Consider This: The Reality of Retirement Savings in Malaysia
The EPF recently introduced the Retirement Income Adequacy Framework, a three-tiered savings benchmark—basic, adequate, and enhanced—meant to be used as a reference to maintain different levels of financial security post-retirement. Is this framework enough to ensure financial security in old age? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Professor Joseph Cherian, Deputy CEO and Practice Professor of Finance, at the Asia School of Business.
Tue Feb 04 2025
Consider This: Myanmar — 4 Years After The Coup
Four years ago, on February 1st, 2021, Myanmar’s military staged a coup, overturning a democratically elected government. Today the country remains in turmoil but resistance forces have since gained ground, while the military junta faces declining control. Will 2025 mark a turning point for Myanmar? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Debbie Stothard, founder of the democracy advocacy group, Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma.
Mon Feb 03 2025
Consider This: Ceasefire in Gaza — Hope Among the Ruins
It’s been a little over a week since a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has gone into effect in Gaza. But as displaced Palestinians prepare to return to homes that may no longer exist, aid agencies are racing to provide vital humanitarian assistance that was denied entry into Gaza for so long. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of MERCY Malaysia.
Mon Jan 27 2025
AWANI Tonight: All eyes on Oriental Kopi’s ACE market debut
Will the hype over Oriental Kopi carry over to the stock market during its ACE Market debut on Jan 23? Astro AWANI Correspondent Faye Kwan breaks down the buzz and what to expect from the F&B chain’s IPO listing.
Wed Jan 22 2025
AWANI Tonight: What challenges lie ahead for post-Assad Syria?
Astro AWANI is the first Malaysian news brand to enter Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Astro AWANI’s Social Media Editor, Hilal Azmi, reports from Damascus on the current situation and the country’s ongoing recovery.
Wed Jan 22 2025
AWANI Tonight: WEF 2025: Highlights from conversation with PM Anwar
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim engaged in a special dialogue with World Economic Forum founder Professor Klaus Schwab in Davos, addressing crucial topics on technology, trade, and geopolitics. For more insights, Astro AWANI’s Lead Editor, Najib Aroff, reports from Switzerland.
Wed Jan 22 2025
AWANI Tonight: PM discusses investments with ADIA, Mubadala, Masdar in Abu Dhabi
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is on the second day of his official visit to the UAE. Astro AWANI correspondent Irfan Faruqi breaks down the key moments of the day in Abu Dhabi and what they mean for Malaysia-UAE ties.
Mon Jan 13 2025
Consider This: ASEAN Chair 2025 — Malaysia’s Vision for Regional Progress
As Malaysia takes the helm as ASEAN Chair in 2025, it steps into a leadership role for one of the world’s most dynamic regions. ASEAN is on track to become the fourth-largest economic bloc by 2030, but it faces immense challenges: from navigating an increasingly fragmented global order to advancing regional integration amid rising protectionism. Can Malaysia’s chairmanship make a lasting impact in just one year? And how can ASEAN strengthen its collective voice and economic clout in a polarised world? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Datuk Professor Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Chairperson of the Institute of Strategic & International Studies, better known as ISIS Malaysia.
Mon Jan 13 2025
The Future Is Female: Tackling Poverty in All Its Dimensions
Despite decades of progress, poverty continues to trap millions in cycles of deprivation, and conventional measures often fail to reflect the full scope of their struggles. The Multidimensional Poverty Index, developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, offers a revolutionary way to understand and address poverty by looking at deprivations in education, health, and living standards. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Professor Dr Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative. Together with Professor James Foster, she developed the Alkire-Foster method for measuring multidimensional poverty.
Sun Jan 12 2025
![[OPINION] Trust friendships and olive branches [OPINION] Trust friendships and olive branches](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-01/61736225482_TBSYARIDA.jpg)
[OPINION] Trust friendships and olive branches
If there is one lesson in all of this ending 2024, is that friendship goes both ways.
Tue Jan 07 2025
Consider This: Drug Policy Reform — How the War on Drugs Fuels Organised Crime
Neil Woods is a former undercover police officer who spent 14 years infiltrating some of the UK’s most dangerous criminal networks. His frontline experience with law enforcement showed him the unintended consequences of drug prohibition—consequences that not only shaped his perspective but have also made him a leading voice for global drug policy reform. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris explores how the war on drugs and prohibition policies have created lucrative black markets, which are often controlled by organised crime groups. Neil Woods is a board member of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) which is a group made up entirely of serving and former police and other law enforcement, advocating for evidence-based drug policy and criminal justice reforms.
Mon Jan 06 2025
Consider This: Freedom of Expression — Malaysia’s 2024 Report
As we wrap-up 2024 and set resolutions for year ahead, this episode of #ConsiderThis explores Malaysia’s state of freedom of expression this year: Are we moving forward? Melisa Idris speaks with Nalini Elumalai, Senior Malaysia Programme Officer at ARTICLE 19 which is an NGO dedicated to freedom of expression, and Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director of the Center for Independent Journalism, about the recently released 2024 Report on the State of Freedom of Expression in Malaysia.
Fri Dec 20 2024
Consider This: Syria — Fall of the House of Assad
After 13 years of war, an offensive by Syrian opposition groups has ousted Bashar al-Assad as Syria’s president in just days. This historic moment raises urgent questions: What kind of future awaits Syria—for its governance, for the millions of Syrians, both inside the country and in the diaspora, and for the future for the Arab region? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Samer Abboud, Associate Professor of Global Interdisciplinary Studies at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, US, where his research focuses on warfare in Syria and the emergence of an illiberal post-conflict order in the country. He is also the Director of its Center for Arab and Islamic Studies. In 2018 he authored a book titled ‘Syria’, which explores the outbreak and trajectory of the Syrian uprising, and is currently working on his next book on the country.
Thu Dec 19 2024
Consider This: EPF for Migrant Workers (Part 2) — Ensuring A Fair Share For All
To mark International Migrants Day on the 18th of December, today we reflect on the millions of workers who have left their homes and families to cross borders in search of better opportunities. In Budget 2025 the Malaysian government unveiled a bold proposal to extend mandatory EPF contributions to non-citizen workers. The move is seen as a step forward in improving worker welfare and aligning Malaysia closer to international labour standards. But for business owners, the measure raises red flags about increased costs and potential economic impacts. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Professor Niaz Asadullah, Southeast Asia Lead of the Global Labour Organisation.
Wed Dec 18 2024
Consider This: Floods (Part 1) — Causes, Consequences, and a Path Forward?
Malaysia is experiencing one of the worst flood crises seen in a decade, with more than 150,000 people evacuated and tragically lives lost. While many have returned to their destroyed homes as floodwaters receded, the Malaysian Met Department has warned of a second wave—a monsoon surge likely to occur from December 8th to the 14th on the east coast. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Shah Fiesal Hussain, Head of Global Operations for MERCY Malaysia, which has been providing emergency response efforts to the severe flooding.
Thu Dec 05 2024

