Fulfill responsibility to pass on memory of atomic bomb, wars horrors Eighty years have passed since the atomic bombings. There are few opportunities left to hear the voices of the survivors. It is Japans mission to pass on the reality of the atomic bombings and to increase international momentum to prevent the use of nuclear weapons. Hiroshima will mark the anniversary of its atomic bombing on August 6, and Nagasaki on August 9. As of the end of March this year, the number of atomic bomb ..

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's approval ratings hit rock bottom during the judicial crisis and anti-Anwar rallies; many predicted he wouldn't win another term. However, as the old saying goes, a crisis is an opportunity. Opportunity always favors the prepared and the lucky. Thailand and Cambodia had a border conflict, triggered by an ancient temple. Of course, there are more complex reasons behind it, such as the power struggle between the Thai government and military, and the ..

ByPiti Srisangnam, Suthichai Yoon / Asia News Network ByPiti Srisangnam, Suthichai Yoon / Asia News Network By any measure, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnans recent warning about the Thai-Cambodia border clash should not be taken lightly. He called it a major setback for ASEANs credibilitya stinging but fair observation. The flare-up, which left soldiers dead and civilians displaced, exposed the cracks in ASEANs long-boasted solidarity. And yet, to leap from setback to irrelevance ..

Reciprocal tariffs revisited: Relief for some, sovereignty for sale? The US has quietly lowered its so-called reciprocal tariffs for a select group of countries. But as rates drop, the real cost may be risingin market concessions, policy shifts, or even access to strategic resources. In a world of **coercive trade diplomacy**, the real cost of tariff relief may not be measured in percentages, but in sovereignty. When Washington announced tariff reductions for a select group of nations this ..

Will the police learn from their mistakes in model's death? It is utterly disgraceful that a mother was forced to take legal action against the police, the inspector-general of police, the government of Malaysia, and the Home Minister to bring justice to her daughter. On 7 December 2017, 18-year-old model, Ivana Smit, was found dead at the foot of a 20-storey apartment block in KL. After being given the runaround by the police, a questionable first autopsy, and a highly unsatisfactory ..

A series of development initiatives for future development are outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan. While many of these have received widespread approval and are positive in nature, some suggestions and measures have raised concerns and controversy. The most intense public backlash is undoubtedly directed at the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for its study on the implementation of monthly retirement withdrawals. According to the report, the government will focus on reforming the EPF scheme by ..

There is a global debate about the death penaltyits morality and utility, and its clash with evolving conceptions of justice and human rights. Malaysia has about 33 capital penalty offenses in a variety of statutes like the Penal Code, Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Internal Security Act 1960 (now repealed), Strategic Trade Act 2010, and Water Services Industry Act 2006. Till 2023, 13 of these 33 offenses carried a mandatory death sentence. However, beginning in 2012, a number of significant reforms ..

Concerns over a tariff race fueled by Trumps reciprocal tariffs: The roles of Japan and ASEAN at the 30th anniversary turning point of the WTOs founding **The impact of reciprocal tariff policies and national responses** The reciprocal tariff policies announced by the Trump administration in April 2025 were a major shock to countries around the world because they undermined the existing international trade order. More recently, on August 1, the United States officially introduced a tariff ..

Flogging and burning effigies, a new low in politics of nation and of Islam First, we witnessed the burning of Anwar Ibrahim caricature by stupid Universiti Malaysia Sabah student activists. When an academic of 40 years like me use the word stupid on students from a university, that is a first for me and I hope the last for I never use the word at all to describe the state of intelligence of students. These university students are extremely lucky that I am not on the Board of Discipline ..

Reference is made to the report in _The Rakyat Post_ dated July 28, 2025 titled Anwar Hits Back at Critics: Return Stolen Billions Before Asking Me to Step Down. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has fired back at his political opponents, challenging corrupt leaders to return billions in allegedly stolen assets before demanding his resignation. Speaking at the launch of the 2025 National Day celebrations in Muar, Johor, on July 27, Anwar aimed his remarks at politicians who he said use racial ..

