General

The KL Performing Arts Centre (klpac) released a letter yesterday, calling for urgent attention from the government towards the arts industry. First, Ian Chow from klpac outlines their specific appeals and why they need to happen quickly. Then we hear from Mak Yong dancer Zamzuriah Zahari about how she’s been affected. And finally, Pauline Fan from PUSAKA explains how folk performers are impacted.

Image Source: Liza Pooor, Unsplash

A digital artist in Belgium has designed an AI tool that could detect when politicians are distracted in an effort to help them focus on issues raised during parliament sittings. Shawn Tanis tells us more.

Image Source: Marco Oriolesi, Unsplash

A new survey from Ipsos has found that the main cause of tension between Malaysians is political polarisation, a strained feeling transpiring when there is a difference in support for political parties. We explore these findings and how this tension affects our society.

Image Source: Jessica Da Rosa, Unsplash

Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne disease in the world. In 2019-2020, the number of reported cases and deaths reached record levels, not only in Malaysia but across Southeast Asia. We find out about Malaysia’s progress in curbing dengue, especially during this pandemic, from Prof Dr Lucy Lum, University of Malaya. We also speak to Prof Cameron Simmons, Director of the Institute of Vector-Borne Disease, Monash University, who is one of the lead researchers of a trial using the Wolbachia method to reduce the burden of dengue.

Image source: Shutterstock

Based in Kalumpang, Selangor, KL Pooch Resort & Rescue is like a holiday home for its furry residents. With a swimming pool, and large outdoor spaces for dogs to explore, KL Pooch offers boarding facilities for dogs, while also functioning as an animal shelter and rescuing dogs who have been abused, injured or abandoned. Shannon Lam and Natalie Ambrose from KL Pooch Resort and Rescue joins us to share more about the work that KL Pooch has been doing for the past 10 years, and how they’ve continued to care and help the dogs in their shelter during the pandemic.

Image source: KL Pooch Resort & Rescue

We're still staying home as much as we can to stay safe, and we're also continuing our coverage on films that were previously released under the FreedomFilmFest, which have been bringing socially relevant, human rights films to Malaysians since 2003. The Freedom Film Network are releasing specially curated Freedom film playlists - dubbed ‘Weekend Watch with FreedomFilmFest' - on their YouTube channel every weekend, and this time round, they are re-releasing the film Boh Lang Chai (Forgotten) in conjunction with George Town UNESCO World Heritage Day, which was just celebrated on the 7th of July. We find out more about the film which looks at the history and current situation of the clan jetties in Penang, from the film's director, Ong Boon Keong.

Image source: Flickr

As more people shop online due to lockdown restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic, waste from e-commerce packaging is also increasing. Environmentalists are urging the public to recycle carton boxes, mailer bags and bubble wraps.

Image Credit: MatthewGollop | Pixabay

The Human Resource Ministry has received over 5,000 complaints through the Working For Workers application on various labour issues, especially not allowing employees to work from home.

Image Credit: niekverlaan | Pixabay

Vegetable farmers at villages in the Cameron Highlands are seeing their crops going to waste because of their inability to harvest them during the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) period.

Image Credit: YuriAbas | Shutterstock

Chips designing chips, a self-determining excavator, team building soccer simulations and injectable spinal implants. Science is slick.