Tue May 07 2024
Consider This: Sugar Consumption (Part 2) - Can A National Sugar Reduction Plan Work?
Last year the Health Ministry launched a Sugar Reduction Advocacy Campaign in a bid to encourage Malaysians to reduce their sugar intake. In delving into the efficacy of such initiatives, a key question must first be considered: What factors truly shape dietary behaviours at a population level? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Geeta Appannah, President of the Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity and lecturer at the Department of Nutrition at UPM’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
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.
Consider This: Tenancy Law (Part 2) — Legislating Against Racial Discrimination?
Malaysia's rental market has often been criticised for lacking proper regulation, relying instead on tenancy agreements and contract law. Could a Residential Tenancy Act bring about fairer practices in the rental market? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to social policy & human rights consultant Simraatraj Kaur Dhillon.
Consider This: Tenancy Law (Part 1) — Does Msia need a Residential Tenancy Act?
Malaysia's rental market has often been criticised for lacking proper regulation, relying instead on tenancy agreements and contract law. Could a Residential Tenancy Act bring about fairer practices in the rental market? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Suraya Ismail, Director of Research at Khazanah Research Institute, where she focuses on Housing, Cities and Urbanisation.
Consider This: Tree-Care Policies (Part 2) — Help Trees Thrive In Concrete Jungles
Recent incidents of falling trees that killed a motorist and damaged vehicles and property, have highlighted the pressing need for better tree management policies in urban areas. Following these incidents, DBKL has since been instructed to closely monitor and maintain the shade trees in the capital city, and as a short-term measure, to cut down the trees that have already been identified as at risk of falling. Knowing the benefits of having trees in our cities, how can we create conditions that allow them to thrive despite the hostile environment they have to grow in? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Mohd Zailani Jamil, President of the Malaysia Society of Arboriculture.
Consider This: Tree-Care Policies (Part 1) — Trees as Assets: Valuing Our Urban Canopy
Recent incidents of falling trees that killed a motorist and damaged vehicles and property, have highlighted the pressing need for better tree management policies in urban areas. Following these incidents, DBKL has since been instructed to closely monitor and maintain the shade trees in the capital city, and as a short-term measure, to cut down the trees that have already been identified as at risk of falling. Knowing the benefits of having trees in our cities, how can we create conditions that allow them to thrive despite the hostile environment they have to grow in? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Koh Cha-Ly, Founder and CEO of Urbanmetry, a data company which uses proprietary algorithms to analyse big data from cities. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Commission for Nature Positive Cities.
Consider This: Teachers’ Day (Part 2) - Celebrating Malaysia’s Outstanding Educators
To commemorate National Teachers’ Day on May 16th, #ConsiderThis aims to shine a light on the very heartbeat of the education system — teachers — honouring and celebrating those who go above and beyond for the students under their care. In this episode, Melisa Idris speaks to Muhammad Nazmi Rosli, Senior Assistant of Student Affairs at Sekolah Kebangsaan Long Sebangan in Lawas, Sarawak. He is the Winner of the Malaysia Teacher Prize 2023.
Consider This: Teachers’ Day (Part 1) - The Impact of the Malaysia Teacher Prize
To commemorate National Teachers’ Day on May 16th, #ConsiderThis aims to shine a light on the very heartbeat of the education system — teachers — honouring and celebrating those who go above and beyond for the students under their care. In this episode, Melisa Idris speaks to Constance Yuen, CEO of Pemimpin GSL, an organisation focused on strengthening leadership in schools, and the organiser of the Malaysia Teacher Prize.
Consider This: Youth in Debt (Part 1) — The Price of Financial Illiteracy on Youth?
The Credit Counseling and Management Agency (Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit, AKPK) recently reported that 65% of the total number of the agency’s clients as of March were those aged between 28 and 30. That’s some 53,000 youths seeking AKPK's services to restructure their debts, worth nearly RM1.9 billion in total. What are the implications of this staggering statistic, and what systemic factors are contributing to the financial struggles faced by young Malaysians today? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Clare Walker, CEO of the Financial Industry Collective Outreach (FINCO) a non-profit organisation set up by the financial industry to deliver educational initiatives to underprivileged children and youth.
Consider This: Youth in Debt (Part 2)— 53,000 Youths Seeking Help To Manage Debt
The Credit Counseling and Management Agency (Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit, AKPK) recently reported that 65% of the total number of the agency’s clients as of March were those aged between 28 and 30. That’s some 53,000 youths seeking AKPK's services to restructure their debts, worth nearly RM1.9 billion in total. What are the implications of this staggering statistic, and what systemic factors are contributing to the financial struggles faced by young Malaysians today? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Nirmala Supramaniam, Head of the Household Financial Education Department at AKPK, an agency under Bank Negara which helps individuals with the responsible use of credit.
Consider This: AI in Academia — Authentic Learning in AI Era
While some universities eagerly embrace the promises of AI, others remain apprehensive— grappling with concerns over academic integrity and the erosion of traditional pedagogical methods. How do we ensure true learning takes place in the age of AI? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, Chairman of the Vice Chancellors’ Council for Private Universities & Provost and CEO of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, as well as Dr Malissa Maria Mahmud, Dean of Sunway University’s School of Education and Head of the Department of Professional and Continuing Education.
Consider This: WST 2040 (Part 2) — Can Water Sector Meet the Ambitious Goals?
In an age where water scarcity looms large, there is a national plan to transform the water sector in the next one and a half decades. The Water Sector Transformation 2040 charts a course towards a future where water is hopefully not just a public utility, but a dynamic and vibrant economic sector. Where are we currently, in the journey to transform our water sector? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to S. Piarapakaran, President of the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia and CEO of the Centre for Water and Energy Sustainability.
Consider This: WST 2040 (Part 1) — 20-Year Transformation Plan for Water Sector
In an age where water scarcity looms large, there is a national plan to transform the water sector in the next one and a half decades. The Water Sector Transformation 2040 charts a course towards a future where water is hopefully not just a public utility, but a dynamic and vibrant economic sector. Where are we currently, in the journey to transform our water sector? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Salmah Zakaria, Fellow with the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. ASM was commissioned by the Economic Unit to conduct the Water Sector Transformation study and developed the national roadmap. Dr Salmah was the chairperson of the committee.
Bullying in Schools (Part 2) — Fed Court Ruling on Duty of Care to Students
A recent landmark Federal Court decision has underscored the legal duty on schools and the education system to prevent bullying. This comes amid critical questions as to the effectiveness of existing anti-bullying campaigns and our collective responsibility to protect our children from harm. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to lawyer Muhammad Akram Abdul Aziz.
Bullying in Schools (Part 1) — Collective Responsibility to Tackle Bullying
A recent landmark Federal Court decision has underscored the legal duty on schools and the education system to prevent bullying. This comes amid critical questions as to the effectiveness of existing anti-bullying campaigns and our collective responsibility to protect our children from harm. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Mohamad Naqiuddin Dahamat Azam, Senior Lecturer at UPM’s Faculty of Human Ecology.
Consider This: War on Gaza — Healthcare, Code Red
A new report has just been released by the international medical humanitarian organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) titled ‘Gaza’s Silent Killings’. The report documents the destruction of the healthcare system and the thousands of individuals who have died as a result of entirely preventable circumstances or from their critical healthcare being disrupted due to the conflict. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Mercè Rocaspana Moncayo, Health Advisor to the Emergency Unit for Doctors Without Borders.