Evening Edition

With the loosening of restrictions now that more people have been vaccinated, shopping malls have seen an increase in foot traffic. We look at how this has been like for malls, and the measures they have taken to ensure safety. Image Source: Alexander Kovacs, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many of us, payphones have become a thing of the past. But now, there are calls from the public to maintain them, saying that they are still relevant. Shawn Tanis tells us more. Image Source: marissa lewis, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humanities courses around the world - literature, language, arts, history - have been struggling with funding and cuts, particularly because of the pandemic. We check in with a professor to see what the situation is at a local public university. Image Source: Elisa Calvet B., UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Seri Azalina Othman, Pengerang MP, has said that she will propose a Private Members’ Bill in the upcoming Parliament sitting to introduce recall elections, as a way to prevent party hopping. We look at how recall elections work, and how they would benefit the political landscape. Image Source: Keyur Nandaniya, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK is planning to introduce what they call a world-leading plastic packaging tax from April 2022. However, several campaigners are calling for disposable nappies to be exclued in their list of items as child poverty remains a prevalent issue. Shawn tells us more. Image Source: Nathan Dumlao, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Thai government is planning to distribute free self-test kits to the public, as part of its strategy to address a surge in Delta variant infections. Shawn Tanis tells us more. Image Source: Annie Spratt, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the Home Ministry's announcement of new entry requirements for the Malaysian My Second Home (MM2H) programme, various quarters including the Johor Ruler have voiced out criticisms, calling the changes drastic and that they would chase away foreign investors. We explore the economic implications of the new policies. Image Source: Who is Danny, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shot put Paralympian, Ziyad Zolkefli, was disqualified moments after winning a gold medal and breaking the world record twice in a row. We discuss the reasoning behind the disqualification and the outrage that followed. Image Source: Ziyad Zolkifli InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Sri Annuar Musa has been sworn in today as the new Communications and Multimedia Minister under PM Ismail Sabri's cabinet. We explore what can be expected of the Communications Ministry. Image Source: khairur rijal pauzi, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A viral post on LinkedIn was reported in the news after it exposed that candiates worldwide shared a similar experience: having to undergo numerous job interviews by a single company. Shawn Tanis gives us the details. Image Source: Marten Bjork, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 80 percent of the adult population in Klang has been fully vaccinated, and the PM has said that there’s a possibility that we will be moving on to Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan. We speak about whether or not this transition is coming at the right time. Image Source: RealKina, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government of Ethiopia wants to develop its own social media platforms, as it thinks that existing giants like Facebook and Twitter are filtering content posted on them. Dhanya Nair tells us more. Image Source: Ketut Subiyanto, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri announced the new cabinet, scheduled to be sworn in next Monday. We look at what we can glean about political alliances. Image Source: msyaraafiq, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, there were attacks at Kabul Airport, which saw two suicide bombers and gunmen attacking crowds of people attempting to leave the country. We look into the impact of this on the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, and the efforts to evacuate people. Image Source: john smith 2021, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a Malaysiakini article, commentators said that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's remark that he refused to work with "kleptocrats waiting to be freed by the courts" casts doubt on the integrity of the judicial system. We unpack this further and look at how the Attorney-General's role comes into play. Image Source: MUHAMMAD IZZAT TERMIZIE, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been reported that ice cream parlous in the UK saw a loss of about 300 million pounds as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions. However, several of these shops have taken creative steps in order to survive. Dhanya gives us the scoop. Image Source: Brooke Lark, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Opposition leaders Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guang Eng and Mat Sabu met with Prime Minister Tan Sri Ismail Sabri, emerging out of the meeting with handshakes and a press statement. We find out what this means for our country to gear up for a more cooperative government. Image Source: Anwar Ibrahim FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has set new entry requirements for the Malaysia My Second Home Programme, including a bump in monthly income requirement to RM40,000, and an increase in minimum fixed deposit to RM1m. Several groups have