The boy is 17, an excited fresh undergraduate who wants what every teenager wants: freedom on four wheels. He walks into a modest driving school in his neighborhood, clutching his documents, rehearsing eye test charts in his head. Across the counter, the clerk barely looks up. The options come out smoothly, like an everyday menu. Package B: you go through the full test. You pass only if you dont make mistakes. He freezes. Is this how it works now? Has guaranteed pass become a legitimate product ..

The subject of Artificial Intelligence has become so dominant in social discourse that the recent World Economic Forum in Davos devoted reputedly 200 sessions for corporate leaders to discuss AI from multiple angles. The conversations focused on five key themes the geopolitical rivalry using AI and technology; AI as productivity and growth driver; AI as job disruptor; how to invest in AI talent; ethics and governance for generative AI and robot systems; and environmental footprint from using AI ..

In the vast cosmos of power and privilege, few forces match the gravitational pull of Jeffrey Epsteins network. Like a black hole, it drew in the brightest stars of Western societypoliticians, billionaires, entertainers, and intellectualswarping the fabric of ethics and accountability around them. Once trapped in its orbit, escape proved nearly impossible: vanity, ambition and the allure of unaccountable influence sucked elites into a realm of unbridled lust and uncharted peril. This black hole ..

Will the renowned pork rib soup Bak Kut Teh continue to be available in Klang? Many asked this question online after Selangor state government announced closure of pig farms, relying on imports to satisfy the demand of the non- Muslim community. More pressing than concern over a bowl of Bak Kut Teh is how this closure has evolved from a policy matter into a political crisis. When examined more closely, it is no longer just about the dietary habits of non- Muslims; it exposes government inaction. ..

Carney in Davos and the myth of a suddenly ruptured world order When Mark Carney addressed the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in January 2026, he spoke of a rupture in the world order. The word struck a chord. Markets were volatile. Wars were multiplying. Global supply chains were fragmenting. Climate shocks were intensifying. Great power rivalry was sharpening. But before we accept the narrative of rupture too quickly, we must confront a dee

Three escalating issues put Pakatan Harapan on the hot seat Pakatan Harapan (PH) is likely now feeling the truth and cruelty of the saying : "a week is a long time in politics." Previously, with the split in Perikatan Nasional (Perikatan), internal turmoil in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and the progress on Unified Examination Certificate recognition, the situation looked favourable. 1. ** The Azam Baki controversy: credibility at stake** The shareholding controversy involving Malaysian ..

Financial sovereignty: Who designs the platforms, rules the future? The global economic order largely has already undergone a silent but profound transformation that most policymakers in Malaysia and across the Global South have yet to fully grasp. It manifests as a **decisive shift** from an era where sovereignty was defined primarily by territorial control (land and labor) to one increasingly determined by **_architectural sovereignty_**, which can be defined as a nations capacity to design, ..

As a Sarawakian, I am heartened that the government in my homeland is moving to set the minimum age of marriage at 18 for all communities. This decisive step sends a clear signal that Sarawak will not tolerate child marriagea practice that continues to surface in parts of Malaya and rightly troubles many Malaysians. While such cases are not commonly reported in Sarawak, it would be nave to assume they do not occur at all, particularly when official records and data are not easily accessible. ..

The January 31 announcement by Law Minister Azalina Othman Said that amendments to the Federal Constitution to limit the prime ministers tenure to 10 years may be tabled during the current Dewan Rakyat session is, quite frankly, music to my ears. At long last, those in the corridors of power appear to be acknowledging an uncomfortable truth. Overstaying in the coveted post of prime minister rarely works out wellnot for governance, not for institutions and certainly not for democracy itself. ..

Isa Samad and FELDA: A story of power, loss and betrayed trust The rise and fall, and rise again of Mohd Isa Abdul Samad is more than a personal drama of legal acquittals and convictions. It lays bare a deeper crisis in public stewardship, institutional integrity, and the lived realities of rural Malaysians who entrusted their futures to the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA). Many people wondered if these legal twists meant anything, for the ordinary settlers. The answer is painfully ..

