Consider This

Would it be fair to say there has been a decline in the performance of the Malaysian badminton squad on the international circuit recently? Why? And who should be held to account when elite athletes don't achieve the expected results? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Michelle Chai and Haresh Deol.

The government is set to table the Malaysian Human Rights Commission’s 2020 Annual Report in this parliamentary sitting. The last time the Suhakam report was tabled and debated in Dewan Rakyat was in 2019. On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Law and Institutional Reform. 

Antarctica is often referred to as the "engine room" of ocean currents and global climate but its significance is often overlooked. On this episode of Consider This, Melisa Idris explores the profound influence of the Antarctic on our blue planet and why protecting this icy continent is crucial for the health of our oceans. On World Oceans Day 2023, she speaks to Professor Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Sama...

On this episode of Consider This, Melisa Idris speaks to the lead author of a report on statelessness in Peninsular Malaysia, Dr Melati Nungsari, Faculty Director of the ASEAN Research Centre, Associate Professor of Economics at the Asia School of Business, and Research Affiliate at the MIT-Sloan School of Management. Formerly stateless ​​Wong Yew Lee joins the conversation to help us better under...

From the shift away from traditional power structures to the emergence of new actors on the global stage, how is the balance of power evolving in the world today? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Professor Dr Danny Quah, Li Ka Shing Professor in Economics and Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at National University of Singapore.

The World Bank recently released its review of preschool education in Malaysia, the ‘Shaping First Steps’ report, which was produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Aija Rinkinen, World Bank Senior Education Specialist about the key findings and recommendations of the report.

The Education Minister recently revealed in Dewan Rakyat that almost half of the SPM students from the 2021 session did not further their studies. This is an increase from 35% of the 2020 cohort. What do we understand about why young people don't want to, or are not able to, pursue higher education? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Ida Thien of Closing The Gap Malaysia and D...

The demand for skilled nursing professionals continues to outpace the supply, resulting in overburdened healthcare facilities, stretched resources, and compromised patient care. On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to retired nurse manager Siti Mahfudz and Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia.

Sarawak is set on launching its very own state-owned boutique airline. However questions linger about the viability of such an ambitious undertaking. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to analyst Shukor Yusof and aviation economist Dr Muhammad Asraf Abdullah.

For years now there’s been calls to establish a self-regulating Media Council in Malaysia. However, despite the repeated proposals and discussions, progress on this crucial initiative has remained elusive. Will Malaysia finally see significant progress in the establishment of the long-awaited Media Council? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to pro tem members Zaharom Nain and W...

With reservoir levels plummeting amid scorching temperatures, signs of a looming water shortage crisis have begun to emerge. What needs to be done before the crisis reaches a tipping point? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to water management experts, Datuk Nor Hisham Ghazali and Dr Salmah Zakaria.

The Government is expected to table the Ombudsman Malaysia Bill in Parliament this October, paving the way for the establishment of an independent body to protect the rights and interests of the public, by investigating complaints against government entities or public officials. On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Datuk Dr Anis Yusal Yusoff, Director of the Centre for Leadersh...

Minister of Economic Affairs Rafizi Ramli recently shared that the Government is considering a progressive wage structure for Malaysia. Progressive wages generally refers to a system of progressively increasing wages as employees develop skills and experience, which will lead to increased productivity. What would it take for this model to work in the Malaysian economy? On this episode of #Consider...

According to the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law Report 2021, on average women only have three-quarters of the legal rights afforded to men. On this episode of Consider This, to mark the International Day of Families, Melisa Idris speaks to Zharin Zhafrael, Executive Director of Musawah, which is a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family and family laws.

When it comes to the food we eat, trust and confidence are essential. We rely on stringent food safety standards, reliable monitoring systems, and accurate labelling information. But do we understand the governance of food standards in Malaysia, decoding food labels, and making informed decisions as to what we’re consuming? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Tee E Siong, P...

Siti Bainun Ahmad Razali, the founder of the welfare home, Rumah Bonda, is currently serving a jail sentence of 12 years following her conviction on two counts of neglecting and abusing a teen with Down syndrome known as Bella. What has the case revealed about the gaps in Malaysia’s child protection policies? On this episode of Consider This, Melisa Idris speaks to Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Ministe...

Haze has become a recurring annual problem for years now, affecting millions of people and causing major health and economic impacts. What are the root causes of the haze, and what is being done to address this ongoing issue? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Heng Kiah Chun, Regional Campaign Strategist at Greenpeace Southeast Asia, and Dr Helena Varkkey, Associate Professor...

Extending the mandatory retirement age beyond 60 us a contentious suggestion, but one that continues to be raised given concerns over retirement savings insufficiency. On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Professor Datuk Dr Tengku Aizan Tengku Abdul Hamid, Former Director of the Malaysian Research Institute of Ageing (MyAgeing) and Jasmin Amirul Ghani, Managing Director of Hire...

For Micro SMEs, meaning companies with fewer than five full-time workers, the implementation of the new Minimum Wage Order of RM1,500 per month was initially postponed for 6 months, and then delayed further for another 6 months. Might it be delayed further? Is it possible to develop a minimum wage policy that benefits workers without harming small businesses? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melis...

Weeks of devastating violence in Sudan has left the country with mass casualties but few operational hospitals, prompting the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in the country to warn that the conflict is turning Sudan's humanitarian crisis into a full blown catastrophe. On #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Paul McPhun, Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific  at Doctors Without Border...

The Department of Environment has approved the Environmental Impact Assessment for the contentious Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project, subject to 71 conditions. Is the conditional approval enough to assuage public concerns about the PSI? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Meena Raman of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Khoo Salma Nasution of Penang Heritage Trust, and Penan...

The working class forms the backbone of Malaysian society, yet their voices and rights are often ignored and sidelined. What are the challenges and obstacles faced by workers in Malaysia, and is there political will for labour law reform to protect their rights and welfare? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Irene Xavier, co-chairperson of the Labour Law Reform Coalition.

Melisa Idris and US Ambassador to Malaysia H.E Brian McFeeters are invited by Rohingya refugees join them for buka puasa with a home-cooked meal. Other than that, Celebrity chef, Chef Wan and activist Dr Hartini Zainudin, will share a meal and a candid conversation with refugees from Pakistan. Lastly, Fatih, a single mother from Syria living in Malaysia as a refugee, invites politician and activis...

The e-hailing industry has revolutionised the way Malaysians travel especially in urban areas but there’s been a growing debate about whether or not there is need for more government intervention to ensure the welfare of both passengers and drivers. On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, former Policy and Planning Director of SPAD Group Operations, and Edwin...

Recently EPF launched an Account 2 Support Facility to assist some members to obtain personal financing from banking institutions. The initiative received 60,000 applications in its first few days, signalling a dire need for liquidity for many. But is access to retirement funds the answer? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Melati Nungsari, Associate Professor of Economics...