It has been 64 days since the start of the joint US-Israeli military action against Iran. As the conflict gradually fades from the global limelight, life for most Malaysians continues as usual, few actually grasping the gravity of the situation! That being said, a far larger economic crisis, like a silent tsunami, is quietly approaching from afar. The government has slashed the RON95 subsidy quota from 300 litres per month to 200 litres, with the possibility of a further reduction to 150 ..

Strengthening SME safety culture: Beyond appointments to real commitment Occupational safety and health (OSH) continue to be a key pillar of responsible business practice in Malaysia. With the framework established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, employers are entrusted with safeguarding the wellbeing of their workforce. Recent regulatory developments, including the introduction of the workplace safety coordinator, signal a continued effort by the Department of Occupational ..

Active neutrality in a dangerous era: Malaysias test from Hormuz to Strait of Malacca The war over Iran is no longer only a Gulf crisis. Its consequences are travelling through maritime chokepoints, monetary systems and Malaysian household budgets. Malaysia does not need to be a military actor in the US- Iran conflict to be strategically affected by it. In fact, our danger lies precisely in the temptation to treat this as someone elses war: a storm over Tehran, a blockade in Hormuz, a contest ..

Negeri Sembilans test of power and principle: When constitutional order meets political ambition Negeri Sembilans current political-institutional conflict is less a crisis of numbers than a test of constitutional maturity. The states unique _adat_-based governance framework, anchored by the Tuanku Yang di- Pertuan Besar and the Undang Yang Empat, is now intersecting with factional manoeuvring within Umno, recalibration within the MADANI Unity Government, and opportunistic repositioning by ..

Dr Akmal wanted God to stop the music festival but what exactly did Tiong King Sing do wrong? The "2026 World Labour Day Celebration Rain Rave Water Music Festival," making its debut in Kuala Lumpur, drew more than 50,000 participants and delivered exactly what a festival should: crowds, energy, and an atmosphere that crackled. Its most prominent champion Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has spent the past two days trending on social media. Participants, locals and ..

It has been 64 days since the start of the joint US-Israeli military action against Iran. As the conflict gradually fades from the global limelight, life for most Malaysians continues as usual, few actually grasping the gravity of the situation! That being said, a far larger economic crisis, like a silent tsunami, is quietly approaching from afar. The government has slashed the RON95 subsidy quota from 300 litres per month to 200 litres, with the possibility of a further reduction to 150 ..

Active neutrality in a dangerous era: Malaysias test from Hormuz to Strait of Malacca The war over Iran is no longer only a Gulf crisis. Its consequences are travelling through maritime chokepoints, monetary systems and Malaysian household budgets. Malaysia does not need to be a military actor in the US- Iran conflict to be strategically affected by it. In fact, our danger lies precisely in the temptation to treat this as someone elses war: a storm over Tehran, a blockade in Hormuz, a contest ..

Negeri Sembilans test of power and principle: When constitutional order meets political ambition Negeri Sembilans current political-institutional conflict is less a crisis of numbers than a test of constitutional maturity. The states unique _adat_-based governance framework, anchored by the Tuanku Yang di- Pertuan Besar and the Undang Yang Empat, is now intersecting with factional manoeuvring within Umno, recalibration within the MADANI Unity Government, and opportunistic repositioning by ..

Aminuddin is a good man but also grass in the storm Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun is a good man. There is no sarcasm in calling him good it means he is mild- mannered, moderate in his approach, honest and hardworking. More notably, after serving two terms as Menteri Besar, he has not been tainted by scandals of corruption or abuse of power. Before becoming Menteri Besar, he lived in a single-storey terrace house and drove a locally made car. Even after taking office though entitled to stay at the ..

Israel has never been a contentious issue in South Koreauntil President Lee Jae Myung posted a short message on X earlier this month. Sharing a video that appeared to show Israeli soldiers dropping the body of a deceased Palestinian boy from a rooftop, Lee questioned whether the footage was real. If so, this is not different from the forced sex slavery (by Japan during World War II) or the Jewish Holocaust that we take issue with, he said. His remarks immediately drew a harsh response from ..

The Negeri Sembilan power grab: Umno gently slides the knife into PH The political turbulence in Negeri Sembilan has settledfor nowinto this: Pakatan Harapan has announced that it retains the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir's consent and will continue governing as a minority administration, with Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun remaining as Menteri Besar. Dissolving the assembly and returning the mandate to the people is, for now, not an option. DAP Negeri ..

A long stretch of public holidays is cause for concern A few days ago, I received a poster listing the upcoming public holidays in Sarawak. At first glance, it seemed routine enoughuntil I noticed that the holidays stretched across five consecutive days. As someone who has long been concerned about the growing number of public holidays in Malaysia, I instinctively did a quick calculation. Factoring in the weekend and the likelihood of an additional Friday being taken off after Gawai, the ..

