Astro Awani

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ahmad Hafiz Azhar Nordin, who was believed to be on his way to work, was killed after his motorcycle skidded this morning.

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.

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.

A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.

The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.

Thailand's Constitutional Court rejects a petition seeking to stop Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the running the Pheu Thai party.

The State Assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Abidin Ismail, was sworn in today at the State Assembly building, Lebuh Light.

A cadet officer at UPNM pleaded not guilty to a charge of injuring his junior by stomping on the victim's stomach with spike boots.

The indictment was unsealed on Nov. 20, prompting a $27 billion plunge in Adani Group companies' market value.

Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia's policy could become one of the most stringent.

Bondi was the top law enforcement officer of the country's third most populous state from 2011 to 2019, and served on Trump's Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first administration.

At 8 am, the local currency climbed to 4.4600/4700 against the greenback.

The hospital hallways echo with the screams of children as anxious parents await news from doctors.