Consider This

About a year ago, on the 23rd of June 2020, Beijing introduced a National Security Law in Hong Kong -- in response to the mass pro-democracy protests that had turned violent. The law had essentially reduced Hong Kong's judicial autonomy, and made it easier to punish demonstrators and activists. It criminalises secession, subversion, and collusion with foreign forces -- with the maximum sentence life in prison. Can international pressure or domestic dissent save Hong Kong from sliding into authoritarian rule like the rest of China? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Victoria Hui, Associate Professor in Political Science at the University of Notre Dame.

About a year ago, on the 23rd of June 2020, Beijing introduced a National Security Law in Hong Kong -- in response to the mass pro-democracy protests that had turned violent. The law had essentially reduced Hong Kong's judicial autonomy, and made it easier to punish demonstrators and activists. It criminalises secession, subversion, and collusion with foreign forces -- with the maximum sentence life in prison. In the year since the law was enacted, more than 100 people have been arrested under its provisions. Why exactly is Beijing bent on crushing dissent in Hong Kong? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Victoria Hui, Associate Professor in Political Science at the University of Notre Dame. 

Only a few months ago, Indonesia seemed to have had a handle on its Covid-19 cases. But now it’s in the midst of one of Asia’s worst Covid-19 outbreaks, and has been said to be the epicentre of the pandemic in Southeast Asia. How does Indonesia’s devolved political and administrative structures aid or hinder the application of coordinated strategies? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Tane Hadiyantono, Executive Researcher, KRA Group Indonesia.

Only a few months ago, Indonesia seemed to have had a handle on its Covid-19 cases. But now it’s in the midst of one of Asia’s worst Covid-19 outbreaks, and has been said to be the epicentre of the pandemic in Southeast Asia. What caused this most recent wave of Covid-19 cases and how has the Indonesian government responded? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to epidemiologist Dr Dicky Budiman, Centre for Environmental and Population Health at Griffith University, Australia.

With a record high of more than 11,000 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, factories have been at the receiving end of blame for the ineffectual lockdown. With public anger and frustration directed at those who have allowed factories to continue to operate during MCO, there are now calls for complete closure till the Covid surge eases. Have factory owners and managers failed to maintain strict SOPs? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Tan Cheng Kiat, President, Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

With a record high of more than 11,000 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, factories have been at the receiving end of blame for the ineffectual lockdown. With public anger and frustration directed at those who have allowed factories to continue to operate during MCO, there are now calls for complete closure till the Covid surge eases. But is industry the reason for the unrelentingly high daily case count? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Farhan Rusli, Public Health Medicine Specialist, International Islamic University Malaysia and Director, Selangor Task Force Operations.

Klang Valley hospitals are buckling under the surge of Covid-19 cases. Could this crisis have been anticipated & planned for? 

Tonight on #ConsiderThis Sharaad Kuttan & Melisa Idris ask Datuk Dr. Christopher Lee, Azrul Mohd Khalib & Dr. Michael Jeyakumar what immediate action is needed now.

1½ years into the pandemic, Singapore is shifting gears & now preparing to live with Covid-19 as an endemic virus. Tonight on #ConsiderThis Sharaad Kuttan & Melisa Idris speak to epidemiologist Dr Hannah Clapham about the Singapore model, in which Covid ceases to paralyse daily life.

When he withdrew his party from PN did UMNO President Zahid Hamidi set in motion changes to the political landscape? Or is it still a stalemate? Tonight on #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris & Sharaad Kuttan ask Merdeka Center’s Ibrahim Suffian, UMNO’s Bastien Onn & lawyer Lim Wei Jiet what’s next. 

How successful will the appointments of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob & Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein be in stabilising the PN coalition? Tonight on #ConsiderThis Sharaad Kuttan & Melisa Idris speak to UMNO Youth’s Mohd Hafeez Che Mat & political analysts Dr Bridget Welsh & Assoc Prof Dr Hamidin Hamid about next manoeuvres.