1 day ago

Q: My wife and I have been married for almost three years but we are both unhappy, and honestly, we have had plenty of other options. What is your suggestion before we make a decision to split up? Focus on the Family Malaysia: The fact that you are even asking this question, instead of just divorcing, is a good sign. It means there is still something worth examining, and perhaps, preserving. Consider this: research has showed that two-thirds of unhappy couples who chose to stay together ..

1 day ago

EVERY year, as Labour Day rolls around, we pause to honour the contributions of workers and reflect on the struggles that shaped todays workplace. It is a tradition built on the fight for fair hours, safe working conditions and the right to a decent living victories earned by generations before us. But heres a question worth asking in 2025: In a world where our jobs follow us home pinging our phones, spilling into our evenings and encroaching on our weekends what exactly are we celebrating? ..

I HAVE noticed that many airline passengers, especially young women, are opting for tight jeans and leggings that accentuate the contours of their legs, in line with modern fashion trends. I have spoken to some passengers during flights and they mentioned that these outfits are not only comfortable but also enhance mobility. However, they seem unaware that while these garments may be attractive and comfortable, they can pose significant dangers. This is especially true if the pants are tight ..

IN January 2025, chief executive of Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy Azrul Mohd Khalib highlighted that an estimated 70% of private hospital charges remain unregulated. This means that hospitals have the liberty to set arbitrary prices for a range of items and services, including essential medical equipment such as wheelchairs, heart monitors and even emesis basins. Only 30% of hospital bills are regulated, primarily covering specialist fees and medication. This lack of oversight has ..

IN 2006, former US Vice President Al Gore released An Inconvenient Truth , a gripping visual and literary presentation that opened millions of eyes to the growing threat of global warming. It was more than just a book; it was a wake- up call. For me, it held a personal weight. My late father owned a copy, its pages worn and corners folded from repeated readings. He used to say: The planet speaks we just need to listen. Once upon a time, the world was worried about the thinning ozone layer. ..

1 week ago

ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is becoming a powerful force in modern healthcare, particularly in the field of immunisation. One of its most promising roles is in personalising vaccine recommendations. By analysing a persons medical history, age, lifestyle and overall health, AI can help doctors make smarter, sa

1 week ago

THIS morning I watched a skit by Ronny Chieng, a Malaysian-born American comedian. He was joking about how the US needs an Asian president and along with that came anecdotes about how all Asian parents beat their children. It was narrated in jest. I have heard this joke and the dismissive attitude countless times in comedies and conversations with friends and family. If the topic got slightly serious, I would hear: Aiyah, we all kena whack what! Rotan, slipper, belt, slap, hanger; you name it, ..

1 week ago

Q: Im a single adult who is deeply concerned about the plight of orphans in this country and around the world, and I would like to do my part by adopting a child who needs a home. What is your advice? Focus on the Family Malaysia : We applaud your selfless attitude and your willingness to welcome a needy child into your home. The need for more adoptive parents is huge. That said, Focus on the Family Malaysia remains committed to the belief that the ideal environment for every child is a ..

1 week ago

FOR many 17-year-olds across the country, this will be a day to remember. For some, it would be the best day of their lives finally seeing the fruits of their sleepless nights, tuition marathons and the prayers of hopeful parents. For others, it may feel like the end of the world. I have seen both sides and have been in both. My SPM results came out in 1992. That was 33 years ago. Yet, I still remember the pressure not so much about the grades but what came after. The pressure to choose the ..

1 week ago

CONFIDENCE is often mis-understood. People chase it, lose it and sometimes fake it believing it is a fixed state, something we either have or dont. But, real confidence is not about always feeling bold or certain. It is about cultivating a presence that is stable, adaptable and sustainable, no matter the circumstances. One of the first things to understand about self-confidence is that it is not about force; it is about energy. When you enter a room, people react to you before you even say a ..

