Category: Opinion

Q: How can we help our four-year-old overcome her fear of sleeping in the dark? We have tried almost everything – establishing a bedtime routine, using a night light, reading books and singing songs – but nothing seems to work. Focus on the Family Malaysia: Being afraid of the dark is quite common among young… Continue reading Helping your child overcome bedtime fears

DURING an impromptu coffee break, I found myself talking to my mentor about how headstrong I could be. She then shared her experience of having a relative in the armed forces, before putting a question to me: “Why are the children of ex-servicemen always so rebellious?” I was not sure whether she was being serious… Continue reading Raised by silence and steel

HEART disease, pacemakers, kidney failure, chronic diabetes, strokes and autoimmune conditions are serious illnesses, yet people often speak about them openly. But mention a terminal illness and the tone changes. Patients conceal their diagnosis even from close friends, hiding the pain and the decline for as long as possible. Only after death do loved ones… Continue reading Cost of shielding terminal illness from loved ones

THE Education and Health ministries recently banned 12 categories of food and drink from school canteens – everything from candies, chocolates, nuggets to instant noodles and sugary iced drinks. On paper, it looks like a bold step to curb childhood obesity and promote healthier eating. As a parent of a Year Four boy, I welcome… Continue reading Ban the nuggets but who’s packing the broccoli?

AT a recent forum, I asked the audience: “How many of you would choose not to buy a car in the future, even if you could afford one?” Half the room raised their hands. I looked at them and said, “You must be from Klang Valley”. Because in Klang Valley, people have options. They can… Continue reading Why one-size-fits-all public transport does not work for Malaysia

WORKPLACES have undergone significant transformations in recent years. Rapid technological advancements, economic shifts and changing demographics have reshaped the way people work and what they expect from their employers. They have also influenced talent management strategies. According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) Asia Employee Benefits Report 2025, developed in partnership with… Continue reading New edge in hiring to retain talent

IN a classroom in Malaysia, a boy with autism sits quietly, avoiding eye contact and struggling to participate in group activities. Yet, when a drum is placed in his hands, his face lights up. He begins to tap out a steady rhythm and soon his classmates join in. For the first time, he feels connected… Continue reading Finding voice through rhythm and inclusion

IMAGINE stacking 3,500 Petronas Twin Towers by weight. That is how much food the world wasted in 2022: a staggering 1.05 billion tonnes. In Malaysia, we throw away 17,000 tonnes of food every day, and almost a quarter of it is still edible. That is enough to feed three million people three meals a day… Continue reading Stretching your Sara aid: Cut waste, eat healthier and save more

THE spectre of the “middle-income trap” haunts many nations. Having clawed their way out of poverty through grit and low-cost manufacturing, they find progress stalling. Wages rise, eroding their competitive edge against poorer rivals, yet they lack the advanced technology and productivity to compete with wealthier nations. It becomes an economic purgatory. The diagnoses often… Continue reading Escaping the middle-income trap

THE analogy by critics that US President Donald Trump was fiddling in the United Nations whilst Washington D.C. is starting to burn or is already burned may appear unkind. But even his most fervent supporters must be wondering how his speech and behaviour in the widely publicised appearance at the UN fits with the game… Continue reading Trump’s UN fiddling as America burns

HE starts his day at 5am, with the sun yet to crack the horizon. A cool morning breeze seeps into his already chilled, air-conditioned room, which has gone on through the night. He checks his phone for messages, then scrolls through the latest news, looking for the day’s amusements. As expected, world leaders have said… Continue reading Tax reforms: No ‘cents’ of fairness for the man on the street

MALAYSIA’S Budget 2026 is not just another fiscal blueprint, it is a statement of intent at a time when the nation faces economic strain and rising public expectations. As the first budget under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), it must walk a tightrope, providing relief to households, proving the government’s commitment to reform and signalling… Continue reading Reform, relief and road to ballot box

OKAY hear me out: you are lying in a hospital bed, everything hurts, food tastes like cardboard dipped in sorrow, the nurse forgot your Milo ais again – and suddenly, a golden retriever waddles in wearing a tiny vest that says, “Therapy Dog on Duty”. Tell me your blood pressure wouldn’t instantly stabilise? Tell me… Continue reading Paw-sitive power of therapy animals

I WAS inspired to write this after listening to the Astro Awani programme, Consider This: Racism in Malaysia – A 10-Year Report Card, which featured the work of Pusat Komas. Its report, the culmination of a decade of tracking discrimination, raises a critical question for our leaders and parliament: What are they doing with this… Continue reading A Unity Ministry with teeth: Why soft approach is no longer enough

MALAYSIANS are a strange breed when it comes to superstition. Rational? Maybe not. Malaysian? Absolutely. Walk down any street, visit a home or scroll through WhatsApp and you will see it everywhere. Our lives are a patchwork of good-luck rituals, bad-omen warnings and very specific dos and don’ts that sometimes defy logic but never fail… Continue reading The unshakeable grip of superstitions

THERE is a phrase many of us struggle to say out loud: “I don’t know.” In boardrooms, classrooms and even family conversations, the pressure is often to have answers ready – to project confidence, to leave no space for doubt. We reward those who sound certain, even when certainty is little more than a polished… Continue reading Courage to admit ignorance is soil for growth