Hypermodernity, the reinterpretation of needs and anti-familism among Chinese Malaysians The latest data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) presents a chilling reality. The total fertility rate (TFR) for the Malaysian Chinese community has plummeted to a historic low of 0.9. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the TFR is the average number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her child- bearing years. For a community to sustain ..

Chinese community hopes for DAP-MCA synergy in education The on-going disputes between the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) over Chinese education have reached a new fever pitch. Following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahims announcement of a RM40 million grant for TAR UMT and a 10-year tax exemption for its foundation, the two parties have engaged in an endless war of words. While party members might find the mudslinging entertaining, the broader ..

Are we building too much commercial space? Rethinking Malaysias retail and shoplot supply Have you ever driven past a row of shoplot in a housing area and noticed that most of them are empty, dark, or simply never opened? This is no longer an occasional sight. In many parts of Malaysia, especially in growing suburbs, we are seeing more commercial spaces being built even as existing units struggle to attract tenants and customers. While commercial development is often associated with progress ..

In recent conversations with parents, I have noticed a growing concern: many of their children are reluctant to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). A common reason cited is insecurity about long-term career prospects. Some young people worry that STEM professions may become obsolete in an era shaped by the gig economy, automation and artificial intelligence. This perception, however, could not be further from the truth. Engineering and technology are among ..

The Prime Ministers recent directive empowering local authorities to demolish illegal houses of worship marks a profoundly sad and troubling moment for Malaysia. It is not merely a technical instruction about land use or municipal enforcement. It strikes at something far deeper: the sense of safety, dignity and belonging of minority faith communities who have, for generations, helped build this nation. For many Malaysians, especially Hindus and other nonMuslim minorities, the message did not ..

Rethinking cash aid and Malaysias path to resilience Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahims New Year message included an announcement regarding the RM100 cash for every Malaysian aged 18 and above under Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA). In an economic environment characterized by inflationary stress and stagnant salaries, the transfer might alleviate the burden of everyday necessities. However, a more profound policy question comes to mind: Is this simply a transaction, or can it evolve to build ..

Open-sourcing the Amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008: A call for Madani transparency As Malaysia enters a pivotal year for institutional reform, the Madani government has signaled a commitment to transparency through the proposed Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill. In July 2025, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made a landmark promise: to introduce a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act that would "overturn the long-standing secrecy by default culture." He said it would ..

Malaysias story has always been larger than any one race, religion or party. We are, at our best, a nation of balanced heads and steady hearts, people who can argue fiercely about politics at noon and share a table of _teh tarik_ and _thosai_ by nightfall. That is the Malaysia our children deserve, and it is exactly that Malaysia that a small group of zealots, acting as the noisy fronts for unseen political hands, are trying to tear apart. Let us speak honestly: religion is being used, again ..

Rethinking cash aid and Malaysias path to resilience Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahims New Year message included an announcement regarding the RM100 cash for every Malaysian aged 18 and above under Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA). In an economic environment characterized by inflationary stress and stagnant salaries, the transfer might alleviate the burden of everyday necessities. However, a more profound policy question comes to mind: Is this simply a transaction, or can it evolve to build ..

UEC recognition: A tool for political manipulation Despite a minor incident over the VIP seating arrangement at PM Anwar's dialogue session at TAR UMT, the fact that the prime minister walked into the hall with one hand holding a DAP leader and the other holding a RM40 million grant while simultaneously approving a 10-year tax exemption for the UTAR Foundation still carries positive significance. Compared to the 2019 TAR UC incident, I pointed out in the article "TAR UC Belongs to the Chinese ..

