Are We OK?

This week, Peter and Ong Kian Ming break down the Malaysia–US ART deal and whether it really puts Malaysia at a disadvantage. They also explore the implementation of BUDI 95, discuss the rising concerns around BNPL usage, and look into the upcoming cabinet reshuffle including the big names being floated.Timestamp:0:00 – Introduction3:12 – What Is the US–Malaysia ART Deal?6:20 – Is Malaysia Giving the US Too Much Power?18:40 – What Indonesia Gets vs What Malaysia Gets22:00 – The “Malaysia Must Follow US Sanctions” Misinterpretation32:10 – Wong Chen, Parliamentary Process & Internal Tensions46:10 – BUDI 95 Breakdown: How the Subsidy Works1:10:20 – BNPL Risks & Youth Debt Concerns1:24:20 – Cabinet Reshuffle: Big Names & What to Expect1:27:03 – Closing Thoughts

This week, join Peter and Rajiv as they first look into the Trump trade deal and whether or not Malaysia has really lost its sovereignty. After that, they dive into local politics, and discuss the possibility of Khairy Jamaluddin's return. Finally, with all the recent violence in schools, the duo debate the pros and cons of banning social media and smart phones for children, and the feasibility of such policies.Image source: US Embassy in Malaysia - https://my.usembassy.gov/agreement-us-malaysia-reciprocal-trade/

In this week’s episode, we break down three major stories shaping Malaysia right now: the Bersatu leadership sackings, the sudden dissolution of the Sabah State Assembly, and the tragic Bandar Utama school stabbing that shocked the nation.Peter and Rajiv unpack what these events mean politically, socially, and for everyday Malaysians. Share your thoughts in the comments, what should we cover next?

Just how much do political campaigns for MP seats cost? Will there be equitable returns for all of the residents of Kampung Sungai Baru despite the violence? What are some potential triggers for riots like in Indonesia and Nepal?Join us as we go behind the curtain, do a deep dive, and explore these questions in this episode of Are We OK?!

Is Bersatu still united, or have the cracks developed into splits? Are our STPM students' efforts not enough for local universities? How much longer would the Malaysian lifespan be if not for the haze?Join us as we go behind the curtain, do a deep dive, and explore these questions in this episode of Are We OK?!

This episode, join us as we discuss possible futures for MCA and MIC, before diving into a comparison of the government's procurement process from before and after the Procurement Bill. Then, we take a look at just how quickly the passing of bills happens, after which we discuss the Indonesian riots and political insensitivity, before taking on the big question: Are our MPs' wages fair?

In this episode, we dive into the Urban Renewal Act, some of the pros and potential pitfalls we see, and how morality versus constitutional rights come into the decision. After that, we tackle the Gig Workers Act and a few things we want to see on the Act (This episode was filmed before the Act was passed). Finally, we do a deep dive into nuclear energy, and how the price tag is a lot higher than it seems.

This week, we start with a dissection of the challenges faced by the parties in the Sabah elections. After that, we do deep dives into the EPF monthly pension proposal, the new “Build Then Sell” plan, and mandatory preschool education – all under RMK13. YB Rajiv Rishyakaran also shares his experience with whistleblowers, and we discuss how a reward system might be the best way to fight corruption.

Is Malaysia on the right track, or are we headed for a breakdown? In this episode of Are We OK?, we get real about the most pressing issues facing Malaysians today.We dive into the recent "Turun Anwar" protest, the frustration driving people to the streets, and what it means for the Prime Minister's mandate. Then, we tackle the controversial new rules for Selangor parking privatization—will it make our lives easier, or just more expensive?We also explore the heated debate over vape bans in Malaysia, examining the arguments from both health advocates and the growing industry.Finally, we look at the future of our youth through the lens of education, asking if the new focus on TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) is a game-changer or just another promise.Special thanks to: 🛋️ Furnitures by MAJUHOME Concept: https://finlit.my/majuhome🪵 Acoustic Wall Panel by Sleek: https://tinyurl.com/sleekpanel🎨 Design by Atap: https://finlit.my/atapco#areweok #malaysia #podcast #policy #politics #madanigovernment

This week, we start with the resolution of the MyKiosk investigation before diving deeper behind the scenes to see how civil servants punish civil servants. We also ask YB Rajiv Rishyakaran about certain aspects of Malaysia’s ties to the US and China: the 25% tariff and a certain Jho Low, who was apparently in Shanghai. Plus, stay tuned for a look “behind the curtain” as we discuss MP allocations for staff, projects, and events.