In the marble precincts of Indias Supreme Court one May afternoon in 2026, a single phrase slipped from the bench and detonated across the subcontinent. Chief Justice Surya Kant, presiding over a hearing, observed that certain unemployed young peoplewho dont get any employment or have any place in the professionbehaved like cockroaches. They became, he said, parasites of society, turning to social media, RTI activism, and criticism of the system. A clarification followed: the remarks targeted ..

The world isnt running out of food, so why are more children going hungry? It is an uncomfortable truth: the world is producing enough food, yet more children are going hungry. This is not a crisis of supply. It is a crisis of systems and of choices. Across Asia, the warning signs are impossible to ignore. Even under the good scale of food production, the World Food Programs Global Outlook Report 2026 estimates that 318 million people now face acute hunger worldwide; 38 million children under ..

**Stop exporting plastic waste: the developed world must take back responsibility** I was angered reading recent reports on how developed nations continue to ship their plastic waste to countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Turkey. It exposes a blatant double standard: nations that preach sustainability at home are still offloading their environmental burden onto others. This is not responsible waste management; it is the deliberate export of a problem they are unwilling to confront ..

Anyone who has been to the seaside or watched marine documentaries is probably familiar with barnacles. These marine creatures attach themselves in dense clusters to ship hulls, rocks, and even the skin of sea turtles and whales. Once a barnacle latches onto a host, it secretes an extremely powerful adhesive that is notoriously difficult to remove. It clings tightly to its host and is almost impossible to shake off. Barnacles continuously absorb nutrients from their surroundings and reproduce ..

Johor polls: Turnout key to DAP's hold on marginal seats In the 2022 Johor state election, five of the 12 seats won by Pakatan Harapan (PH) were secured with majorities of less than 10%. Of these five seats, four had Malay voter populations below 40%: Bukit Batu (37.2%), Perling (39.6%), Tangkak (40.6%) and Jementah (40.8%). These urban and semi-urban constituencies, where Chinese voters form a significant proportion of the electorate, were mostly won by the Democratic Action Party (DAP), with ..

From Umno and Gerakan to DAP: Skudai's revolving-door seat The sudden and unannounced retirement of Skudai assemblywoman Marina Ibrahim from politics continues to be played up. It is a good moment to take a closer look at this state seat and its rather unusual electoral history. Since its creation in 1974 for the fourth general election, Skudai has returned candidates from Barisan Nasional's Umno and Gerakan, as well as from DAP under both the Pakatan Rakyat and Pakatan Harapan banners. What ..

As Malaysia moves towards an ageing society, discussions on road safety have renewed interest in whether senior citizens should undergo medical examinations when renewing their driving licenses. This is a sensitive subject, but one that deserves balanced consideration. Road safety must remain the priority, while policies affecting senior citizens should be implemented fairly and respectfully. The objective should not be to restrict elderly drivers solely because of age. Many senior citizens ..

Political realignment or strategic survival? Growing speculation over Bersatus possible return to PH Malaysias political landscape is once again being shaped by speculation surrounding the possibility of Bersatu re-establishing cooperation with the government led by Anwar Ibrahim. Although no official confirmation has emerged, the growing circulation of claims involving discreet meetings between key political figures has intensified discussion about whether a new political alignment is quietly ..

Hong Kongs first woman astronaut that wins the hearts and minds It was just before dawn on May 24, 2026, when the Shenzhou-23 rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, its engines carving a scar of fire across the Gobi Desert sky. Four hundred kilometers above the turning Earth, inside the cramped, humming confines of the Tiangong space station, Dr. Lai Ka-ying floated in the weightless dark and allowed herself one small, private moment. She was forty-three years old, a mother ..

Selangor is spacious why is the space for non-Muslims so narrow? Issues affecting non-Muslims in Selangor keep coming one after another from putting food on the table to matters of faith and worship. Selangor is such a large state; is there really no room for its people? The recently unsettling Selangor State Planning Guidelines and Standards for Community Facilities explicitly prohibits the establishment of non-Islamic religious premises in commercial zones and also bars the conversion of ..

