Transparency and the Benefits of Trust

In March, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission uncovered a syndicate that allegedly siphoned off 100 million ringgit from the Youth and Sports Ministry. In the wake of the discovery, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin highlighted procedural weaknesses, such as not obtaining higher leve…

Nigeria - Mopping Up the Mess

Last month, Nigeria’s auditor-general unearthed a disturbing discovery that over USD$16 billion was found missing from the accounts of Nigeria’s state-oil company, known as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.  The findings may seem staggering, but in Nigeria the news came hardly as a surpr…

Nigeria - Regional Democratic Dividends?

Nigeria’s Presidential elections which concluded on March 29th, are considered a milestone not only for that country but for the African continent as a whole. In a region where many governments and leaders have done their best to cling on to power, outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan’s graceful ac…

HIV AIDS - Dissecting the Data

Malaysia has seen a 35 percent drop in total HIV AIDS cases since the year 2000, with related deaths decreasing 42 percent since 2004. At the same time, heterosexual transmissions have overtaken transmissions via intravenous drug use - a worrying trend in the country. We explore the level of public…

HIV AIDS - Breaking barriers

Malaysia has seen a worrying trend emerge in the new cases of HIV AIDS infection, with heterosexual transmissions having overtaken intravenous drug use in the number of transmissions. On Current Affairs today, we continue the discussion, on the long-running lack of awareness in Malaysia, what issue…

When Does a Gift Become a Bribe?

Within corporate Malaysia, it is not uncommon for local businesses to treat high-ranking executives with fancy dinners and expensive corporate gifts. But where do you draw the line - before it turns to something more sinister and becomes a bribe? PriceWaterhouseCooper's (PwC) latest Global Economic…

State of Households 2 - Part 3

The State of Households 2 report recently released by Khazanah Research Institute came under intense scrutiny, with many parties disputing the collated data, accusing it of being doctored to suit the government's agenda. We continue the conversation on the lack of savings among Malaysians, househol…

State of Households 2 - Part 2

The State of Households 2 report recently released by Khazanah Research Institute has come under intense scrutiny, with many parties disputing the collated data, accusing it of being doctored to suit the government's agenda. We continue the conversation on the B40 lower income group, youth unemploy…

State of Households 2 - A Report Card

The State of Households 2 report recently released by Khazanah Research Institute has come under intense scrutiny, with many parties disputing the collated data, accusing it of being doctored to suit the government's agenda. Today on Current Affairs we have a frank discussion on whether these alleg…

Malaysia's Digital Dividends - Part 2

According to recently launched World Bank report, governments around the world have reacted differently to new technologies, the adoption of which can greatly fuel growth and development. Today we take a closer look at where Malaysia stands in this era of rapid digital expansion. This is a rep…