New Year's new reckoning of good governance-The end of Fukuyamas End of History As 2026 begins, the world confronts a stark and uncomfortable truth: social governance in the West has reached a nadir, marked by rampant homelessness, soaring deaths from drug overdoses, pervasive gun violence, and elevated crime rates. These intertwined crises have eroded public safety, social cohesion, and trust in institutions across many Western nations, most visibly in the United States and parts of Europe. In ..

RIA framework a wake-up call for Malaysias retirement system Malaysias retirement challenge is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. As life expectancy rises and the cost of living continues to climb, the way Malaysians save for and withdraw their retirement funds is no longer aligned with economic reality. When this happens, retirees are left financially vulnerable in their later years, often relying on family support or limited public assistance. Recognizing this growing gap, EPF has ..

Time for Akmal to go: Umno does not need more street fighters Dr Akmal Salehs recent lamentPerhaps the shortcomings lie within myself. Perhaps the time has come for me to step downis arguably the most sober and self-reflective statement to have come from the Umno Youth chief since he burst onto the national stage as a political rabble-rouser. It was prompted by a blunt political reality: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidis refusal to accept the Youth wings resolution to withdraw from the Unity ..

Although Trump is not the sole cause of de-dollarization, which began much earlier, well before he became president, his recent initiatives have accelerated the trend. Despite some temporary reversals, the dollars post- World War II role as world reserve currency has gradually declined over the decades, especially since the 1970s. Trump claims his supposedly reciprocal tariffs will reduce the US trade or current account deficit with the rest of the world. But if countries cannot export to the ..

Within the context of the Asia-Pacificwhat some now prefer to call the Indo- Pacificthe United States has long displayed a tendency to flex its military and naval might across the first, second and even third island chains. Carrier strike groups, amphibious assault ships, stealth aircraft and rotational deployments are hardly new. What is new, however, is the unmistakable hierarchy of attention that now governs American strategic behavior. Between China and North Korea, Washingtons preference is ..

By any measure 2025 will be remembered in history as a crucial tipping point. Violent armed conflict escalated in many areas, notably, Ukraine, Israel-Gaza- Iran-Lebanon, Pakistan-India, Thailand-Cambodia, Venezuela, Sudan, Ethiopia, Myanmar, amongst others. President Trumps April 2025 tariff wars inflicted both trade uncertainty and strategic shifting of global supply chains. Technology witnessed massive leaps and bounds in AI, semiconductors and other fields. Financial markets witnessed record ..

Malaysias healthcare system stands at a crossroads. Reform is no longer a matter of preference. It is a necessity shaped by demographic, economic and structural realities that are becoming impossible to ignore. The Covid-19 pandemic made one truth unmistakable: when a healthcare system falters, the consequences extend far beyond hospital walls. Economies can rebound and policies may shift, but when emergency departments overflow, clinics struggle and staff burn out, the impact is immediate, ..

Trumps nation-building gamble in Venezuela: A warning for Asia President Donald Trumps announcement that the United States will run Venezuela indefinitely marks a dramatic pivot in American foreign policyand a significant moment for Asias strategic community to study. What began as a surprise military operation that captured Nicols Maduro and his wife has quickly evolved into an unprecedented declaration of U.S. oversight over a sovereign nations future. In early January 3, 2026, U.S. forces ..

Recently, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that Barisan Nasional will look to reinstate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) after the next general election, describing it as the most effective tax system to ensure fairness and boost government revenue. He added that GST was the ideal tax regime for Malaysia, allowing the government to secure more robust financial resources, saying that "GST allows the people to feel that the tax system is fair. However, a truly fair tax system is one which ..

Technology diplomacy in the age of artificial intelligence In recent years, countries around the world have placed growing emphasis on technology diplomacy. What exactly is technology diplomacy? Simply put, it refers to how states use scientific knowledge, technological cooperation, and research networks to advance foreign policy, international negotiations, and global governancewhile also using diplomacy to promote and safeguard the development of cross-border scientific research. It belongs ..

