Mon Jul 01 2024
Consider This: Economic Sentiment - Growth or Gloom?
A recent survey by market research agency, Ipsos, revealed that two-thirds (68%) of Malaysians believe the economy is in a recession, despite official reports of 3.7% economic growth last year. Why is there such a stark contrast between consumer sentiment and economic data? And how do we reconcile the lived experiences of Malaysians with these seemingly positive economic indicators? Tonight on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, Pro Vice-Chancellor of External Engagement for Taylor's University, and Ibrahim ‘Ben’ Suffian, Co-founder & Programmes Director of Merdeka Center for Opinion Research.
Consider This: City Competitiveness — Thriving Through Climate-Resilience
Sustainable development consultancy Arup’s latest city competitiveness report ranks Kuala Lumpur in the overall ‘Aspiring’ category—ranking 63 cities against 37 future success indicators, with around a quarter focused on climate action. These indicators span four key assessment areas for city competitiveness: investor attractiveness, assets and infrastructure, liveability and lovability, and urban management and governance. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Murali Ram, Malaysia Lead for Arrup’s Cities & Advisory practice. He is the lead author of the book: Creating Future-Proof Cities: How to Navigate the Climate Crisis.
Consider This: COP29 Baku (Part 1) — What’s At Stake?
For two weeks starting November 11th, negotiators from around the world will gather in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 29th annual Conference of the Parties on Climate Change known as COP29. They're expected to assess global efforts to advance the Paris Agreement's commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, while addressing a wide range of climate-linked issues. So what’s at stake at this year’s summit? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Khairun Nisa Zabidi, Director of Nusanterra, a consultancy firm focusing on conservation finance for tropical forests.
Consider This: COP29 Baku (Part 2) — What’s At Stake?
For two weeks starting November 11th, negotiators from around the world will gather in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 29th annual Conference of the Parties on Climate Change known as COP29. They're expected to assess global efforts to advance the Paris Agreement's commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, while addressing a wide range of climate-linked issues. So what’s at stake at this year’s summit? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Ahmad Afandi Nor Azmi, Fellow at the Institute of Strategic & International Studies Malaysia, where his primary research interests lie in climate resilience, biodiversity and environmental governance.
Consider This: Social Work Profession Bill (Part 1) — The Cost of Delay
The long-awaited Social Work Profession Bill, aimed at finally professionalising this sector through mandatory licensing and standards, was set to be tabled this year in Dewan Rakyat but tabling has been delayed. What does it mean for a country when its social support workforce is left unprotected and unregulated? And who bears the real cost of these delays? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Teoh Ai Hua, President of Malaysian Association of Social Workers, which has championed professional social work for five decades now and actively provides training for social workers in government and civil society sectors.
Consider This: Social Work Profession Bill (Part 2) — The Cost of Delay
The long-awaited Social Work Profession Bill, aimed at finally professionalising this sector through mandatory licensing and standards, was set to be tabled this year in Dewan Rakyat but tabling has been delayed. What does it mean for a country when its social support workforce is left unprotected and unregulated? And who bears the real cost of these delays? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS, consultant paediatrician and a child and disability activist.
Consider This: 2024 US Election — Trump 2.0
With Donald Trump returning to the White House, what lies ahead for America and the World? On this special episode of Consider This Melisa Idris speaks with John Zogby, Founder and Senior Partner of John Zogby Strategies, Meredith Weiss, Professor of Political Science at State University of New York in Albany, Dr Bridget Welsh, Asia Research Institute of University of Nottingham Malaysia, and political analyst Derick Becker, to unpack the election results and what’s next under a second Trump administration.
Consider This: 2024 US Election (Part 1) — Gaza and the Ballot
It’s Election Day in the US, and swing state Michigan is in the spotlight. Michigan has the country’s largest proportion of Arab-Americans, and was once a Democratic stronghold. But frustrations over America’s support for Israel in its war on Gaza, means that in Michigan, the race between Kamala Herris and Donald Trump is impossibly close. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Professor Saeed Khan, Founding member of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. He’s also an associate professor of Near Eastern and Asian Studies at Wayne State University.
