Evening Edition

The Olympics Closing Ceremony yesterday marked the end of Tokyo Olympics 2020, and despite not reaching our initial three-medal goal, the past few weeks have been exciting for fans of our Malaysian athletes. We look back at what we did well, what we could have done better, and what to aim for in the next Olympics. Image Source: Ryunosuke Kikuno, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For five months, Evelyn was stranded alone in Indonesia while her mother and sister, both Malaysian, took out their family savings to enrol her in university so that she could stay with them in Malaysia. Now that they are reunited, their relief may be short-lived - with Evelyn’s citizenship application still pending despite waiting for years, and their family funds running out. Listen also to Rachel's story, where she shares her struggles of raising two boys with different nationalities. This podcast was produced in collaboration with Freedom Film Network, and with support from Family Frontiers. Image source: Jack Cohen, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A nature-based adventure theme park is in the works at Cameron Highlands, though it has received criticism with an online petition pushing for its termination. We discuss the environmental impact of a project like this. Image Source: Ravin Rau, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Nathaniel Tan shared on his Facebook page that he is going on a hunger strike, and will not eat until his demands for improved pandemic management are met. We check in on how he's doing, and talk about why he's choosing this form of protest. Image Source: Nathaniel TanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With calls for better pandemic management and hospitals voicing the need for more funds, we reflect on how this year's healthcare budget has fared so far. We also discuss what adjustments are needed for Budget 2022. Image Source: Lucas Blazek, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced today that a vote of confidence will be tabled in the next parliamentary sitting in September, following allegations that he has lost majority support. We expand on what this means and what developments to expect. Image Source: Samsul Said, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel is a single working mother with two young boys, one of whom is of British nationality, and the other Malaysian. Despite having tried for years to get Malaysian citizenship for her elder son, she’s not had success, due to our gender-biased laws that still make it difficult for women to pass on their nationality to their children. Here she shares a journal documenting the joys and challenges her family is going through, and her worries about the boys becoming separated in the future due to their different nationalities. This podcast was produced in collaboration with Freedom Film Network, and with support from Family Frontiers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel is a single working mother with two young boys, one of whom is of British nationality, and the other Malaysian. Despite having tried for years to get Malaysian citizenship for her elder son, she’s not had success, due to our gender-biased laws that still make it difficult for women to pass on their nationality to their children. Here she shares a journal documenting the joys and challenges her family is going through, and her worries about the boys becoming separated in the future due to their different nationalities. This podcast was produced in collaboration with Freedom Film Network, and with support from Family Frontiers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Immigration Department has shared updates on their repatriation programme which has so far seen 88,000 undocumented migrants being sent home. We hear from Dato' Sri M Ramachelvam for his thoughts on the programme. Image Source: Muhammad Faiz Zulkeflee, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This morning, 16 senators headed towards Parliament, joining in on calls for it to reopen so that Dewan Negara meetings can take place. We speak to one of the senators who were present to learn more. Image Source: Lens Hitam, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After an eventful week in Parliament which ended with the sitting being cut short, we do a retrospective with a parliamentary researcher, evaluating how the sessions went down. We also discuss the Prime Minister's announcement that the Emergency Ordinances will be debated in Parliament in September. Image Source: Uwe Aranas, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Construction clusters have been in the headlines for much of the pandemic, with the most recent being yesterday's largest Covid-19 cluster - a construction site with 428 positive cases. We get an understanding of why this is a recurring issue and the measures that are needed to alleviate it. Image Source: Grant Durr, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that Covid-19 self-test kits are widely available, we talk about whether companies should be providing them to employees regularly to ensure a safe work environment. Image Source: Mika Baumeister, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Pharmacists Society has lodged a complaint with the Health Ministry over a link in MySejahtera, that promotes Covid-19 self-test kits from one particular company and site, Pharma2U. We speak to a representative to understand why buying self-test kits online poses a risk and how it can be better distributed. *Correction: During the segment, we introduced Jack Shen Lim as Treasurer of the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society. This is erroneous and it should be Malaysian Pharmacists Society. Image Source: Ekahardiwito, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's Office released a response today to the King's statement on the revocation of the Emergency Ordinances, stating that the King must accept and act according to the Cabinet’s advice in accordance with Article 40 of the Federal Constitution. We speak to a lawyer to find out what implications this will have, and what developments to expect. Image Source: Abdul Razak Latif, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Dewan Rakyat Speaker snapped at and muted the mics of three