called these changes excessive - Dhanya Nair tells us more. Image Source: AR, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games kicked off yesterday, with 22 of our Paralympians scheduled to compete after a year's delay. We check in with our contingent on the journey of our national team in getting there, and how they are doing. Image Source: lev radin, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josil and Harry had planned meticulously to fly back to Malaysia from Bangkok for their daughter’s birth, so that she could get Malaysian citizenship. However, travel restrictions during the pandemic meant that Harry, as a foreign spouse, couldn’t enter the country. The couple look back at how they had to choose between letting Josil return to Malaysia alone to deliver their first child, and staying together as a family. This is part of a series highlighting the impact of our gender-biased laws for citizenship. Listen also to Myra and Kangwa’s story, where the couple share how their family is coping with their daughter’s non-citizenship status. This podcast was produced in collaboration with Freedom Film Network, and with support from Family Frontiers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several Chinese athletes are in the spotlight following their success at the recent Olympic games, and now some businesses are attempting to cash in on their performances by illegally using their names. Dhanya Nair gives us the details. Image Source: Andrea Piacquadio, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Seri Azalina Othman has resigned from her post as Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker, saying that this is to make way for a “reset” of the Dewan Rakyat. We look at the appointment process that will follow, and what possible reforms could take place. Image Source: S.O, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private GPs and clinics have been instructed that they are no longer part of the vaccination process, but there are criticisms around how this affects the ongoing delivery of the jabs. We speak with Rajiv Rishyakaran about how this decision impacts the vaccine rollout in his constituency, and why it's better to decentralise vaccination. Image Source: Mufid Majnun, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An article written by Colin Nicholas from the Center for Orang Asli Concerns highlights that the Orang Asli are experiencing spikes in Covid-19 cases and deaths. We speak with Kamal Solhaimi Fadzil about the ongoing challenges faced by the community, and what measures need to be prioritised. Image Source: Samsul Said, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schools have been closed since May this year, after being closed for most of last year. As we look to them reopening in October, we speak to Melissa Gomes what students have lost in the time that they haven’t been physically in schools and how she's addressing the issue through the Applied Leadership Programme. Image Source: Katerina Holmes, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After reading many heart-breaking stories of people who lost their loved ones to Covid-19 before they had a chance to be inoculated, local shop owner Raymond Shieh is creating handmade paper vaccines so that spirits in the afterlife can be part of the immunisation process too. Dhanya tells us more. Image Source: Karolina, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perikatan Nasional gave their support to the newly-appointed Dato Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for the next Prime Minister. However, they also said that there are conditions to that support, namely that the next Cabinet should not include MPs who are facing criminal charges. This has drawn some reactions on the validity of their support. Constitutional lawyer Nizam Bashir helps us unpack the dispute. Image Source: eskay lim, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A candlelight vigil held last night at Dataran Merdeka to commemorate the thousands who have died of Covid-19 was interrupted by the police with 31 people forcibly being taken to the station. We hear from one of the participants about her experience. We then speak to one of the lawyers involved to understand what our rights are in situations like this. Image Source: Jit LeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a week of waiting and political uncertainty, the Agong has named Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri as Malaysia's 9th Prime Minister. Political analyst Dr. Oh Ei Sun takes us through what to expect after this appointment. Image Source: msyaraafiq, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Google and Facebook announced plans for a 12,000-kilometre undersea cable named Apricot, which is set to connect Singapore, Japan, Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Indonesia. We consider why Malaysia isn't included in the plan, and what we could miss out on. Image Source: Siwakorn TH, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Agong has called for 114 MPs to be present at the Palace today to confirm their support, after they have reportedly signed SDs in support of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to become the next Prime Minister. We speak to Badrul Hisham Ismail to understand what this might entail. Image Source: msyaraafiq, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation, the country has been awash with political news daily, resulting in increasing anxiety and anger over the state affairs in Malaysia. We explore how this may affect mental health, and the best ways to navigate through