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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 Looks...

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 Indonesia”...

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.

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, a...

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.