Time, TikTok and Tokenism: The combustion of an impatient Malaysian electorate Malaysians today are living on a political clock that ticks louder every year. Over the last quarter-century, the electorate has grown impatientsome would say combustible. This is not merely a product of political fatigue but a deeper transformation shaped by structural change, technological acceleration, and a generation raised on the immediacy of digital gratification. The roots of this impatience stretch back to ..

MICs indecision could backfire on its future electoral prospects MICs continued indecision projects a negative image to the Indian community and to Malaysians in general. Party members have deferred the decision on exiting Barisan Nasional (BN) to the Central Working Committee and senior leadership. The last-minute turnaround surprised many who expected the meeting to give the green light to break away from BN. The reasons cited for not doing so were flimsy and strongly suggest that the party ..

In this article, I wish to send a message to candidates who offer themselves for public office but did not manage to get the support of the electorate. The 17th Sabah Election has just concluded, so I suppose this is timely. My message is equally relevant to those who have held public office for far too long and struggle to let go, even when urged by their party seniors. There will always be individuals who simply refuse to step aside, clinging to positions as though their identity depends on ..

DAP Secretary-General Loke Siew Fook's message is too little and too late. The Democratic Action Partys collapse in Sabah was not a fluke. A cold, unmistakable judgment delivered by voters who once believed the party stood for something braver, cleaner, and sharper than the ordinary machinery of Malaysian politics. DAP cannot survive another year of this drift, and neither can Malaysia because when a party loses all eight of its contests, including six once won with overwhelming majorities, we ..

All I want for International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia There have been a number of songs on the theme All I want for Christmas . The one that has stuck in my memory is a child singing All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth. As I reflect on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated on 3rd December 2025, I ask myself: "What does the disability community, their care partners and civil society want from the government and society?" Remember that ..

Taiwans pro-Japan tilt and the shifting balance of power in Indo-China deepens Taiwans admiration for Japan has always existed beneath the surface, but in recent years it has surged to unprecedented highs. A nationwide survey conducted in late 2024 found that 76 per cent of Taiwanese now describe Japan as their favourite country. Another poll recorded that 70 per cent believe Taiwan should align most closely with Japan, ahead of the United States and far ahead of China. Even earlier surveys ..

Chinese votes come and go A wake-up call for DAP or a death knell? Pakatan Harapan was the biggest loser in the Sabah election, but the one that suffered humiliating defeat was the Democratic Action Party (DAP), which suffered a complete wipeoutlosing all eight seats it contested and almost vanishing from Sabah. This is DAPs most painful lesson: Chinese votes can come, and they can also go. When a tropical whirlwind hits, what seemed like deep-rooted safe seats can be uprooted entirely. Chinese ..

Overloaded lorries endanger the safety of road users, which is certainly true. If overloaded lorries are not strictly regulated, it will lead to accelerated road wear and increased maintenance costs again, an undeniable fact. Transport Minister Anthony Lokes insistence on strict enforcement, stating that human life is more important than making money, is also a fact. However, this wave of enforcement has caused disruptions in the logistics supply chain, skyrocketing transportation costs, and ..

Is PAS to be blamed for Langkawis fall from grace? A friend from Sarawak had just returned from a family holiday in Langkawi. When I asked how the trip went, his response was tinged with disappointment. For a place once celebrated as the Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi seems to have lost much of its former shine. This is very sad indeed. I used to visit Langkawi at regular intervals in years gone by. I like Langkawi actually and each visit was pleasant and enjoyable as the island has a fair bit to ..

The existence of Prince Group should make the Philippines even more wary Yet, what should truly alarm Manila is the pattern: when corruption becomes transnational, its political effects eventually return home. This is why the Prince Group affair is not merely someone elses scandal. It is an early warning indicator of how illicit networks can entrench themselves in jurisdictions that appear respectable, then influence political actors across borders. The central question now is whether Manila ..

