Mon Mar 18 2024
Consider This: Commonwealth Games (Part 1) - “Once-In-a-Lifetime Opportunity” for Msia?
Malaysia’s Olympic Council has received a formal invitation from the Commonwealth Games Federation to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. This after the Australian state of Victoria paid the equivalent of RM1.2 billion to pull out as hosts of the next Games, citing projected cost overruns. The CGF’s invitation to Malaysia comes with an offer of £100 million (RM600 million). No decision on the offer has been made yet, however the Government says it will scrutinise the details before making a final decision, but reactions from industry stakeholders have been mixed. Should Malaysia host the 2026 Commonwealth Games? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz, Former Director-General of the National Sports Council.
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.
Consider This: Sharenting’ (Part 3) — Teachers, Students & Social Media Content
Introduced in the Oxford English Dictionary in 2022 and now used widely, the term ‘Sharenting’, a portmanteau of ‘parenting’ and ‘sharing’, refers to the practice where caregivers share content of children under their care on social media. However, despite the likely positive intentions of the adults, the practice carries with it risks and concerns about children's privacy, informed consent, and the potential long-term consequences of having their lives publicly documented online from a young age. Do the risks outweigh the benefits of sharing? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Fouzi Singon, Secretary-General of the National Union of the Teaching Profession.
Consider This: Sharenting’ (Part 2) — Sharing Children's Lives Online: Pros & Cons
Introduced in the Oxford English Dictionary in 2022 and now used widely, the term ‘Sharenting’, a portmanteau of ‘parenting’ and ‘sharing’, refers to the practice where caregivers share content of children under their care on social media. However, despite the likely positive intentions of the adults, the practice carries with it risks and concerns about children's privacy, informed consent, and the potential long-term consequences of having their lives publicly documented online from a young age. Do the risks outweigh the benefits of sharing? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to
Lai Cheng Wong, co-founder of Media and Information Literacy for ASEAN Network.
Lai Cheng Wong, co-founder of Media and Information Literacy for ASEAN Network.
Consider This: Sharenting’ (Part 1) — When Children Are Social Media Content
Introduced in the Oxford English Dictionary in 2022 and now used widely, the term ‘Sharenting’, a portmanteau of ‘parenting’ and ‘sharing’, refers to the practice where caregivers share content of children under their care on social media. However, despite the likely positive intentions of the adults, the practice carries with it risks and concerns about children's privacy, informed consent, and the potential long-term consequences of having their lives publicly documented online from a young age. Do the risks outweigh the benefits of sharing? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Navin Stanislaus, Vice Chairman of Content Forum.
Consider This: Home Detention (Part 2) — Ensure Fairness in Prisoner Licensed Release
In a bid to address the persistent issue of prison overcrowding, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the Government has agreed in principle to implement the Licensed Release of Prisoners, which aims to grant home detention to specific categories of prisoners. While this move is lauded as a step towards prison reform, it has sparked concerns regarding potential favouritism towards privileged or influential individuals who have been convicted of crimes. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to lawyer and activist Chong Kar Yan.
Consider This: Home Detention (Part 1) — Shifting Towards Prisoner Release on License
In a bid to address the persistent issue of prison overcrowding, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the Government has agreed in principle to implement the Licensed Release of Prisoners, which aims to grant home detention to specific categories of prisoners. While this move is lauded as a step towards prison reform, it has sparked concerns regarding potential favouritism towards privileged or influential individuals who have been convicted of crimes. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Jerald Joseph, Chair of the advocacy group, CSO Platform for Reform. He was also a Suhakam commissioner from 2016 till 2022.
Consider This: Plastic Pollution (Part 2) — Mission to End Single-Use Plastic Culture
This year’s Earth Day aims to shine a spotlight on the plastic pollution crisis. Over 380 million tons of plastic are produced annually—50% of which is for single-use purposes, while only 16% of plastics and plastic packaging are actually recycled. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Hema Sulakshana Mahadevan, Public Engagement Campaigner for Greenpeace Malaysia.
Consider This: Plastic Pollution (Part 1) — Fighting to End Plastic Waste Colonialism
This year’s Earth Day aims to shine a spotlight on the plastic pollution crisis. Over 380 million tons of plastic are produced annually—50% of which is for single-use purposes, while only 16% of plastics and plastic packaging are actually recycled. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Wong Pui Yi, Research Consultant with The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center).