Category: Opinion

USING the “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) scheme for the first time felt harmless. Just three easy payments for a pair of shoes that were not really necessary. It seemed like a smart move at the time – no interest, no hassle and no guilt. But that mindset is exactly what gets so many young… Continue reading Buy now, pay later: A convenient trap for young Malaysians

AS China’s high-value industrial exports capture a growing share of global markets, the US and EU have pursued separate but complementary policies aimed to push back against this unprecedented threat to Western dominance in international trade and the economic order. The criticisms levelled by Washington and Brussels to counter the Chinese exports impacting their domestic… Continue reading China’s ‘overcapacity’: Facts and fiction

CLIMATE change is a reality that is affecting communities around the globe, including Malaysia. Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns and environmental degradation are becoming increasingly severe. While global and national efforts largely focus on reducing carbon emissions, Malaysia’s adaptation strategies remain fragmented and insufficient. Malaysia has made commitments through international agreements, such as the Paris… Continue reading Enhancing resilience to climate change

THE Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue (Acid), part of the global family, welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement to recognise Palestinian statehood. It is particularly significant because France is a major power in the European Union, and its recognition of a Palestinian statehood could inspire other reluctant EU nations to follow suit. In the… Continue reading Genocide, starvation in Gaza stir global conscience

FEAR the Jumbotron – once just a brand name, now a big-screen moment waiting to happen. It doesn’t care if you are in love, in denial or deep in someone else’s problems. It does not wait for backstory, disclaimers or context. One accidental close-up and bam – your private moment becomes public property, broadcast in… Continue reading Love, lies and LED lights

HEALTH Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad recently revealed that 2,293 patients are currently waiting for cardiothoracic surgery in government hospitals, with some having to wait for up to seven months. For children’s heart surgeries, the situation is even more worrisome, with 603 cases on the waiting list and an average wait time of 21… Continue reading Wake-up call for our healthcare system

IT is early morning in Kuala Lumpur. The city begins to stir as shopfronts open, food stalls prepare their first orders and delivery vans roll through narrow lanes. Notifications appear on screens. Chatbots reply to customers instantly. Inventory updates arrive before a single word is spoken. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now part of the micro-,… Continue reading Powering next wave of MSME with AI

MALAYSIA’S M40 is quietly slipping – under the weight of rising costs, overlooked needs and outdated assumptions. While prices are climbing and salaries are stagnant, public policy still treats the middle class as if it is doing just fine. That is the magic trick: you can earn about RM6,000 a month, have two children, juggle… Continue reading Middle class on paper, drowning in reality

AT a time when Malaysia must accelerate its climate transition, can we afford foreign and domestic policy shocks that will destabilise our climate finance and green technology agenda? The recent announcement by US President Donald Trump to impose a sweeping 25% tariff on “any and all Malaysian products” starting Aug 1 has jolted Malaysia’s economy… Continue reading How tariffs, taxes can derail climate ambitions

GEN Z is forming real bonds with unreal people. As AI industry grows, so does the rise of AI girlfriends and boyfriends – digital companions that are capturing hearts. But what does this mean for love? “He always listens. He remembers everything I say. He never judges me.” That is how teenagers on Tiktok describe… Continue reading Falling for bots: ‘You had me at hello’

SINGAPORE, despite having some of the world’s toughest drug laws and a ban on vaping since 2018, is now facing a surge in drug-laced e-vaporisers. A recent report should give us all pause: vapes containing synthetic drugs like ketamine, MDMA, etomidate and even heroin are flooding into the country. Just this week, an officer from… Continue reading Finding real fix for Malaysia’s vape crisis

A FICTIONAL pick-up of a recent recorded exchange between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Rubio: Morning, Sir. Morning, Boss. Trump: Yeah. Am here, Ruby (Marco Rubio)! What’s this that is so urgent? And why do you want Scottie (Scott Bessent) too? I’m in the middle of… Continue reading Satirical take on Rubio, Trump and Bessent on Asean

THE recent move to allow the purchase of the My50 unlimited travel pass through the Touch ‘n Go eWallet app is a welcome development. It offers added convenience, reduces queue times and reflects growing awareness of the need to modernise Malaysia’s public transport system. However, this should not be mistaken as a major breakthrough. At… Continue reading Time to connect the commute: Building a seamless transit system

THE emergence of adulterated vape products such as K-Pod, reportedly laced with dangerous psychoactive substances like ketamine, marks a disturbing escalation in Malaysia’s battle against evolving substance abuse trends, particularly among youths. While it is critical to confront this alarming development, it is equally important to recognise that not all who vape are engaging in… Continue reading Silent threat of adulterated vapes

THERE are few things in life as heartwarming as watching someone take their first sip of a truly perfect cup of coffee. It is not about caffeine or brewing technique; it is about the moment of discovery – that subtle pause, the slow-forming smile and the quiet glow of surprise and satisfaction that spreads across… Continue reading ‘Brewing’ meaningful connections

