Consider This: Climate Governance — Bhutan’s Green School Vision

A total of 572 children and teenagers have recently been rescued from alleged abuse, exploitation, and forced labour, following several raids to charity homes linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB). The case however raises broader concerns about Malaysia’s child welfare system that allowed these children to fall through the cracks. What kind of support do these rescued children need now, and how can we ensure that no other institutionalised children suffer the same fate? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid, Criminologist and Deputy Dean of Higher Degree at Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Law.

A total of 572 children and teenagers have recently been rescued from alleged abuse, exploitation, and forced labour, following several raids to charity homes linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB). The case however raises broader concerns about Malaysia’s child welfare system that allowed these children to fall through the cracks. What kind of support do these rescued children need now, and how can we ensure that no other institutionalised children suffer the same fate? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Datin Elya Lim Abdullah, a trustee at OrphanCare, which is a non-profit foundation that advocates for ending the institutionalisation of children.

The Persons With Disabilities (PWD) community is incredibly diverse, with different groups representing a wide range of needs—from mobility and sensory impairments, to learning and neurological disabilities, and more. How should disability-rights advocates navigate these varying interests to ensure that all voices are heard and that policies address the broad spectrum of challenges faced by the community? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Senator Isaiah Jacob, PWD representative in Dewan Negara.

In an effort to ensure sustainable political peace till the end of 2027, the Madani government has floated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Opposition. The proposed MoU offers Constituency Development Funds to Opposition MPs — on the condition that they refrain from engaging in race, religion, and royalty (3R) issues. Perikatan Nasional, however, has flatly rejected the terms, and the offer seems to have only led to more division rather than unity. Is inter-coalition cooperation for political stability still on the table? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Independent Analyst, Arinah Najwa Ahmad Said.

In an effort to ensure sustainable political peace till the end of 2027, the Madani government has floated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Opposition. The proposed MoU offers Constituency Development Funds to Opposition MPs — on the condition that they refrain from engaging in race, religion, and royalty (3R) issues. Perikatan Nasional, however, has flatly rejected the terms, and the offer seems to have only led to more division rather than unity. Is inter-coalition cooperation for political stability still on the table? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to political scientist Professor Wong Chin Huat, Deputy Head of Strategy for the Asia Headquarters of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network at Sunway University.

In an effort to ensure sustainable political peace till the end of 2027, the Madani government has floated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Opposition. The proposed MoU offers Constituency Development Funds to Opposition MPs — on the condition that they refrain from engaging in race, religion, and royalty (3R) issues. Perikatan Nasional, however, has flatly rejected the terms, and the offer seems to have only led to more division rather than unity. Is inter-coalition cooperation for political stability still on the table? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Aira Azhari, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the think tank, IDEAS Malaysia.

On this episode of #ConisderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Professor Thakur S Powdyel, who served as Minister of Education for the Royal Government of Bhutan from 2008 to 2013, overseeing the Green Schools programme, which was part of the implementation of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness model. He was in KL for the National Climate Governance Summit 2024, under his capacity as an International Advisory Panel Member.

Recently a delegation of Penan from Mulu travelled over 500 kilometres to submit a petition to the Sarawak government, calling for the designation of Magoh as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, where logging activities threaten the home to the last semi-nomadic Penan tribe. But will UNESCO status be enough to protect one of Malaysia's last untouched forests and the home of the Penan people, from further destruction? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Komeok Joe, Head of Keruan, which is a grassroots Penan civil society group.

Recently a delegation of Penan from the Upper Baram River Basin submitted a petition with over 500 signatures to the Sarawak government, urging an immediate halt to logging activities in the Baram Peace Park. What challenges do Indigenous communities face when it comes to protecting their lands and their way of life? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Celine Lim, Managing Director of SAVE Rivers, which is a grassroots NGO based in Sarawak that advocates for the rights of Indigenous communities, especially in relation to land rights and environmental protection.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently announced salary increases for civil servants, ranging from 7-15%. This move, while welcomed by many civil servants, raises expectations for improved public service delivery and other civil service reforms. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Professor Dr Roselina Ahmad Saufi, Professor at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan’s Graduate School of Entrepreneurship & Business.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently announced salary increases for civil servants, ranging from 7-15%. This move, while welcomed by many civil servants, raises expectations for improved public service delivery and other civil service reforms. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Lee Hwok Aun
Senior Fellow of the Regional Economic Studies Programme at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore and Co-coordinator of its Malaysia Studies Programme.

In recent months, Malaysia has witnessed an unsettling surge in cases of crime, violence, and abuse towards children. As reports of these crimes continue to rise, so do questions about how effectively our society is protecting its youngest members. Could we be doing more to prevent these tragic incidents, and what role should schools, families, and the law play in addressing this growing concern? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Farah Nini Dusuki, Children's Commissioner to SUHAKAM.

Malaysia’s destination islands are facing a growing challenge that can no longer be ignored— unsustainable waste management. It threatens not only the environment but also the health of local communities and the future of tourism in Malaysia. Will the tourism industry and local authorities step up to save Malaysia’s destination islands from this growing waste crisis, or are we already seeing irreversible damage? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Cher Chua-Lassalvy, Managing Director of Batu Batu Resort in Mersing, Johor, and President of the Tengah Island Conservation under the Tunku Abdul Jalil Conservation Centre.

Malaysia’s destination islands are facing a growing challenge that can no longer be ignored— unsustainable waste management. It threatens not only the environment but also the health of local communities and the future of tourism in Malaysia. Will the tourism industry and local authorities step up to save Malaysia’s destination islands from this growing waste crisis, or are we already seeing irreversible damage? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Adjunct Professor Anthony Wong, Managing Director at Frangipani Resort and Spa in Langkawi. He’s also a sustainability expert in wastewater, and a Technical Advisory Member of UNDP’s Council on Sustainable Tourism.

A study published last year showed the increasing prevalence of the ‘triple burden’ of child malnutrition in Malaysia—the coexistence of stunting, obesity and micronutrient deficiencies in children aged 6 months to 12 years. Are we acting fast enough to prevent this from becoming a generational health crisis? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to consultant paediatrician Dr Musa Nordin.