Consider This

The Department of Environment has approved the Environmental Impact Assessment for the contentious Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project, subject to 71 conditions. Is the conditional approval enough to assuage public concerns about the PSI? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Meena Raman of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Khoo Salma Nasution of Penang Heritage Trust, and Penang State Exco for Infrastructure & Transport, Zairil Khir Johari.

The working class forms the backbone of Malaysian society, yet their voices and rights are often ignored and sidelined. What are the challenges and obstacles faced by workers in Malaysia, and is there political will for labour law reform to protect their rights and welfare? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Irene Xavier, co-chairperson of the Labour Law Reform Coalition.

Melisa Idris and US Ambassador to Malaysia H.E Brian McFeeters are invited by Rohingya refugees join them for buka puasa with a home-cooked meal. Other than that, Celebrity chef, Chef Wan and activist Dr Hartini Zainudin, will share a meal and a candid conversation with refugees from Pakistan. Lastly, Fatih, a single mother from Syria living in Malaysia as a refugee, invites politician and activist Nurul Izzah Anwar to share a meal of Chicken MandThe Dari Dapur series aims to  promote a culture of welcoming refugees and migrants in Malaysia, by using food to create common ground and a safe space to reimagine dialogue on migration.

The e-hailing industry has revolutionised the way Malaysians travel especially in urban areas but there’s been a growing debate about whether or not there is need for more government intervention to ensure the welfare of both passengers and drivers. On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, former Policy and Planning Director of SPAD Group Operations, and Edwin Goh, researcher at The Centre.

Recently EPF launched an Account 2 Support Facility to assist some members to obtain personal financing from banking institutions. The initiative received 60,000 applications in its first few days, signalling a dire need for liquidity for many. But is access to retirement funds the answer? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Melati Nungsari, Associate Professor of Economics at the Asia School of Business and Shakira Teh Sharifuddin, Senior Country Economist at World Bank.

Recently the Government removed liquid nicotine from the Poisons List of controlled substances, as part of a move to tax its use in vapes and e-cigarettes. What are the implications of such a move? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Sulastri Samsudin, Chief Pharmacist at the National Poison Centre, and Associate Professor Dr Nur Amani Ahmad Tajuddin, Deputy Coordinator of the Nicotine Addiction Research & Collaborating Group, Universiti Malaya.

The Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 is meant to serve as the overarching planning document for KL, providing a framework for spatial planning and development which will inform all of the city’s development policies and local planning for the next 20 years. How do we ensure we get the city’s master plan right? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Shuhana Shamsuddin, President of the Malaysian Urban Design Association (Perekabandar) and Adjunct Professor of urban design at Taylor’s University.

Are we ready to consider expunging the criminal records of former convicted drug users who have been clean for 5 years? On #ConsiderThis we ask the guests if Malaysia is ready to reform drug policies in line with a rehabilitative approach to substance abuse.

Recently Pusat KOMAS released the annual Malaysia Racism report for 2022, following its year of monitoring racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia in Malaysia. Why do these trends of racism persist and how do we break them? On #ConsiderThis we ask our guest about fighting back against the politics of fear and supremacy.

Dewan Rakyat has appointed the chair and deputy for the Public Accounts Committee, as well as the compositions of the Parliamentary Special Select Committees. Oversight committees play a crucial role in ensuring accountability and good governance, so how can they be empowered to better serve their mandate?  On #ConsiderThis we ask our guests about strengthening parliamentary oversight committees.