Malaysian Healthy Aging Society President Professor Shahrul Bahyah has spent over 20 years teaching and working locally trying to prepare Malaysia for its future as an ageing nation. 

In this week’s podcast, she explains in detail what ageing actually entails and how some of us can better prepare for it.

We explore dementia and the latest information on Alzheimer's disease and how it can be prevented and how to recognise early signs in friends and family members. 

Professor Shahrul also talks about aged care homes and how we can continue to keep our loved ones both close to us and better cared for with community green spaces and centres to keep them occupied and engaged.

If you have any other suggestions or experiences you would like to share, do DM me on Twitter @manvirvictor.

Recorded and Edited by Ethan Phoon

Healthcare Today with Manvir Victor : Ep 9 - Ageing - are we ready?

This week's episode of Healthcare Today got a huge boost when patient advocates for kidney health from 4 continents joined the podcast. 

Vasundara Raghavan from India, Richard Knight from the USA and Joab Wako from Kenya brief us on the situation on the ground in their countries. 

Listeners will get to hear the different systems of healthcare representation for the treatment of this disease in their respective countries and the importance of transplantation as opposed to dialysis there. 

We learn how each of them engage with their governments to try and advance the care of patients. 

We also hit upon a great solution for promoting kidney and other transplants from a financial aspect for each country. 

If you need more information on this disease or any healthcare issues do DM me on Twitter @manvirvictor.

Recorded and Edited by Ethan Phoon

Healthcare Today With Manvir Victor Ep 10 - Global discussion on kidney health

Shazmin Shamsuddin catches up with author Tunku Halim, who has finally come home to roost after many years abroad. My Lovely Skull & Other Skeletons is Tunku Halim's latest dark offering of nasty tales for horror fans everywhere.

Tunku Halim shares his surprising discoveries when he embarked on writing his father’s biography, titled Tunku Abdullah – A Passion for Life (1998), which was reissued as A Prince Called Charlie (2018). His father, Tunku Abdullah, from the Negri Sembilan royal family, was one of many children who were taken to Japan during the Japanese Occupation, to be reeducated and molded for a career in administration for a Japanese Malaya. 

He reveals how Charles Dickens inspired his children’s encyclopedia of Malaysia and how his concern for the waistlines of Malaysians compelled him to write So Fat Lah! – 30 Perfect Ways to a Slimmer You (2016), and cookbook titled So Fat Lah! Cookbook with Christina Hiew (2018).

It was a story-writing competition in a local daily that fueled his passion for short story writing - and horror - a genre that came easily to him. 

Tunku Halim waxes lyrically on literary snobbery, critical success versus book sales, and if a spirit attachment from a university Ouija board experience has been the monster he has been feeding as the source of his macabre interest in all things horror.

Beyond Breakfast With Shazmin Shamsuddin - Prolific horror fiction author Tunku Halim

Diplomat Denys Mykhailiuk gives an intimate picture of the situation in his country 11 months into the war 

THE Good (Datuk Zainul Arifin Mohamed Isa), The Bad (Datuk Ahirudin Attan) and The Ugly (this time Terence Fernandez is represented by journalist A. Azim Idris) returns after a short New Year hiatus with special guest Denys Mykhailiuk, counsellor and deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia.

Next month will mark a full year since the invasion by Russia on Ukraine. Despite the tragic headlines and widespread impact of the conflict upon the world, they appear to have little traction among Malaysians who are mostly nonchalant about news coming out of Ukraine.

Is it due to frontline news fatigue? Are we more inclined to empathise with the plight of brown refugees compared to the thousands of displaced Ukrainians who seem to be more readily embraced in the west? 

Is the Malaysian public more pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine? What are the sentiments of the Malaysian public on this conflict and why the seeming lack of condemnation of the aggressor? 


MH17 an early casualty 

It can be said that Malaysia, along with The Netherlands, was one of the first international casualties of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine when a Malaysia Airlines aeroplane was shot down, killing all 298 people on board on July 17, 2014. The incident is the deadliest airliner shoot-down incident to date.

On November 17, 2022, following a trial in absentia in the Netherlands, two Russians and a Ukrainian separatist were found guilty by the District Court of The Hague of murdering all 298 people onboard flight MH17 by shooting it down. 

The Dutch court also ruled that Russia was in control of the separatist forces fighting in eastern Ukraine at the time. Mykhailiuk elaborates on Ukraine’s role in granting every effort to bring the criminals to justice. 

Geopolitics and the threat of nuclear war

How much longer will this war continue? What are China’s thoughts on the conflict? How will the impending change in weather impact the progress of the war? What is the actual risk of a nuclear attack on Ukraine? 