Q: Our son just started at a new school, and we are concerned he may be getting bullied. What should we do? Focus on the Family Malaysia: Bullying is a growing problem and, no thanks to technology, it is no longer confined to school grounds. It can happen to anyone, anytime and anywhere. First, don’t… Continue reading Helping your child deal with bullying

THE new epoch of sustainability is no longer a trend; it is a necessity. The hospitality industry, as one of the largest consumers of natural resources, faces mounting pressure to adopt greener practices. In Malaysia, where tourism is a vital economic driver, hotels and resorts are making meaningful strides towards sustainability in response to climate… Continue reading New era of sustainability in hospitality

IT is deeply saddening that amidst the war and destruction currently unfolding in Gaza, some individuals continue to view the conflict through narrow ideological lenses. Rather than acknowledging the immense suffering of ordinary people in war zones, they choose partisanship over humanity. This is evident both in political discourse and on social media, where some… Continue reading Gaza War: When hearts harden, peace dies

IT is not often that we have all the camps in the British media united in celebrating the visit of a political leader from another country. However, this happened with the right, left and centre of the English press world waxing rhapsodic over the second state visit of President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania.… Continue reading Trump’s UK visit: Statecraft or show?

BY 2030, 15% of our population is projected to be aged 60 and above, and Malaysia will become an aged nation. While the numbers climb, our readiness to care remains alarmingly low. Who will look after our older generation and how? Shocking news headlines serve as painful reminders of the harsh reality faced by many… Continue reading We cannot wait to age before we care

LET’S cut to the chase: babies today aren’t just born screaming for susu and attention; they come pre-installed with an instinct for swiping iPads, unlocking phones and somehow finding YouTube videos that you definitely never clicked on. By the time your little angel can barely say “nenek”, they are already halfway to creating a TikTok… Continue reading Digital safety for swipe-first generation

THE upcoming World Mental Health Day on Oct 10 is more than just a date. It reminds us that mental well-being is a right that deserves equal protection and access. For Malaysia, this day offers a chance to reflect on our progress and consider what comes next. In recent years, we have seen important changes… Continue reading Insuring the mind: Make mental health coverage mandatory

MODERN offices are increasingly dominated by software systems, robots and AI-powered devices while traditional tellers are becoming less necessary as banks rely more on chatbots and digital platforms, replacing manual workers. There is no doubt that advanced technology, particularly AI, has revolutionised business operations in Malaysia, offering cost savings, efficient resource use and a competitive… Continue reading Human cost when machines take over

WWF-MALAYSIA is appalled by the discovery of a Malayan tiger carcass in Johor, with three individuals arrested in connection with this heinous crime on Malaysia Day. The Malayan tiger is not only a critically endangered species, with fewer than 150 left in the wild, but also our national icon. To have one snared and gunned… Continue reading WWF-Malaysia demands full force of the law over slain tiger

I AM well connected with my family from around the world through social media platforms. I know exactly where my cousins are and their daily activities. I know where my nieces are and what they are up to. I have friends whom I have not met for decades but are superficially close to me as… Continue reading Present, yet out of touch: The lost connection

EVERY parent dreams of seeing their child grow up healthy, strong and thriving. The first 1,000 days of life, from conception to a child’s second birthday, lay the foundation for growth and development. However, supporting children’s health must go beyond this critical window. Today’s generation faces new challenges, such as long school hours, less outdoor… Continue reading Healthy growth in the digital age

WE live in an age of jarring contradictions. The United States, a nation literally forged by immigrants – from the Mayflower to Ellis Island and Silicon Valley – now grapples with fierce political movements demanding walls and closed borders. Meanwhile, halfway across the world, the modern state of Israel, established as a homeland for a… Continue reading Global schizophrenia: Why societies turn defensive after being open

MY grandmother still remembers me. For that, I am grateful. But each visit reminds me that she is no longer the same woman who once anchored my world. She asks me, again and again, to take her back to her house – the house that still stands, filled with decades of memories but where she… Continue reading When memory fades, love remains

WE often admire the final result without thinking about what came before it. A polished stone. A tall tree. A quiet success. We see the outcome but not the struggle. Pearls are no different; they shine with calm and beauty. But if you know their story, you will realise that they begin with something small,… Continue reading From grit to pearly grace

Q: My widowed mother is still pretty independent but I worry about her being vulnerable to scam artists who victimise the elderly. How can I protect her against this kind of abuse? Focus on the Family Malaysia: We have all heard the despicable horror stories. Help your mum learn to watch out for threats and… Continue reading Shielding seniors from scams and threats

MALAYSIA’S plan to raise cigarette excise taxes aims to discourage smoking, improve health and boost revenue. But without stronger enforcement and smarter regulation of alternatives, it risks fueling illicit trade and losing more revenue than gained. Currently, illicit cigarette trade costs Malaysia about RM5 billion annually, accounting for 54% to 60% of consumption. When legal… Continue reading Balancing cigarette tax hikes and enforcement

THE pitch process was once a catalyst for collaboration – a chance for agencies and advertisers to align around a shared vision, tackle real business challenges and forge lasting partnerships. But somewhere along the way, that promise has faded. What should be an energising kickoff has too often devolved into a source of strain, inefficiency… Continue reading Getting the pitch right: Fine-tuning marketing strategies