Current Affairs

The Islamic State has seen its territories in the Middle East shrink after a series of recent military defeats in Syria and Iraq. Despite this setback, the group has now stepped up its global terror campaign, by either carrying out or affiliating itself with terror attacks in Europe, Turkey, North Africa, the US and Asia.

Today, we explore the how the US and Russia’s intervention against the IS has driven the group to undertake the far war, a strategy of attacks on global targets away from its home base in the Levant. We look at what the next steps for the US coalition as well as the Russian forces in Syria and Iraq, to potentially stop an IS resurgence.

This is a report by Jason Lim.

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Putrajaya claims the National Security Council Act - which came into effect on August 1 - is intended to protect the country from the growing threat of terrorism on Malaysian soil. The Act comes into effect amidst domestic and international concern that it equips the Council’s eight members, which includes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, with sweeping powers allowing them to designate any area as an emergency security locality. We explore the Act, its implications, and if it is a necessary addition to our legal system.

This is a report by Wang Junmey and Wan Irdina.

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Malaysia has seen a 35 percent drop in total HIV AIDS cases since the year 2000, with related deaths decreasing 42 percent since 2004. At the same time, heterosexual transmissions have overtaken transmissions via intravenous drug use - a worrying trend in the country. We explore the level of public awareness of the disease, whether or not current efforts to tackle the spread of HIV AIDS is outdated, and the real situation behind the statistics.

This is a report by Nadiah Abdul Aziz.

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Putrajaya has proposed to amend the Legal Profession Act 1976, believed to make the Bar Council more transparent and democratic. However, Steven Thiru, President of the Malaysian Bar, believes the proposed amendments are “an unwarranted interference in the self-regulation and internal management of the Malaysian Bar,” which poses a serious threat to the Bar’s independence.

Today on Current Affairs, we delve into the proposed amendments by the government, whether they correspond with the International Principles of Legal Conduct, and their consequences for the Malaysian Bar.

This is a report by Wan Irdina.

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Following the failed coup attempt in Turkey two weeks ago, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has declared a 3-month state of emergency in the country.

Thousands of civil servants have been dismissed or detained - and according to Amnesty International reports, many of those detained have been tortured.

President Erdoğan is also demanding that the US extradite Fethullah Gülen - the influential cleric Erdoğan holds responsible for orchestrating the coup attempt. In the aftermath of the coup, we explore what the future holds for Turkey, under Erdoğan's administration.

This is a report by Wang Junmey and Keith Kam.

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Two 8-year-old girls have been charged under a draconian Thai junta law, for tearing down voter lists for an upcoming referendum on the latest draft constitution. This comes after numerous reports emerged on Thai activists being detained while campaigning for the ban for the referendum has also been barred. Concerns have been raised as to how this referendum will lead Thailand towards democracy, as promised by the country's ruling military junta.

We explore whether this constitution will lead Thailand towards democratic stability, or if it will cause more political uncertainty in the country.

This is a report by Wan Irdina.

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The International Monetary Fund recently trimmed the growth forecasts for all the world's major economies and Japan is forecast to contract next year. We explore how much of an impact political risks play in the global economy, the seemingly deteriorating quality in economic data, and trends that will shift the global economy going forward.

This is a report by Wei Lynn Tang. 

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In May, the Sultan of Johor issued a statement, calling for a return of power to the Malay rulers. Royal powers were curtailed during the Mahathir administration, through several constitutional amendments, which were implemented without the assent of the Conference of Rulers. This has brought into question the legitimacy of these amendments.

We take a look at Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy, and discuss what returning royal powers to Malay rulers would mean for the country's democracy.

This is a report by Azlyn Balqis and Lyn Mak.

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Datuk Paul Low, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, responsible for promoting Governance, Integrity and Human Rights, has pledged that a Political Donations Act will be tabled to the Cabinet by next month. The Act will include laws to bar foreign influence on the domestic political system, and create transparency and accountability. We explore the Act's policy proposals, and their implications on Malaysian politics.

This is a report by Wang Junmey.

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In May, the US along with Europe and Japan began lifting long-standing trade sanctions against Myanmar, showing support for the ongoing political reform in the country after decades of military rule. Elections held early this year saw the appointment of President Htin Kyaw, Myanmar's first civilian president.

As the National League for Democracy party completes its first 100 days in power, expectations run high of the new president, who has to contend not only with a fledgling economy but also its poor human rights track record and treatment of minorities. Today we explore the challenges faced by the new Administration leading reforms in the country.

This is a report by Lee Sheung Un & Wan Irdina.

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