Friendly fire or self-destruction: Is Rafizi's war with Anwar saving the cause or sinking it? There is a Shakespearean allusion in the current conflict surrounding Rafizi Ramli and Anwar Ibrahim. Not because Malaysia is on the verge of a Roman-style collapse, nor because Rafizi is a villainous conspirator. The comparison is subtler than that. It lies in the political tragedy embodied by Brutus in Shakespeares Julius Caesar a man who believed he was saving the republic even as his actions helped ..

Madanis next political test: Stability, strategy and risks of a direct contest Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahims recent statement that Pakatan Harapan (PH) is prepared to contest head-to-head nationwide should Barisan Nasional (BN) choose to move independently in the Johor state election signals more than ordinary coalition bargaining. It reflects a deeper recalibration within the Madani Unity Government, where political cooperation is increasingly shaped not only by electoral ..

In the grand halls of Beijings Great Hall of the People, where world leaders and titans of industry gathered for the high-stakes U.S.-China summit in mid- May 2026, one figure unexpectedly captured the worlds imagination. Not a president, not a premier, not even a billionaire CEObut a six-year-old boy with tousled hair, bright eyes, and an infectious grin. Elon Musks youngest son, X A-12affectionately known as Lil Xstole the limelight. He was not only the youngest attendee, arguably the cutest ..

Food systems and policies undermining food security Transnational agribusinesses increasingly shape food policies worldwide. Claiming to best address recent food security concerns, they seek to profit more from innovations in food production, processing, and distribution. Food policies in the Global South have evolved significantly since World War Two (WWII), especially after nations in Asia and Africa gained independence, often after experiencing war-time food deprivations. The early post-WWII ..

5G in name only: Why urban Malaysians are struggling to make a simple phone call I live, commute and work in the Klang Valley, not in some remote corner of Malaysia. Yet in 2026, in the heart of our advanced capital region, I struggle to complete a single phone conversation without it dropping. For me, call drop is not an occasional annoyance. It is almost 100% in every call. This is not an exaggeration or a personal technical problem. Friends, family and colleagues on Maxis, Celcom and U ..

Rafizi mobilises a third force, Parti Bersama Malaysia cleanses old politics Pakatan Harapan (PH) held a rally in Johor Bahru on Sunday, aimed at building momentum for the coming state elections and it drew an enthusiastic crowd. The speeches not only targeted Barisan Nasional (BN), but also included moments of internal reflection boosting supporters morale while reminding them of the difficult challenges ahead. The highlight of the gathering came when Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar ..

Shifting winds: Direction and anxiety in the evolving political landscape in Malaysia Lee Hsien Loong, the senior minister of Singapore, recently wrapped up a working tour visiting Pahang and Terengganu in the east coast. The significance behind this journey lay in his desire for close, first-hand observation of Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtarthe man widely tipped to be the prime ministerial candidate of PAS in the next general election. When it comes to the "green ..

Ageing parents deserve more than institutional care Proposals to introduce laws requiring children to support their aging parents are featured in the media recently. As a senior citizen myself, I understand why this issue has attracted growing public attention. Malaysia, like many countries, is facing an ageing population, changing family structures, and increasing social pressures. Yet behind all the policy debates lies a very human concern the fear among many elderly parents of growing old ..

Trump, dont play games with Jho Lows pardon application. Jho Low, the fugitive, has been out of the headlines for a while, but his latest return is a bombshell. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) website now lists a pardon after completion of sentence" application submitted this year under the name "Taek Jho Low." According to the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, this request was filed within the last few weeks. If approved, it would effectively dissolve all ..

It is refreshing that Khairy Jamaluddin, or KJ as he is popularly known, has been candid enough to openly admit his ambition to become prime minister. In Malaysian politics, many politicians secretly harbour such dreams but rarely say it aloud. KJ did. Years ago, he openly challenged Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for the Umno presidency because he understood that in Umno tradition, the party presidency is often the pathway to Putrajaya. During the 2022 general election campaign, he even told ..

Trump cannot avoid not talking about Iran in Beijing President Donald Trump may insist that Iran is very much under control. But the actions of his own administration suggest otherwise. If Iran is no longer a central concern, why is Washington adding m

Batik Malaysia: Luxury in malls, missing on the streets For most middle-class Malaysians, batik now screams special occasion and deep pockets, not for everyday wear. The cheap, beautiful cotton batik under RM100 is still hiding in traditional markets and online, while the batik we see in malls easily shoots past RM200, with silk running into the thousands. At those prices, no tourist or local is going to grab it on a whim. Yes, there are reasons. Natural dyes can cost several times more than ..

