ask our guest if he thinks that there can be an effective state-level response, or should the Federal government have complete control? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, former Health Minister and Head of Selangor’s Special Taskforce on COVID-19.
9m Apr 01, 2020
9m
COVID-19 (Part 3) - Life After MCO Needs Reinvention?
With two weeks to go before the proposed end of the MCO period many of us are thinking of life returning to normal but can it ever, even when a vaccine is found? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, former Health Minister and Head of Selangor's Special Taskforce on COVID-19.
5m Apr 01, 2020
5m
COVID-19 (Part 1) - 'Not a Normal Crisis’
While health officials are trying to bring this pandemic under control with clear strategies, it is the economic impact locally as well as globally that is an increasing source of anxiety. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram, former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and formerly with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN.
9m Mar 31, 2020
9m
COVID-19 (Part 2) - Is Government Looking Over its Shoulder?
Is the Muhyiddin Administration’s Prihatin Package not bold enough? And if so, why? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram, former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and formerly with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN.
10m Mar 31, 2020
10m
COVID-19 (Part 3) - A War Time Approach?
In reorganising life and the economy after the COVID-19 crisis what will be need to do? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram, former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and formerly with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN.
6m Mar 31, 2020
6m
Prihatin Package (Part 1) - Behind RM250 Billion Headline
Biggest news of the day is of course, the announcement of what the government calls, the ‘People-Centric Economic Stimulus’, or the Prihatin Package. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Finance Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
12m Mar 28, 2020
12m
Prihatin Package (Part 2) - Where Are the Funds Coming From?
Whether it is ‘survival package’ or a stimulus package’, will this be enough to keep SMEs afloat, against a backdrop of falling demand and a global slowdown? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Finance Minister.
13m Mar 28, 2020
13m
Prihatin Package (Part 3) - Global Crisis, National Response
While the pandemic is a global crisis, national governments will have to deal with its economic impact individually.  Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Firas Raad, World Bank Group Representative to Malaysia, to put the Prihatin Package in comparative perspective.
11m Mar 28, 2020
11m
Prihatin Package (Part 4) - Wage Support over Direct Handouts
Pakatan Harapan today released a statement following the announcement by the Prime Minister, both welcoming its “conciliatory” tone but had its own criticisms. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Wong Chen, PKR Member of Parliament for Subang for his personal take on the Prihatin Package.
14m Mar 28, 2020
14m
COVID-19: (Part 1) – After the Initial Panic, Calm?
Despite assurances of enough food for all, panic-buying and hoarding is a continual challenge. To get a view from the ground. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Peter Odle, General Manager of The Food Purveyor, which operates the Village Grocer, Ben's Independent Grocer and Pasaraya OTK.
9m Mar 27, 2020
9m
COVID-19: (Part 2) – Food Security, Prepared for a Pandemic?
Could the country have been better prepared for this unexpected scenario? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Sarena Che Omar, Senior Research Associate, Khazanah Research Institute
9m Mar 27, 2020
9m
COVID-19: (Part 3) – Tweaking MCO, Securing Supply Chain
Do we need a more holistic definition of food security to better deliver for the populace under the MCO and to plan for a future crisis? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Sarena Che Omar, Senior Research Associate, Khazanah Research Institute on food security under the MCO.
7m Mar 27, 2020
7m
COVID-19: (Part 1) Dealing with Irrational Fears
Just over 100 new confirmed cases were reported as of noon today. This is the lowest daily increase in 10 days. And it comes after a record increase of 212 cases yesterday. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan scour the news of the latest on Covid-19 and more.
7m Mar 25, 2020
7m
COVID-19: (Part 2) Testing Targets, Challenges Ahead
According to the Director-General of Health, by the end of this week, Malaysia will double our daily testing capacity to 7,000. And by the first week of April, it will be increased to 16,500 daily tests. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Musa Nordin, Consultant Paediatrician and formerly with the now-defunct Health Advisory Council, on the importance of testing.
12m Mar 25, 2020
12m
COVID-19: (Part 3) Thailand Emergency, Impact on Malaysians
Today Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced that the country will go into emergency mode for one month starting this Thursday, March 26th. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Jojie Samuel, Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand, on the impact of the Covid-19 on Malaysians there and on bilateral relations.
6m Mar 25, 2020
6m
COVID-19 (Part 1) - Is Dipping into EPF the Solution?
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that EPF account holders, aged below 55, can access their savings - to cope with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Will this be enough to ensure households have enough resources to ride out the pandemic in the next few months? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Nungsari Ahmad Radhi, economist and Chairman, Khazanah Research Ins...
10m Mar 24, 2020
10m
COVID-19 (Part 2) - Health Response Addressing Refugees?
Yesterday the government assured refugees that they will not be targeted for arrest if they come forward for testing. But how much awareness is there within the broader refugee community in Malaysia about Covid-19, about social distancing, about testing? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Lilianne Fan, Chair, Rohingya Working Group, Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network.
