Consider This

Last week, local film "La Luna" captivated audiences and critics with its compelling storytelling and performances. However, despite the rave reviews and word-of-mouth hype, something perplexing occurred by its second week: Only 14 cinemas continued to screen the film, from 92 in its first week. Malaysia has in place Skim Wajib Tayang, which is a policy that grants most local films a guaranteed na...

As we mark this year’s World Children's Day, which is a day to commemorate the innocence, potential, and rights of every child across the globe—let us keep in mind the children of Gaza. Currently more than 5,000 children in Gaza have been killed by Israeli bombardments, with some 1,800 children missing under the rubble of collapsed buildings—most of them presumed dead. But what about the children...

The Dewan Rakyat Speaker has suggested publicly naming MPs who are absent during parliament sessions, as a way to curb absenteeism. Which begs the question: Why are MPs absent from parliamentary sessions? And are there deeper issues to do with the way our parliamentary sessions are structured? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Maha Balakrishnan, Parliamentary and Institutiona...

As Israel continues its assault on Gaza, there are many Malaysians who are eager to express their solidarity and offer support in meaningful ways, but may be unsure how to practically engage. The question often arises: “What can I do that will truly make a difference?” On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Datuk Seri Ir Dr Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha from MyCARE, and Professor Dr...

From the halls of Putrajaya to Corporate Malaysia to grassroots initiatives - what does effective climate governance look like? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Gary Theseira, Director and Council Member of Climate Governance Malaysia, an advocacy group working with boardrooms on the climate action agenda. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the Asia School of Busines...

Sarawak’s electoral borders are due for redrawing soon, with Sabah’s set to expire in 2025, and 2026 for Peninsular Malaysia. Ahead of the delineation exercise, it’s worth examining some best practices on boundary delimitation, and the potential for improvement in Malaysia. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Adhy Aman, Danesh Prakash Chacko and Professor Wong Chin Huat.

The government is exploring a new healthcare financing model, shifting away from the present tax-based financing and potentially into a social health insurance scheme. Is this the best option for Malaysia to sustainably fund our healthcare sector? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Special Advisor to the Minister of Health, Dr Kelvin Yii, and Dr Lim Chee Han from the Third Wor...

The war in Gaza in the past month has raised critical questions about global problem-solving, the ability of the world to prevent or halt atrocities, and the weaponisation of dehumanising language. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to James M. Dorsey and Associate Professor Dr Noritah Omar.

A research endeavour by the National Organisation for Dyslexia Malaysia (NOD) and UKM sought to explore the relationship between dyslexia and delinquency among Malaysian male juvenile offenders. Might the challenges associated with dyslexia lead to a path of delinquency? And what can be done to address this issue? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Mullai Ramaiah Arunachal...

How are wages determined? How does education, age, gender, citizenship, and industry shape wages? And can wage growth be achieved without policy intervention? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Niaz Asadullah, Professor of Economics at Monash University Malaysia, and Nithiyananthan Muthusamy, Deputy Director of Research from Khazanah Research Institute.

On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Muslim Imran, Founding Director of the KL-based Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue about the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, and the responses from the Muslim World and the international community.

In the past few general elections, Malaysia has seen multiple coalitions and parties contest for the right to govern the country, and this is likely to be the case going forward. Malaysia’s transition into a multiparty democracy, where hung parliaments and coalition governments are common occurrence, will not be without its growing pains. How do we use this as an opportunity for democratic progres...

The Asian Financial Crisis of the late 1990s prompted Malaysia to implement a series of reforms aimed at fortifying its financial institutions. One of the most prominent measures taken was the consolidation of the banking sector, leading to a reduction in the number of domestic commercial banks from 22 to just 10 by the year 2002. While the goal was to create stability and strength within the fina...

On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Nigel Wong, President of the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA), and Siraj Jalil, President of the Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association, an NGO that advocates for the rights and interests of consumers in the digital and online sphere.

Budget 2024 has been unveiled, and now the crucial evaluation begins. What does this budget get right, and where did it fall short? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Robert Nicholas Hii, Vice President for the Society for Equality, Respect and Trust for All Sabah (SERATA) and Shahril Hamdan, Founder of Watchtower Advisory, and former economic director at the Prime Minister's...

Ahead of the tabling of Budget 2024 tomorrow Friday October 13th, what areas will be prioritised? Will it meet the expectations of industry? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz, President of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), and Datuk William Ng, Chairperson of the SMEs Association of Malaysia (Samenta) to find out what’s on their wish list for Budg...

The Government is reviving the National Service Training Programme, or Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN), some 5 years after it was scrapped by the 2018 Pakatan Harapan administration. Is there merit in resurrecting the National Service programme, and if so, how should it be reimagined for today's generation? On this episode on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to former Minister of Youth and...

Malaysia is committed to a major shift toward electric vehicles to decarbonize its transport sector and achieve its ambitious net-zero emissions goal by 2050. The target is to have electrified vehicles—both EVs and hybrids—make up 15% of the Total Industry Volume by 2030. However, crucial questions surrounding supply, demand, and infrastructure of the EV industry need to be addressed to ensure the...

Recently Rapid KL introduced a pilot programme of women-only carriages on its MRT Kajang Line, which was met with a spectrum of responses from the public, including praise and support, but also scepticism and criticism. How do we think through the purpose and effectiveness of creating women-only spaces on public transport? And more generally, how do we constructively address the concerns and objec...

The Government’s public pension liability is currently RM31 billion, which accounts for about 10% of its operating expenditure. This amount is projected to hit RM46 billion in seven years. Are we at a crossroads where public pension reform is not just a painful choice but an overdue necessity? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to economists Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi and Professor...

Earlier this year, the Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution announced that children should no longer be detained in immigration detention centres, pledging to place them instead under the care of NGOs that specialise in the welfare of children. Then in August the Home Ministry announced 23 children and 10 of their parents or guardians have been relocated from existing immigration detention centres to...

A new legal amendment in Sarawak will come into force November 1st, which will allow children born of mixed parentage to apply to be recognised as a Native of Sarawak. This means, under the Interpretation (Amendment) Ordinance 2022, children of mixed marriages will potentially be able to own Native land and have Bumiputera/Pribumi status for entry into public universities. What implications may it...

The Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) continues to be disproportionately used on those from the B40, compounding their financial and socioeconomic vulnerability as the accounts of detainees and their families are frozen indefinitely, thousands of ringgit of legal fees incurred, loss of income coupled with snowballing debt. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Seva...

As part of institutional reforms to improve government transparency and accountability, the Cabinet has agreed to enact a Freedom of Information Act and to finally table The Government Procurement Act. How would a federal-level Freedom of Information Act improve government transparency? And where within the public contracting process might procurement legislation lead to more accountability? On th...

Tonight Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will deliver his inaugural address at the 78th UN General Assembly as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister. Melisa Idris speaks to Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee and International Relations analysts Elina Noor & Herizal Hazri for a special extended episode of #ConsiderThis.