Every day, our roads are crowded not just with vehicles, but with unspoken stories. The simple image of a highway filled with cars, each labeled with a private pain like miscarriage, job loss, cancer, abuse, or grief, captures a truth many drivers forget: we are sharing lanes with people who may be driving through the worst day of their lives. That realization is the starting point for any serious attempt to curb road rage. Emotional awareness, coupled with strong and creative public messaging, ..

RPM 2026-2035: A plan for all children or only for some? The Rancangan Pendidikan Malaysia (Malaysian Education Plan) 2026-2035 (RPM 2635) has just been launched. RPM 2635 has the slogan "_Closing the Gap, Raising the Bar, Together We Succeed_" (theme _Bridging the Gap, Improving Quality, Achieving Success Together_). The document states this reflects _the spirit of cooperation across the education ecosystem to ensure that no student is left behind, every school continues to improve performance ..

Journalists are confronted by noticeably growing politicization and risks of criminal liabilities. While in the past, careless mistakes could end with sincere amendments and apologies, they might imply criminal investigations, detention, or even handcuffing today! Owing to unintentional headline errors, allegations of misrepresentation, discrepancies between text and images, or graphic design errors, Malaysian media outlets face the omnipresent risk of criminal investigations in our highly ..

Having spent some time talking to people across Malaysia, the message I have received is remarkably consistent. They trust what they feel in their wallets, not what they read in reports on economic growth. Many Malaysians today feel disconnected from the official economic success story rising food costs, childcare, rent, insurance, and transport dominate their daily struggle. On paper, the economy appears strong. GDP is growing (estimated at 4.9% for 2025, surpassing official expectations), and ..

UNESCO champions the principle that no child should be left behindevery child deserves access to quality education regardless of gender and circumstances. As we celebrate International Education Day on 24 January and conversations around education equity continue, my story is a testament to the impact of parental support when it comes to education. Back in the day, both my parents worked tirelessly to make ends meet. Despite our daily struggles, my parents repeatedly emphasized the importance ..

Malaysias decision to allow children to begin preschool at age five and give parents the option of enrolling them in Standard One at age six or seven marks a significant turning point in the nations education landscape. On paper, this is a progressive and forward-looking reform, aligning Malaysia with countries that have long prioritized early childhood education. Research consistently shows that the early years are critical for building foundational 3M skills_Membaca_ (reading), _Menulis_ ..

The government released the National Education & Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035 on Tuesday, outlining a major roadmap for the next decade. The content is detailed, spanning from preschool to tertiary educationa testament to the planners' long-term vision. However, this meticulously crafted roadmap was overshadowed by an announcement from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the launch, casting a shadow of doubt for many people. The point causing the most confusion and varying ..

ASEAN and the world must unite against scam operations in Cambodia and beyond The harrowing case of a Malaysian trafficking victim in Cambodia, who risked his life by posing as a scammer just to make a desperate call home, exposes a grim underside of Southeast Asias digital economy. It is a story not of individual criminality, but of industrial-scale human exploitationone that has metastasized across borders and now threatens the moral, economic, and security foundations of the region. These ..

A new spectre is haunting Europe today, not the communist manifesto of the Marx era, but a far more insidious threatan imperialist superpower run amok, willing to trample on the sovereignty of its allies to satisfy one mans megalomania. For decades, European leaders, from centrists to conservatives, have indulged Trumps excesses, prioritising transatlantic unity over principle. They turned a blind eye to his attacks on democratic norms, his withdrawal from international agreements and his ..

After condemning pragmatic responses to the 1997-98 Asian financial crises, the West pursued similar policies in response to the 2008 global financial crisis without acknowledging its own mistakes. After US Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker sharply raised interest rates from late 1979 to curb inflation, the dollars value strengthened despite deepening stagnation. US exports could barely compete internationally, particularly with Germany and Japan. During his first term, Trump initially ..

There are approximately 250,000 students from the public and private higher educational institutions of learning in Malaysia who are required to undergo industrial internships every year. The requirement was made compulsory by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in 2010. In 2025, the Madani government also mandated that companies that hire expatriates offer up to three internships under the National Structured Internship Program for each expatriate they hire. The policy is effective from 1 ..

Rather, it is about peoples wages and purchasing power, and that government assistance programs do not address stagnant wages. A similar, relevant point was on how targeted interventions such as cash assistance, Rahmah sales, selective subsidies and price controls on essential items were not enough if they failed to translate into stronger purchasing power. One huge, longstanding contradiction in Malaysia is that despite experiencing high GDP levels annually and being a rich nation in general, ..

Visit Malaysia 2026: A gateway to rediscovering culture and heritage The recently launched Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign is more than a mere invitation to visit; it is a call to witness Malaysia's transformation and untapped potential. Ideally situated as the ASEAN host nation, global interest in cultural discovery, connection and exploration, Malaysia stands ready to welcome the world. Renowned for its culinary excellence, rich heritage, and vibrant cultural tapestry, the nation is prepared to ..

If Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh were man enough (Jantan) as he claims to be, he would have resigned as UMNO youth chief rather than engaging in the superficial act of resigning as a Melaka state executive councillor (EXCO) to bluff the public. To put it plainly, it was in his capacity as UMNO youth chief that he convened an extraordinary wing meeting, advocating for UMNO to withdraw from the Unity Government and cooperate with PAS. Ultimately, the party president (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) ..

PKR governs, Umno negotiates, PAS waits: What kind of politics does 2026 bring? Malaysia enters 2026 not with calm, but with a tense kind of suspension. The government has not collapsed; Parliament continues to function, and there has been no single dramatic rupture threatening Putrajaya. Yet this should not be mistaken for stability. Power struggles have not ended; they have gone underground. Opposition figures continue to reposition themselves, leadership questions remain unresolved, and ..

When I first read the recent comments by Sarawak Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian on the successes of Sarawakians working overseas and contributing to their homeland, I anticipated that they would spark controversy. Often, it is the way a ministers off-the-cuff remarks are reported that shapes public reaction. Headlines, in particular, play a decisive role in framing how readers interpret the entire piece. Let me state this today. I think that before the criticism directed at Dr Sim gathers ..

The spectacle of power, once it begins to devour its own restraints, has a way of turning grotesque. In the first days of January 2026, America watched as Donald Trumps second presidency, already swollen with the rhetoric of dominance, produced two vivid acts of imperial theater: the midnight raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro in Caracas on January 3 and the renewed, almost casual threats to annex Greenland, a Danish territory Trump described as vital to American security ..

Lately, a controversy had erupted concerning the application for an escalator to be installed for the Batu Caves temple for the convenience of its devotees. The application has been rejected according to state executive councilor (Exco) Papparaidu Veraman due to the application being made in the name of an individual and not the temple. This has led to a dispute, altercations and recriminations about this issue among various groups. Papparaidu had rightly stated that a Registry of Societies ..

American laws more powerful than international laws: A reflection of the case of Venezuela The extraction of Nicols Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by the United States marks one of the most consequential moments in contemporary international politics. It is not merely about Venezuela, nor even about Latin America. It is about the fragility of international order when great powers decide that their domestic laws are sufficient justification for actions that violate the sovereignty of other ..

The silent enemy within the Malaysian Armed Forces The real threat to Malaysias defense isnt a foreign invading army; it's what's happening inside the armed forces. Corruption in defense deals doesnt just drain the treasury. It chips away at public trust and leaves our forces unprepared. This isnt a minor lapse. This is a shock to the very institution tasked with defending the nation. Corruption in procurement is more than just about the money. Every compromised contract weakens Malaysias ..

Recently, two news reports have given us some food for thought. First, data from Talent Corp revealed that since 2011, a total of 11,124 professionals in overseas applied to return to Malaysia, but only 4,763 actually did. This stands in stark contrast to the various repatriation incentives the government has introduced over the years. Second, in the past five years, approximately 60,000 Malaysians have renounced their citizenship94% of whom chose Singapore, just across the Straits of Johor. ..

American laws more powerful than international laws: A reflection of the case of Venezuela The extraction of Nicols Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by the United States marks one of the most consequential moments in contemporary international politics. It is not merely about Venezuela, nor even about Latin America. It is about the fragility of international order when great powers decide that their domestic laws are sufficient justification for actions that violate the sovereignty of other ..

Internal feud brewing in Perikatan Nasional, Anwar watches from the sidelines As we enter the third week of 2026, the candidate for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairmanship remains undecided. The two main component parties are both harbouring ulterior motives and their own hidden agendas; sooner or later, they will blow it. As for smaller parties like Gerakan, they can only wait and see, leaving the "Big Brothers" to make the final call. Reportedly, when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassinwho stepped down ..

Born shortly after the end of the World War II, my generation has long considered itself fortunate not to have known, let alone fought in, a world war. But no one can be sure anymore how long this fragile peace can endure. My sense is that the major powers are again sleepwalking toward war in a vain and thoughtless attempt to manage a world that has long slipped out of anyones control. That world has grown immensely complex. It is differentiated into functional sphereseconomy, politics, ..

Malaysias new hard line on littering is long overdue. For years, our drains, sidewalks and open spaces have been treated as convenient dumping grounds, while authorities issued warnings, _gotongroyong_ pledges and campaign slogans with little followthrough. Now that the government is finally imposing tougher penalties on those who litter, there is reason to applaud. But if enforcement is not matched by sustained education, engagement and better systems, the impact will fade as quickly as last ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..

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 ..