Consider This

A week after meetings at the Palace and the special meeting of the Conference of Rulers, little has changed in the country’s political dynamics. Statements from both the Palace and the Conference are being interpreted in vastly different ways -- with the Government of the day only conceding to include Opposition MPs in discussions about a hybrid Parliamentary sitting. Does the Constitution provide...

 All politicians construct strategies according to their personal interests but they are constrained by the Constitution. Tonight on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris & Sharaad Kuttan ask lawyer Andrew Khoo & political analyst Dr Sophie Lemiere what room for manoeuvre there is in the current impasse. 

 What does the Johor public want from its State Govt & how can those who helm the state respond more effectively? Tonight on #ConsiderThis Sharaad Kuttan & Melisa Idris speak to Menteri Besar Johor, Datuk Hasni Mohammad on how the State Govt plans to chart a course to recovery from the triple crisis the nation is facing. 

Elected representatives are central to our political system but it’s been difficult holding them accountable. Can we change the system? Tonight on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris & Sharaad Kuttan ask Thomas Fann about its upcoming “Sack or Keep?” campaign on recall elections.

Even with Parliament still shuttered, MPs can play a vital role in the success of the vaccination rollout. Tonight on #ConsiderThis Sharaad Kuttan & Melisa Idris speak to 3 MPs from Pahang Fuziah Salleh, Wong Tack & Ramli Mohd Nor about the challenges in getting their constituents vaccinated.

Has a day filled with anticipation following the special Rulers meeting hosted by His Majesty ended in a workable resolution about the triple crisis?  Tonight on #ConsiderThis we speak to veteran political observers about taking the country forward.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin earlier today announced a national plan to exit the Covid-19 pandemic. The so-called National Recovery Plan is based on three primary indicators to open up the economy & the social sector in four phases. The indicators are: the number of daily Covid-19 cases; ICU bed occupancy rates; vaccination levels. But some are already criticising the plan as not going far...

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin earlier today announced a national plan to exit the Covid-19 pandemic. The so-called National Recovery Plan is based on three primary indicators to open up the economy & the social sector in four phases. The indicators are: the number of daily Covid-19 cases; ICU bed occupancy rates; vaccination levels. But some are already criticising the plan as not going far...

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin earlier today announced a national plan to exit the Covid-19 pandemic. The so-called National Recovery Plan is based on three primary indicators to open up the economy & the social sector in four phases. The indicators are: the number of daily Covid-19 cases; ICU bed occupancy rates; vaccination levels. But some are already criticising the plan as not going far...

As the public health crisis deepens & the Emergency nears its end what options are available to political leaders?  Tonight on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris & Sharaad Kuttan ask political analysts about current political dynamics.

Tomorrow 12th of June, is World Day Against Child Labour and a new report by the International Labour Organization & UNICEF warns that the number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide -- with millions more at risk due to the impacts of Covid-19. What significance does this have for our society? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Jodelen Mitra, Technical Officer w...

In July 2019, the United Nationas General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution declaring 2021 as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour, with a goal to end all forms of child labour by 2025. But are we still on track? And are the setbacks from the pandemic irreversible? A new report by the International Labour Organization & UNICEF warns that the number of children in...

Over 400,000 students who made up the first cohort to sit for the SPM examination during the Covid-19 pandemic have achieved the best National Grade Average in the past five years. Data also showed that the achievement gap between urban and rural candidates had also narrowed. But the grading system is still shrouded by a lack of transparency and marred by a trust deficit. Melisa Idris and Sharaad...

Over 400,000 students who made up the first cohort to sit for the SPM examination during the Covid-19 pandemic have achieved the best National Grade Average in the past five years. Data also showed that the achievement gap between urban and rural candidates had also narrowed. Does this mean the concerns surrounding home-based learning & a digital divide were unfounded? What accounts for the be...

Over 400,000 students who made up the first cohort to sit for the SPM examination during the Covid-19 pandemic have achieved the best National Grade Average in the past five years. Data also showed that the achievement gap between urban and rural candidates had also narrowed. But is the data reliable and if so, does a more granular, disaggregated picture suggest that there are still areas of conce...

#SPM2020 saw the best National Average Grade in 5 years despite the pandemic. Were concerns surrounding online learning & a digital divide unfounded? Tonight on #ConsiderThis Sharaad Kuttan &  Melisa Idris ask Datin Noor Azimah, Hong Jinghann & Assoc Prof Too Wei Keong what explains the performance.

A flurry of Palace meetings with political leaders & news of a Rulers meeting on 16 June on the Emergency & pandemic management are raising questions.  Tonight on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris & Sharaad Kuttan ask political analysts Assoc Prof Dr Hamidin Hamid & Assoc Prof Dr Sara Chinnasamy how best to interpret these moves.

Oceans produce 50% of the planet's oxygen, home to vibrant biodiversity & the main source of protein for a billion people. Tonight on #ConsiderThis Sharaad Kuttan & Melisa Idris speak to Prof Dr Sumiani Yusoff & Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah about how oceans sustain our lives & livelihoods.

Amounting to RM5 bil in direct fiscal transfers, what impact can Pemerkasa Plus have? Tonight on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris & Sharaad Kuttan ask economists Dr Muhammed Abdul Khalid & Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid about the thinking behind the latest govt economic support measures.

Tonight on #ConsiderThis Sharaad Kuttan & Melisa Idris bring you a report on Johor. We speak to MPs Syed Saddiq (Muar) Wong Shu Qi (Kluang) & Datuk Rashid Hasnon (Batu Pahat) about their constituents’ economic needs during this crisis & the challenges faced in getting Johoreans vaccinated.

Recent incursions into our airspace by PRC fighter jets raise concerns about our sovereignty in the South China Sea.  Tonight on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris & Sharaad Kuttan ask Elina Noor, Bunn Nagara & Ivy Kwek if this is a stress test for diplomatic relations.

Sarawak has aligned itself with the national lockdown & plans are now being laid to speed up vaccination ahead of the expected elections.  Tonight on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris & Sharaad Kuttan ask Bandar Kuching MP Dr. Kelvin Yii & Ann Teo from Sarawak Bersih what policymakers must not forget.

Amid renewed calls to reconvene Parliament, tonight on #ConsiderThis  Sharaad Kuttan & Melisa Idris ask Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Harun & Tan Sri Munir Majid if a functioning Parliament will help with the effective management of the Covid-19 crisis & what obstacles are in its way.

Children are stateless through no fault of their own, yet they suffer the long term consequences of it. Why do children become stateless - how can this be prevented and / or addressed so that these children live healthy and productive lives?  Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin, Co-Founder, Yayasan Chow Kit. 

It was estimated that there are some 300,000 stateless children in the country.  That’s data from 2016. Many of these children deemed stateless are not foreigners or refugees -- many of them were actually born in the country and have been living in Malaysia most of their lives. What can we do to ensure the rights of these children are upheld? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Professor Datu...