Consider This

Yesterday the United Nations agencies, UNFPA and UNICEF, released the initial findings of a survey on the impact of the MCO on the women and children of low-income urban families, who are living in city council housing projects -- or PPR flats. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Stephen Barrett, Chief of Social Policy at UNICEF Malaysia about the major findings in the report.

The lockdown - MCO - put all social systems under extraordinary stress but the problems the report highlights predate the pandemic. When it comes to solutions or mitigation efforts, should we be looking at transforming the system so that social safety nets are systematic and sustained? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Stephen Barrett, Chief of Social Policy at UNICEF Malaysia.

Future reports are expected to monitor the extent to which these families recover. The findings aim to offer insights for policymakers to ‘build-back-better’. But what is in the current design that might need to be overcome in order for that to happen. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Stephen Barrett, Chief of Social Policy at UNICEF Malaysia.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister quarantine violation after returning from Turkey in July has generated a frenzy on social media. It was raised in Parliament today, during which the Dewan Rakyat was told that there are no ‘double standards’ when it comes to enforcement of Covid-19 SOPs. But is that true? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations of the day.

Former Bersatu Youth chief, Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman's interview with Channel News Asia has generated headlines on the possibility of a new party that is centred on youth. What is meant by a "youth-led party" and is it both desirable or feasible? While Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Qyira Yusri, Co-Founder of UNDI 18, one of the organisers of Parlimen Digital, and Kavita Maheendran, exco member of Majlis Belia Malaysia.

Was it inevitable that a discussion about increasing youth engagement in politics -- including lowering the voting age -- would lead to a youth-led party? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Qyira Yusri, Co-Founder of UNDI 18, one of the organisers of the recently concluded Parlimen Digital.

The Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development revealed that it received 1,721 cases of sexual crimes against children in the first six months of this year. The Deputy Minister added that efforts are being made to raise awareness about sexual crimes against children through various school and public programmes. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations.

There have been almost daily anti-government rallies in Bangkok in recent weeks. These demonstrations have largely been student-led, and are calling for a revised constitution and reform of the monarchy, which is a sensitive subject in Thailand. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Pavin Chachavalpongpun, Associate Professor, Center of Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Japan.

Is the media framing the Thai protests in a way that is adequate to the complexity of the Kingdom's social and political fabric? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Michael Vatikiotis, Asia Director, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Singapore and author, 'Blood and Silk, Power and Conflict in Modern Southeast Asia'.

We begin with news that President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia has become the first country to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine, after less than two months of human testing. Moscow has likened its success to the Cold War-era space race but is this the kind of nationalist frame that the world needs? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations of the day.