Consider This

Were workers consulted in the design of these conditional ‘lockdowns’ that impact their work and livelihoods? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani, Acting President, Malaysian Trades Union Congress, about what they would like to see addressed in the deliberations by policymakers and government leaders.

The Population and Housing Census is conducted across the country, once every 10 years. The idea is for official data from this census to be used to inform how billions of Ringgit in federal funding will be spent each year, and help fuel research about issues and communities for the next decade. But how true is that? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, Chief Statistician at the Department of Statistics Malaysia.

Complaints about official data has been that important data is not being collected, that available data is not disaggregated making it less useful and finally that statistics seem “carefully managed and presented in a way that often obscures crucial details”. Are these criticisms valid? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, Chief Statistician at the Department of Statistics Malaysia.

One of the conclusions of a Khazanah Research Institute discussion paper was that Malaysia is way behind many of its regional peers on many indices of data transparency.  While the government has made an official commitment to open data and to “embrace transparency” in its midterm review of the 11th Malaysia Plan, is there the political will to do so? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, Chief Statistician at the Department of Statistics Malaysia.

Anwar Ibrahim was at Bukit Aman today for questioning following his meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Tuesday. It's understood that the PDRM has opened 6 police cases against Anwar since he announced he had majority support in the Dewan Rakyat. Also prominent in the news today, details of UMNO’s demands for its continued support to Perikatan Nasional came out in the open after an initial coyness. With all the political manoeuvrings happening, are we, the people, just spectators? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations of the day.

Experts have warned that Sabah's healthcare system will be at risk of reaching its breaking point in the next few weeks, if the number Covid-19 cases continue to rise at the current rate. Today alone Sabah saw an increase of 489 case. To find out what’s really happening on the ground, we have joining us on the show tonight from Kota Kinabalu, Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Anbarasu Ramalingam, Sabah Chapter Head, MERCY Malaysia & Principal Assistant Director of Medical Planning, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (KKM), Kota Kinabalu.

The district of Semporna has been dubbed "Little Wuhan" - the worst-hit district in Sabah with over 600 active Covid-19 cases. What local conditions feed into this perfect storm? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Anbarasu Ramalingam, Sabah Chapter Head, MERCY Malaysia & Principal Assistant Director of Medical Planning, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (KKM), Kota Kinabalu.

After some initial confusion Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today clarified that the CMCO will only be for the sub-district of Klang and not other areas such as Port Klang and Kapar. Why the initial confusion and had been its impact? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Datuk Teng Chang Khim, Chairperson, Committee on State Investment, Industry & Commerce, and SMEs.

This afternoon leader of the Federal Opposition Anwar Ibrahim issued a statement that he has been granted an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara next Tuesday. This comes 16 days after he first claimed to have “a strong, formidable and convincing majority” of parliamentary support to form a new government.  While supporters argue that he is following his Constitutional right, detractors argue that the move is reckless. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Akmal Nasir, Chief, PKR Youth.

Amidst claims by Anwar Ibrahim that he has a parliamentary majority, questions arise about Prime Minister’s Muhyiddin’s own majority. Could this matter be resolved if a vote of no-confidence to be debated? Or are we likely to see a prolonged period of instability? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Rais Hussin, former Bersatu Supreme Council member.