General

In its latest move to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has released the Hotspots Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE), listing out premises at risk of becoming viral clusters. Malls, F&B businesses and bazaars are among the highest in this list and are facing challenges as a result. First, we speak with the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association to hear what their experience has been. We then focus on how data can be used to combat the pandemic effectively.

Image Source: Marcin Kempa, Unsplash

Singapore's decision to extend the quarantine period in the country from 14 days to 21 days has caused an outcry from the Malaysian workers who have yet to return home since last year. Shawn tells us more.

Image Source: Goh Rhy Yan, Unsplash

Anthropologists say that smartphones have become the place where humans live, carrying our homes in the palm of our hands everywhere we go. Do these circumstances elevate human connection or are we slowly being led to feeling more alone than ever? We speak with Dr Chua Sook Ning to learn more.

Image Source: Kindel Media, Pexels

If you are above 60, or have an elderly parent, you’re probably familiar with going for annual health checkups. But when was the last annual vaccination? Vaccinations are not just for children, as there are many infectious diseases – apart from COVID-19 – that are dangerous to older adults. Consultant Geriatrician Prof Dr Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, and Consultant Respiratory Physician Dr Mohd Arif Mohd Zim, join us to tell us more about vaccine-preventable diseases among senior citizens. ‘Come Out Stronger. Protect them Better.’ Flu prevention is an Act of Love brought to you by Immunise4Life.

Listen to Part 1: Vaccines and Infectious Diseases: Learning From History.

GreenSteps is a community inspired initiative which aims to help communities evolve towards a low carbon society, with a focus on zero waste, healthy consumption, permaculture development and the rejuvenation of green and natural spaces. Greensteps was the first program under Urban-AX, a community inspired accelerator, which focuses on Low Carbon & Circular Economy Development. Azlan Yaacob, the Founder of Urban-AX, joins us to share how GreenSteps programs - such as the Towards Zero Waste and Coffee2Compst initiatives - are enabling communities in TTDI to easily reduce their carbon footprint through activities like composting, urban farming and more.

Image source: GreenSteps Facebook

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 Mdm Judy Liu, 83, from Kuching, Sarawak.

The Health Ministry will be submitting a recommendation to the National Security Council to prolong school breaks for the education sector.

The Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) has warned, the retail industry could witness a devastating decline amid reimplementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO).

These recurring MCOs have not been kind to local F&B businesses. With shifting SOPs and guidelines, restaurants and outlets have had to stay on their toes for nearly a year now. With MCO 3.0 and the announcement to close for dine-ins yet again, F&B players are pleading with the government to reconsider their stance as it could cause irreparable damage to their business.

Su-Yen Wong, founder of organisational reinvention solutions company, Bronze Phoenix, is dedicated to navigating leadership and organisational challenges from Western and Asian viewpoints seamlessly. She discusses the jobs of the future, how Asian leaders are seen on a global scale, and what Southeast Asian leaders’ approaches have been to the hot topic of company diversity.