Why is SPM Chinese always the "straight-A killer"? For some candidates, the SPM Chinese paper is the ultimate "straight-A killer." A student might score an A+ in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, only to end up with a 'B' in Chinese. When this happens, people usually offer a sympathetic pat on the shoulder: "Its okay; everyone knows its hard to get an A in Chinese." Everyone nods in resignation, accepting it as an unwritten rule. In the upbringing of many Chinese Malaysian students, the ..

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has identified five areas driving growing unease within the Malay community: religion and the Malay rulers, the economy, education, language and sociocultural concerns, and politics. The National Consultative Conference, he says, will serve as a platform to find solutions. Why does the Malay society still feel unsettled? The constitution protects the special economic and religious status of the Malays, every prime minister in the country's history ..

Navigating the unpredictable path to GE 16 Will it bring another change of government and how? Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who has recently been at odds with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, noted that the historic change of government eight years ago carried the weight of people's hopes for reform. However, with some reforms stagnating and promises unfulfilled, a sense of disappointmentthe feeling that "the government changed, but nothing really did"is gradually seeping into society. ..

President Donald Trump is scheduled to touch down in Beijing on May 14 and 15, 2026, for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Its the first formal U.S. presidential visit to China in nearly a decadeand the first in-person sit-down between the two leaders in Trumps second term. The real story American reporters are picking up on the ground right before the meetings: Chinas whole attitude toward the United States has quietly flipped. The old days of learning from America, of ..

Tan Sri Azam Baki is retiring on May 12. But instead of quietly counting down to retirement, he has been working harder and moving more aggressively in the final stretch. Last week, he suddenly announced that the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) would recommend to the Attorney-Generals Chambers that two individuals be charged over the Ministry of Economys semiconductor joint venture project with Britains Arm Holdings. Two individuals? Naturally, people immediately thought of two ..

Balancing modernisation and food autonomy : the dilemma of pig farming industry in Selangor Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil recently revealed that the Federal Government has established a clear stance on the management of pig farming in Selangor. The policy dictates that farming activities are strictly restricted to new areas far from residential zones and water sources, utilising high-tech systems to manage waste and pollution. Simultaneously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ..

Universities may be the platform to shape how the global future unfolds The old order is dead. We just dont know what will replace it. As Henry Kissinger reminded us in his 2014 book on World Order, no truly global order has ever existed. After Trumps erratic actions, all gloves are off. American comedians and Iranian Lego cartoons tell us all we need to know about the demise of the old order. If the unipolar order is not viable, and America is abandoning the multilateral order and rules of the ..

Beyond moral outrage: Reframing governance, tourism and institutional balance in Malaysia Malaysias debate surrounding the Rain Rave Water Music Festival 2026 is not merely about entertainment, but about how a constitutional, multi- religious nation calibrates moral concerns against governance principles and economic realities. The concerns raised by Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh reflect a segment of societal anxiety, yet the more pressing policy question is whether such objections are grounded ..

Teoh Beng Hocks family deserves a conclusive closure Seventeen years after the death of Teoh Beng Hock, the word that continues to define this tragedy is not mystery or even controversyit is closure. And for the family, closure has never meant quiet acceptance. It has always meant justice grounded in truth. From the very beginning, the family has been consistent. They have rejected half-measures, partial explanations and procedural conclusions that fall short of accountability. This explains ..

The Tao of multipolarity: Restoring the geopolitical ecology through Wu Wei (non-action) The current global disorder is not merely a series of disconnected political crises; it is a symptom of a systemic mismatch between theory and reality. For decades, the vertical, hegemonic "game plan" of the 20th century provided a semblance of stability. However, in todays horizontally flattened world, this outdated model has become the primary source of friction. To restore global equilibrium, we must ..

If even Anwar is at risk, how many seats will PKR have left? At Parti Keadilan Rakyats (PKR) election strategy briefing last Saturday, an initial wave of shock among the 900 delegates was followed by a palpable sense of gloom. Party leaders issued an early warning about the coming general election. Most strikingly, only seven constituencies were identified as safe less than a quarter of the 31 seats the party won in the last election. More surprising was that even Prime Minister Datuk Seri ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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, ..