Yesterday over 3,000 people gathered in various parts of Sabah to demand justice for 13-year old Zara Qairina and for transparency regarding the investigation. We talk to Samsuri Baharuddin, organiser of the Lahad Datu gathering and member of Borneo Eyes of People about the aims of the protest, response from politicians and their plans to ensure improved safety for students in residential schools. 

Other stories we covered:

• EIA raises concerns about deforestation plan: An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has brought attention to a plan to clear and log 1,200 hectares of forest in Pahang’s Tersang Forest Reserve. With the project bringing up several environmental concerns, we speak to forest researcher Lim Teckwyn about how this project fits into the existing national moratorium on new forest plantations. 
• Are locals in competition with Chinese nationals for university spots?: Arguments about whether international students from China are taking up university placements from locals have been circulating between ministers. We speak to Dr Koh Sin Yee, Senior Assistant Professor in Asian Migration, Mobility and Diaspora at the Institute of Asian Studies of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, about these claims. 
• Mo Salah calls out UEFA: After Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid was killed by an Israeli airstrike, the UEFA tweeted a passive farewell, prompting Liverpool FC’s Mo Salah to call them out, asking how he died and who was responsible. We speak to James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies for his thoughts on the media omissions regarding the Palestinian genocide. 
• Public outrage over topsy-turvy flag: 59-year old shop keeper Feng Jin Zhen was arrested on Saturday night in Penang after a video of him carrying a metal pole with the Jalur Gemilang upside down went viral on Facebook. We discuss the backlash, neighbourhood loyalty, and patriotism in regards to the situation.

Image Credit: Sandakan MP Vivian Wong's Facebook

Yesterday over 3,000 people gathered in various parts of Sabah to demand justice for 13-year old Zara Qairina and for transparency regarding the investigation. We talk to Samsuri Baharuddin, organiser of the Lahad Datu gathering and member of Borneo Eyes of People about the aims of the protest, response from politicians and their plans to ensure improved safety for students in residential schools. Other stories we covered: • EIA raises concerns about deforestation plan: An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has brought attention to a plan to clear and log 1,200 hectares of forest in Pahang’s Tersang Forest Reserve. With the project bringing up several environmental concerns, we speak to forest researcher Lim Teckwyn about how this project fits into the existing national moratorium on new forest plantations. • Are locals in competition with Chinese nationals for university spots?: Arguments about whether international students from China are taking up university placements from locals have been circulating between ministers. We speak to Dr Koh Sin Yee, Senior Assistant Professor in Asian Migration, Mobility and Diaspora at the Institute of Asian Studies of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, about these claims. • Mo Salah calls out UEFA: After Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid was killed by an Israeli airstrike, the UEFA tweeted a passive farewell, prompting Liverpool FC’s Mo Salah to call them out, asking how he died and who was responsible. We speak to James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies for his thoughts on the media omissions regarding the Palestinian genocide. • Public outrage over topsy-turvy flag: 59-year old shop keeper Feng Jin Zhen was arrested on Saturday night in Penang after a video of him carrying a metal pole with the Jalur Gemilang upside down went viral on Facebook. We discuss the backlash, neighbourhood loyalty, and patriotism in regards to the situation. Image Credit: Sandakan MP Vivian Wong's Facebook

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

Top 5 At 5

Top 5 at 5: Over 3,000 Sabahans Demand Justice for Zara Qairina

The Middle East conflict continues to send shockwaves across global markets, especially as global oil prices surge after the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. Back home in Malaysia, the government is still committed to maintaining petrol prices as best they can despite market volatility while bracing for a weaker ringgit and higher inflation. Economist Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi joins us to unpack this economic impact both globally and for regular Malaysians. (Starts at 23:50)


• Religious authorities investigate Quranic placard used in rally: Religious Affairs Minister Dr Zulkifli Hasan has instructed Jawi to investigate a placard held up during last weekend's International Women's Day rally interpreting Quranic verses as being accepting of all relationships, including those within the LGBT community. Rozana Isa, executive director of SIS Forum joins us to react to the action taken by authorities. (Starts at 17:55)

• Should Malaysia switch to WFH?: Other countries like Vietnam and Thailand have encouraged employees to work from home to reduce petrol consumption. This is in response to rising fuel costs due to the Middle East conflict. We discuss if this measure should be adopted by Malaysians. (Starts at 13:21)

• Iranian schools bombed by the US: After some back and forth over who is responsible, and finger pointing from the US, initial investigations from the Pentagon found that the US was likely responsible for bombing a girl's primary school in southern Iran. We hear from Alexey Muraviev, Associate Professor in National Security and Strategic Studies on how to measure accountability in this case. Jinan Bastaki, Associate Professor of Legal Studies at NYU Abu Dhabi also helps us consider if this act should be defined as a war crime. (Starts at 6:07)

