Current Affairs

Day twelve and the government’s press conference the night before was more subdued and less hostile compared with previous sessions. The media presence remain large, though it now seems that the search and rescue efforts will be a protracted affair. One notable difference was the appearance of Foreign Minister Anifah Aman to update the press corp on diplomatic efforts related to search efforts. We also speak to a journalist from China for an insight for a outsiders perspective on a solidly international affair.

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David Zakariaie, CEO and founder of Glassic, tells how his start-up Glassic is using Google glass to change the face of market research.

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We continue with our round-up of developments on the disappearance of MH370 as the ‘mystery’, as many are referring to it, enters day 11. The search and rescue effort now includes over 12% of the world’s nation, while it’s becoming clear that the press are playing catch-up, just as much as the authorities. Despite a dry press conference yesterday, the media continue to hope for moment on the story.

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After a week of denials and conflicting information from the government, the Prime Minister’s Press Conference on Saturday offered a large amount of real, tangible, and factual information. Without mentioning the word “hijack”, revelations were made of a deliberate act relating to the turning off of on-boards systems like transponders and ACARS. We speak to Jason Lim of BFM’s news desk for a round-up of the Weekend’s press conferences.

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Today is Day Seven of the massive search mission for the missing MH370 aircraft. Over 40 ships and 40 aircraft and 10 orbiting Chinese defense satellites have all yet to find any trace of the plane. And the longer it takes, the more difficult the task becomes. Especially when search and rescue efforts are in the vast spaces of the ocean.

To find out more about what an aviation incident investigation really entails, Melisa Idris speaks to William Waldock, a Professor in Safety Science, at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, where he teaches accident investigation.

He’s also the Director of the Robertson Aircraft Accident Investigation Laboratory.

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We speak to the main contenders, the two who represent the incumbent Pakatan Rakyat and the challenger Barisan Nasional. What's the message they will bring to the voters of Kajang? What do they consider the main issues for the constituency? And finally what is their campaign strategy?

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Why are experts stumped in the case of the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Systems flight MH370? Did any of the oft reported common factors in planes crashes – poor weather, pilot error or planes that are no air-worthy – play a part in the disappearance? Why did the plane suddenly lose contact and how much later did it fall of the radar? We speak to a veteran in the aviation industry to get a considered response to all these questions. Datuk Captain Nik Huzlan, formerly with Malaysian Airlines System, was Chief Pilot of Regional Operations and his last position was as Vice-President for Chartered Operations.

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Recently Chew Mei Fun of the MCA - Barisan Nasional’s candidate in the up-coming Kajang by-election - was reported as saying she didn’t mind the label ‘Longkang MP’. But what does this label actually refer to. We speak to an analysts with the political and social research section of Penang Institute, which recently held a seminar on the issue of law-making and our law-makers. It is part of a broader study on the practice of federalism in Malaysia.

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The charge that the 10-member ASEAN is sluggish, bureaucratic and not the dynamo that will enable the South-East Asian grouping to forge ahead is often made. We speak to Danny Lee, director of Community Affairs Development Directorate, Corporate and Community Affairs Department at the ASEAN Secretariat about the regional entity’s alleged ‘slowly, slowly’ mantra.

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Philippines President Benigno Aquino is here in Malaysia for a state visit on February 27 and 28, the first such visit by a Philippine president in a long time. Aquino's visit is creating some buzz in light of the successful conclusion of the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Dr Kamarulzaman Askandar, with the Southeast Asian Conflict Studies Network, and Research and Education for Peace at USM speaks to Melisa Idris on bilateral issues between our two countries and how we've managed to keep the peace despite having many areas of conflict.

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