Live & Learn

Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) has said that it welcomes the asset declarations from members of the government via a public portal hosted by the MACC, but notes that several deputy ministers were missing from the list. Transparency International Malaysia also notes that even those that have declared their assets, did not provide a detailed breakdown of their income. 

But why is it important for politicians, particularly ministers to declare their assets in the first place and what are the long term solutions to the problem? Dr Muhammad Mohan, President of Transparency International Malaysia, joins us to share his thoughts.

Image source: Transparency International - Malaysia

Organised by Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR), a group of youths gathered at Dataran Merdeka on the 17th of July to protest the Perikatan Nasional government’s poor handling of the COVID-19 crisis. 14 black flags were raised and waved, five mock dead bodies wrapped in white cloth were laid on the ground and many even wore mock PPE suits, in a small protest that left a powerful impression. 

Following the protest, the police called up, investigated and issued RM 2000 compounds to 3 organisers. One of whom, Mohammad Alshatri (Mat), Programme Officer at Suaram, joins us to share what went down at the protest.

Image source: Tharma Pillai Twitter

We're still staying home to stay healthy and safe, and the folks behind the FreedomFilmFest are still releasing a specially curated Freedom film playlist every weekend - dubbed ‘Weekend Watch with FreedomFilmFest' - on their YouTube channel. This so that we can all revisit the many thought-provoking films that have been released throughout the years through this amazing human rights film festival. Today, we revisit the film titled: “No Silver Lining: The Perak Crisis” which looks back at the events of the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis, when the Pakatan Rakyat-led Perak government collapsed after the defection of three assembly persons. Joining us to discuss this are the film's directors, Seira Sacha Abu Bakar and Sherrie Razak Dali.

Image source: Freedom Film Network

The international organisation World Vision is helping more than 100 million people through its various development, humanitarian and emergency relief programmes. They are dedicated to working with children and families to overcome extreme poverty and injustice through their various programmes, and continue to do so during this pandemic. We catch up with World Vision Malaysia CEO Daniel Boey, about how the organisation is weathering this pandemic, and how they are working on innovative programmes including the "Chosen" programme, where a child chooses their sponsor, instead of the other way around.

The New Economic Policy was implemented 50 years ago, in July 1971. The NEP is a social reconstruction and affirmative action program that was crafted following the May 13 1969 racial riots. But did the NEP accomplish what it set out to do? Why has it left such a sour taste in the mouth of many Malaysians? And what should we keep in mind when crafting an economic policy for the future? Joining us to discuss are Lee Hwok-Aun of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and Iskandar Fareez of REFSA.

Image source: Shutterstock

Being a kid isn’t always as carefree as we think, especially during the pandemic. Since March 2020 when the first MCO was announced, children in Malaysia have spent as much time in schools as they have at home. In about a year and a half, they’ve dealt with multiple school closures and reopening, while also not being able to see their friends, or even go to the park for some outdoor play. So how is all of this affecting kids, and more importantly, are they also burning out like the adults are? Clinical psychologist Lavender Tan and Managing Editor of Makchic Kimberly Lee join us to share more.

Image source: Shutterstock

You might have heard of this phrase since last year -- “a pandemic within a pandemic.” As we all know, the Covid-19 pandemic isn’t just a health crisis, but indirectly contributes to a whole host of other issues, including the rise of domestic violence and abuse. The first MCO saw a sharp surge in domestic violence against women. One year later and Malaysia is still under various stages of lockdown and NGOs have continued to ring the alarm bells, highlighting intensified domestic abuse. Shazana Agha, Head of Research at WAO, joins us to share suggestions on how the government can attempt to handle the problem. 

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If you are a survivor of domestic violence or know of anyone who needs help, you can call Talian Kasih at 15999, the WAO Hotline at 03 3000 8858 (24 hours) or SMS/WhatsApp TINA at +6018 988 8058 (24 hours).

Image source: Shutterstock

We're still staying home as much as we can to stay safe, and we're also continuing our coverage on films that were previously released under the FreedomFilmFest, which have been bringing socially relevant, human rights films to Malaysians since 2003. The Freedom Film Network are releasing specially curated Freedom film playlists - dubbed ‘Weekend Watch with FreedomFilmFest' - on their YouTube channel every weekend, and this time round, they are re-releasing the film Boh Lang Chai (Forgotten) in conjunction with George Town UNESCO World Heritage Day, which was just celebrated on the 7th of July. We find out more about the film which looks at the history and current situation of the clan jetties in Penang, from the film's director, Ong Boon Keong.

Image source: Flickr

Speaking truth to power involves personal, political and social complexities, and often speaking up about injustice means taking a risk for yourself. We speak to two activists who are speaking truth to power in their own ways and facing the risks that come with it -- Anna Har, the co-founder & executive director of the Freedom Film Network and the festival director of the Freedom Film Festival, and also Sharon Wah, the co-founder of the youth-led collective, MISI Solidariti, to find out more about the work they do, how they are supporting freedom of expression and the values contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in Malaysia, in their own ways.

Image source: Shutterstock 

Phases 2 and 3 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme are now underway. In this ongoing series, older adults who have gotten their jabs share their stories, to allay fears and concerns about getting the vaccination. This episode features Dominic Joseph, from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Image source: JKJAV