Fri Mar 07 2025
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: The Last Gentle Giant (Part 2) — Can We Save the Malayan Tapir?
The image of a mother elephant mourning her dead calf—killed by a lorry on a highway in Perak— has haunted Malaysians this week. It has forced the country to confront the cost of development when nature is in the way. But elephants aren’t the only victims. The Malayan tapir — shy, solitary, and just as iconic — is being pushed toward extinction. Since 2020, at least 112 have been killed by vehicles— often at night, on roads that cut through what’s left of their forest habitat. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Evelyn Lim Ai Lin, Senior Lecturer at UPM’s Faculty of Forestry and Environment. She’s also a Research Associate at its Institute for Social Science Studies (IPSAS).
Consider This: The Last Gentle Giant: Can We Save the Malayan Tapir?
The image of a mother elephant mourning her dead calf—killed by a lorry on a highway in Perak— has haunted Malaysians this week. It has forced the country to confront the cost of development when nature is in the way. But elephants aren’t the only victims. The Malayan tapir — shy, solitary, and just as iconic — is being pushed toward extinction. Since 2020, at least 112 have been killed by vehicles— often at night, on roads that cut through what’s left of their forest habitat. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with I.S. Shanmugaraj Subramaniam
Executive Director of the Malaysian Nature Society.
Executive Director of the Malaysian Nature Society.
Consider This: Myanmar Crisis (Part 1) — Will Malaysia Back ILO’s Toughest Sanction?
A growing regional campaign is calling on Malaysia to take a leadership role in the upcoming International Labour Conference in Geneva this June. They’re urging Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to support unprecedented measures under Article 33 of the International Labour Organization’s Constitution—the most serious sanction the ILO can impose—in response to Myanmar’s military junta’s continued violation of workers’ rights and violent suppression of democracy. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Apolinar ‘Dong’ Tolentino, the Asia Pacific Regional Representative from Building and Wood Workers’ International. BWI is a Global Union Federation representing 365 trade unions, with members in the building, construction, wood, forestry, and allied industries.
Consider This: Myanmar Crisis (Part 2) — Will Malaysia Back ILO’s Toughest Sanction?
A growing regional campaign is calling on Malaysia to take a leadership role in the upcoming International Labour Conference in Geneva this June. They’re urging Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to support unprecedented measures under Article 33 of the International Labour Organization’s Constitution—the most serious sanction the ILO can impose—in response to Myanmar’s military junta’s continued violation of workers’ rights and violent suppression of democracy. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Charles Santiago, Co-Chair of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR).
Consider This : PKR Party Polls (Part 2) — Who After Anwar?
PKR will be heading into its most closely watched elections at the party congress on the 24th May. Anwar Ibrahim is widely expected to retain his presidency unchallenged, but this will be his final term—as the party constitution caps the president’s tenure at three terms. That makes the race for the number two post all the more significant—it could determine who succeeds Anwar as the leader of PKR, and potentially be the next prime ministerial contender. Who might lead PKR after Anwar—and what kind of party will it become? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Azmi Hassan, Fellow at the National Council of Professors.
Consider This: PKR Party Polls (Part 1) — Who After Anwar?
PKR will be heading into its most closely watched elections at the party congress on the 24th May. Anwar Ibrahim is widely expected to retain his presidency unchallenged, but this will be his final term—as the party constitution caps the president’s tenure at three terms. That makes the race for the number two post all the more significant—it could determine who succeeds Anwar as the leader of PKR, and potentially be the next prime ministerial contender. Who might lead PKR after Anwar—and what kind of party will it become? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Syaza Shukri, Associate Professor of Political Science at International Islamic University Malaysia.
Consider This: Barisan Nasional — Cracks in the Coalition?
In recent weeks, cracks within the once-dominant Barisan Nasional coalition have widened, as top leaders from MCA say the party's at a crossroads and must chart its own path after more than two years of drift since the last general election. MIC, too, appears increasingly disengaged. As speculation swirls that both parties could abandon Barisan Nasional—and even join the opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional—does the future of Barisan hang in the balance? And what does this moment reveal about the realignment of Malaysian politics? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at University of Tasmania in Australia, and long-time observer of Malaysian politics.
Consider This: India-Pakistan Tensions (Part 2) — Fault Lines in South Asia
Tensions are growing between India and Pakistan, after 26 tourists were shot and killed in an ambush in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Kashmir. What does this latest attack—and the reactions it provoked—reveal about the fragility of peace in South Asia? On #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Dr Rahul Mishra, Associate Professor at the Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University in India.
Consider This: India-Pakistan Tensions (Part 1) — Fault Lines in South Asia
Tensions are growing between India and Pakistan, after 26 tourists were shot and killed in an ambush in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Kashmir. What does this latest attack—and the reactions it provoked—reveal about the fragility of peace in South Asia? On #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Umair Jamal, Correspondent for the current affairs publication, The Diplomat.
Consider This: Singapore Votes (Part 2) — The PAP’s Next Test
Singapore heads to the polls tomorrow in what is widely seen as a defining general election for the city-state. This is the first electoral test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong last May. The ruling People’s Action Party, which has been in power since 1959—longer than any other elected party in the world—is now seeking a strong mandate under new leadership—but faces growing pressure over the rising cost of living and calls for more political diversity in Parliament. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Associate Professor Dr Ja Ian Chong from the Department of Political Science at National University of Singapore.
Consider This: Singapore Votes (Part 1) — The PAP’s Next Test
Singapore heads to the polls tomorrow in what is widely seen as a defining general election for the city-state. This is the first electoral test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong last May. The ruling People’s Action Party, which has been in power since 1959—longer than any other elected party in the world—is now seeking a strong mandate under new leadership—but faces growing pressure over the rising cost of living and calls for more political diversity in Parliament. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with political analyst Dr Bridget Welsh, honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham Malaysia's Asia Research Institute.
Consider This: Abandoned Housing (Part 2) — Why Do Buyers Bear the Risk?
The Housing and Local Government Ministry recently blacklisted 109 property developers and their boards of directors, for failing to adhere to regulations for their projects. But many say simply blacklisting errant developers doesn’t truly address the problem of abandoned housing projects. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Datuk Chang Kim Loong, Founder and Honorary Secretary-General of the National House Buyers Association.
Consider This: Abandoned Housing (Part 1) — Why Do Buyers Bear the Risk?
The Housing and Local Government Ministry recently blacklisted 109 property developers and their boards of directors, for failing to adhere to regulations for their projects. But many say simply blacklisting errant developers doesn’t truly address the problem of abandoned housing projects. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Theebalakshmi Kunasekaran, Research Associate at Khazanah Research Institute, where her research interests include housing, urban studies and regional development.
Consider This: Feeding a Nation: Rethinking Food Security
Food security often makes headlines during price hikes or crises—but the real work of ensuring a secure food system happens long before supermarket shelves run low. What will it take to secure Malaysia’s food future — and are we thinking about food security in the right way? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Sarena Che Omar, CEO of PNB Research Institute, a policy research think tank funded by Permodalan Nasional Berhad.
Consider This: ICJ Hearings (Part 2) — Malaysia Challenges Israel’s UNRWA Ban
The international rules that govern war, occupation, and humanitarian relief are being tested this week at the International Court of Justice. Israel’s decision to ban a UN agency from working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories has sparked a global legal challenge, with forty-five countries and organisations—Malaysia included—weighing in at this week’s public hearings at The Hague. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks with Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of Mercy Malaysia.