Last year saw a 65% increase in domestic violence cases in Malaysia since 2023. The Federal Criminal Investigation Department believes that many more cases of domestic violence involving married couples and partners are going unreported. Amanda Shweeta Louis, Senior Advocacy Officer from the All Women’s Action Society joins us to talk about this.

Other stories we covered:

• US submits four demands to Malaysia to reduce tariffs: While specifics have not been revealed, we do know that those demands include non-tariff barriers, the trade deficit, safeguarding US technology and investing in American industries. Negotiations are currently underway. Economist Geoffrey Williams weighs in on what's at stake for us.

• Age-based medical premium increase: Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin has criticised the logic of increasing medical insurance premiums up to 50% when users age up. He has called for Bank Negara to implement reforms on how premiums are priced. Cheah Tuck Wing, Chairman of the Malaysian Coalition on Ageing shares his thoughts on how this policy impacts older adults.

• Malaysian elephant ecologist receives Whitley Award: The Whitley Award, also known as the ‘Green Oscar’ has been awarded this year to Malaysia’s own Dr. Farina Othman for her efforts in saving 300 Bornean Pygmy elephants in the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain. Her nonprofit, Seratu Aatai works directly with plantation owners and smallholders to find a compromise so both elephants and farmers can thrive. Dr. Farina Othman herself joins us to talk about her work.

• Pope Francis' last wish for Gaza's children: One of Pope Francis’ final requests was that his Popemobile is to be converted into a mobile health clinic for the children in Gaza. With the deaths of 15, 000 children and over 10, 000 left maimed, the Pope has been a long-standing critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. We talk about this.

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