As a nation many of us find ourselves in a worse state of hopelessness and despair than we had been in the past. I wrote this many, many months ago but held on from sending my opinion, in the hope that things would improve. They have sadly worsened; as a nation we have continued to deteriorate. When we, civil society and many Malaysians, were fighting to rid ourselves of corrupt and dictatorial leaders and governments, we had hope hope for a change in government that would do what was right and ..

Donald Trumps top economic advisor claims the President has weaponised tariffs to persuade other nations to pay the US to maintain its supposedly mutually beneficial global empire. The Institute is funded by financiers such as media czar Rupert Murdoch, who controls Fox News, The_Wall Street Journal_, and other conservative media. Miran defends Trumps tariffs as part of an ambitious economic strategy to strengthen US interests internationally with a generational change in the international ..

PKR ministers, MPs defeated in party elections, Rafizis faction under fire The party elections of PKR have revealed shocking results so far, with several ministers, deputy ministers and state assemblymen losing their positions particularly those aligned with Datuk Seri Mohd Rafizi Ramli, PKR deputy president and the Minister of Economy. A bizarre phenomenon in this election is that many candidates who are division heads lost in the election while other members of the respective teams won. This ..

Americas authoritarian drift: Lessons for the Philippines It is excruciating to witness the United States once a global beacon of democratic ideals squirm under the shadow of a returning Trump presidency. Not even a hundred days into office, and already, the outlines of authoritarianism are hardening. The constitutional architecture of checks and balances so meticulously crafted by the American Founders has begun to buckle. The executive, once counterbalanced by Congress and the courts, is now ..

The untold message behind Xi Jinpings visit to Malaysia Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Malaysia again after a lapse of 12 years, albeit a brief one this time round. Compared to his previous visit in 2013, the Malaysian public did not get the chance to come closer to this world leader in unofficial events this time. In 2013, besides the official welcome ceremony at the Parliament House, Xi also visited Istana Negara and the Prime Minister's Office to participate in official activities such ..

Analysis of ALPS-treated water and revitalisation of Japan-China economic exchange A year and a half has passed since the regular release of water treated with the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). Unfortunately, there are still countries that impose import restrictions on Japanese seafood despite scientific analysis confirming its safety. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website has two reports dated March 24, 2025. ..

Why India must hew the middle ground between US and China When two elephants clash, the grass beneath them gets crushed. The United States and China are levying ever-escalating tit-for-tat tariffs on each other. President Donald Trump of the US is getting m

Analysis of ALPS-treated water and revitalisation of Japan-China economic exchange A year and a half has passed since the regular release of water treated with the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). Unfortunately, there are still countries that impose import restrictions on Japanese seafood despite scientific analysis confirming its safety. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website has two reports dated March 24, 2025. ..

I declare my unequivocal support to the recent call by a lawyer and that of the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) for a nationwide ban on firecrackers. This is not the first time Ive touched on the subject, and I doubt it will be the last. As long as firecrackers and fireworks are still being sold to the public at random as if they are safe toys, even for kids to play with, I will continue to speak up for its ban. I was glad that lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan has called for the ban on ..

Myanmar recovery: An urgent plea for ASEAN-led global action The devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28 has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the death toll could surpass 10,000, with 15.2 million people affected, critically requiring temporary shelter, water, sanitation, medical support and food. The United Nations highlighted that even before this latest tragedy, a significant portion of Myanmars ..

In a complex and demanding time for public policy and government funding, very few investments offer returns as far-reaching as early childhood education. It is important to know that the first few years of a childs life marks a crucial period for learning. Placing importance on efforts for early childhood development must be of priority during these years for the greatest efficiency and effectiveness. Having the right stimuli in a quality early childhood education setting will nurture a ..

US President Donald Trump has again seized global attention by arbitrarily imposing sweeping tariffs on the rest of the world. He reminds us America is still boss, claiming to make America great again (MAGA) by ensuring America first at everyone elses expense. is April 2 Liberation Day announcement triggered wild speculation over his proposals final form, implications, significance, and likely impacts, not only for the near future but also well beyond. Since then, the world has been scrambling ..