From hip-hop song to satirical cartoons, China-Japan row ratchets up online Set to a catchy hip-hop beat and featuring taunting animation, a Chinese music video on social media is calling Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a troublemaker and warning her against playing with fire by interfering in the affairs of China and Taiwan. The use of such content that disparages the Japanese leader is part of Chinas arsenal of tools to pressure Tokyo and to influence public opinion both at home and ..

As COP30 convenes in Belm, in the heart of the Amazon, the worlds focus is narrowly set on carbon emissions and net-zero pledges. Yet, this tunnel vision blinds us to the elephant in the room: Ecosystem destruction is not a carbon problem aloneit is the systemic sabotage of the planets most powerful climate control mechanism. Since 2023, extreme weather events have shattered most model projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Meteorologists are grappling with this new ..

Voters should punish politicians who overstay their welcome At the outset, I wish to make a clear and unequivocal disclaimer. Neither I nor this publication harbor any intention to discredit or cast aspersions on any individual associated with the 38 years as an assemblyman narrative. The reference is used solely as a case study to illustrate and support the points discussed in this article. Any mention is strictly for analytical purposes and should not be interpreted as a personal critique. A ..

ASEAN must take note: Turkiye wants in but Gazas peace plan isnt legally ready Turkiyes willingness to contribute troops to a proposed International Stabilization Force in Gaza has drawn wide international attention. The devastation in Gaza is immense, and any credible effort to stabilise the territory appears urgent. Turkiyes readiness looks decisive and humanitarian- driven. Until the United Nations provides the necessary mandate, Turkiye cannot move from preparation to deployment. And this ..

The theme for this years World Children's Day, 20 November 2025, is My Day, My Rights. World Children's Day 2025 focuses on the right of children to be heard, protected, and empowered. The theme encourages listening to children about their daily lives and experiences, and supporting their right to participate in decisions that affect them. As I reflect on this theme, I look to our National Children's Policy and Action Plan, recently released in full by the Ministry of Women, Family and ..

Citizenship for sale? The FAM naturalization scandal exposes a two-tier Malaysia Their Bahasa Malaysia was so limited that they admitted to FIFA they couldnt read the very documents they supposedly signed. For many Malaysians, especially non-Malay Malaysians who grew up hearing citizenship is a privilege, not a right, the scandal is not just shocking, but also equally painful and an insult. What this episode reveals is not simply cheating in football. It reveals the existence of a two-tier ..

Inclusive AI governance: Charting Vietnams digital future As Vietnam advances its digital transformation, governing artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key strategic focus. The passage of the Law on Digital Technology Industry in June 2025 highlights the nations ambition to make AI and semiconductor technologies central to its development. However, a pressing concern remains: how inclusive is Vietnams AI governance, particularly for individuals with disabilities? Vietnams digital and AI ..

Road to Westports: Malaysias golden artery now a national bottleneck Malaysia, lauded as the regions top 10 container port in the world, celebrated across ASEAN for logistics excellenceparalyzed in an instant by a single stalled lorry or minor crash on a critical stretch of road. This is not a distant threat. It is the daily, growing risk on the two-lane artery leading to Westports, the lifeblood of Malaysias tradeand the choke point jeopardizing billions in exports and the nations global ..

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks to have made a good diplomatic debut, considering that she just took office. She made her first solid step forward at summits associated with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Shortly after, she held a Japan-U.S. summit with President Donald Trump, where she seemed to inherit the good relationship between the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the U.S. leader. To deliver on her policy goal of a Japanese diplomacy that flourishes on the worlds ..

Port Klangs meteoric rise: ASEANs maritime beacon and Malaysias pride In the summer of 2025, Port Klang shattered records and expectations: catapulted into Lloyds Lists top 10 busiest container ports, it leapfrogged regional titan Hong Kong and staked its claim as a new global maritime powerhouse, right on ASEANs shores. This achievementperhaps Malaysias proudest logistics milestone of recent decadesdid not occur by chance. It was the result of bold vision, strategic investment, tireless ..

