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Anger and confusion marked the response of many of the party faithful to the conviction and sentencing for former Prime Minister Najib Razak. And it prompted UMNO President to issue a statement that the party will have to make a major decision in the near term. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Hamidin Hamid, a political analyst with Universiti Malaya, about the grand old party’s response t...

Earlier today former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was found guilty of all seven charges of misappropriating 42 million ringgit of SRC International funds and sentenced to 12 years in jail and a RM210 million fine. While Najib has successfully obtained a stay of execution for his sentence, the verdict will no doubt have an impact on the political landscape. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan...

In the aftermath of the polls the ruling People's Action Party and its representatives have been busy countering more critical interpretations of the General Elections. What are the interpretations that differ from the PAP preferred narrative? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Bridget Welsh who is with the Asia Research Institute at University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Incumbent Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had noted that the PAP’s vote share of 61% was a "clear mandate" but lower than what he had hoped for. What led to a reduced level of support for PAP in the recent elections? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Donald Low, Professor of Practice in Public Policy, at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Rumours are rife that an early general election will be called in Malaysia. Are there lessons that Malaysian politicians should take note of, from Singapore's recent example? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Bridget Welsh who is with the Asia Research Institute at University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Sarawak was granted self-rule on 22 July 1963, on the expectation that it would jointly form the Federation of Malaysia on 16 September the same year. This is the basis of Sarawak Day, and time to reflect on the place of Sarawak in the Federation. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak's Minister for Transport and a five-term assemblyman of the Sarawak State Legislati...

Gawai celebrations were disrupted because of the Covid-19 pandemic. How will Sarawak Day be celebrated? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak's Minister for Transport, a five-term assemblyman of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, representing Senadin for the Sarawak United People's Party and chair of the Sarawak Day celebrations.

History is often invoked in discussions about Sarawak re-negotiating its relationship in the Federation, beginning with MA63 and extending to the eclipse of Sarawakian leaders in history textbooks. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Suffian Mansor, Senior Lecturer in Modern History at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

The government has decided to no longer allow those entering the country to self-quarantine at home. As of this Friday, 24th July, those citizens and non-citizens entering Malaysia will be immediately sent to government-designated quarantine centres for mandatory two weeks quarantine. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations of the day.

Yesterday in Parliament witnessed a call for the Federal Territory of Labuan to be returned to Sabah, if the federal government cannot commit to developing its economy. He added that the Sabah state government has the resources to better develop the island Federal Territory. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Rozman Isli, Warisan Member of Parliament for Labuan.

What are the realities of Labuan's geographic location and financial resources that perhaps constrains its ability to achieve some of these grand economic development plans that have been touted in the past? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Simon Sipaun, Chairman, Institute of Development Studies in Sabah and Kassim Mansor, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Univer...

Let’s start with the news that the government is looking to make the wearing of masks compulsory in public places. In a televised address today, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the government is fine-tuning the details. This comes as new positive cases of Covid-19 have increased to the double digits over the last few days, and fresh clusters detected. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the mo...

The Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) is back in the news, after a recent meeting between the Prime Minister and the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia. Conflicting reports over what was agreed to at the meeting, was a reminder that recognition of the UEC is seen to be politically contentious. While recognition has been a long-standing desire of the community, no government thus far h...

Has the issue of UEC recognition been so politicised to the point where we have lost sight of the really important question - genuine education? And what would it take to overcome an impasse on UEC recognition?  Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Eddin Khoo, Chairperson, UEC Taskforce.

Recently, the issue local government elections came to the fore, with the Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin saying that a paper will be tabled to the cabinet by mid-next year. But this was promptly rejected by UMNO and PAS which are part of the Perikatan Nasional government. Why the resistance? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Thomas Fann, Secretary-General of Gabung...

Many arguments are made against restoring local government elections including that cities have more minority representation. But our guests argue that only 6 out of 154 municipalities have a slight Chinese majority. What is the true concern? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Thomas Fann, Secretary-General of Gabungan Demokrasi Tempatan and Datuk M. Ali, Chairperson of the Save KL Coalition...

Seeing oneself as both citizen and a ratepayer requires a shift in mind-set and active involvement in issues that have an immediate impact on our lives. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Thomas Fann, Secretary-General of Gabungan Demokrasi Tempatan and Datuk M. Ali, Chairperson of the Save KL Coalition.

After what many have described as a "chaotic" first day in Parliament yesterday, hashtag #OurTurn or #MasaKita were trending on social media, on posts about the frustration of young Malaysians about the behaviour of older elected representatives in Dewan Rakyat. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations of the day.

Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to open respective borders to long-term pass holders, as well as business and official visitors, starting 10th August. The causeway is one of the world’s busiest border crossings, across which some 300 thousand people traverse each day. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Oh Ei Sun, Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs on the impact of the bo...

Singapore's economy contracted 41.2% compared to the previous quarter -- and it’s the biggest quarterly contraction on record. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Ho Meng Kit, CEO, Singapore Business Federation, to get a better understanding what has been the on-the-ground impact of COVID-19 border restrictions on Singaporean businesses and the hundreds of thousands of Malaysian workers worki...

All eyes were on the Dewan Rakyat sitting today with the motion to remove Speaker of Dewan Rakyat Tan Sri Ariff Yusof. It was approved with 111 votes in favour, and 109 against. Art Harun, was then installed – without a vote – as the new Speaker of Dewan Rakyat, as was a new Deputy Speaker replacing Nga Khor Ming, who resigned following Ariff’s removal. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you th...

Now that we have a new Speaker of Dewan Rakyat, the questions arise over the continuity of the reform agenda. During his time as Speaker, Tan Sri Ariff had introduced various reforms to improve the quality of parliamentary proceedings. What will become of these reforms now? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Wan Anwar Wan Ibrahim, Special Functions Officer to Former Speaker of Dewan Rakyat T...

PM Muhyiddin Yassin’s motion to remove Dewan Rakyat Speaker Ariff Yusof was successful -- it received 111 votes in favour but his victory also revealed the wafer thin majority he possesses. What does the slim majority mean for the stability of the PN coalition and also for their legislative agenda? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Aira Azhari, Manager, Research at the Institute of Democrac...

Today is the 50th anniversary of the Rukun Negara and there's been a lot of discussion about its continued relevance. The Rukun Negara calls for an equal society as well as for greater unity. Have we lived up to these principles? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations of the day.

In August last year, Philip Alston, the then-United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, travelled throughout the country. During that 11-day visit, he met with Government officials, civil society, academics, and people affected by poverty in urban and rural areas. His report on poverty in Malaysia from that official visit was released earlier this week. Melisa Idris and...