Consider This: 2024 US Election (Part 2) — Gaza and the Ballot
It’s Election Day in the US, and swing state Michigan is in the spotlight. Michigan has the country’s largest proportion of Arab-Americans, and was once a Democratic stronghold. But frustrations over America’s support for Israel in its war on Gaza, means that in Michigan, the race between Kamala Herris and Donald Trump is impossibly close. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Hayg Oshagan, Founder and Director of New Michigan Media. He’s also an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Wayne State University.
Consider This: Humanitarian Crises — Criminalising Humanitarian Aid in Gaza & Beyond
There are more forcibly displaced people around the world today than any other time in modern history. And the gaps in the responses to these humanitarian crises are widening. From Gaza to Sudan to Myanmar, where ongoing conflicts have driven millions to the brink of survival, humanitarian assistance has repeatedly been blocked or undermined by political agendas. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Christopher Lockyear, Secretary-General of Médecins sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders.
Consider This: KL City (Part 2) — Preserving Heritage Icons
RM600 million was allocated in Budget 2025 to "preserve Kuala Lumpur’s status as a cultural and creative city". This includes mandating Khazanah Nasional to restore, as well raise the value of, national heritage sites like the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Carcosa Seri Negara. How important is it that funds allocated are used to retain historical authenticity rather than simply giving these buildings a ‘facelift’? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Shuhana Shamsuddin, founder & first President of the Malaysian Urban Design Association (PEREKABANDAR), which is a registered NGO championing good urban design practices, with aspirations to reclaim the character of Malaysian cities.
Consider This: KL City (Part 1) — Preserving Heritage Icons
RM600 million was allocated in Budget 2025 to "preserve Kuala Lumpur’s status as a cultural and creative city". This includes mandating Khazanah Nasional to restore, as well raise the value of, national heritage sites like the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Carcosa Seri Negara. How important is it that funds allocated are used to retain historical authenticity rather than simply giving these buildings a ‘facelift’? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Cultural Heritage and Conservation Consultant, Elizabeth Cardosa, and Dr Shuhana Shamsuddin, founder & first President of the Malaysian Urban Design Association (PEREKABANDAR).
Consider This: Inside Budget 2025 — Fuel Subsidies, Fairness, and Fiscal Pressure
The announced timeline for targeted RON95 subsidies has got everyone talking—and worrying. What factors will determine who qualifies? Is household income alone too blunt a measure? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Nurhisham Hussein, Senior Director of Economics and Finance in the Prime Minister’s Office, about the complexities of making subsidies fair for all.
Consider This: Najib’s Apology (Part 3) — Who Was It Meant For?
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak recently expressed regret that the 1MDB scandal happened under his leadership but still maintained his innocence, claiming he was deceived. Who was the apology meant for? And what do the responses to his apology say about Malaysia’s journey towards accountability and rebuilding public trust? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with lawyer New Sin Yew.
Consider This: Najib’s Apology (Part 2) — Who Was It Meant For?
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak recently expressed regret that the 1MDB scandal happened under his leadership but still maintained his innocence, claiming he was deceived. Who was the apology meant for? And what do the responses to his apology say about Malaysia’s journey towards accountability and rebuilding public trust? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Syaza Shukri, Associate Professor of Political Science at International Islamic University Malaysia, IIUM.
Consider This: Najib’s Apology (Part 1) — Who Was It Meant For?
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak recently expressed regret that the 1MDB scandal happened under his leadership but still maintained his innocence, claiming he was deceived. Who was the apology meant for? And what do the responses to his apology say about Malaysia’s journey towards accountability and rebuilding public trust? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Independent Writer and Consultant, P. Gunasegaram, who in 2018 authored the book: ‘1MDB: The Scandal That Brought Down A Government’
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