Live & Learn

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has unveiled a nation unity blueprint for the next decade. But policy figures and leaders from academia are skeptical that the document will do much to realise a society where all races can thrive on a level playing field, both socially and economically. We deep dive into how Malaysia has navigated racial unity since Merdeka, and the fast evolving conversations around what it means to live in a multiracial Malaysia.

Image Source: Shutterstock

What does it mean to empower? For Ivan Avannus, empowering means to shed light—and preserve—the language of indigenous communities in Sabah, a desire that led him to found youth-led initiative, Komuhakan. Through translations, folk tales, and other mediums, Ivan draws inspiration from his Kadazandusun roots to ensure that important oral traditions from his home state live on, and thrive in modern Malaysia. We speak with him about these gems, and how he’s making them accessible to Malaysians from all walks of life.

Image source: Komuhakan Movement's Facebook Page

Recently, the government launched DidikTV, an educational channel for students in primary and secondary school to keep up with their syllabuses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This, in concept, is great. 

However, there was a video that went viral recently, in which a Science teacher was mocked for her English proficiency. But people were too busy complaining about a SCIENCE teacher’s English standard, that many missed the bigger issue. The teacher, while conducting her class on the human reproductive system started by saying, “A male and a female adult will need to get married before having a child.”

Now, is that statement problematic? 

Joining us on the show today to discuss the clip as well as sex education in Malaysia is Sivananthi Thanenthiran, Executive Director, The Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW).

Image source: Shutterstock

What If Malaysia is an 8 episode miniseries where we explore what Malaysia could look like with certain progressive ideas, concepts and policies. Prostitution in Malaysia is restricted in all states. Interestingly, many legal experts have argued that there’s no actual law in our Penal Code that explicitly states that prostitution is technically illegal (only acts connected with prostitution). One thing is certain though, prostitution isn’t legal nor regulated. On this episode of What if Malaysia, we ask the question what if Malaysia legalises sex work? Janarthani Arumugam joins us on the show to explore this through the lens of culture, economy and health.

Other episodes of the miniseries:

> What if Malaysia… Has a Woman Prime Minister #1

> What if Malaysia... Decriminalised All Drugs For Personal Use #2

> What if Malaysia... Has Freedom of Speech Like the US #3

> What if Malaysia… Legalises Abortion (On-Demand)? #4

> What if Malaysia… Abolishes the Death Penalty? #6

> What if Malaysia… Ratified the UN Refugee Convention? #7

> What if Malaysia… Has a Non-Malay Prime Minister #8

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons (SG ZA)

Horse trading, calls for snap elections, the most dramatic budget vote in our nation's history, a state of emergency—all against the backdrop of a global health and economic crisis. One year since Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn into office, the Perikatan Nasional government has had to tackle multiple public policy challenges with a weak parliamentary majority—a majority more MPs from both sides of the political divide are questioning. We look back at how the government has navigated these challenges, and how well it’s performed, with MPs from both Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.

Image source: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's Facebook page

Ever since the Undi 18 initiative picked up traction and was passed by Parliament, a lot of youth organisations and lawmakers have been making a greater push to engage young Malaysians in constructive dialogue around social issues, economic challenges, the political process—and much more. One such initiative is youths.my, founded by three form 5 students who sought to speak up on issues that matter to them—as well as ordinary Malaysians. We speak with two of them, Lim Yue Kin and Andrea Chow Yiing Jia, to find out what inspired them to embark on their project, and what they hope to achieve with their platform.

Image source: youths.my Facebook page

The project Roads To Our Heritage aims to tell the stories of Sabah and Sarawak’s  traditional music craftsmen, through the eyes of fellow musicians. A collaborative effort between musician Alena Murang, and renowned local bands Stonebay and Estranged, we find out more about their plans to preserve East Malaysian heritage and showcase the beautiful landscapes of these places from Alena Murang, Awangku Huzriuden Bin Pg Mahmuddin or Ojie from Stonebay, and Richael Lawrence Gimbang (Rich) from the band Estranged.

Image Source: Roads To Our Heritage

What If Malaysia is an 8 episode miniseries where we explore what Malaysia could look like with certain progressive ideas, concepts and policies. Abortion in Malaysia is technically legal, but only in cases when a medical practitioner deems that continuing the pregnancy poses a danger to the mother's life, physical health, and mental well-being. On this episode of What if Malaysia, we explore what Malaysia could look like if we legalise abortion (on-demand).

Other episodes of the miniseries:

> What if Malaysia… Has a Woman Prime Minister #1

> What if Malaysia... Decriminalised All Drugs For Personal Use #2

> What if Malaysia... Has Freedom of Speech Like the US #3

> What if Malaysia… Legalises Sex Work? #5

> What if Malaysia… Abolishes the Death Penalty? #6

> What if Malaysia… Ratified the UN Refugee Convention? #7

> What if Malaysia… Has a Non-Malay Prime Minister #8

Image source: Shutterstock

We’ve heard numerous accounts of the infamous Langkah Sheraton that spelled the end of the former Pakatan Harapan government. Some have called it a dark day for Malaysian democracy, while others saw it as inevitable - and a solution to the growing divide between former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and his successor, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. But how do youth leaders from both sides of the political divide look back on that day? What role did they play, especially if they had no legislative say? To answer these questions and more, we speak with Datuk Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, UMNO Youth Chief, and YB Howard Lee, Perak Assemblyperson for Pasir Pinji and DAP Youth Chief.

Image Source: Datuk Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki Facebook, howardlee.my

One morning, at the age of 19, Jeshurun Vincent woke up and discovered he had become partially deaf. With no warning of this happening, the young man was devastated, and fell into a deep depression. Drawing on support from those around him, Jeshurun managed to pick himself up and decided to become a musician, and a travelling one at that! He has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for having travelled to the most countries, having visited 102 nations in 69 months, performing music and sharing his story of hope and overcoming obstacles to all he met. He joins us to share his story.

Image Source: Jeshurun Vincent's Facebook