General

Highlights from today's Dewan Rakyat included discussions on the future of electric cars, the shift to an 'endemic' state in the country, and disciplinary actions toward civil servants who are vaccine hesitant.

Image Source: CHUTTERSNAP, Unsplash

Scientists have been working on growing mini, brain-like models in the lab, commonly known as brain organoids. But are they really growing brains in a petri dish? What is the purpose of such research? And, the age-old question of is it ethical to do so? Neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar is back for her monthly Brain Waves segment, and she is joined by developmental neurogeneticist Assoc Prof Dr Michael Ling King Hwa from Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Image credit: Andras Lakatos/University of Cambridge

Pristine white beaches, jungles, mangrove forests, mountains, charming fishing villages, amazing local delicacies - Perak's Pangkor Island has so much to offer for travellers looking for their next Cuti-Cuti Malaysia stop. As the saying goes, “tak kenal, maka tak cinta” so we find more about what Pangkor has to offer from YB Dato Nolee Ashilin binti Datuk Muhammed Radzi, the Perak State Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman, who gives us an insider's scoop on all things Pangkor. For more information, visit malaysia.travel.

 Human rights experts in Malaysia (and from around the world, as well) have joined the growing calls for Singapore to halt the execution of Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, a Malaysian convicted of drug smuggling more than 10 years ago. Nagaenthran is mentally disabled with an IQ of 69. 

The 33-year-old, who was sentenced to death in 2010 after being caught crossing the border the year before with 42.72 grams of diamorphine, was due to be hanged on Wednesday, but the punishment was put on hold after a last-ditch appeal filed by his lawyers and mounting public pressure. 

On today’s show, we explore why it is incredibly cruel and unjust to send drug mules to the gallows and also touch on why the death penalty needs to be abolished altogether.

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Being connected to the internet 24/7 with our phones also means we’re open to work emails, messages, and requests at all hours of the day. And since work creates a sense of urgency, it’s hard to not reply to these messages almost immediately. This, alongside the pandemic’s acceleration of digital adoption, has led to something called ‘text anxiety’... and it’s hampering productivity like never before.

Image Credit: Antonio Guillem | Shutterstock

AHPADA, the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association is an ASEAN accredited civil society organization. Over its 40-year history, it has worked to create an awareness of Southeast Asian craft products and its artisans, and to act as a regional forum for craft organizations and practitioners in ASEAN member states to address issues concerning the revitalization, promotion, and development of crafts. Elaine Chan, Secretary-General of AHPADA, talks about her involvement in this, what they do and their plans on taking it to a global stage.

Image Credit: Elaine Chan | https://www.facebook.com/elaine.chan.336333

In the age of fast fashion and rampant consumerism, customers are beginning to take a longer, harder look at how they can keep up with the latest trends while keeping sustainability in mind. Thryffy, a fashion consumer-to-consumer marketplace app, is dedicated to helping Malaysians make the shift to thrift. Co-founder Azril Harahap discusses their mission of popularising pre-loved product purchases, as well as their exciting plans for expansion.

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Western Digital Batu Kawan was recently inducted into the prestigious Global Lighthouse Network by the World Economic Forum. We speak to Vishy Ramaswamy, Vice President of Global Flash Back-End Operations at Western Digital, about what this recognition means for business, productivity, and talent development at Western Digital.

For more information, visit https://www.westerndigital.com

YB Dato Teng Chang Khim, Selangor State Executive Councillor for Industry and Trade, joins us to talk about the role of Selangor as an aviation hub in the region, how the state can benefit from tapping into the success of ASEAN, as well as Subang Skypark's role in catering to changing consumer behavior. For details: please register yourself now at www.selangoraviationshow.com.

As state borders are now open and many are taking a vacation after being stuck at home for months, hotels are struggling to cope with the surge of booking due to a shortage of workers. We speak to Yap Lip Seng, CEO of Malaysian Association of Hotels to find out what are the causes and solutions for this issue.

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