The ASEAN Summit 2025 is beginning soon, with many awaiting to see how the Myanmar crisis will be discussed. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has received criticism for meeting with Myanmar's junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, a move he said was meant to ensure a ceasefire extension. We talk about the Rohingya genocide, the support they need, and the role ASEAN could possibly play in the crisis with Debbie Stothard, founder of ALTSEAN-Burma.

Other stories we covered:

• Improving public university admissions: The process of admissions into public universities has long faced criticism about whether it achieves a balance between social equity and merit-based acceptances. The NGO Architects of Diversity released a report that identified several problems in the admissions process. We discuss these problems with Raenuga Indran, Marketing & Partnerships Manager from Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman.

• Sabah starfish under protection: The State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew has issued a warning to tourists, informing them that if they touch or collect starfish they risk facing penalties. This comes after a viral video surfaced of a tourist collecting starfish in the Tanjung Ara waters. We talk to Nadhirah Mohd Rifai, programme manager at Reef Check Malaysia about sustainable eco and marine tourism guidelines.

• Three European elections: Super Sunday elections in Romania, Poland, and Portugal highlight shifting political landscapes across Europe. With far-right nationalism gaining traction, the continent’s commitment to the EU hangs in the balance. Frederik Holst, associate professor of Politics and International Relations at Albukhary University, weighs in on what these results signal for Europe’s future.

• Youth would rather live internet-free: A survey conducted by the British Standards Institution found that half of the teenagers they asked would rather live without access to the internet. Amidst rising concerns of social media in correlation to mental health and safety, the British government is considering implementing a “social media curfew.” We talk about the responses to the curfew, and the good and bad sides of the internet.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Alia Zefri, Tee Shiao Eek, Sneha Harikannan, Sudais Ferhard

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Sharaad Kuttan

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Categories:  environment,  Law/Activism,  politics,  government,  international,  technology,  controversies,  education,  travel

Tags:  Senior General Min Aung Hlaing,  min aung hlaing,  university admissions,  starfish,  super sunday,  social media curfew,  asean,  asean summit,  datuk seri anwar ibrahim,  anwar ibrahim,  myanmar,  rohingya,  rohingya genocide,  malaysian public universities,  sabah,  ecotourism,  marine conservation,  tanjung ara,  romania,  poland,  portugal,  european elections,  eu,  internet,  youth,  teenagers,  social media,  mental health,