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Local restaurants are urging their customers to order directly from them instead of through delivery services, to avoid the big cuts they take from their profits. We hear from two business owners to understand their relationship with delivery services and how customers can better support them.

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Earlier this month, Malaysia’s Drug Control Authority granted conditional registration of a new drug to treat hepatitis C. This move was hailed by many as another step towards eliminating hepatitis C, making treatment both more affordable and accessible in low- and middle-income countries like Malaysia. Why was this hailed as a new milestone and how long will it take before we achieve a hepatitis-free world? We find out from Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, National Head of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, and Jean-Michel Piedagnel, Director, Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) Southeast Asia.

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Setiu Wetlands is one of the largest natural wetlands in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and is the only wetland in Malaysia with nine – though some say ten - interconnected ecosystems such as beaches, mudflats, lagoons, estuaries, rivers, islands, coastal forests and mangrove forests. But recently, a local environmental NGO, Ecoswed Initiative, raised the alarm about licensed sand mining activities causing damage and destruction to the beach area, and also to the Setiu Wetlands State Park, which is located next to the coastal forest.  We find out what's happening over in Terengganu from Dr Jarina Mohd Jani, a researcher and lecturer from the Faculty of Science and Marine Environment at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, who will also share more about what this unique and amazing ecosystem has to offer.

Image source: Jabatan Pelancongan Negeri Terengganu 

Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is now underway. In this ongoing series, senior citizens who have gotten their jabs share their stories, to allay fears and concerns about getting the vaccination. This episode features veteran actor Fatimah Abu Bakar, 66, from Petaling Jaya.

The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG), which comprises of various NGOs, such as WAO, AWAM and Sisters in Islam, released a statement recently urging Parliament to reconvene immediately, so that the issue of the growing gender disparity in Malaysia, can be address and debated. As we all know, Parliament has not been in session since Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin declared a state of Emergency back in January. 

Joining us on the show today to discuss the issue, and share their thoughts on why Parliament should be allowed to reconvene ASAP, is Yu Ren Chung, Deputy Executive Director, Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) and Syirin Junisya, Programme Manager, All Women Action Society (AWAM).

Image source: Yu Ren Chung Facebook, Syirin Junisya Facebook 

A new study by TripAdvisor noted an uptick in travel trends and vacation plans in countries that have had a robust vaccination rollout. This is indicative that the tourism industry could bounce back, as expected, in a huge way as more countries begin to open their borders to fully vaccinated travellers.

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Business groups, especially ones representing SMEs, respond to the National Recovery Plan and whether or not they think it is effective enough to help the economy.

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While essential industries are allowed to operate, “non-essential” industries in the same supply chain that feed into them or from them are asking for the same leeway.

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According to the Malaysia Aerospace Industry Blueprint 2030, the Government aims to generate some RM55 billion and create more than 32,000 additional high-skilled jobs as there has been an increase in the maintenance, repair and overhaul business. We speak to Dato Nonee Ashirin Dato Mohd Radzi, the Chairman of Global Turbine Asia, an independent engine and maintenance, repair and overhaul service provider of military and civil engines in the Asia Pacific region to get more insight into the aviation industry, its future and her journey into this field.

It’s safe to say that the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of and adaptation to technology faster than ever before, and one piece of technology that has truly risen to stardom is the QR code. Edward Senju, regional CEO of Japanese business card management market, Sansan, discusses how the QR code gave the company a new life in the pandemic with the rise of virtual business cards.

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