Consider This

Ahead of the tabling of Budget 2024 tomorrow Friday October 13th, what areas will be prioritised? Will it meet the expectations of industry? On this episode of #ConsiderThis, Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz, President of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), and Datuk William Ng, Chairperson of the SMEs Association of Malaysia (Samenta) to find out what’s on their wish list for Budget 2024.

The Government is reviving the National Service Training Programme, or Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN), some 5 years after it was scrapped by the 2018 Pakatan Harapan administration. Is there merit in resurrecting the National Service programme, and if so, how should it be reimagined for today's generation? On this episode on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to former Minister of Youth and Sports Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, and Jason Wee, Co-Founder of Architects of Diversity.

Malaysia is committed to a major shift toward electric vehicles to decarbonize its transport sector and achieve its ambitious net-zero emissions goal by 2050. The target is to have electrified vehicles—both EVs and hybrids—make up 15% of the Total Industry Volume by 2030. However, crucial questions surrounding supply, demand, and infrastructure of the EV industry need to be addressed to ensure these targets are met. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Subhash Nair, Deputy Editor of the auto industry news site, DSF.my and Dato’ Dennis Chuah, President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Malaysia.

Recently Rapid KL introduced a pilot programme of women-only carriages on its MRT Kajang Line, which was met with a spectrum of responses from the public, including praise and support, but also scepticism and criticism. How do we think through the purpose and effectiveness of creating women-only spaces on public transport? And more generally, how do we constructively address the concerns and objections that were raised, while building consensus in the pursuit of safer, more inclusive public transportation systems? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Sofiah Hussein, Head of Rail Operations for the MRT Kajang Line, Marina Abdullah, Head of Campaigns at Women's Aid Organisation, and Dr Vilashini Somiah, anthropologist and Senior Lecturer in Gender Studies at Universiti Malaya.

The Government’s public pension liability is currently RM31 billion, which accounts for about 10% of its operating expenditure. This amount is projected to hit RM46 billion in seven years. Are we at a crossroads where public pension reform is not just a painful choice but an overdue necessity? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to economists Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi and Professor Geoffrey Williams.

Earlier this year, the Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution announced that children should no longer be detained in immigration detention centres, pledging to place them instead under the care of NGOs that specialise in the welfare of children. Then in August the Home Ministry announced 23 children and 10 of their parents or guardians have been relocated from existing immigration detention centres to what the government has termed as a “children friendly” detention centre, called Baitul Mahabbah. Does this move signify the Malaysian government will finally put an end to child immigration detention in Malaysia? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Hannah Jambunathan, Asia Pacific Programme Officer with the International Detention Coalition, and human rights advocate Mahi Ramakrishnan.

A new legal amendment in Sarawak will come into force November 1st, which will allow children born of mixed parentage to apply to be recognised as a Native of Sarawak. This means, under the Interpretation (Amendment) Ordinance 2022, children of mixed marriages will potentially be able to own Native land and have Bumiputera/Pribumi status for entry into public universities. What implications may it hold for the people and communities of Sarawak? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Baru Bian, Secretary-General of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Assemblyperson for Ba'kelalan since April 2011, and to Kuching-based human rights lawyer, Simon Siah.

The Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) continues to be disproportionately used on those from the B40, compounding their financial and socioeconomic vulnerability as the accounts of detainees and their families are frozen indefinitely, thousands of ringgit of legal fees incurred, loss of income coupled with snowballing debt. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Sevan Doraisamy, Executive Director of Suara Rakyat Malaysia, and Siti Nurizzah Mohd Tazali, independent researcher and author of SUARAM’s report on the socioeconomic impact of detention under Sosma.

As part of institutional reforms to improve government transparency and accountability, the Cabinet has agreed to enact a Freedom of Information Act and to finally table The Government Procurement Act. How would a federal-level Freedom of Information Act improve government transparency? And where within the public contracting process might procurement legislation lead to more accountability? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Isad Chung of Sinar Project and Sri Murniati Yusuf of IDEAS Malaysia. 

Tonight Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will deliver his inaugural address at the 78th UN General Assembly as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister. Melisa Idris speaks to Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee and International Relations analysts Elina Noor & Herizal Hazri for a special extended episode of #ConsiderThis.