Current Affairs

In the aftermath of the devastating floods in the East Coast, discussion has centered on why it happened with such ferocity this time around and if the response by government – both State and Federal – as well as other stake-holders was adequate. As relief efforts continue, we take a look at flood mitigation policies, enforcement, Federal-State relations, resettlement and new models to deal with non-linear developments in the environment.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Misplaced Democracy: Malaysian Politics and People” is a new collection of essays on our contemporary politics. Its editor is a French scholar who has worked on the network of local NGOs whose collective identity goes by the name Pekida, which have come to function as a political auxillary group to the mainstream political party UMNO. We explore the volume and her work.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In April 2010, 14 year-old Aminulrasyid was shot dead by policeman, Corporal Jenain Subi in Section 11, Shah Alam under the pretext that he was a criminal. The policeman was initially charged under Section 304 in the Sessions Court in May 2010 but was later acquitted by the High Court and this decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal. To seek justice, the family has filed for a civil suit against the police and the government. We speak to one of the family's lawyer to get a perspective on the case.

Melanie Abraham contributed to this report.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Sinar Harian publisher Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub suggested a unity government of PAS and UMNO in the east coast state of Kelantan, he set off a storm that hasn’t abated. Criticisms ranged from bad intentions (“niat buruk”) to being naive. He says his intentions have been misconstrued and politicized. Today we explore the politics of the state from Hudud to post-flood reconstruction.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at 5 stories that we think will shape Malaysia in profound ways in 2015. In the run up to the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax starting April this year comes with the spectre of decreased oil prices and a sharp drop in oil revenues. It will certainly hit our pockets but will it hit Barisan Nasional’s political fortunes too? We look at the Election Commission and re-delineation exercise: Will it affect electoral dynamics and will it lead to a more representative legislature? Also central to the direction of the country for decades to come is the attempt to expand of the Syariah Court system and an expected private members Bill that will usher in Hudud in Kelantan. And finally we take a look at Malaysia on a regional stage with its Chair of ASEAN.

Annabelle Lee contributed to this report.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before ushering in 2015, we take a look at some of the major events this year that were expected to be concluded before the end of 2014. This year's 'unfinished business' include finding MH370, determining who shot down MH17, Lee Chong Wei's doping hearing, the verdict of the Sodomy II trial, and the murder mystery of Estonian freelance model Regina Soosalu.

Annabelle Lee contributed to this report. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AirAsia Indonesia Flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore lost contact with Indonesian air traffic control 42 minutes after departure at 5.35am Indonesian time. It was due to arrive at Changi International Airport at 8.30am.

There were 155 passengers on board, consisting of 138 adults, 16 children and one infant.Also on board were two pilots, four cabin crew and one technical staff.

There are 149 Indonesians on board, including one Malaysian. We look not only at the facts but the framing of this latest aviation tragedy.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether a ‘strategic development company’ or a Sovereign Wealth Fund, 1MDB has found itself under intense and often unflattering scrutiny this year. Back by government but with little transparent oversight of its dealings, 1MBD spent a good part of the year putting out public relations fires. Will 2015 and a planned IPO finally silence critics? We explore.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2014 was not kind to the national carrier Malaysian Airline System. But it was not just the disappearance and downing of MH370 and MH17 respectively, which resulted in 537 lives lost, but also its commercial troubles. Questions have been asked of the management of the two events as well as the long-term management of the airline in a year that has not been happy for the industry. We also ask some of the steps that MAS needs to take to bring the end of the tunnel in view in 2015.

Annabelle Lee contributed to this report. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the 2013 prison breakout from Abu Ghraib came the leadership of a political movement that has grabbed territory, economic resources and headlines. Interest in the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria rose sharply with news that Malaysians were not only fighting for the group but had died in suicide bombings. Recovering from an early faux pas, the Prime Minister has joined much of the international community in condemning the brutality of the conflict. Domestic responses include a White Paper tabled in Parliament and a proposed new anti-terrorism law. Will we be able to balance the needs of national security against the rights of individuals and civil liberties?

Annabelle Lee contributed to this report. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.