Fri Oct 25 2024
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.
Consider This: Why Gender Matters in Drug Policy
This International Women’s Day, we turn our focus to a group of women often left out of policy conversations—women who use drugs. Malaysia’s punitive drug laws disproportionately harm women, forcing many into cycles of incarceration, stigma, and violence. But advocates say there’s a better way: a gender-responsive approach to drug policy that prioritises public health over criminalisation. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with advisors from Drug Policy Program Malaysia: Dr Nur Afiqah Mohd Salleh, Vice President of the Malaysian AIDS Council and Ivy Josiah, Gender Consultant & Committee Member of Women’s Aid Organisation.
Consider This: GLC Reform — Who Really Controls Malaysia’s GLCs?
For decades, Malaysia’s GLCs—government-linked companies—have been central to the economy, controlling vast sectors from banking to telecommunications. But according to political economist Dr Edmund Terence Gomez, they are also at the heart of what he calls the Political-GLC complex—a deeply entrenched system that allows the ruling elite to use GLCs for political control, patronage, and grand corruption. Can the Political-GLC complex ever be dismantled? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Edmund Terence Gomez, Emeritus Professor of Political Economy at Universiti Malaya, and author of ‘Misgovernance: Grand Corruption in Malaysia’.
Consider This : Urban Renewal Act (Part 1) — Avoiding Developer-Driven Gentrification
The Government is proposing a new Urban Renewal Act, which will allow authorities to push forward redevelopment projects even without unanimous agreement from property owners. But the Bill has sparked heated debate in Parliament, and beyond. So is the Urban Renewal Act a necessary reform? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Shuhana Shamsuddin, Founder & President of the Malaysian Urban Design Association, PEREKABANDAR, which is a registered NGO championing good urban design practices.
Consider This: Urban Renewal Act (Part 2) — Avoiding Developer-Driven Gentrification
The Government is proposing a new Urban Renewal Act, which will allow authorities to push forward redevelopment projects even without unanimous agreement from property owners. But the Bill has sparked heated debate in Parliament, and beyond. So is the Urban Renewal Act a necessary reform? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Ainul Jaria Maidin, Retired Professor in Sustainable Land Development, Policy and Governance at IIUM’s Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws. She’s also a Director with the town planning consultancy, Rekarancang Sdn Bhd.
Consider This: Hawker Economy (Part 2) — Small Traders, Big Impact
Hawkers have long been an essential part of Malaysia’s street food culture and informal economy. But they’re facing mounting challenges—from rising costs, to a lack of successors. A new discussion paper by Khazanah Research Institute examines the historical evolution of these small-scale traders, and the policy gaps that leave them vulnerable. How can Malaysia better support its hawker economy? What can we learn from Singapore’s policy efforts and government support that led to hawker culture being officially recognised on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Professor Lily Kong, President of Singapore Management University and author of ‘Singapore Hawker Centres: People, Places, Food’.
Consider This: Hawker Economy (Part 1) — Small Traders, Big Impact
Hawkers have long been an essential part of Malaysia’s street food culture and informal economy. But they’re facing mounting challenges—from rising costs, to a lack of successors. A new discussion paper by Khazanah Research Institute examines the historical evolution of these small-scale traders, and the policy gaps that leave them vulnerable. How can Malaysia better support its hawker economy? Should the government take a more active role in preserving and formalising this industry? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Mohd Amirul Rafiq Abu Rahim, Senior Research Associate at Khazanah Research Institute and lead author of ‘Hawkers and Hawking Space in Malaysia: A Case Study’.
Consider This: Gig Workers Bill (Part 2) — Is Malaysia Getting It Right?
The government is set to table the Gig Workers Bill during this session of Parliament. The Bill aims to define gig work, regulate income structures, and introduce social protections—measures the government says will uphold the welfare and rights of workers in the gig economy. So will this Bill truly empower gig workers, or might it leave them in a grey area between independence and vulnerability? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Jose Rizal, Chief Activist of Gabungan eHailing Malaysia, Chair of Koperasi GIG Malaysia,
Consider This: Gig Workers Bill (Part 1) — Is Malaysia Getting It Right?
