Inside Story

COVID-19 has complicated migration, with a pause being put on migrant labour flows, and concerns about how this could worsen the problem of human trafficking. First, we find out how the pandemic has affected migration trends in the region. Then, we discuss Malaysia's downgrade to Tier 3 in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons report, and how this affects businesses. And finally,...

The Prime Minister's Office has released a statement, saying that the government will advise the King to call for a five-day parliamentary sitting from July 26 to August 2, with the purpose to present a national recovery plan to MPs and amend necessary laws for a hybrid Parliament to take place. Firstly, we look at what led to this decision and its significance. Next, we look into the process of p...

The Black Flag campaign was initiated over the weekend on social media, where Malaysians hung black flags outside of their homes and shared those images online as a sign of protest. Firstly, we looked at why it is crucial for people to express their concerns and demands right now. We then explored how online spaces are integral to the movement. Finally, we looked back on past protests that happene...

Yesterday, the government announced that various parts of the Klang Valley will be put under an Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) and will take effect for two weeks beginning tomorrow. With the repeated lockdowns announced, we first look at how effective have the lockdowns actually been. Then, we speak about how trust in the government affects the fight against the pandemic. And finally - we...

Recent reports indicate a worrying increase in the number of suicide cases, with the police revealing that 468 cases were recorded in the first five months this year. We first take a look at the situation on the ground with Befrienders. Next, we explore how recent financial difficulties have been contributing to the situation. Finally, we look into why it's important for us to have a National Suic...

A group of local contract doctors are organising the #HartalDoktorKontrak movement in order to push the government to provide them with fairer compensation and benefits. We find out more by first, hearing directly from the organisers of the strike about what’s happening and what they’re demanding. Then we speak about the medical field's system. Finally, we look at how public health fun...

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced PEMULIH, a RM150 billion package aimed to help people and businesses during the pandemic. First, we look at what the package offers for the people. Then, we discuss the initiatives specifically focused on assisting businesses. Finally, we hear from Muar MP Syed Saddiq about additional allocation for food aid. Image Source: S.O, Shutterst...

With the pandemic and lockdowns stretching on, many people are going hungry. We look at food insecurity among low-income households by first getting an understanding of what it means, and what needs to be done to address it. Then, we’ll look at how the lack of food impacts communities. Finally, we hear from a food bank about the work they’ve been doing the past year. Image Source: Paul...

Recent headlines around UMNO indicate growing tensions within the party as different factions tussle for leadership. We look into these developments by first hearing an overview of the different conflicts and factions within the party from an interview by the Bigger Picture. Then, we talk about what it means when a heritage party with so much baggage tries to change its direction. And finally, we...

The Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka plans to make Bahasa Malaysia our official language for business and economy, ultimately to preserve and promote its usage. First, we look at how language intersects with business. Then, we discuss the idea of being a more multilingual Malaysia. Finally, we talk about how to empower and normalise the usage of Bahasa Malaysia. Image Source: abamjiwa al-hadi, Shutterstoc...

Local farmers have been vocal about the losses they have faced during the MCO, caused by massive amounts of unsold vegetables. First, we check in with a farmer to find out more about the situation on the ground. And then we look at possible short and long term solutions to the issue. Image Source: Tim Mossholder, Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local farmers have been vocal about the losses they have faced during the MCO, caused by massive amounts of unsold vegetables. First, we check in with a farmer to find out more about the situation on the ground. And then we look at possible short and long term solutions to the issue. Image Source: Tim Mossholder, Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Ministry has recently announced that it will be carrying out a special one-off recruitment drive to hire 18,702 teachers, in hopes to address the shortage of teachers. Firstly, we look into what it takes to be a good educator, and the ways to ensure that we are producing quality educators. Then, we hear firsthand from a teacher about her experience in the education sector. Image Sour...

In light of a pair of recent news stories, we look at the mistreatment of migrant workers in Malaysia and why it happens. We first discuss the problems within our system and why there is room for abuse to take place. Then, we talk about why there continues to be a sense of apathy about the issue. Finally, we look at how this affects Malaysia’s international standing and the role governments...

The last few weeks in politics and the pandemic have been especially volatile, leaving many of us feeling hopeless and fatigued. To work through this collective burn out, we speak with someone who works in advocacy about how they keep driving for change. Then, we look at how business owners are forging ahead despite these difficult times. Finally, we hear from a psychiatrist on how to deal with th...

Yesterday, the palace issued a statement saying that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong recommends for Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible. We look at what this means for the Emergency, by first revisiting the separation and prioritisation of powers between the Agong and the Prime Minister. Then, we look at the possibility of Parliament reopening. Finally, we discuss how effective the Emergency has...

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the National Recovery Plan with four phases targeted to be achieved by the end of this year. We dissect the plan by first looking at whether it is effective in mitigating the pandemic from a public health standpoint. Then, we talk about the path to recovery for the B60. Finally, we hear from an MP on how they feel about Parliament reopen...

Back in 2017, news on the deaths of T. Nhaveen and Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain shocked the public, and highlighted the severity of the bullying problem in our institutions. Since then, there have been calls for an anti-bullying law to be passed. We look at why anti-bullying legislation is important, and what else needs to be done to address bullying. Then, we hear about the experiences of young peo...

The newly announced Phase 4 of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme will see employers in critical sectors applying for their workers to get vaccinated, starting June 16th. We look at how this impacts the vaccine rollout for groups prioritised in earlier phases. Then, we find out how SMEs are feeling about this, and the costs it will involve. Image Source: John Cameron, Unsplash See omnyst...

Multiple political developments have unfolded in the past week so for this Inside Story, we explore these events. First, we discuss the meetings the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has had with various party leaders. Then, we look at the proposal to set up a National Operations Council. Finally, we get a sense of what developments to look out for next. Image Source: inavanhateren, Shutterstock See omnystudi...

After 100 years in operation, the iconic Coliseum Cafe in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman is closing down due to the pandemic. First, we look back at the restaurant’s heritage value and how iconic businesses and buildings might be preserved. Then, we discuss the Coliseum’s significance to Malaysian food culture. And finally, we talk about how we can help local businesses stay alive during th...

As public pressure continues to build for Parliament to recovene, the government has finally agreed in principle to hold "hybrid sessions", where MPs may partake in debates physically or virtually. We discuss how this arrangement might look like, then look at the UK Parliament's implementation of a hybrid approach. Finally, we speak about the wider impact of this on political stability. Image Sour...

Over the weekend, 156 undocumented migrants were arrested in a raid operation that is supposedly meant to help them register for valid documents and get vaccinated. First, we look at what happened on the night of the raid and how this has impacted the migrant community. Then, we replay an excerpt of an interview from Live & Learn , where YB Nurul Izzah Anwar discusses the government's treatmen...

It has been almost 4 months since our National Immunisation Programme began and today, we look at the potential solutions to ramp up our vaccination efforts. First, we speak about whether the Covid-19 vaccine should be made compulsory. We then discuss the issue of vaccinating children. Finally, we talk about whether government contract workers should be vaccinated as frontliners. Image Source: Gus...

The lockdown has caused many people to be affected financially. We open our conversation about money during the lockdown by first looking at a call by Umno Youth to use existing laws to compel banks to give blanket loan moratoriums. Then, we look at the financial struggles of the M40 community under MCO3.0. Finally, we speak about whether the latest moratoriums do enough to help the business commu...