Selangor's horticultural industry needs the encouraging support of state government The Selangor government has to take the issue of the relocation of the famous Sungai Buloh horticultural nurseries seriously, as horticulture and agriculture are an important component of the state's economy. About three years ago, Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) proposed for the nurseries in Sungai Buloh Greenlane (opposite Kota Damansara) to be re- sited in the Bukit Changgang Horticultural ..

Federal bloc facing troubles both inside and out in Sabah election The Sabah state election is believed to be the most intense in the history of Malaysia. A total of 596 candidates are contesting 73 state seatsan average of more than eight candidates per seat. In the interior constituency of Tulid, as many as 14 people are vying for the same seat. This is the fantastic nature of Sabah politics. It offers all kinds of opportunities and countless possibilities, making it a paradise for political ..

Malaysias moral crossroads: Reflections on our social fabric Recent events in Malaysia have brought to light troubling signs of moral decay among leaders and citizens alike, threatening the foundation of unity, humility, and respect that has defined this country for generations. These days, it feels as if every other headline recounts a new low: political outbursts, shameless self- promotion, tainted institutions, and public disrespect played out on a national stage. This moment invites not only ..

US President Trumps economic strategy for his second term aims to get the rest of the world, especially its wealthy allies with greater means, to pay more to help strengthen the US economy. Recent US initiatives have undoubtedly accelerated de-dollarization but these have largely been unavoidable consequences of its own actions rather than due to any conspiracy by others to that end. After the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944, the gold price was set at $35 per ounce. In August 1971, US ..

The 13th Malaysia Plan proposition to make preschool mandatory at age five, primary at age six, and secondary education compulsory marks a bold step towards universal education. It signals a determination to ensure that no child is left behind as the nation continues to develop. Yet, ambition without realistic aspirations could be dangerous. Compulsory education, while commendable, risks becoming a hollow promise if access is not compensated by genuine inclusive practices coupled with ..

Malaysian hospitality: Time to rekindle the spirit ahead of VMY26 We had decided on a simple joyful birthday staycation treat for my wife along with our daughter and baby grandson at a well-known hotel strategically located near the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station; with visions of a relaxing weekend filled with warmth and Malaysian hospitality. We arrived right on time, bags in hand, hearts light with excitement. Sadly, the experience that unfolded revealed deeper cracks in an industry that was ..

Syamsul Haris Shamsudin was a cadet at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and at the end of July, his mother Ummu Haiman Bee Daulatgun was notified that he had died during a training exercise. Ummu Haiman was suspicious about how her son met his death, which his superiors said had happened during training. It was alleged that he had suffered a seizure, Dissatisfied with their claims, she unsuccessfully tried to obtain the results of the autopsy report. Undaunted, she sought a court order to have ..

Though Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King has left us, the melody of his favourite song Jasmine Flower still lingers On the afternoon of June 7, 2023, together with a few colleagues from East Malaysia, I accompanied renowned writer Lung Ying-tai to Sibu, Sarawak, to visit the honorary chairman of the Chinese Media International Ltd Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King. He was in good spirits then. When he saw us entering his home, he occasionally lifted his right hand, perhaps to greet us, or signal for us to take our ..

Indonesian deindustrialization: Creative destruction or destructive creation? Economists have widely argued that Indonesia is currently at risk of a middle- income trap (MIT). The World Development Report 2024 proposed a three-stage strategy for countries to escape MIT: first, investment, then investment and infusionand finally, investment and innovation. Without infusion and later innovation, a country cannot sustain economic growth to achieve a high-income status. Infusion and innovation ..

Mamdani's win reflects the power of diversity in a democracy Zohran Mamdani's victory as the New York City Mayor has led to various reactions in the US and around the world. Depending on one's view some termed the win positively and others negatively. The basic reasons why he was elected were the increasingly diversity among the NYC population and the deplorable administration of the City touted as the financial capital of the world. Over the last few decades there has been a vast increase in ..