Selangor Budget 2026 shouldincrease allocations for needy economic sectors and social groups The Selangor 2026 Budget will be tabled on November 14, and as usual a lot of people and economic sectors are anxious to know the budgetary allocations and expenditures of the state for next year. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Bin Shari has hinted that education and poverty eradication are the main budgetary thrusts under consideration. Selangor is Malaysia's premier state with first-world ..

Australia and ASEAN: Standing together to safeguard our region Southeast Asia understands all too well the value of peace and the true cost of conflict. Violence and instability disrupt livelihoods, displace communities and undermine economic growththreatening food and energy security, and placing long-term development and prosperity at risk. This is why Australia and Malaysia have been close friends and partners for eight decades, working hard to ensure an open and stable region. It is our ..

On October 21, Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi was elected prime minister, becoming the first woman to assume the post in the history of Japan. Her victory was a breakthrough. A year ago, then Vice President Kamala Harris ran as the Democratic candidate in the U.S presidential election, but she was defeated. The United States has yet to have a female president. With Takaichi now premier, the United States is one of only two Group of Seven countries that has never been led by a ..

There are moments when protocol collides with principle. Trumps visit to Kuala Lumpur, staged with spectacle, was one such moment. To many Malaysians it felt like the surrender of moral authority. EMIR Research has consistently argued that Malaysias strength lies in **credible** neutrality, **dignity** in the Global South, and **policy anchored in justice**. Hosting a figure repeatedly identified with enabling genocide already sits at odds with that stance. EMIR Research warned that rolling out ..

Multilateral diplomacy gains momentum on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Workers Party of Korea On October 10, Pyongyang celebrated the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers Party of Korea (WPK), North Koreas ruling political party. The climax of the various events was, of course, the military parade. For neighboring countries such as Japan, the United States, and South Korea, the parade provided a crucial indicator of North Koreas progress in developing weapons. The first ..

A freewheeling green wave once religious fidelity ascends to intense race While I was waiting at the boarding gate transiting in Istanbul airport on my way back from Europe early October, I suddenly heard an announcement offering any passenger willing to spend a night in Istanbul free hotel accommodation, half-day city tour, 600 travel allowances, and guaranteed departure for Kuala Lumpur on the same flight the next day. What a sweet offer! I almost wanted to stay back and explore this ..

Critique demands a voice, execution demands a vision, courage and the scars of effort Its not a stretch to say that the 47th ASEAN Summit and its related meetings were the most consequentialand successfulin our regions history. Last week, Malaysia played host to virtually the entire world, when political, business and civil society leaders from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania descended on Kuala Lumpur. Our well-attended ASEAN Summit bucked global trends. In a time of ..

US President Donald Trump is visiting Malaysia, Japan and South Korea this week and enjoying another batch of spotlights as he usually does. However, many in Asia feel uncomfortable, and it is unclear whether he is communicating effectively with Asians. He prides himself on being a smart realist, often invoking a tough, transactional style that he and his followers associate with Machiavelli. Yet political traditions in Asia are different. Many insist that power is most effective when it wins ..

On the sidelines of the recent 47th Asean Summit, FIFA president Gianni Infantino unveiled the concept of a new Asean Cup, a gesture which has received much appreciation from the Asean members and the football fraternity. This Cup, for which the details have not been finalized yet, will be different from the present Asean Football Championship also known as the ASEAN Cup. The FIFA President's initiative is laudable as the Asean nations need more football competitions, better training schemes, ..

Malaysia, China, and the US: Walking the tightrope In October 2025, Malaysia and the United States signed a trade deal that looks amazing in headlines: billions in business, lower tariffs, and promises of closer economic ties. However, if one were to read past the press releases, then the deal looks less like a masterstr

The recently signed U.S.Malaysia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ARTA) marks a pivotal moment in Malaysias evolving trade strategy. While publicly presented as a mutual liberalization initiative, ARTA reflects less of a free trade breakthro

Establishing a Resilient Asia Together: Building trust through the co-creation and industrialization of disaster prevention standards Asia is both the center of the global economy and the region most frequently struck by natural disasters. According to EM-DATThe International Disaster Database at the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), University of Louvain (UCLouvain) in Belgiumthere were 7,348 natural disasters worldwide over the 20-year period from 2000 to 2019. Asia ..

Malaysia: A paradise of kindness, courtesy, and hospitality In the heart of Southeast Asia lies a nation where grace meets grandeurMalaysia. To every ASEAN and world leader gracing our shores, we extend our warmest_Selamat Datang_(welcome). You have arrived not just in a country of beauty but in a home defined by kindness, courtesy, and the world-renowned spirit of Malaysian hospitality. Malaysias essence is written in the smiles of its people. We are a harmonious mosaic of culturesMalays, ..

Fatal tree falling incidents should motivate local authorities to take proactive action Trees planted for aesthetic and environmental reasons by local authorities nationwide are now becoming a source of danger to unsuspecting people. With the present monsoon season in full swing resulting in heavy downpours and thunderstorms there is an increasing risk of trees falls. In Kuala Lumpur, one person has been killed in Persiaran Dutamas and a woman has been injured in Kepong Baru due to falling ..

I wrote and shared the message (below) with my online contacts on October 6, two days before Singapore executed another young Malaysian convicted of a drug offense. It was reportedly the second execution of a Malaysian to be carried out in the island republic in two weeks. It was on October 6 that a group of Malaysians MPs and leaders of some NGOs called a press conference at the media room in Parliament to appeal for the postponement of the execution. A noble action nonetheless but it was too ..

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

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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, ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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. ..