• "Catatonic" Morissey cancels concert : The controversial rockstar called the city noise in Valencia an indescribable hell and said he will take over a year to recover. So, he cancelled his concert at the last minute. We get into it. (Starts at 0:22)


Image Credit: Shutterstock

The Middle East conflict continues to send shockwaves across global markets, especially as global oil prices surge after the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. Back home in Malaysia, the government is still committed to maintaining petrol prices as best they can despite market volatility while bracing for a weaker ringgit and higher inflation. Economist Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi joins us to unpack this economic impact both globally and for regular Malaysians. (Starts at 23:50) • Religious authorities investigate Quranic placard used in rally: Religious Affairs Minister Dr Zulkifli Hasan has instructed Jawi to investigate a placard held up during last weekend's International Women's Day rally interpreting Quranic verses as being accepting of all relationships, including those within the LGBT community. Rozana Isa, executive director of SIS Forum joins us to react to the action taken by authorities. (Starts at 17:55)• Should Malaysia switch to WFH?: Other countries like Vietnam and Thailand have encouraged employees to work from home to reduce petrol consumption. This is in response to rising fuel costs due to the Middle East conflict. We discuss if this measure should be adopted by Malaysians. (Starts at 13:21)• Iranian schools bombed by the US: After some back and forth over who is responsible, and finger pointing from the US, initial investigations from the Pentagon found that the US was likely responsible for bombing a girl's primary school in southern Iran. We hear from Alexey Muraviev, Associate Professor in National Security and Strategic Studies on how to measure accountability in this case. Jinan Bastaki, Associate Professor of Legal Studies at NYU Abu Dhabi also helps us consider if this act should be defined as a war crime. (Starts at 6:07)• "Catatonic" Morissey cancels concert : The controversial rockstar called the city noise in Valencia an indescribable hell and said he will take over a year to recover. So, he cancelled his concert at the last minute. We get into it. (Starts at 0:22) Image Credit: Shutterstock

Top 5 at 5: The Economic Impact of the US-Israel War Against Iran

New data from the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) shows a sharp rise in cases of gender-based violence handled in 2025, jumping from about 5,200 the year before to nearly 8,000. Many of these involve domestic violence, alongside reports of harassment, stalking, rape, and technology-facilitated abuse. In response, WAO is calling for reforms to the Domestic Violence Act 1994. We speak with Nazreen Nizam, executive director of WAO, about what the data reveals and what policy changes are needed. (Starts at 23:29)


• Is all fair in religious hate enforcement?: Two incidents involving religious symbols have reignited debate about how authorities handle cases of religious intolerance in Malaysia. One involves a man accused of stepping on a Hindu soolam in Langkawi, while another concerns the brief sealing of a Datuk Kong shrine in Seri Kembangan. We hear from Jerald Joseph, director of Pusat KOMAS, on what a clearer policy framework around hate speech and religious intolerance should look like. (Starts at 16:42)

• The billionaire boom: The latest Forbes World's Billionaires list shows global wealth hitting a record 20.1 trillion USD, with more than 3,400 billionaires worldwide. Elon Musk, who tops the list for the second time in a row, is also set to be the world's first trillionaire. We discuss how rich is too rich, and what govenrment's are doing about wealth. (Starts at 11:50)

• Exodus of capital and labour from the Gulf: As the US-Israel war against Iran drives oil prices above USD100 and disrupts shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, fears are growing about the long-term stability of Gulf economies. Political economist Manishankar Prasad explains why the conflict could trigger capital flight and labour disruptions (Starts at 5:58)

• Govt cancels Raya open house: Amid economic uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has cancelled government Hari Raya open houses and urged GLCs and GLICs to follow suit, framing it as a signal for more prudent spending. We discuss. (Starts at 0:24)


