Consider This

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.

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.

There is a need to move away from blanket subsidies and adopt a lifecycle approach to broaden social protections for Malaysians.

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.

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.

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 Dr Ferooze Ali, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law and International Relations at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin in Terengganu.

A piece of art that is little more than a banana duct-taped to a wall sold at auction to cryptocurrency entrepreneur.

Spurious liquor is a problem in Laos, with the govts of Australia and Britain warning citizens to be cautious when taking drinks there.

Preliminary post-mortem report reveals that the victim died from chest injuries caused by blunt trauma.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the collaboration will also leverage the ASEAN Energy Grid to foster regional growth.

Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that may include biometrics or govt identification to enforce social media age cut-off.

Judge says the claims and reliefs sought by the applicants are within the domain of public law both in pith and substance.

This will be Lee Zii Jia's third appearance at the season-ending tournament, following the 2020 and 2021 editions.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says this stems from a request by the Malay rulers for the government to take a stricter stance on these matters.

This punishment involves caning, but what makes it unusual this time is the judge's decision for it to be conducted publicly.

Marius Borg Hoiby is suspected of having sexual encounters with two women who were either unconscious or incapacitated.