Morning Brief

Civil service remains the constant cog in the wheels of government bureaucracy, tasked with keeping services running regardless of political turmoil. But is the political upheaval of the past 4 years taking a toll on relations between political leaders and the civil service? Tricia Yeoh, CEO of IDEAS shares her thoughts with us. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Despite estimates of internet penetration in the country reaching 89% of the population, there are many pockets that still lack access to stable internet connection. In light of the various government initiatives to improve connectivity, from JENDELA to the MyDigital Blueprint, how much progress has been made on this front and what policy gaps need to be addressed to close the digital divide? Image credit: kalilipatvideoart/Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Peter McPhee, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Melbourne unpacks the first round of the French presidential election and how tight the run-off will be in the re-match between Macron and Le Pen. Image credit: EPA-EFE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Constitutional lawyer, New Sin Yew gives his perspective on whether the proposed amendment to Article 10 of the constitution relating to freedom of association will remedy the problem over politicians switching parties. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite estimates of internet penetration in the country reaching 89% of the population, there are many pockets that still lack access to stable internet connection. In light of the various government initiatives to improve connectivity, from JENDELA to the MyDigital Blueprint, how much progress has been made on this front and what policy gaps need to be addressed to close the digital divide? Image credit: kalilipatvideoart/Shutterstock.com

Professor Peter McPhee, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Melbourne unpacks the first round of the French presidential election and how tight the run-off will be in the re-match between Macron and Le Pen. Image credit: EPA-EFE

Constitutional lawyer, New Sin Yew gives his perspective on whether the proposed amendment to Article 10 of the constitution relating to freedom of association will remedy the problem over politicians switching parties. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

There are two remedies practised by governments to kill political frogs. There is the well known anti hopping bill, which would disqualify any MPs who switched parties or were sacked from their party. The second one would be to have recall elections, which gives the right to fire politicians back to the voters. Danesh Prakash Chacko, Director of Tindak Malaysia tells us which works best for parliamentary democracy and political stability in Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Friday, former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng was convicted for his role in the 1MDB financial scandal by a US federal jury. He is the second figure held guilty over 1MDB, following former Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib Razak's conviction by Malaysian courts in the SRC international trial. We get reactions to the verdict and updates on the multiple ongoing trials in Malaysia from criminal lawyer Goh Cia Yee. Image credit: KYTan/Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin last week announced the government’s plans to table a Drinking Water Quality Act to safeguard against health hazards due to unsafe drinking water. For reactions to the proposal and recommendations on what the law should cover, we speak to water quality specialist Dr. Zaki Zainuddin. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.