Wed Mar 20 2024
Consider This: Social Media (Part 1) — US TikTok Bill Highlights Regulation Issues
The US House of Representatives recently approved legislation meant to force Chinese company ByteDance to divest its US operations within six months or face a nationwide ban. While the Malaysian Government says it has no plans to create a specific law to regulate social media platforms, the discourse surrounding the US’ proposed TikTok ban has had many questioning whether there is a need for better regulation of social media in Malaysia. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Farlina Said, fellow in the Foreign Policy and Security Studies programme at the think tank ISIS Malaysia.
Consider This: Bajau Laut (Part 2) — Statelessness & Displacement of Sea Nomads
More than 500 people from the Bajau Laut community in Semporna, Sabah, were evicted by the authorities last week, and their stilt houses demolished, some even burned. The plight of the Bajau Laut has since dominated national attention after several video recordings of the incident were uploaded to social media with the hashtag #PandangKeSabah. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Vilashini Somiah, an anthropologist at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in Universiti Malaya, and Wong Kueng Hui, director of the independent youth group Mandiri Borneo.
Consider This: Bajau Laut (Part 1) — Homes Demolished in Controversial Eviction
More than 500 people from the Bajau Laut community in Semporna, Sabah, were evicted by the authorities last week, and their stilt houses demolished, some even burned. The plight of the Bajau Laut has since dominated national attention after several video recordings of the incident were uploaded to social media with the hashtag #PandangKeSabah. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Mukmin Nantang, founder of the Sabah-based NGO Borneo Komrad, who first uploaded the now viral videos. For almost a decade, Borneo Komrad has been running Sekolah-Sekolah Alternatif, which provides free education for stateless, undocumented, and under-served children in Sabah.
Consider This: Malaysian Palm Oil (Part 1) — Impact of New EU Rules on Smallholders
The Malaysian palm oil sector, which is the second-largest producer globally after Indonesia, is facing mounting challenges, particularly from the European Union's incoming Deforestation Regulation. This regulation aims to halt the sale of any products linked to deforestation in its markets. Despite efforts to promote sustainability through certification schemes like MSPO and RSPO, questions remain: Can certification alone redeem palm oil's tarnished reputation? And how might the EU’s new regulation impact smallholders, who produce about 40% of the total output of palm oil in Malaysia? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Serina Rahman, Lecturer at the Department of Southeast Asian Studies at National University of Singapore, where her research interests include political ecology through the lens of environmental anthropology and ethnography.
Consider This: Malaysian Palm Oil (Part 2) — Navigating EU's Deforestation Regulation
The Malaysian palm oil sector, which is the second-largest producer globally after Indonesia, is facing mounting challenges, particularly from the European Union's incoming Deforestation Regulation. This regulation aims to halt the sale of any products linked to deforestation in its markets. Despite efforts to promote sustainability through certification schemes like MSPO and RSPO, questions remain: Can certification alone redeem palm oil's tarnished reputation? And how might the EU’s new regulation impact smallholders, who produce about 40% of the total output of palm oil in Malaysia? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Khor Yu Leng, Senior Economist at Segi Enam Advisors & Associate Director for Sustainability at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.
Consider This: Population Trends (Part 2) — Living in an 8 Billion World
In November 2022, the world’s population surpassed 8 billion people—we’ve added a billion people in just 12 years and expected to add another 2 billion persons in the next 30 years. Crossing this milestone raises important questions concerning the impact of human activities on the planet and its ability to sustain life for humans and other species. What are the implications of 8 billion people on planetary health and sustainability? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to John Wilmoth, Director of the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, which leads the monitoring of global demographic indicators. John Wilmoth was a speaker at the International Social Wellbeing Conference 2024, organised by EPF.
Consider This: Population Trends (Part 1) — Living in an 8 Billion World
In November 2022, the world’s population surpassed 8 billion people—we’ve added a billion people in just 12 years and expected to add another 2 billion persons in the next 30 years. Crossing this milestone raises important questions concerning the impact of human activities on the planet and its ability to sustain life for humans and other species. What are the implications of 8 billion people on planetary health and sustainability? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to John Wilmoth, Director of the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, which leads the monitoring of global demographic indicators. John Wilmoth was a speaker at the International Social Wellbeing Conference 2024, organised by EPF.
