Live & Learn

Poetry has been around for thousands of years in various forms and languages. Poetry can be found in every culture and continent, and has the power to resonate with people and effect change. What is it that makes poetry a form of expression that speaks to people, while also intimidating others? To commemorate World Poetry Day (21st March), we speak to poet educator Sheena Baharudin to talk about all things poetry.

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The short documentary, “Di Sebalik Runcit'' explores the uncertain future of our local kedai runcit or “mom-and-pop” sundry shops, which have been serving neighbourhoods for decades, and dot the Malaysian landscape. But can they compete with bigger, flashier chain stores and hypermarkets, which continue to pop up all over the country? Did the Transformasi Kedai Runcit (TUKAR) program that was introduced to help such small businesses to improve, help in any way? In this week's episode of our ongoing Stay Home & Watch weekly series, done in collaboration with the Freedom Film Network, we look back at this 2015 film with Arrivu Jacob, the director of the film.

Image credit: Freedom Film Network

The Johor state elections took place last week, in which Barisan Nasional came out the victor, with a 2/3 majority. The most alarming statistic of the Johor elections, though, is the voter turnout at 54%. So, why did 45% of the adult population in Johor decide not to participate? Qyira Yusri of UNDI18 joins us to discuss the low voter turnout, postal voting, youth participation and more.

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The opposition, Pakatan Harapan, faced another thumping defeat, this time at the Johor state elections. Not only that, some experts have pointed to opposition’s inability to mobilise a lot of their base or Johoreans in general to go out and vote, due to various reasons. There’s also the feeling that opposition appears slightly detached from the ground, unable to fight for what the people want. What do we do about this?

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The Malayan Songbook is a collection of pre-independence Malayan music scores, offering its readers a window  into the golden age of Malayan music. Featuring music scores by composers such as P. Ramlee, Ahmad Jaafar, Ahmad Wan Yet and Yusof B, the songbook took 5 years of research, audio restoration, music transcription and arrangement, and is finally being published this year. Here to share more about the songbook as well as insights into the music from that era, is composer and pianist Ganesh Bala who is also the author of the Malayan Songbook.

Image credit: OUCH Music Academy

Bengoh, also known as "The Village above the Clouds" in Sarawak, was renowned for its beauty and scenic views atop a hill. But then came the construction of a mega dam in the area, which left only flooded homes and drowned memories for the villagers who have lived there for generations. "Unlocking Bengoh" is a 2016 film which presents the true cost of relocation that three indigenous families had to endure, in the name of this development. This week in our ongoing Stay Home and Watch series, done in collaboration with the Freedom Film Network, we speak to the director of Unlocking Bengoh, Nova Goh.

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A few years ago, Chen YihWen began working on a feature documentary film, that has since been released on TV. However, what many do not know is that the director of that documentary, YihWen, had to endure sexual harassment, bullying, and misogyny throughout its production. 

YihWen recently made a new documentary short, titled The Boys Club, which has been nominated for the Busan International Short Film Festival. The Boys Club is a story of what she had to go through throughout the production of the feature-length documentary. 

YihWen joins us on the show today to discuss the film.

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It’s been slightly more than a year since Myanmar’s military launched a coup against the nation’s democratically-elected political party and leader. The economy has collapsed and protestors fight on, despite facing violence from the military. Will Myanmar successfully restore democracy?

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If you were asked to name a women’s rights organisation in Malaysia, I’m sure many of you could name one or more off the top of your head. Women’s rights organisations have long played a vital role both in the community as well as in pushing for legislative changes to better recognise and protect women’s rights. But just how important is the role of women’s rights organisations and what are the gaps that they fill? Joining today’s discussion this International Women’s Day are Rozana Isa, Executive Director of Sisters in Islam and Angie Garet, Vice Preisdent of Sarawak Women for Women Society.

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Described as a “hip-hopping documentary on ear-squats, plus allegations of corruption, abuse and poor crime prevention,” the 2006 film Kopi O Khau Sikit Kurang Manis, asked whether we can restore police integrity and service to truly royal standards. What were the issues facing PDRM then, and has much changed in the 16 years since the film was made? In this week’s episode of our ongoing Stay Home and Watch series, done in collaboration with the Freedom Film Network, we explore this and more, with the film's writer and director, Andrew Sia. Andrew will also discuss why there have been so many roadblocks in  implementing an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) in Malaysia, and whether the police can police the police.

Image credit: Cinemata