Category: Opinion

IT is hard to believe that 68 years have passed since our nation first stood free on that historic day, Aug 31, 1957. On every Merdeka anniversary, I can’t help but reflect not only on the major milestones of our nation’s progress but also on the small moments of my own life that have been… Continue reading Reflections on 68 years of Merdeka

THE recent revelation of a doctor’s appalling living conditions in Sabah – after years of battling severe depression brought on by workplace bullying – is, sadly, not as shocking as it ought to be. This is just another troubling reminder of the lack of compassion and empathy within Malaysia’s healthcare sector. As a society, we… Continue reading Beneath the white coat: Bullying, burnout and a broken system

SILENCE once arrived without effort. It was there on long bus rides with nothing but the scenery to notice, in evenings broken only by the eight o’clock news and around family tables where conversation unfolded without interruption. Today, silence is almost extinct. Phones buzz before sunrise, messages arrive past midnight and we carry an endless… Continue reading Time to reclaim the sound of silence

GROWING up in a multicultural country as vibrant as Malaysia equips us with a deep sense of love for the nation’s rich tapestry of cultures. Our diversity is something we wear proudly and it is reflected in the harmony of our everyday lives. Malaysians of all backgrounds queue up for the same nasi lemak and… Continue reading Jalur Gemilang: The heartbeat of the nation

THE recent tragedies at educational institutions where allegedly bullying sometimes escalated into brutal deaths have shaken Malaysians to the core. These horrifying incidents are not isolated acts of violence; they are a mirror reflecting our collective failure to nurture responsible, compassionate and morally grounded youths. We are seeing a worrying trend of bullying, including cyberbullying.… Continue reading It takes all to eradicate bullying

TODAY’S young people are living through a time of profound global challenges. Conflicts continue to uproot families, hunger remains widespread and millions of children face uncertain futures. This year’s International Youth Day theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, calls attention to the vital role that young people can play in turning global… Continue reading From hunger to hope: Empowering youths as changemakers

EVERY year, Malaysians celebrate Independence Day on Aug 31. Not long after, Malaysia Day is commemorated on Sept 16. While the former marks the birth of a sovereign nation free from colonial rule, the latter celebrates the formation of the broader Malaysian Federation in 1963, when Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak came together. Since achieving independence… Continue reading Not every issue is about race

PERHAPS the most cynicism-producing event of the year was the rush by seven European leaders to Washington to lend support to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his meeting with President Donald Trump, following the latter’s summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to try to end the war in Ukraine. European leaders joining the meeting included… Continue reading Europe’s peace rhetoric a facade

AWARENESS campaigns are the adult version of “I’ll start my diet on Monday”. We keep promising action but end up printing posters instead. Bullying? Roll out a banner. Road safety? Launch a hashtag. Climate change? Invite a sweaty panda mascot to dance at a mall. Meanwhile, the only real change is in the quality of… Continue reading Posters don’t stop bullies, actions do

I HAVE never been a mother, so I cannot profess to knowing what it is like to bring up a child or children. However, I do know what it is like to be a child and, as an adult, what it feels like to look back on my childhood and see all the dysfunction and… Continue reading Unconscious parenting and the invisible wounds they inflict

WHEN I was in school, bullying was there – the name-calling, the pushing in corridors, the whispered jokes about my looks or background. I still carry those memories, though I rarely speak of them. But what I see today feels different – darker, more vicious. And unlike in my time, it is starting earlier, spreading… Continue reading Normalising cruelty at our own peril

I THINK I have lived long enough to see both progress and heartbreak in this country. And I am still here. Still holding the same red passport, still standing up when Negaraku plays – wherever and whenever – and still quietly hopeful even when things don’t go the way I wish they would. Loving Malaysia,… Continue reading Love you Malaysia and all your perfect imperfections

MY wife and I are expecting our first child. I am anxious to be a dad but also intimidated. My father was not a good role model, so I feel pretty clueless about this whole parenting thing. Please help. Focus on the Family Malaysia: Author Kent Nerburn once said, “It is much easier to become… Continue reading Fatherhood: Less about fixing, more about guidance

AS Malaysia celebrates its 68th year of independence, we are reminded of the journey that has shaped our nation into what it is today – a diverse, united and forward-moving country. From the historic moment of independence on Aug 31, 1957 to the vibrant Malaysia we know today, our progress has been deeply rooted in… Continue reading Celebrating 68 years of unity

G25 MALAYSIA welcomes the release of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) (2026–2030), which outlines a clear medium-term vision for Malaysia’s transition to a developed, high-income nation by the end of this decade. With GDP continuing to grow and per capita income rising steadily, Malaysia is well positioned to make this leap. However, to achieve the… Continue reading Implement inclusive, accountable 13MP

EVERY Aug 31, Malaysians across the nation wave flags, join parades and revel in the festive spirit of Merdeka Day. Yet, beyond this splendour, colour and celebrations, lies a more profound purpose, the remembrance of the nation’s liberation from colonial rule and our ascent into sovereignty. We have been colonialised since 1511, when the Portuguese… Continue reading True spirit of Malaysian independence

IMAGINE standing in front of a mirror that not only reflects your image but also echoes your voice to millions. That is what the media has become; not just a mirror of society but also a megaphone that can amplify, distort or drown out voices. Once limited to radio shows and printed headlines, the media… Continue reading The mirror, megaphone and us

EVERY Aug 31, the heart of Malaysia beats with pride. This year marks the 68th anniversary of our nation’s independence, a moment when Malaya, through diplomatic negotiations, freed itself from British colonial rule in 1957. The inspiration for this article came while I was at Berjaya Times Square, noticing the proud display of Jalur Gemilang… Continue reading Flags, freedom and flavours

VOLODYMYR Zelensky was not invited to the meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin in Alaska because the meeting was a bilateral summit to discuss a potential ceasefire and peace settlement in Ukraine. The purpose of the meeting was for the two leaders to gauge and determine a path to a broader peace… Continue reading Trump-Zelensky: Wiretapped malarkey

EVERY August, Malaysians cosplay as loyal citizens. Out comes the Jalur Gemilang, dusted off like it is a rare artefact. You stick it on your balcony, post “Merdeka spirit” on Facebook, then September arrives and you are back to chucking plastic into longkangs and treating the traffic light like it is just a suggestion. August… Continue reading Patriotism without spotlights

THE disclosure of corrupt senior military officers has left Malaysians shocked, angry and deeply disillusioned. I am distraught by the treachery of the few, entrusted with safeguarding the nation, lining up their own pockets. In my days as a soldier, a treasonable crime like this is punishable by death. I write as one who once… Continue reading Corruption tarnishes honour: Hold uniformed traitors accountable

THE last time I was in Washington, DC, I came out of my downtown hotel near the White House and asked the doorman which way to walk to a certain restaurant. “Turn left, you will be fine,” he said. “Turn right and you may be murdered.” This, in the hallowed capital of the world’s most… Continue reading We need law and order in Washington

THE recent incident at a secondary school in Kajang, Selangor involving a 14-year-old student who pleaded guilty to punching his teacher, sparks national concern over student behaviour and the emotional well-being of students, parents and educators. While the legal proceedings continue, this case presents a deeper opportunity to reflect on the underlying issues contributing to… Continue reading Call for digital mental health support

I AM writing to express my sincere gratitude and immense joy following our unforgettable school reunion dinner on Aug 2. This year marks a golden milestone for us – the ACS Seremban class of 1975. It has been 50 years since we all left our beloved alma mater, yet the bonds we forged remain strong… Continue reading ACS class of ‘75 marks golden milestone