Crossroads of powers: Interplay of parties, monarchy in Malaysian politics No mortal is ever spared from worries or the bitter taste of uneasenot even Anwar Ibrahim, comfortably seated at the zenith of power as Malaysias prime minister. Late last Friday night, Anwar unexpectedly posted a video on social media, admitting with unusually candid and emotional disposition that he was far from perfect, and that there was much room for reflection and improvement. He pledged to continue carrying out ..

The Federal Reserve Banks turn to reserve management exposes the limited policy options still available as the US seeks to protect itself against international stagflation stemming from President Trumps policies. Successive US administrations have long refused to address the roots of the worsening fiscal and debt problems. As the US Treasury borrows ever more to continue funding federal government spending with less tax revenue, the accumulated public debt of $39 trillion now costs over a ..

Keeping costs of machinery inspections sustainable for SMEs Workplace safety is essential and machinery inspections play a critical role in protecting workers, preventing industrial accidents, and ensuring safe operations. Businesses generally recognize these responsibilities and understand that compliance comes with costs. Safety inspections for machinery and pressure equipment are essential and should never be compromised. They help prevent accidents, protect workers and ensure equipment ..

Gerakan believes Ahmad Samsuris recent remarks were friendly towards the Chinese community and supportive of a multicultural society. Perikatan Nasional (PN)or more precisely, PASbelieves it stands a strong chance of taking over Putrajaya in the next general election. PAS successful push to install Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as PN chairman and Opposition Leader in parliament, while positioning him as a potential prime ministerial candidate, is part of that strategy. Compared to Datuk ..

China should open Its doors to American travellers unilaterally If Thomas Friedman has learned one thing from three decades of watching globalisation, it is this: the most powerful forces in the world today are not governments, but people moving, meeting, and changing one anothers minds one conversation at a time. That is why Beijings next smart move is staring it right in the face: announce a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary American passport holders. Not as a favour to Washington. Not ..

PKR was once seen as the reformist backbone of Pakatan Harapan the party that promised institutional reforms, multiracial politics and a cleaner democratic culture. Today, however, it increasingly looks like the coalitions weakest link. As the leading party of the Unity Government, PKR should ideally project stability, discipline and confidence. Instead, it has become the most internally troubled component within Pakatan Harapan, plagued by factionalism, leadership insecurity and policy ..

So, the Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya health department has apologized for the confusion caused when a medical monitoring card in the Chinese language was handed to a patient at a public clinic somewhere in Kuala Lumpur. The apology was issued more than a week ago and the confusion in question happened a couple of daysor maybe a few days earlier, I think. Hence, you, or most of you, must have read about the issue. Still, I need to say something because of what happened after the confusion, if not ..

The final chapter of World War II in the Pacific remains one of the most fiercely contested episodes in modern history. On 15 August 1945, Emperor Hirohito announced Japans unconditional surrender, formally ending a conflict that had claimed tens of millions of lives across Asia and the Pacific. In the West, the dominant story has long centred on a single, cataclysmic act of American technological supremacy: the atomic bombings of Hiroshima on 6 August and Nagasaki on 9 August. These weapons, ..

Eat here if you dare: Sauna hawker centres KL office workers are forced to call home Step into the only hawker centre serving Semantan's teeming office belt, tucked in the shadow of the Zurich building and similar glass-and-steel towers and within seconds, the heat hits you like a wall. Not the gentle warmth of a humid Malaysian morning, but the suffocating, damp blast of a sauna. Pots of fried rice sizzle on open flames. _Roti canai_ is slapped onto screaming-hot iron skillets. Bowls of soup ..