8m Mar 24, 2020
8m
COVID-19 (Part 3) - Stigmatising the Tabligh Movement
In reaching out to those who attended the Seri Petaling tabligh to come forward, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said he didn’t want to stigmatise them. But stigmatisation is happening Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Ahmad Fuad Rahmat, Assistant Professor with the School of Media, Languages and Culture at the University of Nottingham Malaysia about the cultural dy...
7m Mar 24, 2020
7m
COVID-19 (Part 1) limit impact on household income
How do we ‘flatten the curve’ while ensuring that households have enough resources to ride out the Covid-19 pandemic in the next few months? Melisa Idris asks Christopher Choong, Deputy Director of Research at Khazanah Research Institute, on Consider This.
12m Mar 21, 2020
12m
COVID-19 (Part 2) - #Kitajagakita: Malaysians Helping Malaysians
#KitaJagaKita is an effort initiated by a group of good Samaritans with the aim of linking "kind-hearted people" with organisations to assist groups that are badly affected by the Restriction of Movement Order. Melisa Idris learns more about this initiative, from Hanna Alkaf, an award-winning Malaysian author and #KitaJagaKita team member.
7m Mar 20, 2020
7m
COVID-19 (Part 3) - Using behavioural science in public health response
How can we use psychology and behavioral science in fighting the spread of Covid-19? Melisa Idris speaks to consulting psychologist, Dr Brendan Gomez, about what the government should consider in when rolling out new measures under the Restriction of Movement Order.
9m Mar 20, 2020
9m
Perak Politics (Part 1) - State & Federal Dynamics
Following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan federal government, new political alignments have also emerged at the state level. This has led to three new state governments being formed - one of them being Perak. Melisa Idris speaks to Howard Lee, former state exco for Youth, Sports and Human Development for Perak, about the political developments in the state.
11m Mar 19, 2020
11m
Perak Politics (Part 2) - Dapsy on Bridging Communication
Melisa Idris speaks to Howard Lee, Chief of DAPSY, about the party’s efforts to address shortcomings in communication efforts. Howard Lee is also the former state exco for Youth, Sports and Human Development for Perak.
9m Mar 19, 2020
9m
Perak Politics (Part 3) - Voices of Youth & Grassroots
Melisa Idris speaks to Howard Lee, former Perak state exco for Youth, Sports & Human Development, and assemblyman for Pasir Pingi, about the voter response to the political developments in the state and how it is being expressed and addressed.
7m Mar 19, 2020
7m
COVID-19 (Part 1) - Time lag between infections, symptoms, death
Yesterday Malaysia recorded the third consecutive day of three-digit increase in Covid-19 cases. Melisa Idris speaks to Dato' Dr Amar-Singh HSS, Senior Consultant Paediatrician, about the projected trajectory the pandemic will have in Malaysia, the estimated number of deaths from Covid-19, and what this will mean for our hospital capacity.
14m Mar 19, 2020
14m
COVID-19 (Part 2) - Vaccine in 12-18 months
Governments around the world are scrambling to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. But what can business do? How can they contribute? Melisa Idris speaks to Arnaud Bernaert, Head of Shaping the Future of Health and Health Care at the World Economic Forum, about the need to tap into the resources and ideas of the private sector, including the development of a safe, manufacturable, vaccine for Covi...
14m Mar 19, 2020
14m
COVID-19 (Part 1) - Countdown to Restriction of Movement Order
As the Restriction of Movement Order comes into effect, Melisa Idris and Hafiz Marzukhi discuss the information released by authorities regarding interstate travel, and other Covid-19 related news from the day. 
7m Mar 17, 2020
7m
COVID-19 (Part 2) - The plight of Uni students
Following the announcement by the National Security Council that all students in private and public higher education institutions must return to their hometowns during the Restriction of Movement Order period, many students were caught out by the short notice. Melisa Idris and Hafiz Marzukhi speak to Haziq Azfar, President of the Students' Union of Universiti Malaya about the plight of local st...
8m Mar 17, 2020
8m
COVID-19 (Part 3) - 'Employers must comply'
What does the Restriction of Movement Order mean for employers and employees? Melisa Idris and Hafiz Marzukhi speak to Lim Wei Jiet, lawyer and Secretary-General, National Human Rights Society (Hakam)
9m Mar 17, 2020
9m
COVID-19 (Part 1) - Malaysia's Game Plan
Malaysia will impose a nationwide movement control order for two weeks, from Wednesday 18th March until Tuesday 31st March, in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19. Melisa Idris and Hafiz Marzukhi take a closer look at the six measures that were announced.
10m Mar 17, 2020
10m
COVID-19 (Part 2) - 'This is not a complete lockdown'
Melisa Idris and Hafiz Marzukhi speak to Professor Dato' Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Dean of Medicine at Universiti Malaya about the two-week nationwide movement control order, and how it could help "flatten the curve". Professor Adeeba is also a member of the special Selangor task force to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak in the state.
12m Mar 17, 2020
12m
COVID-19 (Part 3) - Breaking the complacency
What does this two-week nationwide movement control order mean for Malaysians? Melisa Idris and Hafiz Marzukhi speak to Dr Khor Swee Kheng, a physician and public health expert who is currently reading Public Policy at the University of Oxford.
14m Mar 17, 2020
14m