General

In this month's roundup of environmental news, we first discuss Penang's conflicting coastal conservation plans - on the one hand, they aim to gazette 428 ha of mangroves as forest reserves this year, but then, the state is also proposing to reclaim about 1800 hectares of land on its southern coast - a move widely criticised by conservationists. What gives? Next we will look at the news of a canine coronavirus, which has triggered unwarranted panic among Malaysians. The study on the matter suggested no human-to-human transmission, and couldn't tell if the virus caused disease. Instead of panicking over unsubstantiated concerns, we look at verified zoonotic threats that emerged from deforestation. Finally, it's World Environment Day in June, and the global theme is Ecosystem Restoration. Malaysia has launched its 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign. Why then the disconnect of continuing with deforestation plans, while planning to plant more trees? Joining us to discuss these issues are Wong Siew Lyn & Law Yao Hua, Co-Founders, Co-Editors and Writers, Macaranga.org.

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Reef Check Malaysia has learned of more plans for airport extensions on islands off the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia, this time on Pulau Redang. We find out about these proposed plans from Julian Hyde, the General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia, who will also share how developments such as these can negatively impact biodiversity in the area. Julian will also discuss whether such projects will actually benefit few, but have the potential to harm many.

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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 Amy Ishak, 63, from Petaling Jaya, who shares a refreshingly candid account of how her daughter convinced her to put her fears aside and opt-in for the first round of the AstraZeneca vaccination programme.

In this episode of Rise With The Best, Prof Dr Pradeep Nair, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer at Taylor’s University speaks to Christine Wong about Taylor’s University as a whole - their story in education, their modern approach to education and how their three-pronged approach to intelligence ultimately helps their students in the long run.

In situations like the Prasarana incident last week, what should be an organization's next steps?

With vaccination efforts ramping up, companies are looking for ways to aid senior citizens in their commute to vaccination centers (PPVs). One company, in collaboration with district officials, has started to offer free rides to people in need to-and-from vax centers within the Petaling district.

For the FMCO starting on the 1st of June, here is a list of all the rules and SOPs.

Much of life in the pandemic has felt like a rollercoaster ride, with huge ups and downs to deal with. However, as the world has had a year to contend with the ever-changing situation, a new issue has emerged; many are now suffering from a sense of ennui, otherwise known as listlessness or dissatisfaction. How can one combat ennui not just at the workplace, but in the new normal life in general? Sheila Singam, founder of Human Equation, discusses how she’s handled ennui over the past year and how you can identify and overcome it yourself.

In line with World Environment Day, we’re speaking to Sustainable Superheroes: causes or companies dedicated to upholding and promoting sustainable practices. In this episode, we speak with Clara Wan, founder of Graze Market, a surplus food market which aims to bridge the gap between food waste and hunger by offering fresh produce that would have been discarded, at a discounted price to the public.

Brought to you by Volvo Cars; Redefining freedom to move in a personal, sustainable, and safe way.

The BBC has come under fire for its 1995 Panorama interview with the late Princess Diana, after an independent inquiry by Lord Dyson found that journalist Martin Bashir used deceptive means to secure the interview. The scathing report comes at a time when future public funding for the BBC is being negotiated, amid allegations of perceived right-wing bias within the institution. We discuss the implications of the scandal and the media environment for the public broadcaster with Professeor Suzanne Franks of City, University of London.

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