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 ..

The future of DAP, MCA, and GerakanWhere are the Chinese heading to? The Democratic Action Party (DAP) has just concluded its most intense party election in history, amidst the tussle over keeping or sending off the god in the party. DAP officially enters the era of Loke Siew Fook and the Lim dynasty comes to an end. However, those who understand the saying of "barren land goes unattended, but once cultivated, many will fight over it", they must be mentally prepared that the next party election ..

Politics is emotional. It is not always about rational problem-solving but about shaping the way people see the world. Leaders like Hitler, Trump, and Duterte gain loyalty not necessarily by delivering results but by reinforcing their followers perceptions of their problems, enemies, and place in the world. These politicians do not just sell a worldview; they also present themselves as the only ones who can fix what is wrong. Trump, the self- proclaimed master of the deal, claims he alone can ..

Double pincer of the US in holding the peace conference in Jeddah and Riyadh: ASEAN and EU beware The recent US-led peace negotiations in Riyadh and Jeddah where separate talks were held with Russia and Ukraine highlight America's evolving diplomatic strategies. These moves have significant implications for global politics, particularly for regional organisations like the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Saudi Arabia, despite being an aspiring BRICS+ ..

Remembering and celebrating the outstanding life and work of Dato' Dr A. Jai Mohan Dato' Dr A. Jai Mohan, a dear friend and colleague, passed away in the early hours of 13 March 2025 in the presence of those who loved him much. This tribute celebrates the life and work of this extraordinary individual who was head and shoulders above most of us. He touched and influenced countless lives, was a profound thinker and a catalyst for our health services. We wish to honour his remarkable ..

Western climate hypocrisy exposed by NATO energy policy NATO geopolitical strategy has now joined the coalition of Western geoeconomic forces accelerating planetary heating, now led again by re-elected US President Donald Trump. Economic development is typically associated with the spread of industrialisation over the last two centuries. The Industrial Revolution involved greater energy use to increase productive capacities significantly. Burning biomass and fossil fuels greatly expanded ..

How cronyism is destroying our safety and well-being Cronyism has become a deeply endemic practice in Malaysia, affecting all levels of government. Cronyism can be defined as the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications. For too long, our government has been contracting out certain types of work and services to contractors who are highly incompetent and dont at all provide reliable service to the people. A lot of this ..

Malaysias leadership on trial: Why corruption keeps winning Not long ago, corruption was something Malaysians whispered about behind closed doors, something they hoped was an anomaly rather than a permanent fixture of our political system. Today, it no longer raises eyebrows it barely even shocks us. When news breaks of yet another corruption scandal, the reaction is often a resigned sigh rather than outrage. Its a grim reality. A troubling number of Malaysias prime ministers have faced ..

The six swords hanging over an editor-in-chief's head During Tun Mahathirs first premiership, newspapers and their editors-in-chief used to receive warning letters or reminders, and were at times even invited to coffee by the home ministry. Although this was not an everyday practice, editors-in-chief who decided the daily front-page headlines were in essence constantly "walking on thin ice"! They had to be extremely cautious when handling sensitive news topics to avoid being alleged of inciting ..

Malaysia, ASEAN and the tariff storm: Nothing to fear but fear itself? There are two recent inter-connected events that I would like to highlight. They represent key opportunities for the country, but which should also make us cautiously optimistic in the face of challenges ahead. First, the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) recently reported that the country attracted RM378.5 billion of approved investments in the services, manufacturing and primary sectors in 2024. This is the ..

VEL (Validate, Evolve and Learn): The sacred significance of the Vel and its chanting As the resounding chants of _Vel Vel Muruga!_ echo through the air during every **Thaipusam and celebration of Lord Muruga**, they carry more than just devotion. They embody a profound journey of **self-discovery, resilience, and respect**. The **Vel**, a divine spear gifted by Goddess Parvati to Lord Muruga, symbolises wisdom, justice, and triumph over adversity. Beyond its religious significance, the **Vel** ..

The Democratic Action Party (DAP) has announced that a total of 70 candidates are vying for 30 central executive committee positions in party polls. While this seems intense, it is much more moderate compared to the previous election which saw 90 candidates. The focus of the party election this year is on Lim Guan Eng. From his time as a powerful and influential Secretary-General to Chairman, he now faces an uphill battle just to secure a spot in the central executive committee. This ..

For the first time in modern history, United States leaders publicly berated a war-time ally for supposed ingratitude. Also, for the first time, a foreign leader publicly stood up not only to President Donald Trump but also to his yes men too eager to remind smaller states to thank the boss! The shouting match between the Ukrainian leader and Americas top two officials was arguably the most geopolitical revealing moment of the early 21st century. In theory, all want peace. With hundreds of ..

ByUmelto Labetubun, Shashi Jayakumar / The Jakarta Post / ANN US aid cut will undermine Indonesias counter-terrorism efforts ByUmelto Labetubun, Shashi Jayakumar / The Jakarta Post / ANN The reverberations of United States President Donald Trumps Jan. 20 executive order on re-evaluating and realigning US foreign aid are being felt worldwide, especially in countries like Indonesia that have been on the receiving end of US foreign assistance for decades. One field that has been consistently ..