Consider This

Has the design of the Covid-19 SOPs - in terms of teaching, learning and childcare - taken into consideration the realities of facilities and resources of childcare centres? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Noor Syahiza Mohammed, Founder, Blooming Tots House Shah Alam.

Controversy was sparked by the winner of Miss Universe Malaysia 2017, Samantha Katie James when she claimed that African Americans "chose to be born as coloured" about the ongoing protest in the USA. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations of the day.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is seen by many observers as the source of the current Administration’s instability and challenged legitimacy. The two inter-twined battles taking place within the party are the command of the party and control of the government. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Wan Ahmad Fayshal Wan Ahmad Kamal, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister.

Factionalism in Bersatu is shaping national politics in the same way UMNO’s factionalism did decades earlier, writes our guest. But how did the relatively small and new Bersatu came to have such an impact on the stability of the current government? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate of the Asia Research Institute, at University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Yesterday the Human Resources Ministry announced a delay enforcing the amendment to the Workers' Housing Act which would have required employers to improve housing for their workers. Is this another instance of good policy but bad timing? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations of the day.

The newly-minted Kedah Mentri Besar was reported saying that PH government left his administration with claims amounting to 1.5 billion ringgit from 40 logging companies. He now wants to give loggers areas to exploit in lieu. Its raised red flags. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Meenakshi Raman, President of Friends of the Earth Malaysia.

What challenges are there to the protection of the Ulu Muda forest reserve and its surrounding area -- home to megafauna like elephants and the primary source of water for more than 4 million people in Perlis, Kedah and Penang. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Surin Suksuwan, member of the World Commission on Protected Area.

There have been calls for stricter laws and heavier punishments against those found guilty of drinking and driving. Former transport minister Anthony Loke, and other DAP leaders, have come forward to urge the Perikatan Nasional government to speed up law amendments against drink driving. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan bring you the most important conversations of the day.

DG Hisham warned that it was also crucial for the Health Ministry to screen every individual currently incarcerated at other detention centres or risk a surge in new cases. Have these new high-Risk centres been ignored, in the public health response for Covid-19? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Tan Sri Zaman Khan, Former Director-General, Prisons Department.

Suhakam is one for few independent monitors of the country’s prisons, immigration detention centers as well as rehab centres. Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan ask Jerald Joseph, Commissioner, Suhakam (National Human Rights Commission) what conditions in these places of incarceration could contribute to the spread of infectious disease.