Evening Edition

Health Minister Adham Baba stated in the Dewan that doulas will not be recognized as midwives, adding that action will be taken against those who have not undergone authorized training. We speak to lawyer Sharon Palani to understand the legalities surrounding the doula industry. Image Source: Alex Pasarelu, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amendments to Budget 2021 include expanding i-Sinar withdrawals to RM10k for 8 million contributors, as well as making loan moratoriums automatic for the B40 and SMEs. We speak to Tricia Yeoh for her thoughts on the amendments. Image Source: Hadayeva Sviatlana, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Budget 2021 passed on the policy stage, we speak to Dr. Bridget Welsh for her thoughts on changes made to the Budget, and the outcome of the vote. Image Source: Adny, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cancellations of in-store black friday sales and online pre-black friday deals are part and parcel of a year marred by Covid-19. Sabrina Magdalene gives us the details to a checklist by The Guardian and the New York Times on how to shop amidst a pandemic. Image Source: Brooke Lark See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After two weeks of intense debates, Budget 2021 was passed on the policy stage today when only 13 stood for an en bloc vote. Amendments to the Budget includes expansion to the current i-Sinar program, as well as one off allocations of RM300 to other frontliners, like policemen and the army. Image Source: shaifulzamri, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to a World Bank report, 14% of Malaysians will be older than 65 by the year of 2044. What can we do to prepare for an ageing society, and to ensure that older people will receive the protection they need? We speak to Emeritus Professor Norma Mansor to find out. Image Source: Mark Hang Fung So, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A study by The Centre found that 87% of respondents in West Malaysia think that hate speech has reached moderate or serious levels. We speak to Research Director Nell Omar on the study's findings, and policy recommendations for combating hate speech. Image Source: Mateusz Kropiwnicki, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's highlights from the Dewan Rakyat include the announcement that JASA will now be rebranded into JKOM, discussions about the property glut, and an explanation on why the government plans to vaccinate 70% of the population. Image Source: Afif Abd. Halim, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong recently revoked the cabotage exemption for foreign ships that fix our undersea marine cables. This prompted tech companies like Google to appeal to the government to reconsider the move, saying it could cause internet disruption. We speak with Dr. Lau Cher Han to get a deeper understanding of the issue. Image Source: Matt Hardy, Unsplash See omnystudio.c...

De facto law minister Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said that greed and a desire to live beyond one's means are key reasons for corruption, according to data from MACC. We speak with Cynthia Gabriel for her thoughts on whether behavioural traits are linked to corruption, and what this means for prevention and enforcement. Image Source: Syariff Hidayatullah, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Fake news, speculations, public distrust - how do you battle these in a pandemic? What are the consequences when there's a trust deficit among the people? We speak to Dr. Mahaletchumy to find out. Image Source: McLittle Stock,Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behavorial economics state that too many Covid-19 vaccine candidates may be a bad thing, as it forces one to doubt, becloud judgement, and ultimately choose none. We speak to Sabrina to better understand this phenomena. Image Source: NCI, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's highlights from the Dewan Rakyat include discussions on whether to declare a state of emergency in Gerik and Bugaya, talks on reviving the National Service Training Programme, and some ruckus over claims of yet another MP breaking quarantine SOPs. Image Source: Aisyaqilumaranas, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does better living conditions look like for foreign workers? How do we ensure these solutions will solve long term problems? We speak to Joseph Paul for his thoughts, following the government's consideration to build housing for foreign workers in light of recent Covid-19 surges due to poor living conditions. Image Source: Aisyaqilumaranas, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

We speak with Ishak Hasnan about his proposal to use groundwater as an alternative water source, and discuss the factors that will determine its viability. Image Source: Tony Wan, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's updates from the Dewan Rakyat include the government's plans with highway concessions, raising palm oil prices, travel among green bubbles, and disagreements over time limits for the budget debate. Image Source: Nagy Szabi, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Home Ministry stated recently that 756 children are currently held in immigration detention centres. We speak with Heidy Quah about how this affects children and their families, and talk about the ongoing efforts to improve the situation. Image Source: SingjaiStocker, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching recently criticised TV Pendidikan in Parliament, stating that the programmes are insufficient for assisting students' learning at home. We talk to her for her thoughts on improving remote learning across the country. Image Source: zahimmohd, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we celebrate World Children's Day, it is difficult to ignore that this year has been a challenging year for learning. We speak with Tan Cheng Yi on how prolonged periods out of school affect children, and how parents can help them to cope. Image Source: Kelly Sikkema, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we celebrate World Children's Day, it is difficult to ignore that this year has been a challenging year for learning. We speak with Tan Cheng Yi on how prolonged periods out of school affect children, and how parents can help them to cope. Image Source: Kelly Sikkema, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Zoo Negara announcing they only have the funds to last for another three months, we speak with Dr Kevin Lazarus on what adjustments zoos have made in terms of operating costs, and how important public donations are to their operations. And then, we talk to Shawn Tanis, BFM's resident animal advocate, for his thoughts on the issue. Image Source: Jan Rey Gaitera, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/lis...

The Communications and Multimedia Ministry revealed that more than 1.3 million prepaid phone lines have dubious registration details. We speak with Suaran Singh to find out more. Image Source: Jim Reardan, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2021 allocates RM15 million for the arts and culture industry, providing much needed assistance to artists and cultural workers. However this is not likely to be enough for the struggling industry. Shawn Tanis tells us more. Image Source: Claire P, Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Syed Saddiq has suggested implementing higher tax rates for companies who have made large profits during the pandemic. We speak with Laurence Todd on what a windfall tax is, and whether it would be viable. Image Source: Lens Hitam, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With MetMalaysia's reports that the peninsula should expect heavy thunderstorms and flooding for the rest of the year, we speak with Hafiz Amirrol about emergency preparedness, and building community resilience towards natural disasters. Image Source: RustyR, Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.