Current Affairs

Iceland has faced significant political upheaval recently, with crowds taking to the streets of Reykjavik in one of the largest peaceful protests Iceland has ever seen. The former Prime Minister resigned in the face of an almost certain vote of no-confidence, prompting us to take a look at some of the mechanisms that uphold government accountability.

This is a report by Keith Kam and Lyn Mak.

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Britain’s relationship with the European Union has always been difficult, consistently dividing British politics since it joined the EU in 1973. On June 23, Britons decide if the UK leaves or stays in the EU. The referendum is crucial for both the EU and the UK. On one hand, a Brexit could cost the EU one of its richest economies and biggest budget contributors. On the other, it could launch Britain into an uncertain future, since its economy and legal system are so entwined in Europe. The Remain campaign insists Britain is safer and stronger working with Europe; the Leave campaign wants to take back British sovereignty in financial and legal decisions.

We explore the "Vote Leave" argument's validity, and discuss what the world can expect, should Britain choose to leave the EU.

This is a report by Wang Junmey.

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Barisan Nasional saw landslide wins in both the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections. Ibrahim Suffian, director of the independent pollster Merdeka Center, shares his main takeaways from the results and examines the issues which affected voter sentiment, including reports of a Chinese voter swing back to BN and a lack of "The Mahathir Effect".

This report is by Sharyl Kaur.

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The Sungai Besar parliamentary constituency has come into the national spotlight after its MP Noriah Kasnon died in a helicopter crash in Sarawak. Noriah, given the title “Tan Sri” posthumously, was also Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities. Her untimely death triggered the by-election, which has become a 3-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional, PAS, and Parti Amanah Negara. BN hopes to retain the seat, as they won by a razor-thin margin during GE13, with only a 399-vote majority, narrowly beating PAS. The Islamist party is also hopeful of winning, despite a spilt in the party, which created Parti Amanah Negara. Amanah represents the new Federal opposition coalition, Pakatan Harapan in the by-election. Today, we look at campaign strategies, and voter sentiment ahead of polls that open tomorrow at 8am. 

This is a report by Aisyah Tajuddin.

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Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was suspended in May pending a Senate trial, with Vice President Michel Temer stepping in as Acting President until the Senate issues a ruling. Public opinion appears to be divided amongst the populace, with protests for and against the government taking place in Brazil’s largest cities.

But how does the impeachment process work? Today on Current Affairs, we look into impeachment as one of the mechanisms to uphold government accountability.

This is a report by Lyn Mak.

For a more in-depth analysis on the process, listen to this podcast: Brazil -  A Crisis Explained 

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Three years ago, the International Labour Organization proposed to eliminate the worst forms of child labour by this year. However despite a decline in the numbers of children in the workforce, child labour continues to exist in all stages of the supply chain, across various sectors.

In conjunction with World Day Against Child Labour, we explore the state of child labour today in the Asia Pacific Region, and the risks of exploitation of stateless children. We also delve into this year’s theme, which is child labour in the global supply chains.

This report is by Wan Irdina. 

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The National Security Council Act 2016 passed into law on Tuesday, without receiving royal assent. For the first time, an Act was gazetted without royal assent using Article 66(4A) of the Federal Constitution. This provision in the law allows a Bill that does not receive the King’s express formal endorsement, to automatically become law after 30 days. Today we look at the concerns regarding the National Security Council, returning to the 80s Constitutional crisis and the post-May 13th National Operations Council as reference points. We also ask if it is true that what the then Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad tried and failed to do decades ago, the current PM has achieved. And following these concerns can the Act be challenged in court as unconstitutional.

“In Fraudem Legis” is a latin expression meaning “in circumvention of the Rule of Law”.

This report is by Sharaad Kuttan.

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Starting June 1st, households that do not separate their recyclables from their domestic waste may face compound fines, or even prosecution. This is part of a source-separation initiative to encourage recycling, first implemented last September by the Ministry of Urban Well-being, Housing, and Local Government. Today, we dispel some of the confusion surrounding the initiative, and learn how to separate our waste.

This is a report by Keith Kam and Lyn Mak.

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The rise of paedophilia and other sex offences recently have put in the spotlight predatory behaviour both on and offline. Today we look at how the lack of proper regulation is one source of the challenge. We also explore ways to combat online sexual predators.

This report is by Wan Irdina.

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At the recently concluded Shangri-la Dialogue - also referred to as Asia Security Summit - calls were made for China to abide by international law. These calls were made ahead of the Philippines' case at the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration, where China presented a Note Verbale stating that “it does not accept the arbitration initiated by the Philippines.” Additionally, on Sunday, the US Secretary of State shared concerns in Mongolia, that China might try to set up an Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), saying such a move will be considered a "provocative and destabilizing act”. Today, we look at the state of play, and the reasons behind tensions in the region.

This report is by Sharaad Kuttan.

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