Wed May 08 2024
Consider This: Urban Poverty - Precarity Persists, Post-Pandemic
Post-pandemic, KL's low-income households remain in a state of financial precarity, according to the recently released report ‘Living on the Edge’ by UNICEF. While there's been a recovery in incomes and unemployment, the escalating living costs and food prices leaves many households teetering on the edge, in which one in two children are forced to skip meals and have fewer than three meals daily. How can we prevent these families from slipping through the cracks amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Juanita Vasquez Escallon, Chief of Social Policy of UNICEF Malaysia, and Dr Muhammed Khalid, Lead Researcher of DM Analytics.
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.
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.