Consider This

On this episode of #Consider This we look at two initiatives that seek to highlight the importance of every ballot in the upcoming state polls. The first is an election simulation calculator from Kini News Lab — an interactive article that allows people to predict the outcome of the state elections by using GE15 data to show what could’ve happened if there were concurrent state elections last Nove...

Following the first meeting by the Cabinet Committee on the Eradication of Drugs recently, the Government will soon revise its present approach to drug dependency to include medical intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation in recognising that drug abuse disorders are a medical condition. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Sangeeth Kaur and Professor Vicknasingam B. Kasin...

The Cabinet has agreed to review the Sedition Act so it can only be used to protect the royal institution from acts of provocation. What are the implications of such a move, and how do we as a country learn to navigate discourse on 3R issues? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to constitutional lawyer Nizam Bashir and Karen Cheah, President of the Malaysian Bar.

570 candidates will be contesting the 245 state seats for the August 12th polls but only 71 of the candidates are women. That’s a meagre 12.5%, meaning one woman for every 7 male candidates. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to political analysts Arinah Najwa Ahmad Said and Mujibu Abd Muis.

Recently there have been claims the Dual Language programme, which offers students the choice of learning Science and Mathematics in English, is slowly being diminished in DLP schools with no explanation to stakeholders. If this is true, what is at stake? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, Elisa Ismail, and Dr Adelina Asmawi.

Construction work on Phase One of Penang's first LRT line is expected to begin at the end of this year. But the project is not without controversy, as civil society groups have urged both the federal and state government to reconsider the rail project. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Zulfikar Abdul Aziz of the Penang Public Transport Users Association, and Dr Rosli Khan of...

In the aftermath of The 1975’s performance and subsequent cancellation of Good Vibes Festival 2023, how might future live events in Malaysia be impacted? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to  Para Rajagopal and Iqbal Ameer of the Arts, Live Festivals and Events Association (ALIFE).

Three states in the Malay heartland will be heading to the polls this August 12th -- Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu -- and most of the data and analysis from GE15 are now no longer an indication of current support for different coalitions, or even the government. So what then is likely to shape Malay voting choices this time around? Dr Azmil Tayeb, Associate Professor in the School of Social Scien...

What key factors might shape the electoral climate in Kedah? Is the ‘Green Wave’ a rising tide, or have the currents changed since GE15? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Mohd Firdaus Salleh from the Pokok Sena Division of PAS, and Juzaili Azmi, Information Secretary for Armada Bersatu.

With DAP firmly holding the reins in Penang, are there contenders strong enough to shake the status quo? Are other political parties ready to be viable alternatives to the current state government? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to KN Lee of MUDA Penang & Izhar Shah Arif Shah of Bersatu Permatang Pauh.

Are civil society's concerns about Penang's development trajectory being taken seriously? Are contentious projects an issue that will be on voters’ minds going into the Penang State Elections? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Lim Mah Hui, Member of Penang Forum & Former Penang Island City Councillor.

Caretaker Chief Minister of Penang Chow Kon Yeow is seeking a renewed mandate for a second term. The elections come as Penang voters are grappling with the cooperation between PH and BN, controversial development projects, and perceptions of unequal development between the island and mainland. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Caretaker Chief Minister of Penang Chow Kon Yeow...

Despite some progress, challenges still remain in recognising children as rights holders, and upholding the collective responsibility to safeguard their wellbeing. How do we create a child-centric Malaysia that prioritises the best interest of the child in policymaking? On this episode on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Farah Nini Dusuki, who was appointed as Children's Commissioner to SUH...

Amidst growing calls for educational reform, attention is turning to Malaysia's Form 6, also known as Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), as educators and experts advocate for changes to make it a more dynamic and college-like pre-university programme. What potential changes or enhancements should be considered for the current Form 6 system? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris sp...

July 11th marks World Population Day, which aims to draw global attention towards rising world population and the effect it is putting on our natural resources, climate and on the planet overall. On this episode of #ConsiderThis we explore the challenges, opportunities, and potential solutions surrounding population dynamics, reproductive rights, and the pursuit of a sustainable and equitable futu...

Six peninsular states will head to the polls on August 12th, as a total of 245 assembly seats will be contested in Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor. What is at stake for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Unity Government? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at University of Tasmania in Australia.

Recently the issue of unpaid internships came to the fore, after backlash that the practice exploits young workers and discriminates against those who lack the financial means to support themselves without pay. The Prime Minister weighed in, saying that while there’s no need for government policy on the matter, he urged companies to consider giving a “reasonable allowance” to interns. On this epis...

The controversial Independent Police Conduct Commission Act, which deals with complaints about police misconduct, came into force on July 1st. This despite civil society continuously raising concern over the limitations of the IPCC, the lack of investigative powers, and most importantly, disciplinary powers. On this episode on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Lin Mui Kiang of PROHAM and Dat...

In the recently concluded 2023 ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia, Malaysian para-athletes won 50 gold medals, 38 silver, and 34 bronze, bringing Malaysia to finish fourth among the 11 countries who took part. Despite securing an impressive medal tally, it remains evident that there is a lack of public awareness for para-sports. How do we move towards equal recognition and support for para-athletes in M...

Social media can serve as an avenue for empowerment but also has the capacity to deepen exclusion of already marginalised groups. How can we ensure online spaces are safe and equitable for all? Tonight on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to researchers Vilashini Somiah and Benjamin YH Loh.

Is Malaysia doing enough in terms of identifying and incubating sports talent to ensure a thriving athlete pipeline? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz and Sarina Sundara Rajah.

To commemorate World Refugee Day 2023, tonight on the show we shine a spotlight on a fundamental aspect of refugee rights—the right to work and secure meaningful employment. What are the considerations and concerns of policymakers when it comes to the question of granting refugees permission to work in Malaysia? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Tham Hui Ying, the Executive D...

On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris looks into political financing laws, and why public funding is a crucial part of the legislation. She speaks to Aira Azhari, Senior Manager of the Democracy & Governance Unit at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), and Dr Fernando Casal Bértoa, Associate Professor at the School of Politics and International Relations, Universit...

What are the social, economic, and cultural consequences that arise from urbanisation? Is it possible for modern cities to reconcile progress, gentrification, and resilience? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Hyun Bang Shin, Professor of Geography and Urban Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science in the UK. He is also Director of the LSE’s Saw Swee Hoc...

Recently PM Anwar Ibrahim suggested that school students be taught to clean toilets  to build character and instil values of cleanliness and respect for others. At the heart of the matter is the issue of toilet etiquette: What do we model to children at home, and should this be a policy issue for the Ministry of Education? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Datuk Dr Mohamad Al...