Vietnam deepening friendship, cooperation with China BEIJING: Vietnam and China are two neighbouring countries with many similarities in history and culture. In 2025, the people of Vietnam and China are joyfully celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In recent years, bilateral trade between Vietnam and China has taken significant strides. Vietnam maintains its position as Chinas largest trading partner in ASEAN and, by 2024, it had become Chinas ..

When President Donald Trump vowed to Make America Great Again, he anchored that vision in the promise of reviving US manufacturing. On paper, its a compelling pledge factories returning home, middle-class jobs restored, American pride reignited. But, beneath the rhetoric lies a sobering question: Can America truly bring manufacturing back without confronting its deeper, structural weaknesses? Once the envy of the world, Americas productivity engine has stalled. Not because of a lack of capital, ..

Whiplashed! That is how most of us following the news about Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs feel! First came the announcement on Liberation Day reciprocal tariffs, which roiled markets and wiped out trillions of value from bourses globally. Then came the 90-day pause on those tariffs, where all rates for all countries (except China) were levelled at 10 per cent, whipsawing markets yet again. When two economic titans clash, global trade and economic growth will likewise be impacted. Retaliatory ..

Xis visit deepens Malaysia-China and ASEAN relations Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit three ASEAN countries Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam next week. Xis visit to these three Southeast countries is widely seen as a counter-measure to US president Donald Trumps tariff policies, which have shaken the world trade system. Southeast Asia is not spared too. China is expected to step up efforts to deepen its economic and bilateral ties with ASEAN. Malaysia currently is the rotating chairman of ..

Xi comes to town: Can China win hearts in troubled times? As the global economic landscape enters a new phase of volatility, Chinese President Xi Jinpings state visits to Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam next week carry a sense of urgency. At a time when the global economy grapples with rising uncertainty, his arrival in Southeast Asia holds significance that extends far beyond formal diplomacy and photo opportunities. These visits occur immediately after US President Donald Trumps sweeping ..

What would life be without the USA? World trade, tariffs, BRICS, and the strategic pivot developing countries must make In recent weeks, US President Donald Trumps announcement of sweeping tariff hikes on goods from 180 countries sent shockwaves through global markets. From disbelief to outrage, governments and businesses scrambled to make sense of what many now see as the start of a new era of American economic coercion, if the American people allow him to have his way! Among the primary ..

State-sanctioned bullying, religious might or both? No one should underestimate a mothers love for her children, because when she is faced with a threat which will undermine her family, she will do anything to protect her children. Single mother Loh Swee Hong, whose three children had been unlawfully converted by her former husband, has enough challenges bringing up her children on her own without being harassed by the state government of Perlis and various state religious bodies. She has been ..

Embracing disruption, driving transformation: Malaysias strategic response to Trump tariff turbulence Crucially, Malaysias refusal to retaliate may prove to be the wiser course, preserving investor confidence, protecting domestic industries, and reinforcing its standing as a proponent of rules-based trade. This follow-up explores how resilience, not retaliation can be operationalised through concrete steps to strengthen Malaysias economy, diversify supply chains, and seize opportunities in a ..

Trumps sweeping tariffs targeting a broad range of countries, including ASEAN nations and other key trade partners, with rates ranging from 24 per cent (Malaysia) to 49 per cent (Cambodia) represent perhaps the most aggressive US protectionist turn since the Smoot-Hawley tariffs of the 1930s. Yet, a closer examination beneath the dramatic posturing reveals that this latest confrontation is less a coherent and practical trade strategy than a politically expedient gambit one that underscores the ..