women MPs, amid their requests for time extensions to deliberate in Parliament. We look into the long standing issues of sexism in Parliament, and why the phrase "tolong diam, boleh tak?", does equate to gender discrimination. Image Source: S.O, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An increasing amount of students have applied to study medicine in the UK, but due to the limit imposed by the country on the number of people studying medicine, Exeter University is offering an incentive for students to defer their studies. Dhanya explains the story behind this. Image Source: Dom Fou, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been hot lately - and various cities around the world are recording soaring temperatures. Researchers also anticipate that humanity will see more heatwaves in the coming decades. We explore how our built environment and lifestyles might need to adapt. Image Source: Jeremy Zero, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dewan Rakyat fell into disarray today, after the Palace's statement expressing the Agong's "severe disappointment" towards Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, who said on Monday that the Emergency Ordinances had been revoked. Other updates included the Finance Minister's briefing on the government's Covid-19 response. Image Source: Luciano Mortula, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simone Biles, considered the best gymnast of all time, withdrew from the women’s team final at the Tokyo Olympics yesterday, citing mental health as her reason. We discuss the pressure that athletes face, and the ramifications it has on their mental health. Image Source: Salty View, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The International Monetary Fund has released updated forecasts for the global economy, with revisions highlighting the disparity between wealthier nations and developing countries. Dhanya tells us more. Image Source: Josh Appel, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's highlight includes a briefing by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) Khairy Jamaluddin on the national vaccination programme, and the concerns raised by MPs including a shortage of basic supplies at vaccination centres, and the need to vaccinate all staff in the education ecosystem. We also look at the investigation of contract doctors, and the need to update our Covid-19 SOPs. Image Source: Mufid Majnun, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's highlights include a ruckus among MPs when the Speaker allowed Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan to explain the annulment of the Emergency Ordinances only on Monday, as well as pleas to support contract doctors who participated in yesterday's strike. Note: In the broadcast of this segment, we attributed one clip from Kapar MP, Dato Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid, to Kuala Selangor MP, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. We subsequently addressed that in a follow-up after the segment. Image Source: Markus Frieauff, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stepping up from the Internet we know today, developers are in the works to build the 'Metaverse', a richer online space for a more connected virtual world. We look at what that is, and its potential to be the new avenue of communication online. Image Source: Lucrezia Carnelos, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With nearly three-quarters of Sierra Leone's population struggling to access electricity, one local student has designed a device that harnesses the power of vibrations to help communities. Dhanya Nair gives us the details. Image Source: Tim King, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hartal Doktor Kontrak strike was held today, after their demands over the rights of contract doctors failed to be met by the government. We speak with a doctor involved in the protest about how things went, and the message they're hoping to send. Image Source: Diana Polekhina, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The much-awaited special Parliamentary sitting commenced today, with heated exchanges among MPs defining the day's proceedings. We go through the highlights which include arguments over how the sitting is conducted, and the surprise revoking of the Emergency Ordinances. Image Source: Laboo Studio, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Penang state government is launching the Wanita Jana Rezeki 2.0 program to help women from the B40 group earn an income and gain financial independence using their available skills. Dhanya Nair tells us more. Image Source: mentatdgt, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite not having met each other, a group of volunteers are banding together to prepare thousands of meals each week, which are then delivered to underprivileged groups. We speak with Siamy Tan to learn more about the initiative. If you’d like to get involved, you can find out more through Share Me Treats, Beyond Borders Malaysia and Pertubuhan Pembangunan HOPE Selangor. Image Source: Siamy Tan's Facebook PageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A video has gone viral on social media capturing a man who became verbally abusive after being told to wear a mask, the most recent report of a person refusing to follow SOPs. We speak to a psychologist about why this is a recurring problem and how we can address it in our capacity. Image Source: Leohoho, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the pandemic continues, post-SPM school leavers have added uncertainties to grapple with while furthering their studies this year. We break down some considerations to help students decide on their next steps. Image Source: Akshay Chauhan, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To help university students struggling with online learning due to the practical nature of their work during the Covid-19 pandemic, a senior designer is offering virtual design classes. Shawn Tanis tells us more. Image Source: Firmbee.com, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Muar MP and former Youth and Sports Minister was charged earlier today over alleged misappropriation of funds belonging to Bersatu. However, he claims that these charges are politically motivated. We