The louder she is, the more chill we are but please don't export the hustle culture here The spectacle of the "China Southern flight attendant" who declared "I am China" and proceeded to cause a scene on an AirAsia flight has delivered an unexpected windfall of attention for Malaysia Tourism Year 2026. The Malaysian aunty who calmly told the woman to get off her phone and that shouting does not make you right, gave the world a glimpse of the basic decorum that most Malaysian passengers carry ..

Not enough savings to retire and you still want to retire early? A friend recently brought up the idea of early retirement, sharing a post that had been making the rounds on social media. I read it and smiled. The writer had painted a rosy picture for early retirement, at least a little. The post described a life of abundance financial reserves, a partner, a retirement rich in both material and spiritual comfort. Two overseas trips a year, short stays in different cities, a trail of good ..

The Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry recently stated the governments biggest constraint in easing the business communitys burden in light of the Middle East conflict fallout was limited fiscal firepower. He said Unlike some rich countries with surplus cash, we dont have that, adding that the government is still servicing about RM1.3 trillion in debt, significantly narrowing the room for aggressive intervention. He also pointed out that Malaysia imports most of its food requirements, ..

Johor and Melaka elections: BN's fight for a comeback PAS and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) each hosted Hari Raya dinners in the state, while Umno convened its Supreme Council meeting and announced the return of more than 6,000 former members, including Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Khairy Jamaluddin. The convergence of parties from both sides of the aisle in the historic city was merely a prelude. The main event is the state election that lies ahead. Melaka Chief Minister ..

Rakan Tani is a good start. Now let's build the system around it There is something genuinely exciting about Rakan Tani. An AI farming advisor on WhatsApp accessible to any paddy farmer with a smartphone, is the kind of practical, no-nonsense innovation Malaysian agriculture has long needed. At least one farmer has reportedly doubled his yield from four to nine metric tons. That is not a statistic to brush past lightly. But after a decade working in data strategy and agricultural technology, ..

North-South Expressway Smart Lane is not that smart Most of the highways operated by PLUS have reached their capacity limits, leading to frequent congestion during peak hours. On a normal day, the average traffic volume on the PLUS highway network in Peninsular Malaysia is approximately 1.85 million vehicles. However, during festive seasons, long weekends and school holidays, this number surges significantly, often exceeding 2 million vehicles a day. During the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri ..

Narrative vs reality: Reassessing claims of corporate mafia and institutional credibility in Malaysias political-economic landscape Malaysias political- economic landscape is increasingly shaped not only by policy direction and macroeconomic fundamentals, but also by the narratives that influence investor confidence, public sentiment, and institutional legitimacy. In recent months, claims regarding the existence of a so-called corporate mafia allegedly undermining the national economy have ..

Geopolitical ecology in transition: From unipolar predation to balanced multipolar ecosystem The geopolitical ecology of the 21st century is undergoing a tectonic shift, moving away from a hierarchical structure toward a more diverse and balanced global ecosystem. This "flattening" of the world is not merely theoretical but is verified by macroeconomic data that signals the end of an era where one "species" could dominate the entire environment. By the mid-2020s, the expanded BRICS+ coalition ..

Geopolitical ecology in transition: From unipolar predation to balanced multipolar ecosystem The geopolitical ecology of the 21st century is undergoing a tectonic shift, moving away from a hierarchical structure toward a more diverse and balanced global ecosystem. This "flattening" of the world is not merely theoretical but is verified by macroeconomic data that signals the end of an era where one "species" could dominate the entire environment. By the mid-2020s, the expanded BRICS+ coalition ..

Trump 2.0 has been marked by the blatantly aggressive exercise of power to secure US interests as defined by him. While many recent trends even predate his first term, his reduced use of soft power has exposed his bullying, extortionary use of US power. Trade liberalization has been reversed for at least two decades. Almost all G20 developed nations raised trade barriers following the 2008-09 global, actually Western, financial crisis. The US has illegally weaponized more laws and policies, ..

In the spring of 2026, a remarkable confrontation unfolded between two of the worlds most influential figures: President Donald Trump of the United States and Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff born in America. This clash, rooted in profound differences over war, power, and morality, has galvanised Catholics worldwide. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, has emerged as a fearless voice of Christian conscience, daring to challenge what many perceive as Trumps arrogance of ..

I recently attended two really uplifting events, as if to have received a report card of my life from the central charactersone from dancer Aman Yap Choong Boon, and the other from Tan Lay Seong of the insurance industry. On April 8 evening, I was enjoying Aman Yaps Late Love solo dance at Damansara Performing Arts Center, portraying his lifefirst the loss of vision in his right eye, then a devastating cancer, both nevertheless failing to bring him to his kneesin his soft, elegant, yet composed ..

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook has made it clear that the government will not introduce the death penalty for offences under the Road Transport Act, even in cases involving fatal accidents caused by intoxicated drivers. His reasoning is consistent with Malaysias broader move to abolish the mandatory death penalty. Yet, while the state may have stepped back from capital punishment, it must not retreat from the equally urgent responsibility of ensuring that those who drive under the influence ..

