Category: Opinion

TRAVELLERS from around the world visit Malaysia to revel in its vibrant cultural diversity, remarkable food, stunning natural beauty and genuinely welcoming people. The idea of allowing a ruthless and deadly pastime like jallikattu in the country is abhorrent, which is violence defended under the guise of culture. But cruelty should be unequivocally condemned. There… Continue reading Time to shut door on jallikattu cruelty

RECENT headlines in Malaysia have once again reminded us of the disturbing reality of paedophilia and child sexual abuse. A few months ago, a prominent social media personality was arrested for allegedly grooming and sexually abusing minors. In another case, a male teacher was charged with repeatedly molesting his own students. Such cases shock the… Continue reading Stop the silence: Protect children, not predators

EH, Malaysia, what’s going on-lah? One moment I’m sipping my teh tarik and the next minute, a fella on a motorbike is firing shots like he is auditioning for KL’s Fast & Furious: Pasar Malam Edition. And this is not even in some hidden back alley, mind you, but smack in the middle of afternoon… Continue reading Malaysia, why so marah one?

LET us be clear – Cinema at its commercial core is just a movie. It is fiction born from imagination, designed to make profits soar. This remains the fundamental reality of movies made for the masses. Yet, as someone inclined towards the literary, I find myself compelled to look past the spectacle, to delve into… Continue reading Beyond the checkered flag

SELANGOR Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has dismissed calls for a new investigation into the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire. He has pledged “no cover-ups” and announced a briefing for lawmakers today, stating the full report will be released once cleared. The MB has been quoted as saying: “Those who are unhappy can review… Continue reading Earning trust by ensuring accountability

I AM writing to urge the Petaling Jaya City Council and other municipal councils across Malaysia to halt the practice of capturing stray dogs that are already being cared for under the Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme in Petaling Jaya and beyond. This approach is not only ineffective but is also disheartening for many local rescuers and… Continue reading Stop the round-up of TNRM dogs

THE cry echoes up and down New York City’s crowded streets. Out of nowhere has emerged a malevolent Muslim candidate for mayor named Zohran Mamdani. He is 33-years-old and born in Uganda – a country that was also home to the late Idi Amin. To many horrified New Yorkers, it looks as if he may… Continue reading Is Zohran New York’s red awakening?

MY sisters and I used to fantasise about receiving an unexpected inheritance from some long-lost wealthy relative. We would picture ourselves in black mourning attire – pillbox hats, gloved hands, dabbing tears with lace handkerchiefs – while a stern-faced lawyer read aloud the terms of our windfall. The reality, of course, proved far less cinematic.… Continue reading True currency of legacy

Q: My husband recently lost his job and I am still working, so we are not destitute but it is tough on the whole family. Is there anything I should prioritise while he looks for a new position? Focus on the Family Malaysia: You have an important role in helping your spouse deal with the… Continue reading Weathering unemployment as a couple

THE Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) strongly supports the call to allow refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia to work formally under a well-regulated and safeguarded framework. Malaysia currently hosts over 185,000 refugees and asylum seekers, the majority of whom are of working age and physically able to contribute to the workforce. At present, refugees and… Continue reading MEF calls for legal work rights for refugees, asylum seekers

CONGRATULATIONS are in order for our eminent Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Che Mat as she concludes her mandated term with unwavering dedication, dignified decorum and distinguished service. Appointed in May 2019, Tengku Maimun served as Malaysia’s chief justice for six years and two months, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and judicial excellence. Her… Continue reading Tengku Maimun’s unmatched contribution

EVERY time I take the LRT, I notice the same thing: no platform doors – just an open gap between passengers and the train tracks. It only takes one wrong step, one moment of distraction or one accidental push in a crowded station and that unguarded space can mean the difference between life and death.… Continue reading Deadly gap on our LRT platforms

AS a mother, a human resource professional of over two decades and an Indian woman who has journeyed through corporate Malaysia and grassroots community work, I write this with a heavy heart. The passing of Tan Sri Dr M. Thambirajah has left a void so profound, I ask myself: “Who do we turn to now?”… Continue reading Tribute to education altruist Dr M. Thambirajah

HAVE you ever said something in the heat of the moment and later thought, “why did I do that, it is not like me at all”? Most of us have – whether it is snapping unexpectedly, shutting down when we wanted to speak up or feeling deeply hurt by a seemingly harmless comment. It often… Continue reading Understanding emotional triggers and regaining control

