Mon Jul 29 2024
Consider This: Push & Pull (Part 3): Of Opting for Chinese & International Schools
Bumiputra student enrolment in Chinese schools has increased by 58.5% over the last decade, while Bumi student enrolment in international schools has surged by nearly 50% in the past 5 years. This trend has meant that Malaysian students now comprise two-thirds of the international school student population. Why do parents seem to be opting out of national schools, and what are the broader implications of this shift? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Shahnaz Al-Sadat, Chairperson and Co-Founder of the educational social enterprise, LeapEd Services.
Consider This: Private Healthcare (Part 2) — What Will Copayments Mean for You?
Come September 1st, Bank Negara Malaysia will require all insurers and takaful operators to offer consumers an option to purchase medical and health insurance and takaful products with a copayment feature. What does it mean for the healthcare sector, and how will this affect patients? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to independent health policy analyst, Dr Chua Hong Teck.
Consider This: Private Healthcare (Part 1) — What Will Copayments Mean for You?
Come September 1st, Bank Negara Malaysia will require all insurers and takaful operators to offer consumers an option to purchase medical and health insurance and takaful products with a copayment feature. What does it mean for the healthcare sector, and how will this affect patients? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy.
Consider This: Visit Malaysia 2026 (Part 1) — What Do Tourists Want?
As we gear up for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, the country is setting its sights on attracting some 36 million tourists. But what do global tourists today really want and expect, and is Malaysia delivering on those expectations? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Gary Bowerman, Director of the travel consulting and research firm, Check-in Asia, and Co-Founder of High-Yield Tourism.
Consider This: Visit Malaysia 2026 (Part 2) — What Do Tourists Want?
As we gear up for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, the country is setting its sights on attracting some 36 million tourists. But what do global tourists today really want and expect, and is Malaysia delivering on those expectations? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Nigel Wong, President of the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA).
Consider This: The Malaysian Mind: From Post-colonial to Decolonial
Every year, we celebrate Merdeka, Malaya’s independence day, at the end of August, marking the start of what we now refer to as a post-colonial era. But is colonialism truly a thing of the past in Malaysia? How do colonial legacies continue to influence our collective consciousness, and what it means to break free from these mental shackles? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Professor Alberto Gomes, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. He is also the Global Director of DEEP Network, an academic collective that advocates for peace education.
Consider This: Trafficking in Persons — From Watch List to Progress
Malaysia has shown marked progress in the fight against human trafficking, having been recently upgraded to Tier 2 in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons report, from being on its Tier 2 Watch List last year. How can we ensure that momentum continues? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid, Criminologist and Deputy Dean (Higher Degree) at Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Law.
Consider This: Push & Pull (Part 3): Of Opting for Chinese & International Schools
Bumiputra student enrolment in Chinese schools has increased by 58.5% over the last decade, while Bumi student enrolment in international schools has surged by nearly 50% in the past 5 years. This trend has meant that Malaysian students now comprise two-thirds of the international school student population. Why do parents seem to be opting out of national schools, and what are the broader implications of this shift? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Shahnaz Al-Sadat, Chairperson and Co-Founder of the educational social enterprise, LeapEd Services.
Consider This: Push & Pull (Part 2): Of Opting for Chinese & International Schools
Bumiputra student enrolment in Chinese schools has increased by 58.5% over the last decade, while Bumi student enrolment in international schools has surged by nearly 50% in the past 5 years. This trend has meant that Malaysian students now comprise two-thirds of the international school student population. Why do parents seem to be opting out of national schools, and what are the broader implications of this shift? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to UCSI University’s Professor Dr Mohamad Tajuddin Mohamad Rasdi, formerly a Member of the Committee for Unity at the Ministry of Unity, under the first Pakatan Harapan administration.
Consider This: Push & Pull (Part 1): Of Opting for Chinese & International Schools
Bumiputra student enrolment in Chinese schools has increased by 58.5% over the last decade, while Bumi student enrolment in international schools has surged by nearly 50% in the past 5 years. This trend has meant that Malaysian students now comprise two-thirds of the international school student population. Why do parents seem to be opting out of national schools, and what are the broader implications of this shift? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Kua Kia Soong, former Principal of the New Era College, which was founded by the Malaysian Chinese education movement.
Consider This: Autism — Policies, Support Systems & Social Acceptance
Autism affects thousands of Malaysians, yet awareness and understanding of this condition remain limited. What challenges do people with autism face from childhood through adulthood, and what support systems are—and aren’t—in place? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Beatrice Leong, founder of the Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group (Aida) and Julian Wong, Chairperson of the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM).
Consider This: Carbon Capture & Storage (Part 2) — Visionary or Risky?
Recently, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli revealed plans to make Terengganu, Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak leaders in Carbon Capture and Utilisation Storage (CCUS), using old oil wells and terminal facilities for carbon storage. The announcement has sparked a heated debate — supporters see it as a necessary step towards reducing Malaysia’s carbon emissions, while critics argue CCUS enables greenwashing as producers can claim to be engaging in climate measures without reducing production. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Gary Theseira, Director and council member of Climate Governance Malaysia, which is the country chapter of the World Economic Forum's initiative on climate governance.
Consider This: Carbon Capture & Storage (Part 1) — Visionary or Risky?
Recently, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli revealed plans to make Terengganu, Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak leaders in Carbon Capture and Utilisation Storage (CCUS), using old oil wells and terminal facilities for carbon storage. The announcement has sparked a heated debate — supporters see it as a necessary step towards reducing Malaysia’s carbon emissions, while critics argue CCUS enables greenwashing as producers can claim to be engaging in climate measures without reducing production. On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Meena Raman, President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia.
Consider This: Animal Abuse (Part 1) — Legal & Social Solutions
Despite the Animal Welfare Act, cases of cruelty to animals persist— raising questions about the effectiveness of current laws and enforcement. What changes are necessary to plug the gaps in taking action against those who perpetrate cruelty to animals? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to independent animal rescuer Shima Aris.
Consider This: Animal Abuse (Part 2) — Legal & Social Solutions
Despite the Animal Welfare Act, cases of cruelty to animals persist— raising questions about the effectiveness of current laws and enforcement. What changes are necessary to plug the gaps in taking action against those who perpetrate cruelty to animals? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Christine Chin, Chairperson of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor.
Consider This: Animal Abuse (Part 3) — Legal & Social Solutions
Despite the Animal Welfare Act, cases of cruelty to animals persist— raising questions about the effectiveness of current laws and enforcement. What changes are necessary to plug the gaps in taking action against those who perpetrate cruelty to animals? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to animal rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan.