Consider This: Malaysia & BRICS (Part 2) — Building the Right Foundation?
Malaysia is set to be officially recognised as one of 13 nations added to BRICS as a partner country, though not as full members yet. But as Malaysia joins this diverse and at times divided group, questions remain about what the country stands to gain—and what it risks. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid, Visiting Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Affairs, Diplomacy and Strategy at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Fri Oct 25 2024
Consider This: Malaysia & BRICS (Part 1) — Building the Right Foundation?
Malaysia is set to be officially recognised as one of 13 nations added to BRICS as a partner country, though not as full members yet. But as Malaysia joins this diverse and at times divided group, questions remain about what the country stands to gain—and what it risks. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Elina Noor, Senior Fellow, of the Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Fri Oct 25 2024
Consider This: Healthcare — Caring About Cancer
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month puts the spotlight on early detection and prevention, it's also a reminder of the growing cancer burden in Malaysia and the broader challenges we face in cancer care. How far have we come, and what more needs to be done? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, Managing Director of the National Cancer Society Malaysia. In 2022 he was one of three winners of the Global Best Cancer CEO award by the Union for International Cancer Control.
Wed Oct 23 2024
Consider This: Budget 2025 (Part 2) — The Right Dose for Healthcare?
The Health Ministry has been allocated RM45.3 billion in Budget 2025, which is the second highest after the education ministry. It’s an almost 10% increase from the previous budget. Will it be enough to address the many issues affecting Malaysia’s public healthcare system? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Azrul Mohd Khalib, Chief Executive of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, a healthcare policy research and advocacy outfit.
Mon Oct 21 2024
Consider This: Budget 2025 (Part 1) — The Right Dose for Healthcare?
The Health Ministry has been allocated RM45.3 billion in Budget 2025, which is the second highest after the education ministry. It’s an almost 10% increase from the previous budget. Will it be enough to address the many issues affecting Malaysia’s public healthcare system? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Farhan Rusli, Fellow at the Institute for Research and Development of Policy.
Mon Oct 21 2024
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Sat Oct 19 2024
Consider This: Budget 2025 (Part 2) — Balancing Progress & Prudence?
Budget 2025 was tabled in Dewan Rakyat today, and now the crucial evaluation begins. Does #Belanjawan2025 successfully balance progress and prudence? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Danial Rahman, CEO of Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI), and Doris Liew, Economist & Assistant Research Manager at IDEAS Malaysia's Public Finance Unit.
Fri Oct 18 2024
Consider This: Budget 2025 (Part 1) — Balancing Progress & Prudence?
Budget 2025 was tabled in Dewan Rakyat today, and now the crucial evaluation begins. Does #Belanjawan2025 successfully balance progress and prudence? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Danial Rahman, CEO of Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI), and Doris Liew, Economist & Assistant Research Manager at IDEAS Malaysia's Public Finance Unit.
Fri Oct 18 2024
Consider This: Social Security — Broadening Protections for Tomorrow
Ahead of the tabling of #Belanjawan2025, how well have the social security measures from #Belanjawan2024 protected Malaysians from economic vulnerability? Have they truly delivered, or is there a need for more targeted reforms? Tonight on #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks with Professor Datuk Norma Mansor, Director of Universiti Malaya’s Social Wellbeing Research Centre, and Balqais Yusoff, Head of the Policy and Strategy Department at EPF.
Thu Oct 17 2024
Consider This: Myanmar Crisis (Part 2) — Malaysia’s Leadership Testing as ASEAN Chair
As Malaysia takes over the chair of ASEAN in 2025, the region faces a critical test: the deepening crisis in Myanmar. Despite the 5-Point Consensus agreed upon by ASEAN leaders in 2021, little progress has been made in resolving the ongoing violence and humanitarian disaster gripping the country. Can Malaysia’s chairmanship reshape ASEAN’s approach to Myanmar and bring about real change? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Thomas Daniel, senior fellow in the Foreign Policy and Security Studies programme at ISIS Malaysia.
Tue Oct 15 2024
Consider This: Myanmar Crisis (Part 1) — Malaysia’s Leadership Testing as ASEAN Chair
s Malaysia takes over the chair of ASEAN in 2025, the region faces a critical test: the deepening crisis in Myanmar. Despite the 5-Point Consensus agreed upon by ASEAN leaders in 2021, little progress has been made in resolving the ongoing violence and humanitarian disaster gripping the country. Can Malaysia’s chairmanship reshape ASEAN’s approach to Myanmar and bring about real change? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Lilianne Fan, who is part of the Malaysian Advisory Group on Myanmar. She’s also the Co-Founder and International Director of the regional humanitarian organisation Geutanyoe Foundation.
Tue Oct 15 2024
Consider This: Energy Transition — Powering ASEAN
ASEAN is at a pivotal moment in its energy transition journey, with countries across the region setting ambitious goals to decarbonize their economies. Malaysia, too, has committed to significant reforms, but how do we stack up against our neighbours? And as we assume the chair of ASEAN, what role can we play in driving a coordinated regional effort towards energy transition? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Kavita Gandhi, Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore.
Mon Oct 14 2024
Astro AWANI staff killed in MEX highway accident
Ahmad Hafiz Azhar Nordin, who was believed to be on his way to work, was killed after his motorcycle skidded this morning.
Mon Oct 14 2024
Consider This: Education — Bringing PAC Experience to Education Reform
The Ministry of Education recently launched the Strategic Education Plan 2024-2030. Are we witnessing the beginning of real educational reform, or will these plans on paper face the same implementation challenges that have persisted for decades? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to YB Wong Kah Woh, Deputy Minister of Education.
Wed Oct 09 2024
Consider This: Middle East Crisis (Part 2) - Is Regional War Imminent?
The Israeli military has continued to carry out air raids across Lebanon, while also intensifying its strikes across Gaza over the past 48 hours. This after Iran launched a missile attack at Israel in response to Israeli assassinations of top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. Amid the soaring violence and escalating tensions, how close are we to a regional war in the middle east? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Muath Seyam, Senior Fellow at the Asia Middle East Centre for Research and Dialogue.
Fri Oct 04 2024
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Fri Nov 22 2024
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Fri Nov 22 2024
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
Fri Nov 22 2024
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Fri Nov 22 2024
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
Fri Nov 22 2024
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Fri Nov 22 2024
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
Fri Nov 22 2024
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Fri Nov 22 2024
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Fri Nov 22 2024
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Fri Nov 22 2024