Live & Learn

Ho Yewweng and Gordon Lewis are long-time collaborators who have worked on several films together. They first formed Lewis and Ho Productions to make the film Secret Child: The Bridge in 2017, which was based on Gordon's bestselling book, Secret Child, and which went on to win many international awards. This led to even more film collaborations between the two including Mical, Dream of the Return and The Maverick, which cover various topics such as dealing with dyslexia and overcoming loneliness. We speak to both Yewweng and Gordon to find out more about their careers, collaborations and current projects, and why they want to make films that are impactful and which shine a light on lesser-discussed topics.

Bersih has released their Election Observations Report of the 6 state elections that took place in 2023. The report details various violations and misconduct that took place during the elections and also provides suggestions to make elections fairer and more accessible. We speak to Asraf Sharafi, Senior Manager, Bersih.

Image credit: Shutterstock Inc.

Earlier this month (February 2024), we heard of yet another tragic incident where a young child died after being left in the back of the car, following several other similar incidents late last year. Often described as forgotten baby syndrome, it’s every parents’ nightmare. So why does this happen and how can we collectively prevent it from happening? We find out from consultant paediatrician, Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS.  

Navigating the art world is tricky - being creative and producing art is one thing, but navigating the business side of being a successful artist requires one to also be an entrepreneur, marketer, accountant, sales expert, inventory manager, social media strategist, and so much more. It can be quite overwhelming. So that's where an artist coach comes in, bringing their expertise to the intersection of creativity and personal growth. We speak to Melor Mokhtar, an artist coach who helps artists achieve their career goals and guide them through their challenges, to discuss why she believes in unleashing the business potential within every artist, and how she goes about doing that. 

Image credit: Melor Mokhtar

“Burma, Three Years of Resistance” is a photo exhibition by David Verberckt, a Belgian photojournalist, and is currently ongoing at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH). The exhibition is co-organised by the Youth Wing of KLSCAH and Beyond Borders Malaysia. We speak to David Verberckt.

Image credit: David Verberckt

Female genital mutilation or cutting is a form of hidden gender-based violence against women that is unfortunately still practised here in Malaysia, as is in many other countries around the world. In conjunction with International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation which is observed annually on 6th February, we’re joined by Rozana Isa, executive director of Sisters in Islam, to dive into the controversies and challenges that advocates continue to face as they push for the practice to end.

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All eyes are on Johor this week, as HRH Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, the ruler of Johor, is set to be installed as Malaysia’s next Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. To commemorate, we speak to author Peggy Loh, who has written extensively about Johor through her "My Johor Stories" series, which include personal accounts of her own family life, but also stories of former and current personalities who have left their own mark in Johor. We take a walk down memory lane with Peggy, exploring Johor's vibrant history and culture, while also reflecting on its royal legacy, in relation to the Sultanate of Johor.

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Last week, Malaysia held its first trial under the anti-stalking law. Mohamad Safiq was on trial for stalking photographer Acacia Mardinana Daud for eight years. However, Safiq was acquitted and discharged by the court, as the court ruled that he was of unsound mind. It is important to note that Safiq was ordered to be held at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Perak at the pleasure of the Sultan of Selangor.

So, what does the court ruling mean? What is its potential impact on future stalking cases?

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On the 17th of January, the producer and director of locally-made film Mentega Terbang, Tan Meng Kheng and Khairi Anwar Jailani, were charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code for ‘hurting religious feelings’, a blasphemy provision. The charge carries a punishment of up to one year imprisonment or a fine or both. Mentega Terbang was banned by the Home Ministry back in September 2023 and taken down from the streaming platform Viu in March 2023, and the filmmakers have faced both online and offline threats since a social media campaign was launched against the film, and those involved in it. This latest move has several human rights groups, including the Freedom Film Network (FFF), urging the government to drop the criminal charges against the director and producer, and protect artists and artistic expression in Malaysia. We discuss this and more with the Freedom Film Network's co-founders, Brenda Danker and Anna Har.

Image Credit: Freedom Film Network

Traditional textiles can tell us a lot about the people and cultural traditions behind it, and one such textile is the Pua Kumbu, which is hand-woven and designed by Iban women. However, like many other traditional knowledge and skills, it is becoming a dying art as fewer of the younger generation of Iban women pick it up. Here to share more about the Pua Kumbu and what stories textiles can tell us is Dr Welyne Jeffrey Jehom, a senior lecturer at the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at Universiti Malaya. She’s also the founder of the Rumah Gareh Pua Kumbu Community Project, which involves Iban women coming from or living at Rumah Gareh in Kapit, Sarawak and helps them to develop the weaving of Pua Kumbu into a cottage industry. 

Image credit: Dr Welyne Jeffrey Jehom