DAP MPs at Umno HQ: Zahids subtle warning to MCA and MIC The unprecedented visit by 30 DAP members of parliament to UMNO headquarters for a briefing on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) hosted by Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was just an excuse. The visit has clear political motives, with both sides getting what they need. For DAP, the visit was meant to convey goodwill to UMNOs grassroots, sending the message that DAP is a friend, ..

Why otak monyet MPs on international affairs should be suspended I refer to the incident that an MP from a religion-based party had caused the ire of many Malaysians on his caricature of a monkey presiding over a quarrel between a goat and a sheep. Although no direct explanation was given, many have interpreted this caricature to perhaps be related to the Prime Minister of Malaysia (aka Monkey) mediating between the war on the borders of Thailand (aka Sheep or Goat) and Cambodia (aka Goat or ..

Who stands to lose the most from Teoh Beng Hock's death? With the formation of a Unity government, has Teoh's family been unceremoniously dumped? Why? Is it because the truth hurts, because the same stakeholders still hold important positions, because the then ruling party, Umno-Baru, a vital component of the current Unity Government, may be forced into a humiliating climbdown and be made accountable for their actions? All these will damage the reputation of the Madani administration, a ..

JAKARTA: The ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after nearly a week of armed hostilities along their shared border, is a welcome development for a region desperate to hold onto a sense of stability. We commend PM Anwar, this years ASEAN chair, for acting swiftly and decisively to bring the two sides together. The agreement, reached in Putrajaya on Monday, came just as the human and political toll of the conflict was becoming impossible to ..

ASEAN leadership redefined: Anwar's quiet diplomacy halts Thailand-Cambodia deadly clash Lets give Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim the credit when it is due. For a while, many were left wondering how he was going to bring together two angry ASEAN member countries that were locked in a deadly conflict. It didnt help that at one point, a Thai Foreign Ministry official was quoted as saying that it did not need a third country to be involved. The spokesman, Nikorndej Balakura, reportedly stated that ..

US President Donald Trump has once again shaken the global orderthis time through a direct military strike on some targets in Iran: nuclear facilities that produce enriched uranium. The bunker-buster assault, launched under Trumps direction, marked a rare instance of a direct US attack on Iranian soil. Although the immediate result was a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the strategic and ethical implications of the strike are far more disturbing than they first appeared. Following the US ..

Beyond the blame game: How you and I can help Malaysias progress Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated: use the money saved from plugging leakages and corruption to uplift the rakyat. From the outset, his government has sought to deliver on that principle. And yet, public discourse remains fixated on Zahids DNAA, Najibs pardon bid, and Rosmahs luxury assets. When enforcement agencies moved on the families of Mahathir, Daim, Muhyiddin and others, it was quickly dismissed as ..

US President Trump has successfully used tariff threats to achieve economic, political and even personal goals. These threats, reminiscent of colonialism, have secured submission and concessions. After hearing the 2024 US election results, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto respectfully stood up in his Jakarta office to call to congratulate the winner. Trump bragged about his tariff offer to Indonesia in mid-July 2025, profusely flattering its president. After initially hesitating, former ..

13th Malaysia Plan: A beacon of hope for our national development agenda This parliamentary session promises to be transformative, not only with the reassignment of two prominent ministerial positions but also by tackling a host of pressing issues within our national development agenda. This time, every topic will be meticulously scrutinized by the people, with a keen focus on the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13). This plan is poised to become the cornerstone for assessing the government's ..

Living long, but dying alone? Reflections on Malaysias aging society When I was a boy growing up in a plantation in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the rhythm of life was shaped by seasons of planting and harvest, the call of the football game on the field, and, quietly yet profoundly, by the presence of our grandparents. There were few elderly in our small community, but these grandfathers and grandmothers were the keystone of family and estate life. They were not idle elders but guardians and ..