Consider This: Political Economy (Part 2) — Robert Reich on America's “Rigged System”
In his latest book ‘The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It’, Robert Reich argues that power and wealth in the US are concentrated within the same group of wealthy individuals and corporations who hold much power over the economy. Are there parallels in other countries like Malaysia? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Robert Reich, Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. He is co-creator of the award-winning documentary film Inequality for All, and the co-founder of Inequality Media. He has served in three US administrations, including as Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration, for which Time Magazine named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century. Robert Reich was a speaker at the International Social Wellbeing Conference 2024, organised by EPF.
Consider This: Political Economy (Part 1) — Robert Reich on America's “Rigged System”
In his latest book ‘The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It’, Robert Reich argues that power and wealth in the US are concentrated within the same group of wealthy individuals and corporations who hold much power over the economy. Are there parallels in other countries like Malaysia? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Robert Reich, Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. He is co-creator of the award-winning documentary film Inequality for All, and the co-founder of Inequality Media. He has served in three US administrations, including as Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration, for which Time Magazine named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century. Robert Reich was a speaker at the International Social Wellbeing Conference 2024, organised by EPF.
Consider This: Is There a Crisis of Confidence in Human Rights?
Mr Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights was recently in Malaysia for an official 3-day mission during which he spoke to Melisa Idris on #ConsiderThis for an exclusive interview about the UN’s enduring fight for human rights despite growing conflict, distrust and polarisation globally.
Consider This: Mental Health (Part 2) — One Million Malaysians Battling Depression
According to the most recent National Health and Morbidity Survey, one million individuals aged 15 and above in Malaysia are suffering from depression, with half of them harbouring thoughts of self-harm or thinking they were “better off dead”. Equally concerning is that the data also reveals that mental health problems among children have more than doubled since 2019, now affecting one in six children. How can we translate this data into effective national policies that go beyond addressing awareness and stigma, to ensure robust institutional support and comprehensive care for mental health? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Farihin Ufiya, Director of the non-profit Mental Health Aid Association (Nyawa). It is a Strategic Partner to the Ministry of Health.
Consider This: Mental Health (Part 1) — Translating Data into Policy Pathways Forward
According to the most recent National Health and Morbidity Survey, one million individuals aged 15 and above in Malaysia are suffering from depression, with half of them harbouring thoughts of self-harm or thinking they were “better off dead”. Equally concerning is that the data also reveals that mental health problems among children have more than doubled since 2019, now affecting one in six children. How can we translate this data into effective national policies that go beyond addressing awareness and stigma, to ensure robust institutional support and comprehensive care for mental health? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Associate Professor Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin, Consultant Psychiatrist at Universiti Malaya.
Consider This: Parallel Pathway — What’s The Future of Specialist Training?
What should be the future of medical specialist training in Malaysia? How do we best address the specialist shortage while ensuring standardised quality of medical education? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Dayang Anita Abdul Aziz, Senior Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, and Dr Timothy Cheng, Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Duchess of Kent Sandakan Hospital in Sabah.
Consider This: Penang LRT (Part 2) — Should Trackless Trams Be On the Table?
Penang’s LRT system, The Mutiara Line, recently received Cabinet approval for construction to commence, expected to break ground in the fourth quarter of this year. However, not everyone is convinced that an LRT system is Penang’s best option. Some advocate for a trackless tram system, an Autonomous Rapid Transit, or ART. What would best serve Penang’s transportation needs? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Zairil Khir Johari, Penang State Government Exco Member for Infrastructure, Transport & Digital.
Consider This: Penang LRT (Part 1) - Autonomous Rapid Transit a Better Option?
Penang’s LRT system, The Mutiara Line, recently received Cabinet approval for construction to commence, expected to break ground in the fourth quarter of this year. However, not everyone is convinced that an LRT system is Penang’s best option. Some advocate for a trackless tram system, an Autonomous Rapid Transit, or ART. What would best serve Penang’s transportation needs? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Rosli Khan, Partner and Managing Director of the consultancy firm, MDS Traffic Planners & Consultants.
Consider This: Bersih Congress 2024 — Reviving Reform
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) will convene a national congress on Saturday 25th May, featuring civil society leaders, youth activists, and student groups, to deliberate on strategies to revitalise the reform agenda and agitate for real change. Can Bersih as a people’s movement still galvanise public pressure for democratic reforms? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, Bersih Chairperson, and Aira Azhari, Bersih Committee Member and Senior Manager of Advocacy & Events at IDEAS Malaysia.