Unity Government heading down Perikatan Nasionals path At the Pakatan Harapan convention, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim criticised Johor Barisan Nasionals intention to go solo in the coming state election, saying this could even lead to an early dissolution of Parliament and a general election. BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir responded by saying BN would continue to uphold the consensus within the Unity Government until the end of the current administrations term. ..

If post-election coalitions are needed, Rafizi will ultimately choose PH After taking over Parti Bersama Malaysia, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad declared that they would contest future elections as an independent political force, without aligning themselves with any existing political coalitions. However, the political landscape in Malaysia is becoming increasingly fragmented. Voter trends in the upcoming state and general elections are likely to be even more scattered. ..

Chinese community no longer votes for DAP in tears, but is Bersama worthy of their vote? Just two days after Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced their takeover of Parti Bersama Malaysia on May 17, this leader writer sat down with them face to face in the newsroom. Joining senior writers and Pocketimes hosts under _Sin Chew Daily_, we conducted an in-depth interview lasting about three hours with them. As I listened to them speak with confidence, painting an ambitious ..

When winning at the tribunal is only half the battle The Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia was established to provide ordinary consumers with a simple, affordable and accessible avenue for resolving disputes without engaging lawyers or going through lengthy court proceedings. In many respects, the tribunal has fulfilled that purpose well. Consumers who would otherwise lack the means to pursue legal action are able to present their cases in a relatively informal and inexpensive setting. ..

Growth without gain: Why Indonesians dont feel the economy Indonesias economy grew at a steady 5.2 per cent through 2025 and into early 2026. On paper, that is a success story. Yet in practice, millions of Indonesians arent buying it, because they arent feeling it. Household budgets remain tight, the middle class has stopped expanding, and a quiet frustration is building between what the macroeconomic data says and what people actually experience at the market, at the fuel pump and at the end ..

Madanis next political test: Stability, strategy and risks of a direct contest Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahims recent statement that Pakatan Harapan (PH) is prepared to contest head-to-head nationwide should Barisan Nasional (BN) choose to move independently in the Johor state election signals more than ordinary coalition bargaining. It reflects a deeper recalibration within the Madani Unity Government, where political cooperation is increasingly shaped not only by electoral ..

Friendly fire or self-destruction: Is Rafizi's war with Anwar saving the cause or sinking it? There is a Shakespearean allusion in the current conflict surrounding Rafizi Ramli and Anwar Ibrahim. Not because Malaysia is on the verge of a Roman-style collapse, nor because Rafizi is a villainous conspirator. The comparison is subtler than that. It lies in the political tragedy embodied by Brutus in Shakespeares Julius Caesar a man who believed he was saving the republic even as his actions helped ..

Food systems and policies undermining food security Transnational agribusinesses increasingly shape food policies worldwide. Claiming to best address recent food security concerns, they seek to profit more from innovations in food production, processing, and distribution. Food policies in the Global South have evolved significantly since World War Two (WWII), especially after nations in Asia and Africa gained independence, often after experiencing war-time food deprivations. The early post-WWII ..

In the grand halls of Beijings Great Hall of the People, where world leaders and titans of industry gathered for the high-stakes U.S.-China summit in mid- May 2026, one figure unexpectedly captured the worlds imagination. Not a president, not a premier, not even a billionaire CEObut a six-year-old boy with tousled hair, bright eyes, and an infectious grin. Elon Musks youngest son, X A-12affectionately known as Lil Xstole the limelight. He was not only the youngest attendee, arguably the cutest ..

Rafizi mobilises a third force, Parti Bersama Malaysia cleanses old politics Pakatan Harapan (PH) held a rally in Johor Bahru on Sunday, aimed at building momentum for the coming state elections and it drew an enthusiastic crowd. The speeches not only targeted Barisan Nasional (BN), but also included moments of internal reflection boosting supporters morale while reminding them of the difficult challenges ahead. The highlight of the gathering came when Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar ..