1 week ago

IN an age where attention spans flicker and digital screens dominate, there remains a quiet, enduring magic in the printed word the crisp turn of a page, the whisper of paper and the rich scent of ink. On World Book Day, observed annually on April 23, Malaysians are reminded that books are not merely objects; they are companions, teachers and doorways into different times, cultures and dimensions. This global celebration invites us to pause, unplug and return to the joy of reading a joy ..

1 week ago

BARELY 100 days into his new term, President Donald Trump is deeply embroiled in battles on multiple fronts in his Maga (Make America Great Again) mission. In the critical domestic battleground, he has met with rebuff after rebuff and significant opposition across key areas. Some relate to: 0 Immigration Trumps policies on stricter immigration enforcement and attempts at selective deportation have faced strong legal challenges and opposition from those who argue that the policies are ..

1 week ago

FAKE it till you make it this is the kind of phrase you would expect from a self-help seminar or a motivational Instagram post. However, this could actually be a solid approach to life, especially when you are feeling stuck, lost or unsure of what you want to be. The world today is moving fast trends come and go, opinions shift overnight and the pressure to have it all figured out can feel overwhelming. Everyone seems to be an expert at something, trying to live their best life while you are ..

1 week ago

THE recent gas pipeline explosion at Putra Heights on April 1 has raised pressing legal questions about Malaysias preparedness, accountability structures and regulatory safeguards when industrial disasters occur. With over 227 houses and 365 vehicles affected, and 87 homes reportedly written off as total losses, victims now face a long, complex journey towards compensation and recovery. Gaps in protection It is commonly assumed that homeowners can recover compensation through fire insurance ..

1 week ago

IN todays rapidly evolving world, knowledge acquisition is no longer about passive absorption, it is about active engagement, critical thinking and application. Yet, many educational practices remain anchored in traditional content delivery, assuming that information alone equates to learning. The reality, however, is far more complex. Consider the experience of many educators a well-planned lesson, rich in content and structure met with disengaged students of bored expressions, distracted ..

1 week ago

PRESIDENT Donald Trump wants to be a modern Stupor Mundi or wonder of the world. The last Stupor Mundi was the celebrated German Holy Roman Emperor and crusader, Federick II, known as Barbarossa. It appears that Trump seems determined to become the most important and commented upon person on earth. So far, he has succeeded brilliantly. So far, that is. As of this writing, Trumps tariff crusade has become a debacle, making him and the US the objects of hatred and fury around the planet except ..

1 week ago

Retirement is a milestone that looms for every worker, whether it arrives at 60, 70, or beyond. Its a phase as inevitable as it is transformative, yet it often arrives with a mix of anticipation and unease. A former colleague of mine worked tirelessly until nearly 80, his mind sharp and his passion for challenges undimmed. He saw every obstacle as a chance to grow. But when a family tragedy struck, followed swiftly by an incurable diagnosis, his vast earnings could not buy back time. Ill drop ..

1 week ago

WHO we are at work is deeply tied to how we see ourselves. Our identity is shaped by what we do, where we work, and how well we perform. These factors influence our job satisfaction, motivation, and overall well-being. When we feel aligned with our work, we thrive. But when our professional identity is challenged, we risk losing our sense of purpose. Today, the creative industry is undergoing a transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digital collaboration tools. ..

2 weeks ago

THE power of words, whether spoken or written, is undeniable in todays world of communication. Language is a formidable force in uniting people, sparking movements and instigating transformative change. Words shape beliefs, actions and societal trajectory. In todays digital age, the potency of social narratives is magnified by social media. Any contentious rhetorics can lead to harmful consequences, including mental health struggles and societal discord. Historically, political speeches were ..

2 weeks ago

SOME years ago, when I was living in Singapore, I returned home one evening and noticed policemen gathered on the lower ground floor. When I reached my flat, I saw my neighbours Indonesian maid standing at her gate. I asked if she knew why the police were around. She said someone had jumped and that she had seen the body fall. I could feel the weight of her shock. A few days later, after speaking to other neighbours in the block, it came to light that the person who had jumped was an elderly ..