MALAYSIA stands tall with its proud declarations – of harmony, faith and unity in diversity. Our national anthem speaks of blessings and loyalty. Our Rukun Negara lays out noble aspirations. Political speeches, religious sermons and school mottos echo values such as integrity, compassion and justice. However, somewhere between what we preach and how we live,… Continue reading True test of nation’s soul is measured through action, not slogans

THE public relations angle on the US Secretary of State’s website and Western media’s foreign affairs and business coverage of Marco Rubio’s recent visit to Southeast Asia was, unsurprisingly, predictable. His mission was to: Reaffirm US commitment to the Indo-Pacific by countering skepticism about President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach and to show that the… Continue reading Rubio’s Asean mission undermined

YOU have not truly tasted the flavour of Malaysia until you have survived rush hour on the Federal Highway, dodged a Myvi whose driver thinks he is Lewis Hamilton and made it to the mamak in one piece – physically, at least; mentally… maybe slightly traumatised. Ah, the Myvi – our local legend. The only… Continue reading Navigating Myvi drifts, flying Rempits

JUNE 16 marked the 106th birthday of Tun V.T. Sambanthan, a revered figure in Malaysia’s journey towards unity and nation-building. Tun Sambanthan once said: “While money fluctuates, morality endures and grows.” His words on compassion, unity and moral values remain deeply inspiring. His belief that “good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma” still… Continue reading Uphold Tun Sambanthan’s legacy

IT is deeply troubling that, despite the rising number of senior citizens being abandoned by their children, Malaysia has yet to enact a law for parental maintenance. With over 3.5 million citizens aged 60 and above, a figure expected to reach six million by 2030, thousands of elderly parents are abandoned each year – left… Continue reading Urgent need for parental maintenance law

IT is true what they say, housing is a human right. Social media is replete with cases of homeless people. It is a global crisis. Even developed economies are not spared. Affordable housing is not just about providing shelter; it is about restoring dignity, nurturing communities and offering people a fair shot at a better… Continue reading Time to reimagine our social housing

IN today’s hyper-connected global economy, cybersecurity can be a strategic risk at the highest levels of leadership – not just a technical issue buried within IT departments. As cyber threats continue to grow in frequency, sophistication and impact, the need for a cyber-resilient workforce is no longer optional; it is a national economic and security… Continue reading Building cyber-resilient workforce

The Maasai show that a true binding narrative is rooted in daily life, in the repeated telling of what matters, not just spectacle. – PIC COURTESY OF DINESH NAIR LAST week, I journeyed to Africa. While its famous animals are a spectacle in their own right, I was equally interested – thanks to my anthropological… Continue reading How culture can shape unity

AS Pop Mart’s Labubu makes its remarkable journey into toy shops and collectible showcases around the world, we are seeing further evidence of the rise of China’s soft power. The Labubu story first appeared in the Western media as relatively non-politicised articles and commentaries. Focusing on a consumer and fashion phenomenon, lifestyle editors shared the… Continue reading Amplifying China’s ‘soft’ power

Q: How can I rebuild a relationship with my children after leaving them years ago? I deeply regret walking out on my family following my divorce, and I have worked hard to change. I want to reconnect but my children currently want nothing to do with me. Focus on the Family Malaysia: It is great… Continue reading Rebuilding broken bonds requires patience

RECENTLY, I came across a headline on Fortune.com that made me pause: “Executives are drowning. Blame the vanishing middle management layer.” It is obviously referring to the “unbossing” trend among the Gen Z of the workforce and it stopped me in my tracks because it is the kind of line that stirs up intergenerational debates,… Continue reading Reinventing leadership roles for Gen Z

THERE has been growing public discussion about the vacant chief justice position following the mandatory retirement of Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat. Much of the attention has focused on the delay in appointing her successor. Some have gone so far as to call this delay a “judiciary crisis”. Others speculate that her non-extension was orchestrated to… Continue reading Reimagining separation of powers

IN an age dominated by screens and instant gratification, the habit of reading is slowly becoming a lost art. Yet, cultivating the reading habit remains one of the most valuable pursuits in life. Reading not only enriches the mind but also broadens one’s worldview, deepens empathy and enhances critical thinking skills. It opens doors to… Continue reading Words worth reading: Reviving a lost art

WHAT is the level of governance efficiency in Malaysia? In a recent interview by theSun, young Malay voters expressed a strong preference for good governance and transparency, rejecting race-based policies. They emphasised the need to cut through bureaucratic red tape and believe that the work and performance of politicians are more important. Young non-Malay voters… Continue reading Climate doomsday awaits Malaysia

TO most of you, posting online may feel ordinary. You send memes to friends to stay connected, reply with a joke, leave a comment and move on. However, once those words, pictures or videos are out there, you lose control over them. They can be seen by anyone, at any time, in any mood. The… Continue reading You say it best when you say nothing at all