UPKOs Ewon has the right to resign as minister on principle In this column today, I wish to discuss whether a minister who disagrees with certain policies of the government he is serving should step down as a matter of principle. In a straight forward case and on a matter of principle, I would say yes, as the title of this article suggests. But it is also important to weigh other factors on such a major decision, as repercussions would surely be involved. The story today is centered on the ..

26 October 2025 marks a historic moment. In Kuala Lumpur, Timor-Leste is officially joining ASEAN as its 11th member state. For most Malaysians, the name Timor-Leste may feel distant; a small country on the periphery of Indonesia, known mainly through fragments of history and humanitarian headlines. Yet its accession is not just another expansion of ASEAN. It is the return of a long-ignored story to Southeast Asias collective consciousness, one that reminds us of what regional solidarity once ..

In diplomacy, terms of endearment could matter more than geopolitical grid lines. When leaders use language that conveys warmth and respect, they build trust and foster amity, paving the way to steer the stormy waters of geopolitical discord. This makes for eas

Achieving shared strength and prosperity for Japan and ASEAN I would like to congratulate Malaysia for hosting the ASEAN Summit and related meetings. It is a great honour for me to visit Malaysia on my first overseas trip since assuming office as Prime Minister of Japan and participate in this important ASEAN event. This year marks several historic milestones: the 10th anniversary of ASEAN Community, the launch of ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and the 20th anniversary of East Asia Summit (EAS). ..

Despite public indignation, Malaysia is preparing to welcome a figure whose legacy is written not in diplomacy, but in destruction. As the fires in Gaza continue to burn, with tens of thousands killed and millions displaced, the reappearance of Donald J. Trump on the international stage poses **both moral and strategic question of the highest order**: will Malaysia, long a voice of conscience for the oppressed, now offer a red carpet to one of the most unrepentant enablers of genocide? To frame ..

Malaysias equity market continues to underperform against regional peers, as reflected by anemic total shareholder returns of the FBM KLCIbelow fixed deposit yields over the past decade. The recent net foreign outflows in financial services (-RM835.5 million), healthcare (-RM270.3 million), and utilities (-RM106.7 million) signal not only short-term investor retrenchment but also deeper structural vulnerabilities in the economy. Rising global protectionism, slowing external demand, and rapid ..

Schools must do more to safeguard students, stop stabbing The 16-year-old was allegedly stabbed to death by a 14-year-old schoolmate at a Bandar Utama school. This has reignited a national debate over student safety, toxic online content, and ministerial accountability. This latest act of violence is not an isolated event. Violence did not visit our schools overnight. Violence has been allowed to grow slowly, largely undisturbed, mostly neglected or dismissed, until it exploded into shocking ..

MIC could make an announcement soon about exiting BN The long-awaited MIC decision to leave the BN is near according to various media reports. Many are waiting for the MIC's momentous announcement on this. The MIC has nothing to lose by exiting the long exploitative relationship with the BN, as there is nothing more to expect in the future. The BN itself is disunited and already in the doldrums and continuing to rely on it is suicidal. There is a possibility that Umno could be wiped out in GE16 ..

ByDr. Nur Hidayah Mustapa, Prof. Dr. Wong Li Ping, Dr. Lim Yin Cheng Eyes on the screen: How internet gaming addiction threatens teen vision and well-being ByDr. Nur Hidayah Mustapa, Prof. Dr. Wong Li Ping, Dr. Lim Yin Cheng Every year on World Sight Day, which falls on October 9, the theme is Love Your Eyes. Health professionals worldwide highlight the importance of eyecare and preventing avoidable blindness. While much of the discussion centers on cataracts, refractive errors, and vision ..

Budget 2026: From fiscal prudence to productive debt stewardship Budget 2026 was tabled with the reassuring confidence of prudence. It promises a narrower deficit of 3.5 percent of GDP, an allocation of RM421.2 billion, and a renewed commitment to fiscal responsibility under the Madani framework. The message is clear: tightening its belt while sustaining welfare. However, beneath this narrative lies a deeper question: what kind of discipline are we practicing? Prudence that merely constrains, ..

Is there evidence for measures proposed by the government to curb violence in schools? The recent episodes of violence in school reported in the media has ignited much national discussion, with many opinions expressed as to what long-term actions should be taken. The government leadership has discussed this on 17 October 2025 and proposed a number of measures. It is important that these measures are based on evidenceof what worksand not on opinions and _in my day_ sentiments. We look here at ..

Violence in schools: Taking collective responsibility Recent violence by children towards other children in our schools has significantly impacted all of us in the country. It has been of great concern to parents and especially to children attending our schools. Another alleged sexual assault of a female student by four students reported today adds to the fears. No one expects that the school environment is where rape and violent physical harm can occur. We have a tendency as a nation to be ..

The last few weeks have been challenging for many of us as parents, teachers, and a society. There have been repeated distressing narratives involving children and violent events. Emotions are running high, and the blame-shifting has intensified because cognitively and morally, these events are extremely hard for us to accept. However, its important to take a moment to pause and remember that affected children and families are suffering from losses we can hardly fathom. Viralizing such events ..