3 weeks ago

THE reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on April 2 what he referred to as Liberation Day hit Southeast Asian economies particularly hard. While they and others received a brief respite in the form of a 90-day pause, with a universal lowered reciprocal tariff of 10%, tariffs on goods from China spiked to 145%. The increasingly inconsistent and erratic policymaking from the Trump administration will ultimately push Southeast Asia away from making deals with the US, an ..

3 weeks ago

HE is the only prime minister I have ever shaken hands with. It was 2004, and I was a young lecturer ambitious, uncertain and just beginning to find my footing in academia. I had volunteered to help organise an international conference, more for the experience than anything else. On the day of the opening ceremony, as the guest of honour arrived, there he was: Malaysias fifth prime minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He stepped out of the car with a calm presence, gentle smile and the kind of ..

3 weeks ago

IN conversations about food safety, the spotlight often falls on hygiene, contamination and expiry dates. These are undoubtedly important but there is another aspect that deserves attention, for example, the physical design of food: its texture, structure and shape. Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in food products, particularly snacks, designed to appeal to children. These snacks are often small, vibrantly coloured and jelly-like in texture, making them soft, smooth and fun to ..

3 weeks ago

Q: My son and daughter are 15 and 13, and I am trying to cover all the bases in preparing them for adulthood. Are there any important topics that parents often forget or overlook? Focus on the Family Malaysia: Parents rightly want their teenagers to learn important life lessons like managing finances, developing a strong work et

3 weeks ago

ANOTHER death, another glowing obituary. As many pay their last respects to Pak Lah, it is striking to note that those interviewed by the media seem to have only nice things to say. This reaction is reflective of a common human tendency: we tend to shower praises upon the deceased, often overlooking the complexities of their lives when they can no longer hear or respond. It raises the question of what happened during his lifetime. Pak Lah stepped away from the political arena many years ago and ..

3 weeks ago

THERE are no winners in a trade war, and going against the world will only lead to self- isolation. China President Xi Jinping Until Friday, April 11, the big question for market analysts and media commentators amid the tariff war that US President Donald Trump unleashed on the world was: Who will blink first, Trump or Xi? This uncertainty stemmed from Trumps call for a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs affecting over 180 countries, announced on April 2, while notably excluding China from the ..

FOR lack of a peace vision and global leadership, we saw in Part Four that Malaysia scored no points for its failure to offer any solutions to the Gaza and Ukraine wars. Nearer home is a looming Taiwan-South China Sea War that we shall focus on in this and the next article. Why is the West upset that China may invade Taiwan if it declares independence? Puerto Rico island in the Caribbean Sea has been an American territory since 1898, following the Spanish-American War. If Puerto Rico declares ..

THE gloves may be temporarily off between Washington and Beijing following President Donald Trumps decision to exempt selected electronic goods from tariffs. However, while sanity returns to the White House, the damage has already been done. President Xi Jinping did not blink when Trump levied 145% on Chinese goods entering the US. Dismissing Trumps tariff ploy as a joke, Xi snubbed Trump by imposing a 125% (from 34% and 84%) levy on US goods entering China, valued at US$144 billion (RM636 ..

IN the quiet corners of classrooms and the determined eyes of children facing extraordinary challenges, education has the power to rewrite destiny. Each child, regardless of ability, carries within them a universe of potential waiting to be unlocked, yearning to be understood. My journey is deeply personal both as a mother of a child with special needs and as the principal for neurodiverse children. I have lived the reality of this challenge from two perspectives. At home, I experience the ..

MALAYSIA is a maritime nation thanks to its strategic geographical location and abundant maritime resources. However, it faces complex challenges in safeguarding its maritime sovereignty due to overlapping maritime boundaries with neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines. Malaysias strategic location also presents significant challenges, particularly in the form of territorial disputes and overlapping claims over land and maritime zones. ..