Serving in government for close to six years has been a deeply rewarding and humbling journey. Holding responsibility across both the finance and trade portfolios has offered me a rare vantage point into the realities of economic policymaking where ambition must constantly be balanced against constraint, and long-term reform often competes with short-term pressures. My baptism of fire during the Covid-19 crisis reinforced a simple truth: economic management is never conducted under ideal ..

District tourism vital for Selangors tourism success Visit Malaysia Year 2026 has arrived, and for Selangor it will be a continuation of Visit Selangor Year 2025/26. Selangor continues to draw a large number of tourists annually as the state stands out for its various attractions ranging from historical sites to modern amenities that make a Selangor vacation a pleasant and memorable one. Being close to Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya also adds a spillover effect on the number of visitors who take ..

The move was announced by the Defense Ministry to let the probe proceed without conflict of interest. At first glance, this appears to be progress, a sign that no-one is untouchable, and that investigations can proceed without interference; however, a deeper look raises uncomfortable questions about consistency, precedent, and the nature of accountability in Malaysia. To our knowledge, no senior armed forces chief has ever before been publicly placed on leave while corruption investigations ..

Rare Diseases: Language mattersmoving from 'curses' to care We would like to thank the media for highlighting the important issue of children born with Rare Diseases. Rare Diseases are a large number of predominantly genetic conditionswhile each individual disease is rare, they are collectively common because there are so many of them. It is estimated that together they affect 3-5 percent of the population. Advances in medical science mean that many of these conditions, once called Orphan ..

As I mark my third and final year in Malaysia as the Korean Ambassador, writing this article carries special meaning for me. It is an opportunity to reflect on the many moments of joy, connection and learning I have experienced while serving in this vibrant and dynamic country. Since my arrival in October 2022, my wife and I have travelled to many states across Malaysia, sampled a wide range of local delicacies, and immersed ourselves in the countrys rich cultural diversity. We have had ..

Japan feels the security environment is turning acute For decades, Japan has lived with a strategic paradox that few other states have had to manage. It is the only country in the world that has suffered nuclear attack, yet it is also the only technologically advanced state with a complete nuclear fuel cycle that has consciously chosen not to build nuclear weapons. Recent assessments by Chinese nuclear experts suggesting that Japan could build nuclear weapons in less than three years have ..

Statesman or kleptocrat? Back to the fundamentals of law As 2025 draws to a close, the question of whether Datuk Seri Najib Razak is a "statesman" or a "kleptocrat" continues to linger in the air. Ever since the 1MDB scandal broke, this question has been the focus of a tug-of-war between his supporters and detractors. Najibs supporters, and those who find it impossible to believe he would "steal" national assets, remain convinced that the 1MDB case is a masterfully orchestrated political ..

Nothing strange about yet another Mahathir-Muhyiddin clash Several analysts have commented on what is purportedly yet another Dr Mahathir Mohamad- Muhyiddin Yassin clash. A news portal reported that the latest public spat between the two former prime ministers shows cracks in Malay unity push. At least, this was the general view of the academicians, probably contacted by the publication to share their take on the matter. There are two subjects to ponder here. One, the open warfare between ..

Driven into a dead end by Hadi, Muhyiddins backdoor ambush backfires It was unexpected that a series of incidents would rock the political scene at the end of 2025. With both the ruling and opposition blocs facing internal fractures, a major political reshuffle may be on the cards. First, lets look at DAP Publicity Secretary Yeo Bee Yins celebration over former PM Datuk Seri Najib Razaks failure to secure house arrest. This caused relations between UMNO and the DAP to hit freezing point, making ..

Critical response from Ambassador Byron Blake of Jamaica to Climate justice denied by delays My best wishes to you and your family for the Yuletide Season. A good piece as usual but let me disagree with you that Brazil and President Lula and the COP30 did their best under difficult circumstances. Difficult circumstances, yes, but I am convinced that Brazil used its vast experience and historic respect to deceive the SIDS. The wide-ranging Agenda at a time when the 1.5 C has been breached was a ..