Is the Kuala Lumpur mayoral election a Chinese conspiracy? The proposal for a mayoral election in Kuala Lumpur is still far from becoming a reality; at most, it is a suggestion or a subject for research by the Federal Territories Minister. However, the reaction has been explosive, filled with hostility and framed by some as a "final showdown." Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh took the lead by saying: "They remain 'them,' and we must not let our guard down This time, we must oppose ..

In the crisp mountain air of Davos, Switzerland, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a speech that reverberated across the globe like a clarion call. Carneys words marked the inaugural chapter of A New Westa coalition of middle powers uniting to challenge the unchecked hegemony of the United States under President Donald Trump. Drawing on historical parallels and unflinching realism, Carney invoked the story of Czech dissident and former President Vclav Havel to illustrate the perils ..

_Sharing by a group of parents for children with disabilities in Malaysia_ For both parents who are working, their children will normally be either taken care of by their grandparents, relatives, friends, or sent to daycare centers. But for parents of persons with disabilities (PWDs), it is a role that comes with deeper emotions, heavier responsibilities, and many hidden battles that outsiders rarely see and also cannot understand. If you are a parent of PWDs reading this, chances are you have ..

Malaysia must confront digital sovereignty threats: Digital patriotism matters In an era of rapid global digitalization, the nature of national sovereignty is undergoing a fundamental shift. Historically, national sovereignty was defined by the integrity of territory and its independence. However, in the 21st century, the definition has been deceptively with many caught unaware. There seems to be a new frontier developing at the courtyard of every nation and in this new frontier, those who ..

Embracing pragmatic transactional realism to survive US President Trumps world As global leaders gather in Davos for the World Economic Forum last month, the atmosphere appears to be shifting fundamentally. The long era of the liberal international order seems to be fading, replaced by a new and colder reality that could be best described as pragmatic transactional realism. To understand this profound change, we might look to the words of Niccolo Machiavelli, who famously noted that the promise ..

Envisioning the future of Malaysian Early Childhood Education (ECE) **Disclaimer:** _The following reflections are shared purely from the perspective of an Early Childhood Education (ECE) practitioner and academic. These views are intended to contribute to the professional discourse on pedagogy and child development and do not represent any political stance._ Recently, the ECE landscape in Malaysia has been thrust into the national spotlight following discussions regarding the entry of children ..

At such returns, why should one even consider bonds that yield 4-% per annum with possible FX depreciation or fiscal default? With estimated BRICS+ FX Reserves at around $5 Trillion, they have lots of foreign currency to sell to buy gold. But why do they need to hold so many reserves? The answer lies in the current Real Time Gross Settlement system in use, which means that in any dollar-foreign currency trade settlement across the books of central banks, the full amount of debt needs to be ..

Rule of law under pressure: How high-profile corruption and procurement cases are stress-testing Malaysias governance credibility Malaysias contemporary political economy is no longer shaped solely by growth forecasts, fiscal arithmetic, or coalition maneuvering. Increasingly, it is defined by how the state manages accountability when power, money and institutions converge. A cluster of high-profile governance cases, spanning defense procurement, former prime ministers, and influential figures ..

Ringgit and Singapore dollar are making great gains: No reason why Indonesian rupiah cannot follow The recent strength of the ringgit and the Singapore dollar is neither cosmetic nor accidental. It reflects a deeper recalibration of investor confidence toward Southeast Asias core economies. The ringgit is now trading around US$1 to RM4, having briefly strengthened to RM3.923 last Friday, while the Singapore dollar is registering its strongest performance in more than 11 years against the US ..

The sun has yet to rise. The streets are quiet, the schoolchildren still asleep, and the rush-hour traffic a few hours away. Yet outside a government clinic in the Klang Valley, grey silhouettes already line the pavement. Some lean on walking sticks, others carry small plastic bags containing medication slips and appointment cards. The air is cool, but beneath the calm lingers an unspoken urgency. Before the clinic doors open, these senior citizensmen and women who once drove lorries, taught ..