Why a World Cup blackout matters to every Malaysian The primary hurdle is the staggering $50 million price tag set by FIFA. Major broadcasters have been hesitant to commit, causing negotiations to drag on well into 2026 without a resolution. PETALING JAYA: While reading the _New Straits Times_ recently, our Lead Writer discovered grim news for football fans: with the World Cup kick- off approaching, broadcasting rights remain unsold. Fans may be left in the dark, missing the live coverage of the ..

Malaysians are united, divided when politicians say the wrong things Here is a video quietly exploding across our phones right now. No fiery _ceramah_, no dramatic street protest, no chest-thumping slogans. Just a simple metaphor describing the scene in a hospital. People in pain, families waiting, nurses moving quicklyand in the middle of it all, Malaysians giving blood without asking, _Ini darah Melayu ke? Cina ke? India ke? Dayak ke?_ In a hospital, pain does not ask for race, religion or ..

The American unipolar deflation: What the war on Iran really exposes For months, the world has watched what was meant to be a decisive USIsraeli campaign against Iran. But instead of a quick, surgical victory, we are witnessing something far more instructive: the visible, irreversible deflation of American hegemonydelivered not through a single battlefield defeat, but through a slowmotion implosion spanning military logistics, internal US political warfare, and the rise of a civilizational ..

When criticism feels like a crime again under Madani In 2018, Malaysians voted for reform. In 2022, that promise was renewed under the banner of Madani: A government that would be more open, more accountab

China is ahead of the pack on energy security: ASEAN must respect strategic future The world is learning, once again, that energy security is never an afterthought. It is not something a country improvises when war erupts, shipping lanes tighten, or oil traders panic. It is something prepared over many years, often quietly, patiently, and with a discipline that only serious states can sustain. China is now showing the results of that discipline. As recent reporting makes clear, Beijings ..

Have you wondered why small start-ups (mostly the young) have to fight to survive, whereas the rich or those at the top get richer? Capitalism is in trouble because the social divide is widening in terms of both income and wealth. Furthermore, the planet is being eaten alive by excessive consumption financed by unstoppable debt (borrowing from tomorrow to consume today). At the same time, aspirations such as dealing with climate change are going nowhere. Who cares about NetZero when you can ..

A recent article titled Spike in diesel prices set to hike inflation presented sobering points of diesel prices recent surge by around 84.6 percent, how fuel accounts for about 35 percent of total operating costs, and that ripple effects will extend across multiple sectors, including factory transport, logistics, construction, and small and medium enterprises. All this greatly underscores just how crucial it is that Malaysia significantly strengthens its fuel independence so that were far more ..

Go or no go? Rethinking early entry to primary school During the past Chinese New Year, families gathered and conversations flowed. As expected, I found myself becoming the go-to person for questions about the optional policy allowing six-year-olds to enter primary school. At one such family gathering, everyone was seated in the living room when the atmosphere suddenly turned serious. My uncle looked at me and asked about his granddaughter. It began with a simple question: So, what are your ..

The two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran suggests a cooling of tensions in the Middle East. However, looking at how leaders have simply swapped artillery for verbal sparringneither side willing to back downwho would dare guarantee that world peace is finally at hand? Reflecting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahims announcement that it is "no longer business as usual," on April 1, one must realize this was a rare and sobering alarm. Given the tendency of governments ..

The clash between leadership talk and free speech reality Malaysia stands at a crossroads. In the aftermath ofGE15, Malaysians were promised a new political era, which is one anchored in transparency, accountability, and respect for dissent. However, recent developments suggest that reform, in many crucial respects, remains more rhetoric than reality. According to Suarams monitoring, half of all cases under the Sedition Act 1948 involve criticism of political leaders, with the state ..

Following the end of World War II, this years Easter will be remembered as one of the most horrifying in history for Christians. This shift in perspective comes as both the United States and Israel have cited biblical texts to justify their ambitions to dismantle Iran, a path that carries a devastating cost for billions across the global population. Despite the stakes, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appear indifferent, driven by their own political ..

Expectational politics is undermining Malaysian reform Some Malaysian progressives behave like some self-styled reformist politicians. They today face a paradox of their own making: they ask the right questions, but arrive at the wrong conclusions. Their demand is clear and uncompromisingthe Madani government must fulfil every promise it made, yes everyoneand if it fails, it must go. At first glance, this appears principled. In reality, it reflects a growing tendency that risks weakening, ..

The inexorable distance between PAS and the Malaysian Chinese community News of the death of the 28th Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award (2015) winner Tan Choo Joo came as a shock to the nation given his momentous contribution towards the development of Chinese language education in this country, in particular the sterling achievements made by Chung Hwa Independent High School in Kelantan, which couldnt have come this far if not for this man. I have had the pleasure of meeting him on a number of ..

In George Orwells dystopian masterpiece 1984, the Party weaponises language through Newspeak, doublethink, and slogans like War is Peace and Ignorance is Strength to distort reality and maintain absolute control. In 2026, the White House under President Donald Trump has morphed into a living embodiment of the Orwellian nightmare. Trumps weaponisation of language through triumphant declarations on social media, press briefings, and primetime addresses mirrors the administrations ruthless ..