Image Credit: Pixabay

New data from the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) shows a sharp rise in cases of gender-based violence handled in 2025, jumping from about 5,200 the year before to nearly 8,000. Many of these involve domestic violence, alongside reports of harassment, stalking, rape, and technology-facilitated abuse. In response, WAO is calling for reforms to the Domestic Violence Act 1994. We speak with Nazreen Nizam, executive director of WAO, about what the data reveals and what policy changes are needed. (Starts at 23:29) • Is all fair in religious hate enforcement?: Two incidents involving religious symbols have reignited debate about how authorities handle cases of religious intolerance in Malaysia. One involves a man accused of stepping on a Hindu soolam in Langkawi, while another concerns the brief sealing of a Datuk Kong shrine in Seri Kembangan. We hear from Jerald Joseph, director of Pusat KOMAS, on what a clearer policy framework around hate speech and religious intolerance should look like. (Starts at 16:42)• The billionaire boom: The latest Forbes World's Billionaires list shows global wealth hitting a record 20.1 trillion USD, with more than 3,400 billionaires worldwide. Elon Musk, who tops the list for the second time in a row, is also set to be the world's first trillionaire. We discuss how rich is too rich, and what govenrment's are doing about wealth. (Starts at 11:50)• Exodus of capital and labour from the Gulf: As the US-Israel war against Iran drives oil prices above USD100 and disrupts shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, fears are growing about the long-term stability of Gulf economies. Political economist Manishankar Prasad explains why the conflict could trigger capital flight and labour disruptions (Starts at 5:58)• Govt cancels Raya open house: Amid economic uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has cancelled government Hari Raya open houses and urged GLCs and GLICs to follow suit, framing it as a signal for more prudent spending. We discuss. (Starts at 0:24) Image Credit: Pixabay

Top 5 at 5: How Do We Curb Gender-Based Violence?

A report today from MalayMail compiled the rising instances of the radicalisation of teenagers in Southeast Asia, driven by white supremacist ideology. Authorities say social media posts and online communities play a large factor in this. We unpack the problem in a Malaysian context and discuss rehabilitation and prevention pathways with Aizat Shamsuddin, founder of Initiate.my. (Starts at 23:30)


• Could Tan Sri Azam Baki's time at MACC be coming to an end?: According to a report by Singapore news platform The Straits Times, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not planning to renew the commissioner's tenure after his contract expires in May. We hear from Faisal Aziz, chairman of BERSIH on the importance of a comprehensive transparent investigation into the commissioner's allegations. (Starts at 18:08)

• Jow Ngiaw wins Malaysia's first Emmy: The Pahang born composer won for her work on Apple TV Plus series WondLa. As expected, Malaysians are showering her with love and we discuss if we should really 'claim' her success, given she spent most of her life and career overseas. (Starts at 12:43)

• Malaysia's position in the Middle East crisis: As the US-Israel conflict with Iran intensifies, Malaysia faces a difficult balancing act between diplomacy, neutrality, and protecting its citizens abroad. We hear from Phar Kim Beng, Director of the Institute of International and ASEAN Studies at IIUM, who argues that Putrajaya should prioritise pragmatism rather than take sides in a rapidly escalating war. (Starts at 7:36)

• Do you prefer AI vs human writers?: A recent interactive quiz from the New York Times asked users to blindly pick between works of fiction written by established authors and passages created by generative AI. Data from the quiz showed that a majority of participants preferred the AI written works. We get into it. (Starts at 0:22)


Image Credit: Shutterstock

A report today from MalayMail compiled the rising instances of the radicalisation of teenagers in Southeast Asia, driven by white supremacist ideology. Authorities say social media posts and online communities play a large factor in this. We unpack the problem in a Malaysian context and discuss rehabilitation and prevention pathways with Aizat Shamsuddin, founder of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Initiate.my">Initiate.my</a>. (Starts at 23:30) • Could Tan Sri Azam Baki's time at MACC be coming to an end?: According to a report by Singapore news platform The Straits Times, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not planning to renew the commissioner's tenure after his contract expires in May. We hear from Faisal Aziz, chairman of BERSIH on the importance of a comprehensive transparent investigation into the commissioner's allegations. (Starts at 18:08)• Jow Ngiaw wins Malaysia's first Emmy: The Pahang born composer won for her work on Apple TV Plus series WondLa. As expected, Malaysians are showering her with love and we discuss if we should really 'claim' her success, given she spent most of her life and career overseas. (Starts at 12:43)• Malaysia's position in the Middle East crisis: As the US-Israel conflict with Iran intensifies, Malaysia faces a difficult balancing act between diplomacy, neutrality, and protecting its citizens abroad. We hear from Phar Kim Beng, Director of the Institute of International and ASEAN Studies at IIUM, who argues that Putrajaya should prioritise pragmatism rather than take sides in a rapidly escalating war. (Starts at 7:36)• Do you prefer AI vs human writers?: A recent interactive quiz from the New York Times asked users to blindly pick between works of fiction written by established authors and passages created by generative AI. Data from the quiz showed that a majority of participants preferred the AI written works. We get into it. (Starts at 0:22) Image Credit: Shutterstock

Top 5 at 5: Over 3,000 Sabahans Demand Justice for Zara Qairina

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