Durian tsunami: How the Malaysian durian industry hold its ground? After nearly four consecutive seasons of climate-driven disruption, December 2025 has delivered an unexpected reversal a nationwide surge in durian production. Across Malaysia, farms are reporting bumper harvests, while video footage circulating locally and in China shows fruit quality at levels rarely seen before. For producers able to access export markets particularly fresh whole- fruit shipments via air freight quality has ..

Malaysia witnessed at least three major political maneuvers in the last 11 years that culminated or almost culminated in changes of government, of which the 2020 Sheraton Move was of particular significance. The other two were equally notable and had very much to do with the current prime minister Anwar Ibrahimthe 2014 Kajang Move and the 2018 Port Dickson Movethe former meant to unseat then Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to make way for Anwar (but this did not end up as planned ..

Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is like a fish in a nettrapped and gasping for breath. He once hoped for a "way out" that would allow him to swim back into the open sea. However, after his bid for house arrest was rejected and he was found guilty in the 1MDB casesentenced to 15 years in prison and a fine of RM11.4 billion (with an additional 10 years if unpaid)his fate is largely sealed, despite his plans to appeal. Yet, for UMNO, the problems are only just beginning. UMNO has ..

Selangor local government needs a major overhaul befitting a developed state Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in his 80th birthday address on December 11 was highly critical of local government in Selangor. HRH was stridently vocal about the municipal mess Selangor has descended into while priding itself as a First World developed state. Despite increases in rates last year and the recent 2026 Selangor and federal budgetary allocations, local government in Selangor is in a woeful state and unable ..

When the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) faced FIFA sanctions for allegedly fielding ineligible heritage players, the association responded with what it called an independent investigation. It suspended its Secretary- General Noor Azman Rahman, and formed an Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) to examine the matter. To many Malaysians, it also sounded like a knee- jerk reaction. More importantly, on paper, this may have appeared decisive and responsible, but in reality, it was FAM ..

SRC or 1MDB: Guilty or not, Malaysia needs to learn from South Korea Malaysias struggle with corruption has reached a decisive but dangerous moment. The question is no longer whether graft must be punishedit mustbut whether the methods used to enforce accountability are themselves destabilising the political order they are meant to protect. The cases surrounding Datuk Seri Najib Razak, SRC International and 1MDB have rightly shocked the nation. They exposed systemic failures, elite impunity and ..

"Another reason to celebrate at the end of the year." This single and brief sentence has proven more damaging than any judicial verdict. Not only has it turned DAP publicity secretary Yeo Bee Yin into UMNOs public enemy number one, but it has also sent UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki into a fury. Dr Akmal went as far as to demand an immediate exit from the Unity Government, shouting: "What are we waiting for? Lets withdraw our ..

Yeo Bee Yin and Tony Pua: The final straws crushing the coalition camel" After the verdict on former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was announced, Yeo Bee Yin posted on Facebook: "Another reason to celebrate at the end of the year." Between the lines, the fact that Najib remains in Kajang Prison was framed as a joyful occasion, adding meaning to the closing year. Tony Pua then added fuel to the fire, stating that one should not sympathize with corrupt officials nor stop others from ..

Najib denied house arrest and BN's unresolved dilemma The High Court dismissed former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razaks application for a judicial review regarding house arrest on Monday. With this ruling, the hopes of Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno to rely on his return to revitalize the party have been dashed. In her judgment, High Court Judge Alice Loke Yee Ching stated that during the 61st Pardons Board meeting on January 29, 2024chaired by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan ..

Malaysians are dying young for wrong reasonsrecent DOSM Report Malaysias latest Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia 2025 is more than a set of tables; it is a national autopsy. Ischemic heart disease still kills the most Malays and Indians, Chinese Malaysians are increasingly lost to pneumonia and cancer, young adults are dying on the roads, and by the time major illnesses strike after 50 or 60, the safety nets of SOCSO, EPF and insurance are already full of holes. The 2025 release confirms ..

