Consider This

We begin with the special address by the Prime Minister who ruled out a nationwide lockdown for now, warning that it could cause "societal and economic collapse". He also insisted that the authorities do not practise double standards in enforcing self-quarantine for those who tested positive for Covid-19. He didn’t however address the problem of prisons and over crowding that seem to be providing the conditions of the pandemic to spread. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations of the day.

Over the last few days, expressions of dissent -- either in the form of online satire or banners -- have drawn the ire of both the authorities and some social groups. In the recent past police reports made against the satirical site, Bermana but more recently police in Ipoh were reported to be investigating a banner which blames politicians for self-serving behaviour during the pandemic. The question is: Do Malaysians have the right to express themselves in this way? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Gayathry Venkiteswaran, School of Media, Languages & Cultures at the University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Satire that draws attention to the abuse of power and the lavish lifestyles of the political elite has gotten many a professional editorial cartoonist in trouble. They are often celebrated by free speech advocates. But what about anonymous voices who take to walls, in the form of graffiti, or string up banners, mocking politicians; do they have a right to free speech too? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to award-winning editorial cartoonist Zunar, himself the target of state repression during the Najib Razak Administration.

In March, Malaysia collaborated with the WHO in a "Solidarity Trial" to test several drugs globally in treating Covid-19 patients. However despite proactive signalling late-stage clinical trials are being conducted elsewhere, and not in Malaysia. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr. Akhmal Yusof Chief Executive Officer of Clinical Research Malaysia we will discussing how the country might need to reposition itself in drug research and development.

Clinical Research Centre (CRC) Sarawak General Hospital is the first facility in the country to be accredited under the Phase 1 Unit Accreditation Program by National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency but he has failed to clinch any Phase 1 First in Humans trials. What are the hurdles to marketing Malaysia better in the world of clinical research? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr. Akhmal Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of Clinical Research Malaysia if legislation that is too stringent or out of date might be at fault.

Sarawak Chief Minister & GPS Chairman, Abang Johari Tun Openg called Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement "weird" and pledged to continue his coalitions support for the Perikatan Nasional government. But with reported unhappiness of GPS over MA63 negotiations, is support from Sarawak still in play. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Political Analyst, Jeniri Amir.

Bersih 2.0 has responded to the announcement that those who are Covid-19 positive, and patients under observation in hospitals, will not be allowed to travel to voting centres to cast their ballots in Saturday's Sabah state elections. Bersih insists that voting is a constitutional right and cannot be denied, even during a pandemic. They’ve also cautioned the Election Commission that the EC could face lawsuits if it refused to let voters cast their ballots. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations of the day.

Earlier today PKR president Anwar Ibrahim claimed that he has majority support from MPs to form a new government. He however refused to disclose how many MPs currently support him -- leaving us with few details to assess the strength of his bid. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Hamidin Hamid, Political Analyst, Universiti Malaya.

Last Saturday, Malaysia announced it will be joining 172 countries to participate in the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access initiative, known as COVAX, a pooled procurement mechanism for new Covid-19 vaccines that aims to provide participating economies fair and equitable access to vaccines, by pooling purchasing power from these nations across a range of candidate vaccines. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Dr Khor Swee Kheng, Founder, Malaysian Health Coalition.

Taking into consideration the reality of 'vaccine nationalism' and the free-market principles by which pharmaceutical companies operate, is the COVAX facility the best deal Malaysia, and countries similar to us, can hope for, in terms of access to the vaccine. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Sangeeta Shashikant, Legal Advisor, Third World Network.