Category: Opinion

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 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

THERE is a question that often arises when something big happens – a historic moment, a national milestone, a collective high. It usually begins like this: “Where were you when…?” Most of the time, it is not about geography but memory – about anchoring ourselves to something larger, remembering not just what happened but how… Continue reading Stories that shaped us

THE recent tragic incident involving a 13-year-old girl who fell from a third-floor building has deeply shaken our community. This heartbreaking situation compels us to examine the complex dynamics of bullying – understanding its impact on victims, the factors that create bullying behaviour and our collective responsibility in prevention. Understanding root causes Children rarely become… Continue reading Complex web of victim, perpetrator and community responsibility

TWO days ago, superstar Rajinikanth walked back into our cinemas, not just to entertain, but to remind us why we have loved him for decades. In Coolie, he teams up with director Lokesh Kanagaraj to deliver the kind of swagger only he can – the sunglasses flip, the slow-motion walk and that unmissable en vazhi,… Continue reading Devas who keep Malaysia going

IT started like many clinic visits. A middle-aged man, visibly drained, walked in with his wife. They were polite, even affectionate, but beneath the surface, something was cracking. “I forced him to come,” the wife confessed. She looked tired, not just from lack of sleep, but from holding it together. “His snoring is deafening. He… Continue reading Sleep divorce: The bedtime breakup you didn’t see coming

Q: I studied art in college and married before graduating. Four years later, my time is spent preparing meals, wiping toddlers’s noses and mopping the kitchen floor while my still-single university friends have thriving careers in graphic design and other artistic disciplines. I love my children but I can’t help feeling jealous. Should I just… Continue reading Motherhood: The most beautiful art of all

HAVE you ever sat staring at a task, knowing exactly what needs to be done, yet feeling your body almost glued to the chair? Your mind keeps circling around it – replaying the worry, possible mistakes and fear of doing it wrong. At the same time, there is the dull guilt of not having started.… Continue reading Breaking the hold of procrastination

AMID intensifying great power rivalry and regional flashpoints, such as the recent Thailand-Cambodia border skirmish, Malaysia is asserting itself as a credible and proactive middle power. Its chairmanship of Asean this year has reaffirmed its long-standing foreign policy strategy of selective alignment, a pragmatic approach that allows Malaysia to build bridges between rival powers while… Continue reading Bridging powers, managing tensions

IN today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, conversations often revolve around technology, digital transformation and modern infrastructure. However, at the core of academic success lies one constant and critical factor – the quality of teaching. Drawing from over 14 years of experience as an educator in higher education, complemented by 20 years of professional involvement in… Continue reading Invisible power of educators

AS the government considers raising tobacco taxes in Budget 2026, the Consumer Choice Centre (CCC) urges policymakers to adopt a more effective and science-based approach. Risk-based taxation, where nicotine products are taxed according to their level of health risk, offers a practical solution that supports public health while avoiding unintended consequences, such as the growth… Continue reading Science-driven tobacco taxes can reduce harm

BULLYING is no longer confined to schools; it has infiltrated chat rooms, social media feeds and gaming platforms, creating an environment where harassment is constant, public and hard to escape. In Malaysia, rising numbers of bullying cases offline and online are now colliding with another disturbing trend: increasing adolescent suicide risk. Rising tide of bullying… Continue reading Hidden triggers of teenage suicide

PRESIDENT Donald Trump has single-handedly pushed countries closer towards a new world order that will be different from the present American and Western-dominated one. As Trump brags to the American public about the latest “gains” from his transactional foreign policy using tariffs as his bazooka, impacted countries have begun to look closely at the concessions… Continue reading Real winners, losers of Trump’s tariffs

IT happened just after dawn. On May 11, as the mist hung low over the East–West Highway in Gerik, a five-year-old elephant calf stepped out from the forest beside his mother. To him, the road was not a threat; it was simply another clearing between trees, a quiet path between safety and river, between yesterday… Continue reading Remembering our gentle giants

WE are deeply concerned by the recent report of a student who had his course options removed by UPU upon disclosure of his autism status. This undermines the basic principles of fairness and inclusion. Every young person deserves a pathway to further education that respects their abilities, not a barrier defined by their disability status.… Continue reading Every student matters regardless of disability

AS the month of August dawns upon us, it brings with it a powerful reminder of our nation’s historic journey to independence. Merdeka month is not merely a time of festivity; it is a meaningful period to reflect on our shared history, appreciate the sacrifices of those who came before us and renew our commitment… Continue reading Call to enhance nationalism and patriotism

NOW comes the million-ringgit question splitting uncles at mamaks and aunties on Facebook like a nasi lemak sambal war: Should Malaysians get their EPF as a monthly allowance – like school pocket money – or in one glorious lump sum, jackpot-style? But here is the latest plot twist: Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying says… Continue reading Your EPF, Makcik’s spicy take

EVERY so often, something happens in Malaysia that makes you stop and think: “Do we actually understand what inclusion means or are we just paying lip service?” Here is one example. In a well-known commercial complex, bays located right next to a centre for children and youths with cerebral palsy are being reclassified as “preferred… Continue reading Stop putting price tag on inclusion

THE feeling is one mixed with exuberance and exhilaration. A sudden sense of achievement washed over me like the fresh rays of the morning sun, unadulterated and real. Entering the seventh decade of my existence, I welcomed it with profound joy. This is not just another birthday; it is the year I can scream with… Continue reading Thriving at 60: Living fully and beyond