Current Affairs

This June, Durreen Shahnaz, a former banker with Morgan Stanley and founder of social enterprise oneNest (now known as Novica) will launch Impact Investment Exchange Asia (IIX), the region's first social stock exchange, which aims to bridge investors from the capital markets with social enterprises.

In the following interview, BFM speaks to Durreen about her entrepreneurial journey, the vision behind IIX and the challenges in setting up social stock exchanges.

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Recently, the government announced the removal of the 40% quota for enrolment of local students at international schools nationwide in a move to make Malaysia a regional education hub. However, critics are saying that the move will create a new social divide among students and reduce competitiveness, as the brightest and affluent students will end up choosing international schools over national schools. 

(In a previous interview, BFM spoke to Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, president of Parents Action Group for Education (PAGE) Malaysia, on her take of this issue. Click here for the interview)

In the following interview, BFM speaks to BK Gan, president of Taylor's Education Group Schools Division, on the factors driving demand for international schools, how the removal of the local quota will affect Taylor's Education Group's stable of international and private schools, as well as the implications for Malaysia's national syllabus and quality of teachers.

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On May 8, 2012, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong told the Dewan Negara that the 40% quota for enrollment of local students in international schools will be removed. This was mooted in order to accommodate the increasing numbers of Malaysian students who intend to enrol in the international school system. The move is also seen as an effort to enhance Malaysia's standing as a regional education hub. Critics however opine that this development will create a new social divide and reduce competitiveness.

In the following interview, BFM speaks to the Parents Action Group for Education (PAGE) Malaysia president Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim on the implications of this quota removal on the Malaysian education system.

(We also spoke to BK Gan, president of Taylor's Education Group Schools Division for his views on how the removal of the quota would impact international schools and private schools. Click here for the interview)

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The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) in early May 2012 released the findings of its public inquiry into the allegations of human rights violations and the use of excessive force,  before and during the BERSIH 2.0 rally of 9 July 2011. Kathleen Tan speaks to Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee, Chairperson of the Public Inquiry & Vice-Chairman of SUHAKAM, on the findings of the report.

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The Center of Independant Journalism (CIJ) released its annual Freedom of Expression Report, which documented the events which reflected the levels of freedom of expression in Malaysia, such as the BERSIH 2.0 and the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA).  For Current Affairs, Kathleen Tan speaks to Ding Jo-Ann, media monitor at CIJ,  to elaborate on the findings of the report.

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Recently engineers at the Klang Municipal Council unveiled a proposal for a RM 292 million flood mitigation project in response to severe flash floods at the end of March 2012. Today on Current Affairs speaks to Tuan Mohd Ikhsan Mukri, Acting President of the Klang Municipal Council, on the flood mitigation efforts in Klang.

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The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz recently proposed the setting up of a law academy to serve as an alternative to the Malaysian Bar. He believes that the Bar Council has been partisan in passing the resolution condemning the use of excessive force during the BERSIH 3.0 rally.

For Current Affairs, Kathleen Tan speaks to Lim Chee Wee, President of the Bar Council, on the proposals for an alternative bar.

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The Ministry of Human Resources has recently disputed claims that Malaysia is unsafe for foreign workers, after human rights activist Irene Fernandez criticised the treatment of migrant workers in the country.

In the following interview, James Nayagam, commissioner of SUHAKAM (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) talks about the need for Malaysia to take criticism constructively, the lack of policy and guidelines governing the protection of migrant workers, as well as recent incidents involving the mistreatment of migrant workers. 

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The Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (PROHAM) recently called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate acts of violence at the BERSIH 3.0 rally, instead of the current independant advisory panel.  In today's Current Affairs Program, Dr Denison Jayasooria, exco member of PROHAM, on what is needed to ensure an independant probe into the rally.

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