It is hardly surprising that Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin is growing impatient over Perikatan Nasionals failure to finalize its prime ministerial candidate for the 16th general election. From Muhyiddins perspective, the delay is unnecessary and even damaging. After all, Bersatu had long ago nominated him as its preferred candidate, and he clearly sees himself as the coalitions natural choice. But politics, especially coalition politics, rarely stands still. Since that initial nomination, ..

Brain circulation or brain drain: Malaysia needs better metrics In recent months, the language around Malaysias talent outflows has shifted. Where _brain drain_ once dominated headlines, _brain circulation_ is now increasingly invoked, often accompanied by a handful of high-profile return stories. The change in tone is understandable, as after years of net losses, there is a desire to believe that the tide is finally turning. But optimism, unaccompanied by proper measurement, can easily become ..

Every day, our roads are crowded not just with vehicles, but with unspoken stories. The simple image of a highway filled with cars, each labeled with a private pain like miscarriage, job loss, cancer, abuse, or grief, captures a truth many drivers forget: we are sharing lanes with people who may be driving through the worst day of their lives. That realization is the starting point for any serious attempt to curb road rage. Emotional awareness, coupled with strong and creative public messaging, ..

RPM 2026-2035: A plan for all children or only for some? The Rancangan Pendidikan Malaysia (Malaysian Education Plan) 2026-2035 (RPM 2635) has just been launched. RPM 2635 has the slogan "_Closing the Gap, Raising the Bar, Together We Succeed_" (theme _Bridging the Gap, Improving Quality, Achieving Success Together_). The document states this reflects _the spirit of cooperation across the education ecosystem to ensure that no student is left behind, every school continues to improve performance ..

Having spent some time talking to people across Malaysia, the message I have received is remarkably consistent. They trust what they feel in their wallets, not what they read in reports on economic growth. Many Malaysians today feel disconnected from the official economic success story rising food costs, childcare, rent, insurance, and transport dominate their daily struggle. On paper, the economy appears strong. GDP is growing (estimated at 4.9% for 2025, surpassing official expectations), and ..

Journalists are confronted by noticeably growing politicization and risks of criminal liabilities. While in the past, careless mistakes could end with sincere amendments and apologies, they might imply criminal investigations, detention, or even handcuffing today! Owing to unintentional headline errors, allegations of misrepresentation, discrepancies between text and images, or graphic design errors, Malaysian media outlets face the omnipresent risk of criminal investigations in our highly ..

UNESCO champions the principle that no child should be left behindevery child deserves access to quality education regardless of gender and circumstances. As we celebrate International Education Day on 24 January and conversations around education equity continue, my story is a testament to the impact of parental support when it comes to education. Back in the day, both my parents worked tirelessly to make ends meet. Despite our daily struggles, my parents repeatedly emphasized the importance ..

Malaysias decision to allow children to begin preschool at age five and give parents the option of enrolling them in Standard One at age six or seven marks a significant turning point in the nations education landscape. On paper, this is a progressive and forward-looking reform, aligning Malaysia with countries that have long prioritized early childhood education. Research consistently shows that the early years are critical for building foundational 3M skills_Membaca_ (reading), _Menulis_ ..

The government released the National Education & Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035 on Tuesday, outlining a major roadmap for the next decade. The content is detailed, spanning from preschool to tertiary educationa testament to the planners' long-term vision. However, this meticulously crafted roadmap was overshadowed by an announcement from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the launch, casting a shadow of doubt for many people. The point causing the most confusion and varying ..

ASEAN and the world must unite against scam operations in Cambodia and beyond The harrowing case of a Malaysian trafficking victim in Cambodia, who risked his life by posing as a scammer just to make a desperate call home, exposes a grim underside of Southeast Asias digital economy. It is a story not of individual criminality, but of industrial-scale human exploitationone that has metastasized across borders and now threatens the moral, economic, and security foundations of the region. These ..