Category: Opinion

AMIDST silence and stigma, the numbers continue to rise. Malaysia is facing a growing crisis of underage sexual activity but existing norms, policies and school systems are failing to respond with the urgency the data demands. Just two months ago, Berita Harian reported a 17% spike in such cases in Kelantan during the first quarter… Continue reading Silent crisis of underage teens

WE all make mistakes – some big, some small. But now, thanks to social media, a single wrong move can become a viral moment and sometimes ruin lives. That is the harsh reality of cancel culture. At first, cancel culture seemed like a good thing. It gave power to the people. When celebrities or companies… Continue reading Cancel culture: When accountability becomes public execution

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