5G in name only: Why urban Malaysians are struggling to make a simple phone call I live, commute and work in the Klang Valley, not in some remote corner of Malaysia. Yet in 2026, in the heart of our advanced capital region, I struggle to complete a single phone conversation without it dropping. For me, call drop is not an occasional annoyance. It is almost 100% in every call. This is not an exaggeration or a personal technical problem. Friends, family and colleagues on Maxis, Celcom and U ..

Shifting winds: Direction and anxiety in the evolving political landscape in Malaysia Lee Hsien Loong, the senior minister of Singapore, recently wrapped up a working tour visiting Pahang and Terengganu in the east coast. The significance behind this journey lay in his desire for close, first-hand observation of Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtarthe man widely tipped to be the prime ministerial candidate of PAS in the next general election. When it comes to the "green ..

Ageing parents deserve more than institutional care Proposals to introduce laws requiring children to support their aging parents are featured in the media recently. As a senior citizen myself, I understand why this issue has attracted growing public attention. Malaysia, like many countries, is facing an ageing population, changing family structures, and increasing social pressures. Yet behind all the policy debates lies a very human concern the fear among many elderly parents of growing old ..

Trump, dont play games with Jho Lows pardon application. Jho Low, the fugitive, has been out of the headlines for a while, but his latest return is a bombshell. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) website now lists a pardon after completion of sentence" application submitted this year under the name "Taek Jho Low." According to the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, this request was filed within the last few weeks. If approved, it would effectively dissolve all ..

It is refreshing that Khairy Jamaluddin, or KJ as he is popularly known, has been candid enough to openly admit his ambition to become prime minister. In Malaysian politics, many politicians secretly harbour such dreams but rarely say it aloud. KJ did. Years ago, he openly challenged Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for the Umno presidency because he understood that in Umno tradition, the party presidency is often the pathway to Putrajaya. During the 2022 general election campaign, he even told ..

Batik Malaysia: Luxury in malls, missing on the streets For most middle-class Malaysians, batik now screams special occasion and deep pockets, not for everyday wear. The cheap, beautiful cotton batik under RM100 is still hiding in traditional markets and online, while the batik we see in malls easily shoots past RM200, with silk running into the thousands. At those prices, no tourist or local is going to grab it on a whim. Yes, there are reasons. Natural dyes can cost several times more than ..

Trump cannot avoid not talking about Iran in Beijing President Donald Trump may insist that Iran is very much under control. But the actions of his own administration suggest otherwise. If Iran is no longer a central concern, why is Washington adding m

Why is SPM Chinese always the "straight-A killer"? For some candidates, the SPM Chinese paper is the ultimate "straight-A killer." A student might score an A+ in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, only to end up with a 'B' in Chinese. When this happens, people usually offer a sympathetic pat on the shoulder: "Its okay; everyone knows its hard to get an A in Chinese." Everyone nods in resignation, accepting it as an unwritten rule. In the upbringing of many Chinese Malaysian students, the ..

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has identified five areas driving growing unease within the Malay community: religion and the Malay rulers, the economy, education, language and sociocultural concerns, and politics. The National Consultative Conference, he says, will serve as a platform to find solutions. Why does the Malay society still feel unsettled? The constitution protects the special economic and religious status of the Malays, every prime minister in the country's history ..

Navigating the unpredictable path to GE 16 Will it bring another change of government and how? Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who has recently been at odds with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, noted that the historic change of government eight years ago carried the weight of people's hopes for reform. However, with some reforms stagnating and promises unfulfilled, a sense of disappointmentthe feeling that "the government changed, but nothing really did"is gradually seeping into society. ..

President Donald Trump is scheduled to touch down in Beijing on May 14 and 15, 2026, for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Its the first formal U.S. presidential visit to China in nearly a decadeand the first in-person sit-down between the two leaders in Trumps second term. The real story American reporters are picking up on the ground right before the meetings: Chinas whole attitude toward the United States has quietly flipped. The old days of learning from America, of ..