Live & Learn

In September 2020, two law students, Davina Devarajan and Arissa Jemaima Ikram Ismail, decided to start an initiative -- Women For Refugees -- to empower illiterate migrant and refugee women to integrate into local communities. Now, they have about 20 volunteers, providing weekly two-hour literacy classes in English and Malay, in a rundown two-story block that houses over 50 families. Women for Refugees isn’t the first group in the country to offer literacy courses for refugees in Malaysia, but what makes them unique is their decision to focus specifically on women. On this episode of Good Things, we catch up with the co-founders of Women For Refugees, Davina Devarajan and Arissa Jemaima.

Law & Behold returns - now as a monthly segment - still with the aim of improving constitutional literacy among Malaysians, done in collaboration with The Malaysian Bar and the University of Malaya's Faculty of Law. This month, Firdaus Husni, the Chief Human Rights Strategist at the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) joins us to discuss issues that dominated the news in April 2021, including Undi18 taking legal action against the government, a suit filed by the Malaysian Bar,  the Tamat Darurat Committee appealing to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to end the state of emergency before the 1st of August, and finally, the recent arrest of activists, and how this relates to freedom of expression in Malaysia

Image source: UNDI18's Twitter, TamatDarurat's Facebook, Fahmi Reza's Twitter 

Spearheaded by the NGO Malaysian Care, the YouTurn project aims to give chances and equal opportunities to prisoners and ex-prisoners, a group that's often marginalised. The project hopes to make an impact and inspire people from all levels of society to change their views, perspectives and actions towards this group. We find out more about this group's mission and goals from Sam Lim, the Manager of the Community Development Department at Malaysian Care, and also Samuel* and Ashraf*, two former inmates who are now volunteers with the YouTurn Project. We also hear the stories of Samuel, who served a prison sentence for 28 years before he was released after obtaining a pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Since his release, he has been helping the homeless, drug addicts and ex-prisoners. Then we learn about Ashraf, who served three years in juvenile prison and took his STPM while he was there, without a teacher. These days, when not working on his day-job, he is actively involved in prison-related programmes to bring awareness and inspire change whenever he can.

*names have been changed to protect their privacy

Image source: Shutterstock

On this episode of Good Things, we chat with two youth activists and advocates who started the movement to lower the voting age in Malaysia from 21 to 18, Qyira Yusri and Tharma Pillai, Co-Founders of Youth Advocacy group, UNDI 18. This week, both of them were chosen by Forbes for its  annual “30 Under 30 Asia” list. They were listed under the ‘Social Impact’ section for their efforts in promoting youth representation in politics as a social enterprise, as well as their highly lauded Parlimen Digital initiative. We talk to them about their journey, their inspirations and why we need to lower the voting age from 21-18 immediately.

Image source: UNDI18 Facebook 

The news that the iconic SMK Convent Bukit Nanas school's land lease had not been renewed by the Federal Territories Lands and Mines Department, was met with horror, dismay and disgust. Fondly known as CBN, the school has been around since 1899, and is one of the oldest schools in the country. It has served thousands of young minds, and has shaped a long list of distinguished alumni, who are serving Malaysia and the world in many different capacities. We find out more about CBN and the issues the school is facing from former students, Marina Yong, who is also the current President of the CBN Alumni Association, and Tengku Azian Shahriman, a former President of the alumni association.

Image source: CBN Alumni Association

Less than a year since she took office, we catch up with Malaysia’s first woman Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat. Dato’ Sri Azalina reflects on her time as speaker so far, walks us through a typical day in parliament pre-Emergency, and tells us how she’s continuing her work for the Dewan, as well as her own constituency, now that Parliament is out of session.

Latest reports show that at least 10% of Malaysian graduates have been getting a monthly income of between RM 10001 to RM 1500 since at least 2010. Yes, even graduates with Bachelor’s degrees. And if that doesn’t shock you, then perhaps this next stat will -- in 2020, a staggering 22% of fresh graduates with Bachelor’s degrees fell into this income bracket. 

Some may blame the COVID-19 pandemic, others, the recent political turbulence. But some experts have suggested that this is a systemic problem that has been going on for far too long. On this episode, Siti Aiyshah Tumin and Iskandar Fareez joins us to share their insights on the matter.

Image source: Unsplash

With the belief that every animal deserves "just one chance", the folks behind the Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue team have been giving second chances to many stray and abandoned animals, especially dogs. Founded in 2008 by Puspa Rani, this non-profit organisation has rescued, rehabiliated and rehomed hundreds of dogs, and continues to do so today. We find out more about what it takes to do the work they do from Puspa herself, who is the Founder of Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue.

Image source: Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue's Facebook Page

Things were looking rather stable at first, for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his newly formed Perikatan Nasional government, following the shocking events of Langkah Sheraton, late last year. However, as months passed, tensions started to build in the PN camp, as the coalition primarily composed of once-bitter enemies, UMNO, PAS and Bersatu, started shooting proverbial arrows at each other. 

So, how will things play out, as we continue to build towards the next General Elections? Will Perikatan Nasional remain intact? Or will the three go their separate ways? Political Commentator, James Chai, joins us on the show today to share his insights.

Image source: Muhyiddin Yassin Facebook Page, Zahid Hamidi Facebook Page, Dato' Seri Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang Facebook Page

9 months—that’s how long it took for lawyer Sitpah Selvaratnam and her team of legal experts to arrest Equanimity, the world’s most wanted superyacht that was bought by Malaysian tycoon Jho Low. Sitpah tells us her gripping experience in achieving the monumental task, against the backdrop of the 1MDB corruption scandal.

Image source: Shutterstock