AS the cost of living continues to rise in Malaysia, driven in part by the Sales and Service Tax (SST), more families will find it harder to put nutritious food on the table. While SST may not apply to all food products, its indirect effect through higher transport, service and business operation costs will push… Continue reading The high cost of eating well

IT is commendable that Malaysia has taken a major step towards educational equality by awarding scholarships and guaranteeing matriculation placement to all students – regardless of race or background – who achieve grades of A, A+ or A- in 10 subjects in the SPM examination. This significant move towards levelling the playing field for all… Continue reading Inclusive matriculation policy key to progress

THE latest Western media coverage has been agog with the Trump administration’s use of hard power. This follows the bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan – despite the fact that Iran has never tested a nuclear device, has repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons and US intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran… Continue reading Strings of power behind Iran strikes

THE recent incidents – from a near-miss during a solo dive off Tioman to the tragic boat capsize off Pulau Perhentian – underscore a critical need for heightened safety in Malaysia’s tourism sector. These incidents, primarily impacting marine recreation, are symptomatic of a broader issue that extends across land-based resorts, transport and all adventure activities.… Continue reading Making tourism safer for everyone

A TOTAL of 5,272 youths aged 34 and under have been declared bankrupt between 2020 and 2025, accounting for 14.94% of all bankruptcy cases in the country. According to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, 5,189 of them were between the ages of 25 and 34 while 83 were under 25. Based on these statistics,… Continue reading Costly cycle of buy now, pay later

HUMANS are an incredible species, having achieved extraordinary feats, especially in the past century. We reached space just six decades after the first powered flight. Today’s smartphone has thousands of times more computational power than the machine that sent a man to the moon. With techniques dating back to the 10th century, we eventually eradicated… Continue reading Academic freedom under siege

SO you want a holiday, huh? But not just any holiday. No. You don’t want the usual makan-makan, tidur (sleeping at) hotel, selfie depan (in front of) the Petronas towers. You want something edgy, something spooky, something to make your ancestors raise their eyebrows and ask: “Anak ni tak cukup kasih sayang ke (This child… Continue reading Malaysia’s haunted holidays

WHEN we think of healthcare, doctors and nurses often come to mind. However, there is another group of professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes, the allied health professionals (AHP). These experts play a pivotal role in delivering patient-centred care, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive services, from diagnosis to recovery and rehabilitation. Who Are AHP? AHP… Continue reading Recognising unsung care heroes

ON June 17, the United States Senate passed the Genius Act – short for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins – with a decisive 68 to 30 bipartisan vote. Once passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law by President Donald Trump, this legislation will establish a federal framework to regulate… Continue reading Who controls world’s digital money?

IT began, again, with a tweet. Donald Trump, from his digital podium, declared that Iran and Israel had “come to him” asking for peace and that he was promising a future of “love, peace and prosperity”. The post went viral. Commentators scrambled. Headlines reframed. But beneath the performance lay the more troubling reality: real peace… Continue reading From tweets to tectonics

IT is difficult to discern exactly what the “big stuff” was that prompted President Donald Trump to leave the G7 summit and return to Washington a day early. While he did not provide specific details, he did advise the nine million residents of Tehran to “immediately evacuate” their homes – causing mass panic. Any lingering… Continue reading America First or more wars? The complex stakes of the Iran crisis

AFTER spending an evening watching comedy clips featuring Ellen DeGeneres, the late Robin Williams and local talents like Douglas Lim and Jason Leong, I found myself sighing with contentment and giggling at the memories. This simple pleasure made me reflect on the saying, “laughter is the best medicine”. As it turns out, researchers worldwide are… Continue reading Laughter the best medicine

PUBLIC transport is meant to make life easier. Buses, in particular, should offer a safe and affordable way to get around. But do bus drivers truly understand the responsibility they carry? Recently, I had a harrowing experience on my way to the MRT station from home. While waiting by the roadside for a RapidKL bus,… Continue reading Enforce safety rules – don’t let us become another statistic

Q: MY elderly mother still lives independently but it is becoming clear that she will soon need help managing her finances and other important matters. My siblings and I want to start preparing for this transition. What steps would you recommend to ensure everything is handled smoothly? Focus on the Family Malaysia: You are wise… Continue reading Helping ageing parents manage their finances

EACH year, thousands of students across Malaysia receive their UPU placement results, marking a milestone that is often met with a complex mix of emotions. For some, there is excitement and relief. For others, there is confusion, doubt or even quiet disappointment. What makes this period particularly difficult is the pressure to feel certain –… Continue reading Courses do not define you, your mindset does