IN 1982, social scientists James Wilson and George Kelling first proposed the broken window theory while studying criminology in New York City. They observed something fascinating in Brooklyn neighbourhoods: when a single broken window in a building went unrepaired, vandals would soon break more windows. Trash would accumulate. Graffiti would appear. Eventually, entire blocks would descend into lawlessness. The researchers concluded that small signs of disorder like that first broken window ..

AS artificial intelligence (AI) transforms global industries, redefining productivity, innovation and even geopolitics, one question looms large: Will Malaysia ride the wave or be swept aside? Malaysia has made undeniable strides in AI. The recent establishment of a national AI office marks a critical step in consolidating efforts across the government, academia and industry. Backed by partnerships with global tech giants like Microsoft, Google and Amazon, the country is building a formidable ..

IN my recent Hari Raya social media post, I wrote: On this blessed day, whether you are asking for forgiveness or giving it, remember to forgive yourself too. This simple reminder sparked numerous responses, revealing how many of us struggle more with self-forgiveness than with forgiving others. While Malaysias Eid celebrations create a structured opportunity for personal, family and communal forgiveness, the journey to forgive oneself often remains a solitary and unguided path. As a somatic ..

HE blinked. Not since the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 has an American president engaged in such a high-risk, high-stakes game of chicken with the future of his nation and the world. In that lost age of American leadership, John F. Kennedy faced down the Russians and won. This week, President Donald J. Trump tried to face down China, the European Union and, most foolhardy of all, the capital markets. He lost. Trump may or may not have thought himself playing some grandiose global poker match, ..

THE term brain rot was named Oxfords word of the year in 2024, which amplifies the influence of the internet and social media on language evolution and change. The appeal of brain rot language stems from its engaging and attention-grabbing characteristics. It attracts younger individuals into online spaces where gaining visibility and recognition becomes highly desirable. Their active involvement within these digital communities provides them with a sense of personal validation, social status ..

Q: I dont get violent when I am angry but I have always tended to just let it out when I get frustrated with my wife and children. That is how my parents lived and how I was raised. What is the problem? Focus on the Family Malaysia: Many people see anger as an uncontrollable emotion but that is not true. Not only can you control how you express anger, you likely already do. Here is an example: you are in the car with your spouse, on the way to a friends house for dinner. It is meant to be a ..

WE live in an age where our attention has become the most valuable commodity. Social media platforms know this, and they have designed their algorithms to capture and hold our focus in the most efficient ways possible. It is not just about keeping us entertained it is about keeping us hooked. The emergence of short-form content like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and Facebook Stories is no accident. These platforms have perfected the art of delivering rapid, bite-sized content that ..

TRUE to his election promises, President Donald Trump has unleashed his tariff bazooka on the world to make America great again. Using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a rarely used presidential provision, the US president has imposed what the official announcement declares as a national emergency to increase our competitive edge, protect our sovereignty, and strengthen our national and economic security on April 2. Breakdown of targets The reciprocal tariffs unleashed apply to ..

IN todays fast-paced world, the pressure to perform at work has become relentless. Employees in Malaysia are experiencing increasing levels of stress, exacerbated by an increasingly digitalised world that has made it easier than ever to stay connected. While technology has undoubtedly improved efficiency and communication, it has also blurred the lines between work and personal life. Technological advances have created a situation where employees are constantly accessible, allowing ..

MOST presidents of the United States seek to build. Donald Trump seeks only to do the opposite ironically, given his history as a prominent property developer. In the circumstances, announcing a series of devastating differential reciprocal tariffs on the USs major trading partners in the charming environs of the White House Rose Garden seemed rather incongruous. Then again, as the true enormity of what is at hand became clear, the wind got up and there was a sense of a storm coming. That was ..