What happened in Philippine drug war that led to Duterte's arrest?
Here are some facts about the drug war during Duterte's presidency from 2016 to 2022.
Tue Mar 11 2025

Soccer - Manchester United plans to build 'world's greatest stadium'
Manchester United plans to build a new 100,000-seat stadium next to the existing Old Trafford, the club announces.
Tue Mar 11 2025

Meta begins testing its first in-house AI training chip
Meta is working with Taiwan-based chip manufacturer TSMC to produce the chip, according to sources.
Tue Mar 11 2025

Russia says it wants united and 'friendly' Syria
Russia has two strategically important military bases in Syria, which it is hoping to retain in the wake of Assad's fall.
Tue Mar 11 2025

Musk says juggling DOGE and CEO jobs is difficult, as Tesla shares slump
Elon Musk says he is running his businesses "with great difficulty" while working with the Trump administration.
Tue Mar 11 2025

Philippine ex-leader Duterte long defiant on deadly drug war
Before becoming president, Rodrigo Duterte earned the nicknames "The Punisher" and "Duterte Harry" for his violent anti-drug crackdown.
Tue Mar 11 2025

Ismail Sabri probe: 36 witnesses finish giving statements to MACC, 23 others to be summoned
A MACC source said 23 other witnesses have also been identified and would be summoned to give their statements soon.
Tue Mar 11 2025

Westin Hotels marks World Sleep Day with wellness-focused offerings
With a growing demand for sleep tourism and wellness travel, Westin aims to solidify its position as a leader in holistic hospitality.
Tue Mar 11 2025

Govt wants local experts to help improve national cyber security - PM's press secretary
Tunku Nashrul Abaidah says the government has high confidence in local expertise to face cybersecurity challenges.
Tue Mar 11 2025

Philippines' ex-President Duterte arrested at ICC's request over 'drugs war', government says
Rodrigo Duterte was arrested upon his arrival at a Manila airport and the ex-leader is now in custody, the office of the president said.
Tue Mar 11 2025