Tue Jun 18 2024
Consider This: Microplastics (Part 1) - Malaysia Leads in Microplastic Consumption
A recent study, published in the Environmental Science and Technology journal, found that Malaysia has the highest per capita microplastic consumption amongst 109 countries. Malaysia is also among the top ten countries that inhales the most microplastic particles each day. How are these invisible pollutants entering our lives, and what can be done to stop it from continuing to happen? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Professor Dr K. Sudesh Kumar, Professor of Applied Microbiology at USM’s School of Biological Sciences.
Consider This: OceanX’s Malaysia Mission 2024 — Science at Sea
Global ocean exploration nonprofit, OceanX, recently concluded the 16-day OceanX Malaysia Mission 2024 to evaluate the marine ecology and coastal ecosystem dynamics in the waters off Pahang, aboard OceanXplorer, the world’s most advanced scientific research vessel. This episode of #ConsiderThis was filmed aboard the OceanXplorer, where Melisa Idris speaks with Mattie Rodrigue, Science Programme Director of OceanX and Associate Professor Dr Maizah Mohd Abdullah, Lead Researcher of the OceanX Malaysia Mission 2024. She’s also a lecturer in marine biology and researcher at the Institute of Oceanography and Environment at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
Consider This: A Theory of Everyone — Where Does Humanity Go From Here?
Can a better understanding of cultural evolution help us navigate diversity, tackle global challenges, and perhaps even predict where humanity is headed? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Professor Michael Muthukrishna, Associate Professor of Economic Psychology at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and author of ‘A Theory of Everyone: Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We’re Going’. Professor Muthukrishna was a keynote speaker at Khazanah Megatrends Forum 2024.
Consider This: One Year of Israel's War On Gaza (Part 1)
One year into the genocide in Gaza, the medical and humanitarian situation has reached catastrophic levels, according to international medical humanitarian organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders. Israel’s relentless violence has destroyed Gaza’s already fragile health system, repeatedly displaced people who have been forced into smaller and smaller areas, and choked off access to desperately needed food, water, and medicines. On the episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Yi Chun Wu, a reconstructive surgeon based in Taiwan who has recently returned from an MSF mission to Gaza.
Consider This: One Year of Israel's War On Gaza (Part 2)
One year into the genocide in Gaza, the medical and humanitarian situation has reached catastrophic levels, according to international medical humanitarian organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders. Israel’s relentless violence has destroyed Gaza’s already fragile health system, repeatedly displaced people who have been forced into smaller and smaller areas, and choked off access to desperately needed food, water, and medicines. On the episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Amber Alayyan, paediatrician and the medical programme manager for Palestinian Territories, Afghanistan & Haiti with Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders.
Consider This: Drone Industry — Cleared for Takeoff?
Malaysia has ambitious plans to become a regional leader in drone technology but as the sector grows, so does the challenge of regulation— of ensuring the safety and security of airspace, without stifling innovation. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud, CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) which is the nation’s governing body for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
Consider This: One Year of Genocide: A Global Shift vs Gaza’s Reality
As we approach the one year mark of the genocide on Gaza, how have global perceptions and grassroots activism towards Palestinian liberation evolved? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Professor Khaled Beydoun, constitutional law professor and author of the critically acclaimed book, ‘American Islamophobia: Understanding the Roots and Rise of Fear’ which examines the social, legal, and political dimensions that have fueled anti-Muslim sentiments in the United States. His new book ‘The New Crusades: Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslim’ explores Islamophobia as a global phenomenon.
Consider This: GISB Children (Part 2) — Rescue Is Just the Beginning
A total of 572 children and teenagers have recently been rescued from alleged abuse, exploitation, and forced labour, following several raids to charity homes linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB). The case however raises broader concerns about Malaysia’s child welfare system that allowed these children to fall through the cracks. What kind of support do these rescued children need now, and how can we ensure that no other institutionalised children suffer the same fate? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid, Criminologist and Deputy Dean of Higher Degree at Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Law.