Eleven months on from the start of the Russian invasion last February, some foreign missions and embassies have returned to Kyiv, the capital. Is this an indication that security is relatively tighter and infrastructure operational, despite continued attacks by Russian forces on power grids and supply lines linked to the city?

Mykhailiuk paints a picture for us on what day-to-day life currently looks like around Kyiv, and for the 3 million people who continue to live and work there, while sharing his hopes for bilateral relations between the Ukraine and Malaysia. 

Presented by Petra News chief executive Datuk Zainul Arifin Mohamed Isa, executive director Datuk Ahirudin Attan (better known as Rocky Bru) and editor-in-chief Terence Fernandez
Produced by Shazmin Shamsuddin and sound edited by Ethan Phoon

The Good The Bad The Ugly - EP24:  Ukraine Diplomat Denys Mykhailiuk

In this episode, Beatrice shares her experiences during meltdowns and what goes on in her mind during and after. Together, Shazmin and Beatrice dissect what a meltdown is and how it can be overwhelming for the autistic individual. 

Beatrice also shares incidents where she wished people understood and how they could have helped her through a meltdown. With  Beatrice's insights, we gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by autistic individuals in a world not built for them. 
 
Beatrice Leong is a documentary filmmaker and entrepreneur attached to a health tech startup initiative and runs an autism advocacy group called AIDA. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age 35, she dedicates her life path to reframe our understanding ASD to foster greater understanding from and for a meaningful participation and inclusion of autistics themselves across all levels of society.

Produced and co-presented by Shazmin Shamsuddin

Autism from the Inside Out : Ep 2 - Anatomy Of a Meltdown

When Datuk Kamil Othman and Manvir Victor began Silver Screens and Guitar Strings in June of 2022, they didn’t expect their podcast rantings about movie and music industry best practices would be taken seriously. 

About 20 and some episodes later, they realised that there was more to this than just movies, music and entertainment. The show needed to cover the entire arts industry and emerging talent in Malaysia and the region. 

Hence, Artizens - a new podcast for creatives to share the highs and lows in this competitive and ever changing industry.

For the 1st episode for 2023, they speak with Feisal and Iskander Azizuddin, who are following in the footsteps of the Farelly, Coen and even Wachowski brothers (now sisters). 

This duo come fresh from their win for Best Short film at the Festival Filem Malaysia, with their winning shortie, “Can you love me most?”  
They discuss the theme of this film which is child trafficking, and how this film came to be made.

Interestingly, Feisal and Iskandar have figured out a way to make films from the previously unheard of budget of RM15,000 or US4,000. 

Other movies of theirs to note are Undur and Tauhu Sumbat. Both these movies touch on subjects that are sensitive, highly relatable, yet seldom discussed.

Tauhu Sumbat for instance, subtly references child molestation in the context of religion. These issues are pervasive in society and so must be watched with this in mind. 

For those who want to contact or follow Artizens, it’s Twitter @manvirvictor or @othman_kamil.

Recorded and Produced by Ethan Phoon

Artizens Ep 1 - Short Film Winners At FFM Talk About Their “budget” Gems

In a candid conversation following his sacking from Umno, the former Putrajaya division leader reflects on how the party has morphed to its present state of affairs.

“IT’S a relief.”

That was Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz’s reply when asked how he felt about his sacking from Umno, which some quarters have decried as unjustified, earlier this week.

According to the former Putrajaya Umno deputy division chief, being sacked is better than being suspended, as one can now openly say what needs to be said without having to carry the burden and responsibility of “saving” the party.

And boy, does he let loose.

On The Good, The Bad and The Ugly this week, Tun Faisal discusses the factors that led him being fired for good from the party, after having been suspended for six years in March 2021.

He also weighs in on the current climate at both leadership and grassroot levels, likening the machinations of those politicking to either maintain their positions or to try to make reforms from within Umno as akin to a ‘Game of Thrones’.    

It is perhaps no coincidence that he is a former press secretary to ex-minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa who was himself expelled from Umno last December despite being a veteran in the party. 

Annuar had been very vocal in his criticisms against the leadership of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Umno.

In an interview with Getaran, The Vibes’ Malay-language sister portal, last week, Tun Faisal had asserted: “It has become a ‘jewel’ for the president to strengthen his power, because in reality, the disciplinary board is not functioning; it hands down punishments without due process. 

“My punishment from the board was not based on facts, which proves that it is just a ‘cartoon’.” 

In a podcast interview with The Vibes, he goes deeper into what changed from the time he was an ardent supporter of Ahmad Zahid to when he withdrew his support for the Umno president, leading to his six-year suspension from the party in March 2021.

What is next for this self-identifying ‘William Wallace’? Is there a ‘Robert the Bruce’-type character left, now that Khairy Jamaluddin and Tan Sri Noh Omar have also been sacked, who can bring together what he deems to be reformist factions from Umno? 