discuss the political ramifications of this for both Syed Saddiq and his party, MUDA. Image Source: Lens Hitam, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said has proposed for Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun to attend the special Parliament sitting in order to take questions on the emergency ordinances. We discuss the rationale behind this call. Image Source: Lens Hitam, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said has proposed for Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun to attend the special Parliament sitting in order to take questions on the emergency ordinances. We discuss the rationale behind this call. Image Source: Lens Hitam, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In defiance of being overworked, employees in Taiwan are participating in a common practice called Ya Miao, where they clock in on time and not a minute early. Shawn Tanis gives us the details. Image Source: Ocean Ng, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multiple news outlets are exposing an Israeli hacking software which has been found to infiltrate phones of activists, lawyers, politicians, and journalists worldwide without their knowledge. We hear from an expert to learn more about the Pegasus spyware and what people can do to protect their privacy. Image Source: Enggal Mukti, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Various countries worldwide have been amping up initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, one of which being to discourage the use of cars. An environmental organization in Berlin is proposing the idea of offering households who do not own cars an incentive. Shawn of the news team tells us more. Image Source: Will Truettner, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that Dewan Rakyat speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun had no right to reject two motions put forth by Pejuang without first referring them to the Agong. We look at what the process actually is for putting forth motions in Parliament. Image Source: K X I T H V I S U A L S, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Ministry has announced that schools will be reopening gradually beggining September as vaccination rates pick up speed among teachers and support staff. What would that mean with our daily cases rising? We speak about what needs to be put in place for schools to open up safely. Image Source: PixabaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier today, the Court of Appeal overturned the Kuala Lumpur High Court's corruption conviction against Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who was accused of receiving for himself RM2 million from businessperson Tan Sri Chai Kin Kong, director at Aset Kayamas. We find out more about the significance this development, and discuss why this highlights the need for political funding reforms. Image Source: RODNAE, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police have been investigating healthcare workers involved in the Code Black and Black Monday campaigns, which set out to highlight the challenges faced by contract doctors in government service. We talk about why it's important for our medical personnel to be able to share their struggles and experiences, especially at this time of the pandemic. Image Source: Ashkan Forouzani, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pandemic has seen employees suffering from increasing levels of stress and burnout, which has led to companies around the world to implement pop-up holidays to help employees deal with stress. Dhanya from the news desk tells us more. Image Source: Marten Bjork, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A joint venture between a Swedish and UK company is looking into tackling the issue of students in Africa dropping out of schools altogether due to classroom shortages, by exploring the possibility of building schools using 3D printing. Dhanya Nair gives us the details. Image Source: Rebecca Campbell, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chemical Industries Council of Malaysia (CICM) has called on the government to let limestone quarries resume operations immediately to prevent putting our clean water supply at risk. We find out more about the role of the limestone industry in our water treatment process. Image Source: Gallery DS, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pandemic has brought to light many prevailing issues in our community including period poverty, where people lack access and resources to procure menstrual products. We speak to an organisation addressing this issue in Sarawak and a student who has started her own initiative to distribute feminine hygiene kits to people in her community. Image Source: Natracare, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of young people in Penang have stepped up to help local hawkers who are struggling with the loss of income during Covid, launching the Dabao Penang social media pages. Dhanya Nair tells us more. Image Source: Aiman Baser, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, photos of patients sleeping on camp beds outside the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital highlighted the severity of the overcapacity problem in our hospitals in handling Covid-19 cases. We speak with YB Charles Santiago about how his constituency is coping with the pandemic, and what needs to be done to support the healthcare system. Image Source: Tima Miroshnichenko, PexelsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of the deaths of two university students, both of which are believed to be linked to overwork, university students are calling for reduced workloads and more mental health support to be given in this challenging year. We hear from one of these student groups to get a glimpse of their experiences, and speak to a university professor to understand what is needed to be done. Image Source: Josefa nDiaz, UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#FreeBritney has returned to the fore, after the pop singer gave an emotional testimony in a bid to end her conservatorship and regain her life. We look at how conservatorships work, and how this applies in the Malaysian context. Image Source: Ringo Chiu, ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.