Current Affairs

Organizers of yesterday's Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu, or 'Red Shirts' rally, claimed it was an expression of Malay pride and solidarity. But did it really represent the views of the Malay majority? We explore what the Red Shirts rally has achieved for the organizers, what the entire point of the rally was, and moving forward, how it may affect national politics.

This is a report by Jason Lim.

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Two years after Japan shut down all its nuclear power plants, they’re starting to come online again. Sendai on Kyushu Island was the first to do so in August. But many Japanese remain afraid that a disaster like the one in Fukushima in 2011 could happen again. The government insists that tough new safety protocols will work but the public might not reassured. Still the nuclear power energy sector has powerful economic and business incentives to revive its industry. 

This is a report by Lim Li Min.

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Singaporeans go to the polls today, in what is seen as a close contest between the ruling People’s Action Party government and several opposition parties. This comes as the Singapore Democratic Party, Workers Party and others have made inroads, by courting the youth, elderly, single mothers and by basing their campaigns on policy matters even as the PAP has sought to address grievances that led to losses at the last General Elections. Today, we explore some personalities from opposition parties who are challenging PAP dominance.

This report is by Jason Lim.

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Some 2.46 million Singaporeans will have the chance to vote in their nation’s 17th Parliamentary General Elections to be held tomorrow, September 11th. The polls are seen as the most competitive in recent times, with Opposition parties contesting for the first time in all 89 constituencies, against the ruling People's Action Party.We look at the key issues the PAP and opposition parties have addressed over the campaign period, the impact of young voters and the opposition’s strategy to challenge the PAP’s fifty year political dominance.

This is a report by Jason Lim.

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The 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference from the 2nd to the 4th of September concluded with pledges from 130 participating countries, to re-affirm their commitment to combat corruption as well as recognising the important role civil society plays in these efforts. Among issues of interest during this biennial gathering include battling impunity which appears to plague countries whose leaders have illegally and unjustly enriched themselves.We listen to key take-aways from Transparency International's Chairman, José Ugaz, its Vice-Chair Elena Panfilova and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Paul Low.

This is a report by Keith Kam.

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In 2010, Putrajaya proposed to build two nuclear power plants, to meet our long term energy needs. The plants were to be completed by 2012. However, there was a backlash from by many who believe we are not ready to handle such technology. Some NGOs also argue that we should approach our energy needs by focusing on energy efficiency instead. While advocates try to allay fears around safety by noting that international agencies would monitor the development of nuclear power production here. Today, we weigh the pros and cons of nuclear energy.

This is a report by Aisyah Tajuddin. 

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Just a few weeks ago Sarawak Chief Minister, Adenan Satem, revealed that the state could go to the polls as early as this November. We explore why the state government has decided to go to the polls almost half a year before its present mandate ends in June next year. We also look at the Adenan’s rising popularity as well as voting patterns in the state.

This is a report by Sharyl Kaur. 

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The fortunes of the Orang Asli or indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia has change over the six decades since Merdeka. While a tiny population in demographic terms, their historical contributions to the economy, culture and knowledge of the ecology Peninsular cannot be denied. But top-down development policies, pressures to exploit the resources of their environment and the push to assimilate have marginalised the community. Responding to these pressures, Orang Asli youth have in recent years produced their own cultural revival. In conjunction with upcoming Malaysia Day, we explore the issues of the community.

This is a report by Jason Lim. 

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Doctors have been crying foul over the recent death of an anaesthesiologist on her way home from on call duties, leading to rumours of legal action and a gag order by the Health Ministry. Today, we ask whether Malaysian doctors are really overworked, what are the contributing factors to the problem, and how it can be resolved. 

This is a report by Nadiah Abdul Aziz. 

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"We've had reforms as we moved along, the first rally, it brought in a two-party system. The second one, we had a parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms, and after Bersih 3, they allowed overseas Malaysians to vote,” noted Bersih chairperson Maria Chin. But what about the Bersih 4? Undoubtedly, the massive and peaceful rally was a major achievement in itself. Did it, however, have an effect on current political dynamics? Today, we learn more about the deep structure of our politics from this show of public dissatisfaction.

This is a report by Sharaad Kuttan. 

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