Patient safety must come first: Pharmacists are not legally authorized or equipped to give injections The Private Medical Practitioners Association of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (PMPASKL), with the full support of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM), together with the Penang Private Medical Practitioners Society (PMPS Penang), the Perak Medical Practitioners Society (PMPS Perak), and the Association of Private Practitioners Sabah (APPS), strongly reject ..

I fully support the Director-General of the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) and the Ministrys stand against the caning of students. It is time we move away from old ideas of discipline that rely on fear and physical pain. True discipline is not about punishment. It is about helping children understand that every choice has a consequence. There are some who call for the cane to return. But caning is not the answer. It may stop bad behavior for a moment, but it does not help a child ..

Southeast Asia digital payment push: Can it be a reality? Southeast Asia has moved fast from cash to digital rails: QR payments, mobile wallets and instant retail systems became widespread after the pandemic, and regional policy actors are now trying to stitch national instant-payment systems together to lower remittance costs and speed cross-border retail payments. The International Monetary Fund has argued that these effortsfrom bilateral links to a multilateral networkcould transform ..

Major setback for Indians without special allocations in Budget 2026 There were no special allocations for the Indian community unlike in previous years and the community is surprised by the exclusion. Whereas special allocations have been given for certain groups in the budget, the exclusion of any funds specifically for the Indian community is a big surprise and will be a major talking point when Indians meet during the Deepavali celebrations. Just because MITRA has a history of misuse of ..

Chinas United Front Work in Japan: Activities and countermeasures Under the slogan of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the Xi Jinping leadership is striving to become the next hegemonic power, replacing the current hegemon, the United States. One of the most effective means of achieving this goal is through influence operations known as United Front Work (UFW). Chinas expanding influence through UFW has recently been noted not only in East Asia, but also in Europe, Africa, Latin ..

Violence is not a diagnosis or symptom of mental illness: A community call to reframe how we talk about disability, safety and our children Of the many incidents involving children in recent months, this tragedy has cut deeply because of how the public discourse has unfolded before the facts were even known. It is not only the impact of violence itself but also how quickly public discourse has conflated disability with danger, violence, and threats. Comments such as an OKU card will now appear ..

All a society in jitters needs is the courage to slow down Are our schools still a place we can entrust our children to? That has been a question Malaysians have persistently asked ever since the tragic killing of Yap Shing Xuen. And the infuriated public have started to toss in other recent cases of suicide, bullying and gang rape involving students, and have wanted Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to take full responsibility and resign. Some others opine that these unfortunate incidents have ..

It was a matter of time before another internal strife in Bersatu emerged into the open. And it has happened. On Oct 14, Bersatu sacked five leaders, including Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, for violating the partys code of conduct. Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, meanwhile, had his membership suspended for one term. The other four who were sacked are all division chiefs: Mohd Azrudin Mhd Idris (Hang Tuah Jaya), Mohd Faizal Asmar (Pengerang), Mohd Fadhli Ismail (Ipoh Timur) ..

Indonesia-China high-speed rail debt: A cautionary tale for Malaysias ECRL The recent announcement that Indonesia has begun talks with China over the debt incurred from its high-speed rail project connecting Jakarta to Bandung is a wake-up call for Southeast Asiaand especially for Malaysia. Indonesias first- ever high-speed rail venture, launched amid much fanfare as a symbol of modernization, is now grappling with ballooning liabilities and revenue shortfalls. As Indonesia seeks to renegotiate ..

Schools are becoming unsafe for students as many urgent and important matters are being ignored by teachers and principals or swept under the carpet so as not to affect the image and reputation of schools. This 'ostrich' policy has led to a never-ending cascade of problems victimizing the students who should feel safe and secure in the school environment. There should be severe penalties imposed on school principals and teachers who try to cover-up problems. The Parent-Teachers Associations ..

There is something about Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian which Sarawakians truly appreciate. The minister is never tired of opening his mouth to appeal for more money for the health sector in Sarawak. After the 2025 Budget was tabled, the minister publicly voiced concern that the allocated RM46.5 billion for healthcare was still insufficient to meet the mounting challenges facing Malaysiaparticularly in light of an ageing population and soaring medical costs. Dr Sim ..

Urgent need for leadership change at the ministry of education For many years, news reports about bullying and sexual harassment in schools has troubled Malaysians. Most of us thought, wrongly as it turns out, that the Unity Government's Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek, would be rightly placed to deal with the mounting horrors that our children are subjected to, when they go to school. However, we were left disappointed. Some of the bullies were themselves from the teaching fraternity. ..

A call to compassion and action: Preventing tragedies through mental health awareness On a quiet morning at SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (4), amid the usual tension of the UASA examinations, a violent act occurred that shattered the sense of safety within the school walls. The stabbing and death of a student (girl) is a devastating reminder of the silent battle some students face every day. The perpetrator, another student, has a known history of mental health struggles, highlighted the urgent ..

Values for the future by valuing the present: Reclaiming responsibility, accountability and conscience in a changing world In a world torn by wars, shaken by calamities, and strained by moral decay, the anchor of our values has never been more critical. Across the globe, humanity seems to be in conflict not only between nations, but within hearts. From the shattered homes of Gaza and Ukraine to the rising tide of global poverty, we witness a collapse of empathy. The earth too groans from our ..