Does the blood of Umno still course through his veins?

He answers unflinchingly that it does, but not the ‘Umno-Zahid Sdn Bhd’-type blood.  “That one is so deviated from the true path of Umno,” he says.


Presented by Petra News chief executive Datuk Zainul Arifin Mohamed Isa, executive director Datuk Ahirudin Attan (better known as Rocky Bru) and editor-in-chief Terence Fernandez

Produced by Shazmin Shamsuddin and sound edited by Ethan Phoon

The Good The Bad The Ugly EP25 - Tun Faisal lets loose on Umno’s ‘Game of Thrones’

Lee Yee Seng thought being a dad would mean the normal for him, planning his daughters school and education and eventually university.

All that changed when his daughters, aged 6 and 2, were both diagnosed with POMPE disease.

As he began to learn more about the disease and how he could help care and make his daughters lives more fulfilled, he set up an organisation and today leads it as President.

Today the Malaysia Lysosomal Diseases Association raises funds for many patients in need and highlights their plight to the Ministry of Health and has successfully obtained about RM4 million in funding for patient medication.

A novel way to reach the masses and highlight the need of the patients is by organising cycling events. 

One such event will be taking place this June 4th in Kluang and will be a 100km ride to raise funds. For those keen to find out more, they can follow "The Hope Ride" and Malaysian Lysosomal Diseases on Facebook. 

Healthcare Today with Manvir Victor is also looking for participants who would like to donate and participate in this 100km ride with me on the 4th of June. Let us get together and do what we can to help our fellow citizens.

More than just that, we can also share this podcast and let more people know about the many ways we can reach a larger audience to help these kids and adults who need some assistance. 

In this episode, we discuss the disease and also highlight some steps you can take to find out and seek help should you think your loved one suffers a similar ailment. 

Do DM me on Twitter @manvirvictor should you have any questions.

Recorded and edited by Ethan Phoon

Healthcare with Manvir Victor - Ep 11: Rare disease patients in Malaysia fundraise to help their own

Tunku Mona and Haris Sulong are two well known names in the movie industry here in Asia. 

Their film “Redha”, a movie about a young boy with autism and the challenges and joys his family face in raising him, has garnered worldwide attention upon its release in 2016.

Tunku Mona and Haris discuss the challenges and also the accolades they have received on the success of this movie, and what changes they would like to see in the industry so that more notable films like Redha can reach the heights that many films from neighbouring countries have gone. 

As we continue to strive for the arts to be accepted as an essential educational tool for a developing country, we chat about what it takes to achieve this. 

As usual, we are always available on Twitter @othman_kamil and @manvirvictor to bounce off ideas and discuss these topics in more detail.

Recorded and Edited by Ethan Phoon

Artizens Ep 2 - Tunku Mona Riza And Haris Sulong On Making Meaningful Films

Welcome to episode 3 of Autism From the Inside Out, where our host, Shazmin Shamsuddin, continues her conversation with Beatrice Leong, a late diagnosed autistic woman. 

In this episode, Beatrice shares her experiences with different communication styles and how society places a disproportionate importance on verbal communication. Through her insights, we learn about the challenges that arise with an autistic person in attempting to communicate, and how it can manifest in difficulties and misunderstanding with others. 

Beatrice also shares her struggles with finding speech sometimes under distress and how frustrating it can be when she cannot. Shazmin and Beatrice also discuss the importance of communication as a two-way process, and how understanding the perspectives of others can create more meaningful interactions 
 
Beatrice Leong is a documentary filmmaker and entrepreneur attached to a health tech startup initiative and runs an autism advocacy group called AIDA. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age 35, she dedicates her life path to reframe our understanding ASD to foster greater understanding from and for a meaningful participation and inclusion of autistics themselves across all levels of society. 

Produced and co-presented by Shazmin Shamsuddin

Autism from the Inside Out : Ep 3 - Communication and Speech

In  episode 5 of Autism From the Inside Out, where our host, Shazmin Shamsuddin, and her guest, Beatrice Leong, delve into the thought process of autistic individuals. In this episode, titled "The Autistic Thought Process," Beatrice shares how she processes information and perceives the world around her. She reveals that she finds it challenging to relate to fiction books and is unable to understand the popular Harry Potter series. 

Shazmin and Beatrice also discuss the expectations that society places on those who are different, forcing them to conform to certain standards that may be distressing and unnatural for them.

Beatrice Leong is a documentary filmmaker and entrepreneur attached to a health tech startup initiative and runs an autism advocacy group called AIDA. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age 35, she dedicates her life path to reframe our understanding ASD to foster greater understanding from and for a meaningful participation and inclusion of autistics themselves across all levels of society. 

Produced and co-presented by Shazmin Shamsuddin

New tracks tagged #Podio