Consider This: GISB Children (Part 1) — Rescue Is Just the Beginning
A total of 572 children and teenagers have recently been rescued from alleged abuse, exploitation, and forced labour, following several raids to charity homes linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB). The case however raises broader concerns about Malaysia’s child welfare system that allowed these children to fall through the cracks. What kind of support do these rescued children need now, and how can we ensure that no other institutionalised children suffer the same fate? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Datin Elya Lim Abdullah, a trustee at OrphanCare, which is a non-profit foundation that advocates for ending the institutionalisation of children.
Consider This: Disability Rights — Progress or Plateau?
The Persons With Disabilities (PWD) community is incredibly diverse, with different groups representing a wide range of needs—from mobility and sensory impairments, to learning and neurological disabilities, and more. How should disability-rights advocates navigate these varying interests to ensure that all voices are heard and that policies address the broad spectrum of challenges faced by the community? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Senator Isaiah Jacob, PWD representative in Dewan Negara.
Consider This: Government-Opposition MoU (Part 3) — Can Political Stability Still Be Negotiated?
In an effort to ensure sustainable political peace till the end of 2027, the Madani government has floated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Opposition. The proposed MoU offers Constituency Development Funds to Opposition MPs — on the condition that they refrain from engaging in race, religion, and royalty (3R) issues. Perikatan Nasional, however, has flatly rejected the terms, and the offer seems to have only led to more division rather than unity. Is inter-coalition cooperation for political stability still on the table? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Independent Analyst, Arinah Najwa Ahmad Said.
Consider This: Government-Opposition MoU (Part 2) — Can Political Stability Still Be Negotiated?
In an effort to ensure sustainable political peace till the end of 2027, the Madani government has floated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Opposition. The proposed MoU offers Constituency Development Funds to Opposition MPs — on the condition that they refrain from engaging in race, religion, and royalty (3R) issues. Perikatan Nasional, however, has flatly rejected the terms, and the offer seems to have only led to more division rather than unity. Is inter-coalition cooperation for political stability still on the table? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to political scientist Professor Wong Chin Huat, Deputy Head of Strategy for the Asia Headquarters of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network at Sunway University.
Consider This: Government-Opposition MoU (Part 1) — Can Political Stability Still Be Negotiated?
In an effort to ensure sustainable political peace till the end of 2027, the Madani government has floated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Opposition. The proposed MoU offers Constituency Development Funds to Opposition MPs — on the condition that they refrain from engaging in race, religion, and royalty (3R) issues. Perikatan Nasional, however, has flatly rejected the terms, and the offer seems to have only led to more division rather than unity. Is inter-coalition cooperation for political stability still on the table? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Aira Azhari, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the think tank, IDEAS Malaysia.
Consider This: Climate Governance — Bhutan’s Green School Vision
On this episode of #ConisderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Professor Thakur S Powdyel, who served as Minister of Education for the Royal Government of Bhutan from 2008 to 2013, overseeing the Green Schools programme, which was part of the implementation of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness model. He was in KL for the National Climate Governance Summit 2024, under his capacity as an International Advisory Panel Member.
Consider This: Indigenous Rights (Part 1) — The Frontline Forest Defenders
Recently a delegation of Penan from Mulu travelled over 500 kilometres to submit a petition to the Sarawak government, calling for the designation of Magoh as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, where logging activities threaten the home to the last semi-nomadic Penan tribe. But will UNESCO status be enough to protect one of Malaysia's last untouched forests and the home of the Penan people, from further destruction? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Komeok Joe, Head of Keruan, which is a grassroots Penan civil society group.
Consider This: Indigenous Rights (Part 2) — The Frontline Forest Defenders
Recently a delegation of Penan from the Upper Baram River Basin submitted a petition with over 500 signatures to the Sarawak government, urging an immediate halt to logging activities in the Baram Peace Park. What challenges do Indigenous communities face when it comes to protecting their lands and their way of life? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Celine Lim, Managing Director of SAVE Rivers, which is a grassroots NGO based in Sarawak that advocates for the rights of Indigenous communities, especially in relation to land rights and environmental protection.