Live & Learn

International Day of Peace is observed annually on the 21st of September, and this year's theme was “End racism. Build peace.” The day was dedicated to promoting a new world free of racism and racial discrimination. Refugees living in Malaysia have long faced discrimination, been denied many fundamental human rights, and have had to contend with vicious amounts of xenophobia, simply for fleeing unsafe situations in their own countries and seeking refuge here. What should be done to fix this ongoing issue, and what are the right strategies for more inclusive policies focusing on the right to obtain decent work, healthcare services and formal education? This is the focus of an upcoming public dialogue by Bait Al Amanah in collaboration with Beyond Borders, and we find out more from Mahi Ramakrishnan, the founder of Beyond Borders and Simraatraj Kaur Dhillon, a Research & Advocacy Analyst at Bait Al Amanah. We also discuss recent news including the suggestion to shut down the United Nations High Commission for Refugees’ (UNHCR) office in Malaysia, the fact that as a member of the United Nations and a current member of the Human Rights Council from 2022 to 2024, Malaysia is expected to uphold human rights for all, and what is fuelling many Malaysians dislike and discontent with refugee communities in Malaysia.

Image credit: Shutterstock

It’s the 21st of September, which means it’s International Day of Peace, according to the UN. The 2022 theme for the International Day of Peace is “End racism. Build peace.” As stated on the UN website, “this means working towards a world free of racism and racial discrimination. A world where compassion and empathy overcome suspicion and hatred. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish.” In light of that, we discuss racism in Malaysia and what we can do about it, with Jason Wee of Architects of Diversity.

More than two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, many parts of society are still feeling the ripple effects of lockdowns, especially children. However, experts have highlighted time and time again that we have not done enough to ensure that our children are not left behind, whether it’s their education, health, or general well-being. With Budget 2023 set to be tabled soon, what does a budget that prioritises children look like? We find out from Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh, consultant paediatrician and advisor with the National Early Childhood Intervention Council. 

Image credit: Flickr / Commonwealth Secretariat

In conjunction with Malaysia Day, two majestic cultural traditions are being performed - Seni Reog of Johor and Manora of Kelantan - right here in Kuala Lumpur. Said to naturally complement each other, with many points of confluence and comparison, the performances are part of Malam PUSAKA di Ruang Kota, a series of cultural evenings in our capital city, featuring performances by masters of living traditions from throughout Malaysia, and organised by cultural organisation PUSAKA. We get a 101 on these cultural performances and traditions from Pauline Fan, the Creative Director of PUSAKA.

Image credit: Azizul Rahimee bin Wahab & Ahmad Fikry Anwar

Recently, MUDA announced that they’d like to work with Pakatan Harapan at GE15. Their announcement has been met with mixed reactions. While some welcome the decision saying that it’s the natural path for the party, others, especially supporters of PKR are rather sceptical of them. On this episode, we’re joined by Amira Aisya, Deputy President and Elections Director of MUDA to discuss MUDA’s GE15 plans, especially with regard to working with Pakatan Harapan. 

Image credit: Facebook / Parti MUDA

We are often asked this question very early in life: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” From astronauts to zoologists, we dream of becoming many things, but how many of us end up in a career we are truly passionate about? One lucky soul is Faisal Athar Mohd Fadzil, an XR Specialist at Taylor’s Virtual Online Future Technology and Extended Reality (VORTEX XR) Lab. How did a love for art and gaming lead him towards a career in Extended Reality (XR)? He joins us to share how and why he became an XR Specialist at the VORTEX XR Lab, which is part of Taylor's ongoing efforts to embed virtual, interactive, and immersive experiences in its teaching and learning. Faisal will also share how the learning centre identifies and defines teaching and learning needs through the creation of immersive educational content, and how they drive innovative XR research, ideas, and solutions as an XR Incubation Centre. 

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Recently, Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun, who’s the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, gave a speech discussing the sexual exploitation of children online. However, she received tremendous backlash from the public on social media because she conflated child pornography with children consuming porn, which are two completely separate issues altogether. We unpack with Karen Lai of the Women’s Centre for Change (WCC). 

Image credit: Shutterstock

Recently, while delivering her speech at a special UMNO briefing, Pengerang MP Azalina Othman said: "If the power to change the AG is in the hands of the prime minister, why didn't he (Ismail Sabri) change the AG when this is under his jurisdiction?” So, this begs the question – what is the role of the Attorney General (AG) and should they be political appointees? And what would a truly free and independent judiciary look like? Thomas Fann, chairperson of Bersih, helps us unpack discuss. 

Two refugee rights organisations - the Alliance of Chin Refugees and Beyond Borders - recently highlighted their concerns that the Immigration Department may be planning to deport 135 Myanmar nationals, a group which may include asylum seekers who would be in danger if they were to return to Myanmar. Mahi Ramakrishnan, President and Founder of Beyond Borders, joins us on the show today to discuss why deporting asylum seekers and refugees is problematic, and the obligations that Malaysia has towards this group of people. 

Image credit: Shutterstock / Tinnakorn Jorruang

The Indonesian Migrant Domestic Workers Association in Malaysia or PERTIMIG is an independent organisation fighting for the rights of migrant domestic workers, and advocates for decent work and welfare for the domestic workers in Malaysia. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many Indonesian domestic workers could not return home to their families. Together with other domestic workers from PERTIMIG, they find support and hope by learning to document their lives on their handphones. The short film Rasa dan Asa celebrates their solidarity and persistence to advocate for their rights, and we find out more from the film's co-directors, Okui Lala, who is also an artist and cultural worker, and Nasrikah, who is also an advisor with PERTIMIG. Also joining us is Umrohatun (aka Umi), a member of PERTIMIG, who was part of the cast and crew of Rasa & Asa. Both Nasrikah and Umi also share their experiences as domestic workers living in Malaysia, and recount some of the hardships faced by other migrant workers here, including being denied basic human rights and being ill-treated by their Malaysian employers. 

Image credit: Freedom Film