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 ..

_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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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_ ..

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 ..

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 ..

A new spectre is haunting Europe today, not the communist manifesto of the Marx era, but a far more insidious threatan imperialist superpower run amok, willing to trample on the sovereignty of its allies to satisfy one mans megalomania. For decades, European leaders, from centrists to conservatives, have indulged Trumps excesses, prioritising transatlantic unity over principle. They turned a blind eye to his attacks on democratic norms, his withdrawal from international agreements and his ..

After condemning pragmatic responses to the 1997-98 Asian financial crises, the West pursued similar policies in response to the 2008 global financial crisis without acknowledging its own mistakes. After US Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker sharply raised interest rates from late 1979 to curb inflation, the dollars value strengthened despite deepening stagnation. US exports could barely compete internationally, particularly with Germany and Japan. During his first term, Trump initially ..

There are approximately 250,000 students from the public and private higher educational institutions of learning in Malaysia who are required to undergo industrial internships every year. The requirement was made compulsory by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in 2010. In 2025, the Madani government also mandated that companies that hire expatriates offer up to three internships under the National Structured Internship Program for each expatriate they hire. The policy is effective from 1 ..

Rather, it is about peoples wages and purchasing power, and that government assistance programs do not address stagnant wages. A similar, relevant point was on how targeted interventions such as cash assistance, Rahmah sales, selective subsidies and price controls on essential items were not enough if they failed to translate into stronger purchasing power. One huge, longstanding contradiction in Malaysia is that despite experiencing high GDP levels annually and being a rich nation in general, ..

Visit Malaysia 2026: A gateway to rediscovering culture and heritage The recently launched Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign is more than a mere invitation to visit; it is a call to witness Malaysia's transformation and untapped potential. Ideally situated as the ASEAN host nation, global interest in cultural discovery, connection and exploration, Malaysia stands ready to welcome the world. Renowned for its culinary excellence, rich heritage, and vibrant cultural tapestry, the nation is prepared to ..

If Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh were man enough (Jantan) as he claims to be, he would have resigned as UMNO youth chief rather than engaging in the superficial act of resigning as a Melaka state executive councillor (EXCO) to bluff the public. To put it plainly, it was in his capacity as UMNO youth chief that he convened an extraordinary wing meeting, advocating for UMNO to withdraw from the Unity Government and cooperate with PAS. Ultimately, the party president (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) ..

PKR governs, Umno negotiates, PAS waits: What kind of politics does 2026 bring? Malaysia enters 2026 not with calm, but with a tense kind of suspension. The government has not collapsed; Parliament continues to function, and there has been no single dramatic rupture threatening Putrajaya. Yet this should not be mistaken for stability. Power struggles have not ended; they have gone underground. Opposition figures continue to reposition themselves, leadership questions remain unresolved, and ..

When I first read the recent comments by Sarawak Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian on the successes of Sarawakians working overseas and contributing to their homeland, I anticipated that they would spark controversy. Often, it is the way a ministers off-the-cuff remarks are reported that shapes public reaction. Headlines, in particular, play a decisive role in framing how readers interpret the entire piece. Let me state this today. I think that before the criticism directed at Dr Sim gathers ..

The spectacle of power, once it begins to devour its own restraints, has a way of turning grotesque. In the first days of January 2026, America watched as Donald Trumps second presidency, already swollen with the rhetoric of dominance, produced two vivid acts of imperial theater: the midnight raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro in Caracas on January 3 and the renewed, almost casual threats to annex Greenland, a Danish territory Trump described as vital to American security ..

Lately, a controversy had erupted concerning the application for an escalator to be installed for the Batu Caves temple for the convenience of its devotees. The application has been rejected according to state executive councilor (Exco) Papparaidu Veraman due to the application being made in the name of an individual and not the temple. This has led to a dispute, altercations and recriminations about this issue among various groups. Papparaidu had rightly stated that a Registry of Societies ..

American laws more powerful than international laws: A reflection of the case of Venezuela The extraction of Nicols Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by the United States marks one of the most consequential moments in contemporary international politics. It is not merely about Venezuela, nor even about Latin America. It is about the fragility of international order when great powers decide that their domestic laws are sufficient justification for actions that violate the sovereignty of other ..

The silent enemy within the Malaysian Armed Forces The real threat to Malaysias defense isnt a foreign invading army; it's what's happening inside the armed forces. Corruption in defense deals doesnt just drain the treasury. It chips away at public trust and leaves our forces unprepared. This isnt a minor lapse. This is a shock to the very institution tasked with defending the nation. Corruption in procurement is more than just about the money. Every compromised contract weakens Malaysias ..

Recently, two news reports have given us some food for thought. First, data from Talent Corp revealed that since 2011, a total of 11,124 professionals in overseas applied to return to Malaysia, but only 4,763 actually did. This stands in stark contrast to the various repatriation incentives the government has introduced over the years. Second, in the past five years, approximately 60,000 Malaysians have renounced their citizenship94% of whom chose Singapore, just across the Straits of Johor. ..

American laws more powerful than international laws: A reflection of the case of Venezuela The extraction of Nicols Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by the United States marks one of the most consequential moments in contemporary international politics. It is not merely about Venezuela, nor even about Latin America. It is about the fragility of international order when great powers decide that their domestic laws are sufficient justification for actions that violate the sovereignty of other ..

Internal feud brewing in Perikatan Nasional, Anwar watches from the sidelines As we enter the third week of 2026, the candidate for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairmanship remains undecided. The two main component parties are both harbouring ulterior motives and their own hidden agendas; sooner or later, they will blow it. As for smaller parties like Gerakan, they can only wait and see, leaving the "Big Brothers" to make the final call. Reportedly, when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassinwho stepped down ..

Born shortly after the end of the World War II, my generation has long considered itself fortunate not to have known, let alone fought in, a world war. But no one can be sure anymore how long this fragile peace can endure. My sense is that the major powers are again sleepwalking toward war in a vain and thoughtless attempt to manage a world that has long slipped out of anyones control. That world has grown immensely complex. It is differentiated into functional sphereseconomy, politics, ..