Category: Opinion

As Malaysia’s economy navigates an uncertain global environment, domestic consumption continues to stand out as a reliable driver of growth. In the first quarter of 2025, private consumption remained buoyant, supported by stable employment conditions, real wage growth, and subdued inflation. With Bank Negara Malaysia holding its policy rate steady, and with the improved market… Continue reading SST expansion set to supercharge Malaysia’s rental and subscription economy

MUTZIG, FRANCE: First stop on my annual visit to France’s mighty Maginot Line forts is this lovely Alsatian town. Mutzig was built by the Germans 1893-1916 to defend against enemy approaches to the important city of Strasbourg. It was – and remains – the largest modern fortress in Europe. The vast fortress, which covers over… Continue reading ‘Golden Dome’ is pure fantasy

THE East-West Highway is a marvel of its era, serving to block off communist insurgency in the thick jungles and to shorten the distance between the northern east and west coast states. While it has served the nation for over four decades, the highway also has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous… Continue reading New highway needed for east-west connectivity

THERE’S something comforting about going with the flow. It makes life easier, decisions quicker and approval more likely. But every now and then, something deep within us stirs, a quiet nudge asking: Is this really the way I want to live? In today’s fast-moving world, many of us are doing our best. We recycle. We… Continue reading Follow trends or lead with thought?

WHAT if the future of our education is no longer confined within classroom walls but embedded in the seamless scroll of a mobile screen? Once perceived merely as a platform for dance routines and viral entertainment, TikTok has evolved into an emergent space for digital learning. With billions of views under educational hashtags and creators… Continue reading TikTok marks new era of learning

FATHER’S Day often invites us to reflect on the men who shaped us. As a 46-year-old researcher, a professional in the world of science and academia, my life has been a tapestry woven with precision and unpredictability. I come from a large family – 10 siblings, each with our own stories but all sharing the… Continue reading Parenting is a work in progress, it cannot be taught

I AM a father of three and a grandfather of six – just the right number to remember all their names! With that, I believe I have earned a bit of credibility to speak about fatherhood, at least for the younger dads. Being a good father is a work in progress and is something we… Continue reading The heart of fatherhood

WHAT happened to Fahmi Reza is, unfortunately, nothing new. Many have gone through the same, including myself. After the 2018 general election, when there was a change of government, and after I retired from public service, I found myself barred from travelling abroad. My applications to perform Umrah were denied twice. To my shock, checks… Continue reading Unchecked power to restrict freedom

AS a coastal nation, Malaysia relies significantly on its marine ecosystems to support millions of livelihoods, ensure food security and drive economic growth. The maritime zones that stretch from the Straits of Malacca to the South China Sea are biodiversity hot spots and economic engines, generating billions annually through fisheries, shipping, marine tourism and oil… Continue reading Policy, technology nexus for sustainable ocean

EVER notice how certain things that seem off at first gradually fade into the background? Like someone jaywalking across a busy road even though there is a perfectly good pedestrian bridge just a few steps away. Or that small crack in the pavement you just stepped over without a second thought. It happens all the… Continue reading What is clear is that the Trump-Musk fallout is more than just a personal dispute or one with consequences for solely American domestic policy. – AFPPIC

HOLLYWOOD could not have produced a more riveting movie, playing out to audiences in the United States and around the world – accessible to anyone with a smartphone. Just days after praising Elon Musk as “one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced” and crediting him with a leading role… Continue reading Trump vs Musk: Domestic and geopolitical repercussions

THERE are days when language fails us. Today is one of them. No clever line can soften what happened in the early hours of Monday. A bus carrying students of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris was making its way from Jerteh back to campus in Tanjung Malim – a route many had travelled before. Quiet. Long.… Continue reading When grief has no answers

THE incident involving a bus carrying Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students and an MPV along the East-West Highway is deeply painful to note. This is a heartbreaking loss of lives. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families and loved ones. As a lecturer, I know what it is like to watch young students come… Continue reading How many more must die before we act?

WE now come to one of the three biggest sources of ecological destruction that almost no Malaysian on the peninsula recognises – certainly no politician nor civil administrator. It is the hardened racial consciousness of Malays, Chinese and Indians. Surprised? We are led to think that our racial identity defines us, making us who we… Continue reading Racial politics worsens climate change

THE Alliance for a Safe Community fully supports His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, in his heartfelt call for unity – described by His Majesty as the greatest gift the rakyat can offer him. His words are timely and deeply significant in the context of our multiracial nation. Unity is the cornerstone of our… Continue reading Heed King’s call by embracing unity

WE frequently read alarming statistics about road crashes involving heavy vehicles – an issue that demands immediate action. While long-term solutions will require time and funding, there are critical strategies that can be implemented immediately. Stronger enforcement measures, for example, could significantly improve safety on our highways and roads overnight. The authorities must prioritise the… Continue reading Tougher enforcement for lorry drivers and owners

THERE comes a time in every professional journey where circumstances will test the core of our values. When faced with difficult decisions, the temptation to shift perspectives, adapt narratives or compromise principles can be overwhelming, especially when survival in an organisation depends on it. The question then becomes: Are we shaping our identity or are… Continue reading Integrity vs survival in the workplace

NOTHNG new came out from the Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore recently. This comes as no surprise as the event, touted as a platform for bringing together defence ministers, heads of ministries and military leaders from Asia-Pacific states, has achieved little since its inception more than 20 years ago. Initiated by a think-tank and wannabe… Continue reading Selling insecurity and militarisation