Global South cooperation arrangements must evolve to better respond to pressing contemporary and imminent challenges, rather than risk being irrelevant straitjackets stuck in the past. In 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established, initially to address regional tensions following the formation of Malaysia in September 1963. The creation of Malaysia had led to problems with the Philippines and Indonesia, while Singapore had seceded from the new confederation in ..

In Hong Kong for the Asia Global Institute forum on Navigating the Tariff War, the consensus was that no one is immune to structural uncertainty where everything is happening all at once, with no-one knowing what exactly comes next. Navigation is about planning and executing a journey, but you need maps, compasses and point of reference to know where you are and where you are going. Journeys across time and space need sound navigation, especially in troubled waters. Sailing is all about ..

Nobel Peace Prize: The politics of peace, sponsored by the powerful Once upon a time, peace used to be noisy. It marched through the streets, shouted through megaphones, and dared to disturb those who mistook silence for stability. Gandhi did not fast for brand partnerships. Martin Luther King Jr did not ask his oppressors to like and subscribe. But in 2025, peace has found a new aesthetic: carefully worded, media-trained, and proudly retweeted by the very people it is supposed to hold ..

A rational budget: Be prepared and act within ones means When Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim presented the budget 2026, he once again quoted from a Chinese classic this time from _Zuo Zhuan_: Be prepared for danger in times of peace; with preparation comes readiness, and with readiness comes safety. The phrase aptly captures the spirit of the 2026 Budget. This budget comes without excessive packaging or populist giveaways. Instead, the focus is on fiscal discipline, policy stability ..

Accelerate RCEP under ASEAN leadership: Lead the revival of free trade and regional unity through the 2027 general review By distancing itself from free trade and multilateralism, as well as by imposing reciprocal tariffs, the United States is undermining the free trade system that has driven Asias growth. Asian countries have historically achieved export-led growth by building supply chains throughout the region under the free trade system. Amid growing global protectionist trends, Asia must ..

Rebooting rural Malaysia: The digital future of rural enterprise Imagine walking into a Tokyo department store and discovering a sleek, eco-friendly soap brand proudly made in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, or stumbling upon a viral TikTok showcasing a beautifully handcrafted _tengkolok_ from a Kelantan artisan. This is not a fantasyits the untapped potential of Malaysias rural entrepreneurship waiting for a purposeful revival. Over two decades ago, Malaysia introduced the _One District One Industry ..

Budget 2026 and the squeezed middle: How to rebuild confidence without breaking the budget The so-called M40 is no longer the secure, upwardly mobile core of society that official classifications suggest. Instead, it is a squeezed, stretched, and anxious middle, caught between rising living costs, stagnant wages, and thinning buffers of savings. That piece proposed a recalibration of Malaysias household classification from B40M40T20 to B70M20T10, reflecting post-Covid realities and the ..

Budget 2026: From B40 to B70, redefining Malaysia's middle class Budget 2026 will be one of the most closely watched in recent years. It comes at a moment when Malaysia must reconcile two competing imperatives: fiscal discipline and social protection. The government faces the hard arithmetic of slowing global growth, elevated debt, and a subsidy system under strainyet it must also preserve the moral center of the Madani agenda, which is to protect households from falling behind. Public debt is ..

Every Malaysian who breathes football today must express profound regret and outrage over the FIFA verdict that exposed one of the darkest chapters in our sporting history. This is not just a football controversy; it is a national disgrace that demands the voices of 34 million Malaysians roar across every newspaper, every online media portal, every corner of the nation. The deepest betrayal has come from the very officials entrusted to safeguard our sports integritythe Football Association of ..

The hypocrisy is just too rich. Nobodys forcing Muslims to gamble or drinksame way no one poured whisky down your throat when you studied overseas. Is our faith so fragile that someone elses glass of wine or a jackpot ticket can shatter it? Meanwhile, in those so-called holy states, bribery, abuse of power, and a touch of haram entertainment are apparently halal by silence. I am glad that not all Muslims in the country are unnecessarily oversensitive with food and drink served at our public or ..

No African development from Western trade policies _Accelerated Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Plan for Action_by Professor Elliot Berg blamed government interventions for blocking post-colonial African economic progress. Removing distortions caused by marketing boards and other state interventions and institutions was supposed to unleash export-led growth for Sub-Saharan African (SSA) producers. However, despite the supposed comparative advantage and trade preferences, African ..

Japans schools build democratic citizens by giving kids responsibilities in special activities Children begin developing the skills necessary to become members of society from an early age. In Japanese schools, this process is supported by special activities in which children work together to improve their daily school lives, thereby learning cooperation and other essential qualities, growing into builders of a healthy democratic society. Special activities include classroom activities, student ..

Stateless people wait years for citizenship to be approved, but foreign footballers get them overnight Malaysias recent football citizenship scandal has reopened old wounds for thousands of stateless Malaysians. On 26 September, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced that it had punished the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven players for breaches of Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) on forgery and falsification. The seven foreign-born ..