South Koreas most troubling jobs problem is hiding in plain sight. By the headline figures, the labor market appears robust. Employment rates have reached record highs. The jobless rate sits near what economists would regard as full employment. Yet, beneath this reassuring surface, a quiet erosion is unfolding. For 19 consecutive months, youth employment has declined. The economy is creating jobs, just not for the generation expected to sustain it. This is not a cyclical dip or a passing ..

Predicted, ignored, realized: Malaysias 5G collapse in three acts Malaysias 5G debate has now crossed a threshold where consequences are no longer abstract or deferrable. The recent twin developments in Malaysias 5G sagathe stark revelation of plummeting network speeds and the Ministry of Finances (MoF) financial exitare not mere coincidences. They are structurally linked, direct, predictable, and costly outcomes of a policy experiment that EMIR Research has been persistently warning against ..

Forests, fuel and food: Is expanding oil palm to Indonesias Papua worth the cost? Earlier this month, PresidentPrabowo Subiantosuggested that Papua should be planted with oil palm to boost biofuel production and reduce Indonesias dependence on imported fuel. The rationale is clear: Indonesia spends hundreds of trillions of rupiah annually on fuel subsidies and imports, making the strengthening of domestic energy supply a top policy priority. At first glance, oil palm appears to offer an ..

If everything must be halal, one might as well become a recluse on an isolated island The recent "halal controversy" in Melaka has certainly been an eye- opening for me. It turns out that halal certification is not limited to food; the Melaka Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) claims it extends to kitchens and restaurants as well. One wonders if hotel lobbies or toilets are next on the list. I hope someone with profound religious knowledge can enlighten me: is there truly a "halal" and ..

Korea and Malaysia: Where pragmatic diplomacy converges At the 3rd KoreaMalaysia Defence Industry Cooperation Seminar held in Kuala Lumpur last September, Defence Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin made a remark that resonated deeply. What matters to us is not merely about procuring weapons, but about building trust with a reliable partner. His words, spoken on the occasion of Malaysia signing its second-ever defence cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with Korea, ..

ByRichard Heydarian / Philippine Daily Inquirer / ANN ByRichard Heydarian / Philippine Daily Inquirer / ANN Perhaps nothing better captures our negative exceptionalism than the brazenly totalistic capture of our elected offices by a few families. Even at the height of political reform under the Benigno Aquino III administration, more than 80 percent of legislative seats were occupied by political dynasties. Across the nation, as few as 178 political dynasties dominated 73 out of a total of 81 ..

Since I entered the profession in the late 1980s, the issue of Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) recognition has taken up a significant portion of my reporting career. It was like an inescapable ghost, haunting Malaysias political and educational landscape. Every general election, by-election, or major political transition, this topic is pulled down from its dusty shelf to be reheated and served again. This "leftover dish" has been fried for decades; even if it hasnt gone rotten, it has ..

ByRichard Heydarian / Philippine Daily Inquirer / ANN ByRichard Heydarian / Philippine Daily Inquirer / ANN Perhaps nothing better captures our negative exceptionalism than the brazenly totalistic capture of our elected offices by a few families. Even at the height of political reform under the Benigno Aquino III administration, more than 80 percent of legislative seats were occupied by political dynasties. Across the nation, as few as 178 political dynasties dominated 73 out of a total of 81 ..

UN at a crossroads: Time for a woman, or Muslim, secretary-general As the United Nations prepares to select its tenth secretary-general, global attention is focused not only on which candidate will succeed Antnio Guterres in January 2027, but on what the choice will signal about the institutions relevance, priorities, and ability to respond to mounting global crises. On November 25, 2025, the presidents of the UN General Assembly and the Security Council jointly invited all 193 member states to ..

It also pointed out that public hospitals continue to shoulder most of the national caseload, handling between 64-94 percent of major healthcare services, which is perfectly understandable given that so many Malaysians cant afford the insane private healthcare costs. At the same time, public hospitals struggle with insufficient beds, long waiting times, overcrowding, and worsening working conditions whereby healthcare workers are overworked. All this poses a threat to Malaysias commitment to ..