Pig-tailed macaques have a bad reputation as crop raiders, widely regarded as a pest in agricultural crops, including oil palm. But a new study shows they only cause only relatively minor losses in palm oil yield, and more importantly, they actively search for rats, a major oil palm pest. So are macaques acting as a biological pest control in oil palm plantations fringing their forest habitat? We speak to Dr Nadine Ruppert, a senior lecturer and zoologist at the School of Biological Sciences in Universiti Sains Malaysia, and the corresponding author for this study.

Pig-tailed macaques have a bad reputation as crop raiders, widely regarded as a pest in agricultural crops, including oil palm. But a new study shows they only cause only relatively minor losses in palm oil yield, and more importantly, they actively search for rats, a major oil palm pest. So are macaques acting as a biological pest control in oil palm plantations fringing their forest habitat? We speak to Dr Nadine Ruppert, a senior lecturer and zoologist at the School of Biological Sciences in Universiti Sains Malaysia, and the corresponding author for this study.

Climate change, ferocious weather and ‘the haze’ are now part our everyday lives. How are our lifestyles connected to them, and what can we do about it? What does the economy have to do with it? Earth Matters engages with activists and experts to explore our changing relationship with the planet that we only borrow from our children.

Earth Matters

Wander and be enlightened by the endlessly fascinating inner universe that is the human body. We speak with experts, Nobel laureates, cancer survivors and healthcare workers who share their unique perspectives on wellness and living and the latest medical research.

Health & Living

The Bigger Picture relishes its role as the heart and soul of the station. Tina Carmillia, Tee Shiao Eek, Sharmilla Ganesan, Lim Soon Heng and Juliet Jacobs delve into the human condition to find out what makes us tick. They speak with artists, environmentalists, medical experts, policy-makers and all manner of interesting people about the issues close to us, from education to refugee rights. Eclectic, energetic and a little eccentric, The Bigger Picture team brings you the latest thinking and research on that most fascinating subject: people.

The Bigger Picture (Archive)

Pest or Pest Control? The study of pig-tailed macaques in oil palm plantations

Recently, a lawyer sought to pursue a challenge on the constitutionality of the existence of vernacular schools. In a motion filed on October 23rd this year, he sought a declaration from the Federal Court that it was unconstitutional for Parliament to pass an amendment to Sections 17 and 28 of the Education Act 1996, providing for the continued existence of vernacular schools. So are the existence of vernacular schools unconstitutional? We get the 411 on this with Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, a Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Malaya.

Recently, a lawyer sought to pursue a challenge on the constitutionality of the existence of vernacular schools. In a motion filed on October 23rd this year, he sought a declaration from the Federal Court that it was unconstitutional for Parliament to pass an amendment to Sections 17 and 28 of the Education Act 1996, providing for the continued existence of vernacular schools. So are the existence of vernacular schools unconstitutional? We get the 411 on this with Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, a Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Malaya.

Law & Behold #16: Are Vernacular Schools Constitutional?

A survey by Lego® and Harris Poll earlier this year found that almost one-third of children in the US, UK and China want to be YouTube influencers when they grow up. That’s three times more than the kids who want to be astronauts. How do children develop their future career interests, and what role can parents play in guiding career decisions? We ask consultant developmental paediatrician Dr Rajini Sarvananthan.

A survey by Lego&reg; and Harris Poll earlier this year found that almost one-third of children in the US, UK and China want to be YouTube influencers when they grow up. That&rsquo;s three times more than the kids who want to be astronauts. How do children develop their future career interests, and what role can parents play in guiding career decisions? We ask consultant developmental paediatrician Dr Rajini Sarvananthan.

When I Grow Up

The Shantanand Festival of Arts is back for its 5th edition, and this year, the theme of the festival is “Interweaving”. We speak with Kumar Karthigesu and Prakash Kandasamy from The Temple of Fine Arts about how the festival brings together a diverse array of art forms to reflect on the uniqueness of the Malaysian identity.

The Shantanand Festival of Arts is back for its 5th edition, and this year, the theme of the festival is &ldquo;Interweaving&rdquo;. We speak with Kumar Karthigesu and Prakash Kandasamy from The Temple of Fine Arts about how the festival brings together a diverse array of art forms to reflect on the uniqueness of the Malaysian identity.

Pest or Pest Control? The study of pig-tailed macaques in oil palm plantations

Earth Matters

In 1 playlist(s)

The Bigger Picture (Archive)

Follow podcast

Recent clips