The tragic death of a 10-year-old boy in Penang after choking on a gummy candy has raised urgent safety concerns. Authorities have since seized similar products near schools, sparking discussions on food safety regulations. Consultant emergency physician, Dr Mohammad Aizuddin Bin Azizah Ariffin, from KPJ Tawakkal KL Specialist Hospital weighs in on what we to do if we find ourselves in similar situations.

Other stories we covered:

• Zakir Naik's controversial comeback: The Home Ministry has confirmed that fugitive preacher Zakir Naik is no longer barred from public talks, reigniting debates on his influence. With India still seeking his extradition, and concerns over interfaith tensions, we hear from public intellectual Tajuddin Rasdi and Islamic Renaissance Front founder, Ahmad Farouk Musa, on the political implications.

• The multi-billion Ringgit e-waste black market on our shores: Authorities have seized RM3.8 billion worth of smuggled e-waste in a nationwide crackdown, exposing fraudulent import declarations and illegal processing facilities. Basel Action Network’s Wong Pui Yi explains the environmental and health risks of this growing underground industry.

• Why are teachers retiring earlier?: Almost 12,000 teachers took early retirement between 2022 and 2023, worsening an already pressing shortage in Malaysia’s education system. Hamidi Mookkaiyah, secretary of the Malaysian Association for Education, unpacks the factors driving educators to exit the profession prematurely.

• How likely is it that an asteroid hits Earth?: NASA is monitoring asteroid 2024 YR4, which briefly had a 3.1% chance of hitting Earth—the highest probability ever recorded. Penang Astronomical Society’s Chong Hon Yew explains why the risk has now dropped and what scientists are watching next.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn

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Categories:  economy,  Corporates,  international,  environment,  Law/Activism,  controversies,  education,  managing disease,  Family/Parenting,  medical advances

Tags:  teachers early retirement,  choking gummy,  e-waste black market,  smuggled waste,  zakir naik ban,  asteroid hitting earth,  zakir naik,  choking,  heimlich maneuver,  asteroids,  black market,