Evening Edition

Starting next year, authorities will take legal action against individuals who ride electric scooters on non-gazetted areas. We speak to Edi Khuskhairy for his thoughts on this move, and discuss if there are alternatives to allow e-scooter users to ride safely on our roads. Image Source: Marat Mazitov, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's highlights include discussions on restoring Felda's cashflow, and follow-ups on the Election Reform Committee's report. The Dewan Rakyat also saw a ruckus when Opposition MPs protested against new SOPs, which allowed three lawmakers under home quarantine to attend a bloc vote. Image Source: Afif Abd. Halim, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to reports, the number of investigations under the Sedition Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act rose sharply in 2020. In response, Amnesty International Malaysia launched the Unsilenced campaign to raise awareness on the importance for freedom of expression, and to encourage people to fight back against censorship. We speak to Katrina Jorene Maliamauv to find out more. Image So...

The National Unity Minister, Halimah Mohamed Sadique has proposed to set up committees in local councils to identify "illegal" non-Muslim places of worship. In response, interfaith and Christian groups called for more discussions, instead of demolitions. We speak to Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi to understand the details around the laws that regulate non-Muslim places of worship,...

The National Unity Minister, Halimah Mohamed Sadique has proposed to set up committees in local councils to identify ""illegal"" non-Muslim places of worship. In response, interfaith and Christian groups called for more discussions, instead of demolitions. We speak to Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi to understand the details around the laws that regulate non-Muslim places of worship...

Business intelligence analyst Pingalayen Rabinthra Kumar found on iBilik.com that close to half of all room rental advertisements explicitly stated preferences for tenants based on race. We speak with Wong Whei Meng for his solutions to address discrimination in the rental market. Image Source: Tim Hüfner, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bipartisan committee has been set up in the Parliament to tackle prison reform, an issue that has seen even more attention with the high number of outbreaks in prisons during the pandemic. We speak to Nurul Izzah Anwar, Permatang Pauh MP and a committee member, to understand the policies they are seeking to implement. Image Source: Grant Durr, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Esports Business Network is set to launch an esports city in 2021, spanning 6,000 square meters, and equipped with an arena and broadcasting facilities. We speak to Clement Hui for his take on how this new facility will further develop the industry. Image Source: Florian Olivio, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Studies are showing that some parts of the world have seen a backslide in human rights, with some governments using the pandemic to tighten their grip on power. We speak with Phil Robertson for his insight. Image Source: Bill Oxford, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several quarters have voiced concerns about vaccination for Covid-19. Some state governments and religious authorities, for example, have asked Putrajaya to ensure that the vaccine is halal. We speak with Dato' Dr Musa Mohd Nordin about addressing the anxieties, and on building public trust. Image Source: Kristine Wook, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a series of crimes within the police force, NGOs and civil society leaders have urged Bukit Aman to implement police reforms and improve the integrity of law enforcement agencies. We speak with Dato Seri M. Ramachelvam for his insights. Image Source: Safuan Salahudin, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a series of crimes within the police force, NGOs and civil society leaders have urged Bukit Aman to implement police reforms and improve the integrity of law enforcement agencies. We speak with Dato Seri M. Ramachelvam for his insights. Image Source: Safuan Salahudin, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cinema operators are asking the government to allow them reopen in CMCO areas, since SOP restrictions have been relaxed. We speak with Cheah Chun Wai and Lina Tan on how the pandemic has affected the cinema and filmmaking industries, and their plans moving forward. Image Source: Felix Mooneeram, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Highlights from the Dewan Rakyat today include the law minister's response to calls for a no-confidence vote, discussions on the challenges of single mothers, and talks of a special pension for athletes who have competed in the Olympics. Image Source: Jonathan Chng, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has unveiled plans to become a tech developer by 2030. A tech CEO shares his thoughts along with the potential challenges in making this transition. Image Source: NASA, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daily use of words and phrases such as "lockdown" and "social distancing," led to "sanmitsu" becoming Japan's word of the year. We speak with Dr. Surinderpal Kaur on the criteria in picking word of the year, and how the pandemic has shaped our everyday speech. Image Source: Jorien T, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Highlights from the Dewan Rakyat include discussions on the number of Malaysians imprisoned overseas, initiatives to increase youth participation in the livestock industry, as well as demands for the Deputy Minister of the Health Ministry to explain the "implicit and explicit" allocations in the MOH budget. Image Source: Luis Melendez, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Highlights from the Dewan Rakyat include discussions on rare earth mining in Kedah, improving the national poverty database system, Malaysia's contraceptive prevalence rate, as well as a heated debate around the push for a no-confidence vote against Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Image Source: Afif Abd. Halim, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RapidKL has decided to cancel 13 bus routes, citing low ridership and revenue due to the pandemic. We speak to RapidKL user Mak Amir for her experience, as well as Ajit Johl for his thoughts on the impact of Covid-19 on public transport. Image Source: Aiman Khair, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the uncertainty continues in Perak over its next Menteri Besar, talks have surfaced of a possible partnership between Umno and DAP in the state. We speak Amir Fareed for his thoughts on the viability of this partnership. Image Source: Lens Hitam, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a landmark court ruling, Sunway Parking Services was been ordered to pay RM117,000 in damages to a car rental company, for the theft of a vehicle in its parking premises. We dive into the case with New Sin Yew to find out more. Image Source: Egor Myznik, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After protests from Jeram assemblyperson Mohd Shaid Rosli, a Jaya Grocer in Puncak Alam boarded up its non-halal section, leading to backlash on social media. We speak with lawyer Adlin Abdul Majid to understand the legalities around selling non-halal products in supermarkets. Image Source: Phil Aicken, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While loan moratoriums and stimulus packages may have helped keep some Malaysians afloat this year, the larger question remains: how can we make the most of what we have, financially, and come up with a plan that works for us? We discuss financial empowerment and planning with Tara Latini, of HSBC Malaysia, and find out more about the We Can We Do initiative. Image Source: Charles Deluvio, Unsplas...

How does Fitch's downgrade of Malaysia's sovereign rating impact the economy? How seriously should we take the advice of rating agencies? We speak to Laurence Todd to find out. Image Source: Ruslans Golenkovs, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak with criminal lawyer Sreekant Pillai, for an explainer on the High Court's decision to grant Ku Nan a discharge not amounting to acquittal for his RM1m corruption case. Image Source: NAUFAL ZAQUAN, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.