Why it makes sense to let Anwar complete his 5-year term Anwar Ibrahim is keen to serve two terms as prime minister. How did we know? Because he said so himself. In March this year, the prime minister was quoted in _The Star_ newspaper as saying he would support a proposal to limit Malaysias prime ministerial tenure to 10 years. There is a proposal, and I agree with itto cap the prime ministers tenure at 10 years. I support the limitation, he said at the DAPs national congress, and reassured ..

Turun Anwar: Who marched, who didnt, and why it matters The right to protest is fundamental to any democratic society. In Malaysia, where civic space has long oscillated between control and contestation, the ability to assemble peacefully in public is both a constitutional guarantee and a hard-won political practice. Yet, as the Turun Anwar rally on 26 July demonstrated, the question today is no longer whether Malaysians can protest; but what protest now means, who it speaks for, and how it is ..

ByBy Anthony Chong Lip Teck / Leader Writer / Sin Chew Daily Perikatan Nasional makes waves, Anwar keeps the helm ByBy Anthony Chong Lip Teck / Leader Writer / Sin Chew Daily The "Turun Anwar" rally last Saturday was not significantly different from a series of similar rallies recently held by PAS under Perikatan Nasional. The same group of old politicians was dominant and loudly criticising Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim through microphones, but offering little in terms of fresh ..

On July 14, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim posted a mysterious single-word message _Nantikan_ on Facebook that instantly evoked a lot of attention and speculation from the Malaysian public. The tactic, often seen in olden days to draw consumers eyeballs to an upcoming blockbuster, is now adopted by Malaysias Madani government for some kind of political propaganda. Unfortunately, the generous cash handouts have been met with only lukewarm responses. No matter how hard the Unity ..

How many will join tomorrows (Saturday) "Turun Anwar" rally? 10,000? 50,000? 100,000? Or the 500,000 claimed by Datuk Seri Dr. Shahidan Kassim or even the 1 million threatened by Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin? A conservative analysis shows that if fewer than 10,000 people turn up, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can sleep peacefully. If it reaches 100,000, Anwars days may be numbered. As for 500,000, or 1 million, thats impossible. If such numbers do really show up, Madani (Anwars administration) would ..

A decade ago, warnings about the erosion of South Koreas manufacturing competitiveness were met with indifference or denial. Today, they land with the weight of hindsight. Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, offered a stark diagnosis last week: Without a wholesale reinvention driven by artificial intelligence, much of the countrys manufacturing base may disappear within 10 years. That prospect is no longer theoreticalit is already taking shape. ..

He pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to five charges of involvement in money laundering between 2022 and 2024. The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) and Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, with each charge carrying a jail term not exceeding 15-years and a fine not less than five times the amount of bribe or RM5 million, whichever is higher, upon conviction. All his family members, with their heads bowed ..

Giant pandas witnesses to friendship between peoples They went, they charmed, and now they return after touching the hearts of thousands of fans. Emotions are running high in Japan where a theme park in Wakayama, Japan, bid farewell to its last four giant pandas, who are back in China. Tokyos Ueno Zoo is preparing for another similar send-off next February. These black-and-white icons have long been more than zoo attractions; they are beloved cultural ambassadors and living symbols of the ..

This is my first column on the Teoh Beng Hock (TBH) case. Yes, after 16 long years of one of Malaysias most high-profile and intriguing cases of a death in custody. Why didnt I bother to comment on the TBH case in the past? Well, it was already well-publicized in the media and many of my fellow columnists in several publications had kept abreast with its development with well-written commentaries over the years. As a writer, when I have nothing original to share or anything new to highlight, it ..

Bumiputera policy Even the U.S. is unable to tolerate Malaysia does not agree with the United States (US) that the Bumiputera policy is discriminatory, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Claiming that this is the bottom line, Malaysia stands firm on its existing policies. Hence, the US increases its tariff on Malaysian goods by an additional 1 per cent from 24 per cent to 25 per cent. The 1 per cent may seem small but the increase is significant. Do not forget that for ..

