Evening Edition

A report by Malaysiakini reveals that according to police data, at least 49 migrant workers have died from suicide since the MCO back in March. We speak to Dr Sharuna Verghis about what can be done to provide mental health outreach to migrant workers. Image Source: Eva Blue, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Highlights from the Dewan Rakyat include discussions about compensation for cancelled PR1MA projects, Malaysia's national debt position, the cost of bringing in Covid-19 vaccines, and the passing of budget allocations for three more ministries. Image Source: Macau Photo Agency, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia will be working FINAS to train and upskill talent in digital arts, which includes 3D animation, visual effects for films and the like. We speak to Isazaly Mohamed Isa to understand the state of the industry and the gaps that will have to be addressed. Image Source: Pontus Wellgraf, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perak’s Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, lost a motion of confidence that was tabled at the state legislative assembly. We speak with Dr Bridget Welsh to understand the context that led up to this vote, and what repercussions it might have. Image Source: Hafizan_Fairus, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we await an announcement on whether the CMCO will be extended in affected states, we speak with Datuk Michael Kang about how SMEs have been affected by the movement restrictions, and what forms of support they need. Image Source: Markus Winkler, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten voters in Gombak have filed a lawsuit against their MP, Dato' Seri Azmin Ali, for his alleged involvement in the Sheraton Move. We speak with lawyer Fahri Azzat to understand what this civil suit will involve. Image Source: Afif Abd. Halim, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government's decision to allow an increase in withdrawals from EPF Account 1 has attracted some criticism for missing out on vulnerable groups, including those working in the informal economy. We speak with Dr. Shankaran Nambiar for his thoughts on this, and explore ways to provide financial assistance to these groups. Image Source: seamind224, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

The tally is now 11-0, as budget allocations for three more ministries are passed on the committee stage. Could Budget 2021 serve as a no-confidence vote against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim? We speak to Professor James Chin for his thoughts on what the budget votes suggest about the Opposition leader's support in the Dewan Rakyat. Image Source: YuriAbas, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

As physical travel remains impossible for many, we take a look at virtual reality tours - a new technology that allows the "tourist" to go on guided tours via digital devices. We speak to Chin Yoon Khen to find out more. Image Source: John Tuesday, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As physical travel remains impossible for many, we take a look at virtual reality tours - a new technology that allows the ""tourist"" to go on guided tours via digital devices. We speak to Chin Yoon Khen to find out more. Image Source: John Tuesday, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Highlights from the Dewan Rakyat today include the expenditure by the Ministry of Health to tackle Covid-19, the rights of Malaysian women to confer their nationality to their children, a heated debate over funds used for the APEC 2020 summit, and the passing of allocations for three ministries. Image Source: Alistair McDonald, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prof Edmund Terence Gomez stated in a recent Undi Sarawak webinar that political financing is preventing young blood from advancing through the ranks in political parties. We discuss with him to find out more. Image Source: MaleeEll, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hawker stalls in Penang which were once vital attractions are now having difficulty staying afloat due to the pandemic. We speak with Clement Liang for his observations on how hawkers stalls are coping with the economy, and what impact this might have on Penang's food culture. Image Source: Kishor, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Highlights from the Dewan Rakyat today include discussions about reviewing the Official Secrets Act, the recovery of the tourism sector, and the passing of the allocations for the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry under Budget 2021. Image Source: Vishnu Prasad, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Raja Singham, Managing Director of BAC Education Group for his take on how workers and companies can upskill effectively in this economy, and how BAC is supporting the community in this area through their Project Deep initiative. Brought to you by Veritas University College.  Image Source: Glenn Carstens-Peters, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Association of Social Workers is calling for social work to be recognised as a profession, and for it to be regulated. We speak with Prof Dr Azlinda Azman to understand why this is necessary, and how it will impact social work on the ground. Image Source: You X Ventures, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Works Minister Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof says that the government is still finding ways to reduce toll rates, however he didn’t specify a timeline. We speak with Professor Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah to understand how toll rates are calculated, and what the impact would be if the government decides to take over highway concessionaires. Image Source: BARKEH SAID, Shutterstock S...

The Sabah state government has asked Putrajaya to consider proposing an emergency declaration in Bugaya to delay a by-election, like in Batu Sapi. Do these emergencies potentially set a negative precedence for future by-elections? Professor Wong Chin Huat gives us his insights. Image Source: Maisei Raman, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Highlights of the Dewan Rakyat today include the government's stance not to debate SUHAKAM's annual report, NADMA's flood management strategies, clarifications on a ""phantom vote"" that happened yesterday, and the passing of three more budget allocations on the committee stage. Image Source: Nazarizal Mohammad, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Life Insurance Association of Malaysia reports that policy purchases rose in the first half of 2020. We speak to Ben Ng, CEO of AIA Berhad to understand where this demand is coming from. Image Source: Rima Kruciene, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tendency to stay up late, to make up for lost free time, has earned a name - "revenge bedtime procrastination". We speak with Dr Anasuya Jegathevi Jegathesan on where this habit comes from, and how people can cultivate healthier habits. Image Source: kittirat roekburi, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is the first day of committee debates for Budget 2021, after it passed the policy stage last week. We look at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's query on the size of allocations for the Prime Minister's Department; and then review discussions on cigarette taxes and making dashcams compulsory. Image Source: YuriAbas, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has come up with a new system to allocate funds to schools, which will see some schools receiving more funds, while others are facing cuts. We speak with Melissa Gomes for her thought on this revised approach, and how schools will cope with the change. Image Source: Safwan Abd Rahman, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moving on from the policy stage of the Budget vote, we speak to James Chai about the next stage of voting, and what it all means for the passing of Budget 2021. Image Source: YuriAbas, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following Anwar Ibrahim's rationale for approving Budget 2021 at the policy stage, we speak to Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad on why he stood up for the en bloc vote, and the Opposition's plans for Budget moving forward. Image Source: Farhan Abdullah, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.