Current Affairs

For over 40 years, the fundamental rights of university students to fully participate in politics have been restricted by laws governing tertiary institutions.  The Universities and University Colleges Act - better known by its Malay acronym AUKU - is legislative centerpiece in the control of campus life. Today we speak to Fortify Rights: a non-profit human rights organisation based in Bangkok that commissioned the report. A report that documents recent violations of Malaysian university students’ rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Sunday, millions of Turkish citizen went to the polls and despite expectations that opposition front might deny the incumbent a first round victory, the AK Party’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan took the Presidency with over 50 % of the vote. This second terms comes with enhanced powers that detractors are calling a move to one-man rule. Erdogan on the other hand calls his a win for democracy and the religion of Islam, is a country sharply divided between secularists and Islamists. Today we explore the contradictory image of the man at the center of Turkish politics.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media has been up in arms over the arrest and detention of lawyer and activist Siti Kasim. While she has her detractors, what’s held the public’s attention is the fact that a lawyer was arrested for apparently doing little more than her duty. Police initially arrested her on suspicion of abducting her client and obstruction of a government servant’s duties. Siti has since been released and the court refused the police application for remand. Today we explore the larger issues behind this incident.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After suffering it's first ever loss in a historic election for Malaysia, UMNO will have to take a hard look at itself and reassess their losses. But what does the future ? The upcoming polls will be a clear indication of the party's direction going forward.

We take a closer look at the youth wing and spoke to UMNO Deputy Youth Chief and a contender vying for the Youth Chief post, Khairul Azwan Harun, who presented his manifesto yesterday. He tells us more about his vision for the party and why he thinks he is well poised to be UMNO's next youth leader.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As GLC and GLIC bigwigs fall in Malaysia, victims of their perceived political allegiance in the aftershocks of GE14, Corporate Governance and Public Administration lawyer Derek Fernandez, asks: was due process followed? And is Corporate Malaysia ready to fill the gaps with qualified people?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday FT MP Kok refuted a report claiming she has been chosen as Federal Territories Minister. She said that in fact the the Federal Territories Ministry – which governs Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan – should be abolished as it contradicts the local council elections promise. Today we ask about her experience as a now five-term FT MP and her thoughts on how to move forward.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif and Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Zulkefli Makinudin tendered their resignations. Pakatan Harapan in 2017 had called the extension of their appointments unconstitutional. Other critics said it went against the mandatory retirement limits but also unfairly suggested that there weren’t sufficient men and women of quality to fill those positions. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Sarawak Chief Minister announced the withdrawal of four Sarawak-based Barisan Nasional parties from the Federal coalition. The four parties are Parti Bersatu Bumiputera, Parti Rakyat Sarawak, Sarawak United People's Party and Progressive Democratic Party. This move deprives Barisan Nasional of 19 seats in Parliament, reducing its strength to 60. DAP Sarawak chief Chong Chieng Jen said the parties did it for political survival and not because of true change. He called the move “superficial”. Today, we explore how this move changes dynamics both at the Federal and State level.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The whole world is watching, as the leaders of Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States of America meet on Sentosa island in Singapore. The meeting is unprecedented, as no North Korean leader has ever met with a sitting US President. Today we explore the possible outcomes of the Summit, considering its unusual origins and given threats to call it off from both sides.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As US President Donald Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore today, Oh Ei Sun, Political Analyst and Senior Adviser, Asia Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) shares his perspective from the ground in Singapore. Find out why he thinks international diplomacy is akin to a romantic courtship.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.