Steady in the storm: 5+1 reasons why Malaysia needs the SCRIPT For the first time in its history, Malaysia is governed by a framework antithetical to patronage politics: the SCRIPT. This structured approachSystemic, Committed, Reform-Integrated, Principled, and Transparentshatters a legacy where contracts, appointments, and state resources historically served political loyalty over public interest. It is a formula not merely for reform, but for sustainable national success. Though the Unity ..

Honoring 107 years of Nelson Mandela: A call for transformational leadership in Malaysia As Malaysia navigates defining crossroads in its democratic and national identity, the 107th anniversary of Nelson Mandelas birth offers a timely lens through which our ministers, policymakers, and thought leaders can reflect on the tenets of courageous, ethical, and inclusive nation-building. Mandelas legacy is not just a South African storyit is a global leadership template, and his lessons offer urgent ..

Building a caring society: Beginning with the heart of education There are moments that dont just ask for your opinion. They demand your conviction. On 17 July 2025, I sat among educators, scholars, and nation-builders at the Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) Roundtable. The discussion, _Building a Caring Society: How to Ensure Universal Values are Built into Our Education System,_ was moderated by Prof. Dr. Maszlee Malik, former Education Minister, and co-moderated by Dr. Mohamed Yunus Yasin, ..

Five looming crises leave Anwar trapped in Putrajaya The three new chief justices have been named and Tan Sri Ahmad Terriruddin Mohd Salleh is not in the list. Bar Council welcomes the appointment while Rafizi Ramli can take a break from firing salvo. As a result, the anti-Anwar sentiment cools down, narrowly avoiding a political crisis. Probably relieved, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim fired a shot much later by saying that he had never nominated Terriruddin. The claims made by outsiders were ..

The abnormal phenomenon of a PhD holder delivering food for a living The case of a PhD holder with top academic credentialsincluding degrees from Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Oxford Universityended up working as a food delivery rider after struggling to find a job went viral on social media. During the college entrance exam season in China, the Phd holder, who once worked as a researcher in university, shared his experience in a video encouraging students to stay calm. However, ..

From Teoh Beng Hock to the Bars march: A week where apologies fell flat and lawyers walked It has been an extraordinary week in Malaysia, not for what was resolved, but for how urgently familiar it all felt. Justice was grieved, defended, and once again thrust into the national spotlight. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) issued a public apology to the family of Teoh Beng Hock. The legal fraternity marched through the streets in black robes to protest threats to judicial ..

Marine safety is just as important as safety on our roads The sandy beaches and coral reefs of both east and west Malaysia attract both local and international tourists. The islanders and those living in towns on the coast provide the much-needed services in the hospitality, entertainment and transport trade, and with short island breaks bringing in much needed revenue for the tourist industry, we sometimes wonder if marine safety is strictly enforced. Three weeks ago, on the night of 28 June, ..

Freshly returning from his hectic trip to Italy, France and Brazil, Anwar found himself surrounded by the regions foreign affairs ministers as the country hosted the ASEAN meet. And as soon as the VIPs left the country, the prime minister had to busy himself with another rushed trip to the east coast state of Terengganu. He grumbled: I travel abroad representing Malaysia, not for leisure! At a time the sales & service tax (SST) expansion is frustrating many a Malaysian consumer as the cost of ..

Not too long ago, there was a news story about some leaders in a political party discussing the necessity of replacing their long-time president who was in poor health. When someone is seriously ill, then he or she should willingly step down and allow others to take over. That is the right thing to do. In case we forget, no one is indispensable and, certainly not in politics. There are many waiting in line to step up. If something were to happen to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today, I believe ..

Trumps billionaire cronies want more monopoly profits, not competition. With more policies crafted for them, wealth concentration is set to become greater than ever. There is no clear consensus on what neoliberal economics stands for now. Many who claim to be liberal economists have different, even contradictory views. Some demand market competition and oppose monopolies and oligopolies. For others, property rights are crucial, typically strengthening monopoly rights. Many avowed neoliberals ..