The government is set to table the Gig Workers Bill during this session of Parliament. The Bill aims to define gig work, regulate income structures, and introduce social protections—measures the government says will uphold the welfare and rights of workers in the gig economy. So will this Bill truly empower gig workers, or might it leave them in a grey area between independence and vulnerability? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, Founder and CEO of MY Mobility Vision.
Consider This: Media Council Bill (Part 2) — Better Flawed Than Never?
Malaysia’s long-awaited Media Council Bill will soon pave the way for the country’s first-ever self-regulatory Media Council. But concerns remain: Will the Malaysian Media Council be truly independent, or will government oversight dilute its role? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Firdaus Husni, Chief Human Rights Strategist at the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism & Human Rights.
Consider This: Media Council Bill (Part 1) — Better Flawed Than Never?
Malaysia’s long-awaited Media Council Bill will soon pave the way for the country’s first-ever self-regulatory Media Council. But concerns remain: Will the Malaysian Media Council be truly independent, or will government oversight dilute its role? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Radzi Razak, Spokesperson for Gerakan Media Merdeka (GERAMM) and member of the Pro-tem Committee of the Malaysian Media Council.
Consider This: Urban Sustainability — Building Low Carbon Cities
Cities are responsible for over 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making urban sustainability a crucial battleground in the fight against climate change. In Malaysia, the push for low-carbon cities has been gaining traction through the Low Carbon Cities Framework and the Low Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge. With the upcoming Low Carbon Cities Awards, we look at where Malaysia stands in its goal to turn our cities into true climate leaders. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Norhasliza Mokhtar, Senior Director of the Climate Action Division of the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC).
Consider This: T.E.A.M. Malaysia: A New Economic Narrative
A new whitepaper from the Institute of Capital Market Research warns that while Malaysia aspires to become a high-value, innovation-led economy, outdated economic structures may be holding us back. The question is—can Malaysia rethink our approach to growth, investment, and competitiveness before it’s too late? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, Distinguished Fellow at Institute for Capital Market Research Malaysia. He previously served as Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong and held senior roles at Bank Negara Malaysia, including Chief Economist and Assistant Governor in charge of Bank and Insurance Regulations.
Consider This: Sosma Under Review (Part 2) — What Reforms Are On The Table?
The government is reviewing the controversial Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, or Sosma, with plans to refine certain provisions and present them during the next Dewan Rakyat sitting in July. The Home Ministry says this will be about fine-tuning the law to strike a better balance between national security and detainee rights— but will these reforms truly be meaningful, or do they leave the core problems of Sosma intact? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Suhakam commissioner Ragunath Kesavan.
Consider This: Sosma Under Review (Part 1) — What Reforms Are On The Table?
The government is reviewing the controversial Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, or Sosma, with plans to refine certain provisions and present them during the next Dewan Rakyat sitting in July. The Home Ministry says this will be about fine-tuning the law to strike a better balance between national security and detainee rights— but will these reforms truly be meaningful, or do they leave the core problems of Sosma intact? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Sevan Doraisamy, Executive Director of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM).
Consider This: PETRONAS — Between People, Planet, Profit
Petronas is cutting its workforce, as part of a survival plan to stay afloat in an increasingly challenging global operating environment. But when the National Oil Company that has fueled Malaysia’s growth for 50 years starts shrinking, is it a sign of trouble ahead? Can Petronas adapt fast enough to survive the clean energy transition—or is Malaysia facing the beginning of the end of its oil era? On this episode #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Distinguished Professor Datuk Dr Rajah Rasiah, Distinguished Professor of Economics at Universiti Malaya’s Asia Europe Institute. He was previously a member of the special advisory body to the Finance Minister.