The Ayer Kuning by-election (PRK) is scheduled to take place on April 26, following the death of the late Isham Shahruddin from a heart attack after participating in a four-cornered football tournament at the city stadium in Georgetown, Penang. Perhaps looking at the voting patterns in this area from 2004 to 2022, the seat has been held by Barisan Nasional (BN) with its candidates from Umno. However, in 2018, this area began to see a three- cornered fight with PAS and Amanah, and in 2022 a ..

The abundant images of Myanmar-Thailand earthquake flooding social media over the past one week timely remind humanity how tiny we actually are in front of Nature. It doesnt matter whether you are a Thai, Burmese, Malaysian, or an ethnic Chinese, Malay or Indian everyone is equally helpless when Nature turns its back on humans. When life hangs by a thread, no one would care whether you are a Buddhist, Christian, Catholic, or Muslim; nor will anyone first enquire about your ethnicity or ..

Shockwaves from Washington: Can Malaysia withstand the tariff blitz? On April 2, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs: a blanket 10 per cent base tariff on all imports into the United States, with higher duties on selected countries including 24 per cent on Malaysian goods. Other key trade partners, such as China (34 per cent), Vietnam (46 per cent), Cambodia (49 per cent), Thailand (32 per cent), and Indonesia (28 per cent), were also targeted. The move marks a ..

ASEANs commitment to free trade highly commended: Why do Japanese companies continue to invest and expand in ASEAN? Japanese companies have been investing and expanding their FDI in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for many years. Even during the 1997 Asian currency crisis, which was the biggest economic crisis in ASEANs post-war history, Japanese companies did not withdraw, but instead used the time to train their employees and improve their technological capabilities, ..

Few, if any, will recall a Malay slapping a non-Malay, or non-Muslim, for eating in public during Ramadan, but that is precisely what happened last month. A man called Elijah, was minding his own business, eating at a convenience store in a Johor Bahru mall, when an elderly Malay man approached him. The old Malay man wanted to know if Elijah was Chinese, to which he answered Yes. If the intrusion into Elijahs meal time was not enough, the man then demanded Elijah show his identity card. Elijah ..

Myanmar quake: Scientists warn of devastating power and impact amid civil war BANGKOK:A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar has prompted geologists and disaster experts to warn of potentially devastating consequences, citing the quakes shallow depth, the regions vulnerable infrastructure, and the complicating factor of an on-going civil war. Jess Phoenix, a geologist speaking to CNN, described the earthquakes energy release as equivalent to 334 atomic bombs, warning ..

April 2, 2025: The day the worlds economic history changed? Tariff wars, historically, have been a blunt yet highly consequential tool of economic statecraft. They do not merely serve as instruments of trade policy but also as weapons in broader geopolitical struggles. As the world stands at the precipice of a full-scale global trade confrontation on April 2, 2025, the echoes of past economic crises most notably the Great Depression resonate with stark clarity. The impending escalation of ..

In a widely shared article titled_Religius tapi Gemar Korupsi, Ada Apa_? (Religious but keen to corrupt), _Kompas_journalist M. Zaid Wahyudi raised a timely question: Why does corruption remain widespread in a nation so openly religious? His article highlights a common assumption, that religion guarantees morality, that belief and ritual naturally lead to ethical behaviour. A paradox indeed: Indonesia ranks high in religiosity but low in clean governance. Places of worship are crowded; prayer ..

Professor Satoru Mori of Keio University in Japan points out that the Trump administrations foreign policy philosophy can be broadly divided into two. The first is what could be called conservative unilateralism, and President Trump and Vice President J. D. Vance are typical examples. They prioritise Americas own interests and do not value the network of military and security alliances, economic multilateralism, and values such as democracy and freedom that underpin the liberal international ..

Bleak outlook for US President Trumps effect on the world U.S. President Donald Trumps return to office in January struck the world like the relapse of an ailment. For many countries, the condition has been marked by confusion, dismay and uncertainty, which in turn have led to mistrust and even antipathy. Consequently, the existing world order appears to be growing fragile. The U.S.-European alliance in particular is weakening, to the likely benefit of Russia and China. As international ..