it. Image Source: Elisa Ventur, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Myra and Kangwa are college sweethearts, and have been living in Malaysia since they met each other in university. However, it was by chance during a visit to Zambia that Myra wasn’t able to return to Malaysia to give birth to their first child - their daughter Mia. The couple share about how this has affected Myra’s ability to pass on her Malaysian nationality to their daughter, and how they’re raising their family despite the challenges brought on by Mia’s non-citizenship status. Listen also to Evelyn's story, where she shares her difficulty of staying in Malaysia with her family. This podcast was produced in collaboration with Freedom Film Network, and with support from Family Frontiers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore how the events around Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation are impacting, and will be impacted by, decisions made in Sabah and Sarawak. Image Source: AwgJo & tehvon, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun has asked MPs to sign statutory declarations (SDs) to indicate who they support to be the next prime minister. We get an understanding of this process and what might happen next. Image Source: structuresxx, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With no clear majority and no plans for GE15 anytime soon, where does this place the opposition? Lembah Pantai MP and PKR Communications Director Fahmi Fadzil weighs in. Image Source: Atfie SahidMY, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following Tan Sri Muhyiddin's resignation, names of different MPs are emerging and making headlines as possible successions. We examine in-depth who the potential candidates might be and what they can bring to the table. Image Source: YuriAbas, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at how Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation will reshape party politics and dynamics, and what developments to look out for next. Image Source: Ekahardiwito, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the country's political fluctuations, we explore how this might impact our economy, foreign inflow and markets. Image Source: Michael Förtsch, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin resigned today, making him the shortest ruling Prime Minister since he came to power in March last year. Ben Suffian gets us up to speed on these developments, and dissects Muhyiddin's farewell speech today. Image Source: NAUFAL ZAQUAN, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four people have been arrested over comments they made that allegedly insulted Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor on social media. We look at the circumstances of their arrests, and why it's important for citizens to be able to criticise public officials. Image Source: Kindel Media, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Taliban has captured Afghanistan's largest cities, following withdrawals of US and other foreign troops. We look at the signficance of the developments, and what this means for the United States' international standing. Image Source: Mohammad Rahmani, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel marketers in Florida are hoping to recover the state of local tourism by commissioning an original and scripted television series that would feature local attractions. Dhanya tells us more about this. Image Source: Esteban Benites, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar warned assemblymen that he won’t hesitate to dissolve the state assembly if they cannot work together. We look into the significance of this remark, and discuss the role of state assemblies in addressing the pandemic. Image Source: Trisnoandcompany, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While mainly used as a drug to treat parasites in animals, Ivermectin is now touted by many as a treatment for Covid-19, despite the lack of medical evidence to show it's effective. We look at why so many people view it as a silver bullet, even though it is still unapproved by the Ministry of Health. Image Source: James Yarema, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an effort to widen the social security net for housewives, a new Socso Housewife Social Safety Scheme will take effect starting next year. Dhanya Nair gives us the details. Image Source: Adismara Putri Pradiri, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A vigilante app in the United States, called Citizen, is paying people to livestream crime scenes and emergencies. Dhanya Nair tells us more. Image Source: Tobias Tullius, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Aniston has said that she’ll be there for you - as long as you’re vaccinated against Covid-19, essentially cutting ties with friends and acquaintances who won’t disclose their vaccination status. We speak about how a decision like this can impact our relationships and the decision to get vaccinated. Image Source: Kathy Hutchkins, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apple is launching a new safety feature on iOS 15, for iPhone and iPad, that uses a technology to scan for images of potential child sexual abuse material. We look into how effective this technology is, and the concerns surrounding user privacy. Image Source: Terje Sollie, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A buyer receiving a wrong item on the online shopping platform, Shopee, led to the discovery of an 11-year-old seller and his viral story on social media. Image Source: Tanya Gorelova, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.