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For five months, Evelyn was stranded alone in Indonesia while her mother and sister, both Malaysian, took out their family savings to enrol her in university so that she could stay with them in Malaysia. Now that they are reunited, their relief may be short-lived - with Evelyn’s citizenship application still pending despite waiting for years, and their family funds running out.

Listen also to Rachel's story, where she shares her struggles of raising two boys with different nationalities.

This podcast was produced in collaboration with Freedom Film Network, and with support from Family Frontiers.

Image source: Jack Cohen, Unsplash

Eateries in Phase 2 states are now allowed to open for dine-ins; however, many owners aren't yet sure if they want to. We discuss this by first hearing from a restaurant owner in Penang about his experience. Then, we catch up with a doctor to find out what the best practices should be. Finally - how will Covid-19 change the future of food culture?

Image Source: harith irfan wahid, Unsplash

A vigilante app in the United States, called Citizen, is paying people to livestream crime scenes and emergencies. Dhanya Nair tells us more.

Image Source: Tobias Tullius, Unsplash

Jennifer Aniston has said that she’ll be there for you - as long as you’re vaccinated against Covid-19, essentially cutting ties with friends and acquaintances who won’t disclose their vaccination status. We speak about how a decision like this can impact our relationships and the decision to get vaccinated.

Image Source: Kathy Hutchkins, Shutterstock

In July 2019, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham tweeted: “We are currently underfunded, understaffed, underpaid, overworked, overstretched and with facilities overcrowded with patients.” That tweet has now taken on new urgency, in light of critical care facilities and public health services collapsing beneath the weight of the pandemic. How did we get here, and how do we ensure we continue to have a working public health system that can cope with existing health issues, COVID-19, and future health threats? Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy, joins us to explore the issues with Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, Professor in Health Economics, Hospital & Health Management, UKM Medical Centre.

Image source: Shutterstock 

The Registrar of Societies (more commonly known as ROS) has ruled that Umno’s decision to postpone its internal party elections by up to 18 months is invalid. Originally the party, particularly President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, had announced plans that the elections would only be held after the next general elections. But the ROS has ordered the party to set a new date for the Supreme Council elections, as soon as possible, preferably by the end of the year. Many, including Parti MUDA and Bersih 2.0 have cried foul, claiming that it seems like a politically motivated move. 

But what exactly is the role of the ROS and does it need to be reformed? Thomas Fann, Chairperson of Bersih 2.0, joins us to discuss.

Image source: Shutterstock, Jabatan Pendaftaran Pertubuhan Malaysia Facebook

F&B operators in Penang and Kelantan are allowed dine-ins now; but many are still wary of the rising COVID-19 case numbers, operators and consumers alike. The rush to dine-in may be slower than predicted.

Image Credit: Mousamjm | Shutterstock

With companies like Spotify, Twitter, and now LinkedIn allowing staff a more permanently flexible approach to work, could Malaysian companies possibly follow suit in allowing remote and hybrid work to become the norm post-pandemic?

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The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has urged the government to allow the resumption of all economic sector activities at once or face permanent closure of more businesses or worse, plunging into a potential economic recession.

Image Credit: Travelpixs | Shutterstock

Mella Jaarsma is an artist who comments on social and political issues within the Indonesian society. Her most well-known work are body-covering shelters made out of unexpected materials like frog skins and squirrels. Through her work, she has received international recognition, having been presented in international art events and galleries including and as well as in Malaysia with A+ Works Of Art. We speak to Mella Jarsma to find out more about her work.

Image Credit: Mella Jaarsma | Facebook