THE recent enforcement action by the Health Ministry against misleading cosmetic advertisements, particularly those promoting products as ???edible???, has raised serious concerns about ethical marketing. This alarming trend not only poses serious health risks to consumers but also underscores the urgent need for stricter regulatory oversight and consumer awareness. Dangers of consuming cosmetic products Cosmetic products are formulated for external use, designed to cleanse, beautify or alter ..

PRINCE Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, hereditary Imam of the world???s 12-15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims, died recently in Lisbon, Portugal. What a life he led. The Aga Khan (Great Khan as he was universally known) was born in Geneva, Switzerland and spent much of his flamboyant life jet-setting around Europe and North America. His charming, much younger sister, Princess Yasmin, attended the International School in Geneva with me. The young Aga Khan went to the world???s most exclusive ..

FOOD waste is a critical issue that significantly impacts the economy, environment and future food security for Malaysians. In Malaysia, the rate of food wastage is becoming increasingly alarming, yet no serious action has been taken to curb this problem. Therefore, it is crucial for us, especially the authorities and the government, to take effective measures to address this issue, one of which is by enacting legislation related to food and resource waste. Currently, Malaysia ranks fourth for ..

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim???s Budget 2025 announcement of the minimum wage increase from RM1,500 to RM1,700 has received mixed reactions across various economic sectors. The Minimum Wage Order, effective in February, has implications for the higher education sector as the new minimum wage will further narrow the gap between it and the salaries of fresh graduates. Education has long been viewed as a gateway to career success but recent trends in Malaysia have indicated a decline. ..

THE chief secretary to the government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, in his New Year???s message to civil servants on Jan 20 accentuated that ???reformation is a necessity in the public service???. His aspiration and vision are highly relevant and aligned with the current changes of the time. The Malaysian public service plays a crucial role in national development and serves as the backbone in planning national policies and implementing development projects that impact the lives of the ..

ONE bright morning in 2004, a family was enjoying the lovely sea view and paid scant attention to a high wave fast approaching. That rolling wave was a harbinger of the deadliest tsunami to hit Asia in recorded history, killing 228,000 people. This year, it is past mid-February and the prolonged wet spell is just ending. You hear small talk about climate change but the conversation soon veers off to focus on more arresting topics. Malaysia???s attentiveness to climate change is borne out by ..

???WE really have here rule of the bureaucracy as opposed to rule of the people ??? democracy???. ??? Elon Musk speaking at the World Governments Summit, Dubai, Feb 13. Since the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk and his team have moved with unprecedented speed to eliminate federal agencies of the current administration as part of President Donald Trump???s electoral promise to overhaul the US government. He has also gone on the offensive to describe in ..

I REFER to the article headlined ???Organ donations remain low, over 10,000 patients waiting for a chance of life???, published in theSun on Feb 7. Malaysia records approximately 200,000 deaths annually, and global trends suggest that around 1% of these could be potential organ donors. This means Malaysia has the capacity for about 4,000 cadaveric kidney transplants per year ??? enough to clear the current 10,000-person waiting list within just three years. However, the reality is far ..

THE year 2025 marks a defining moment in the AI revolution as the technology transitions from an exclusive domain of deep-pocketed corporations to a force that is reshaping industries, economies and global power dynamics. Once confined to high-cost proprietary models like OpenAI???s GPT and Google???s DeepMind, the AI landscape is now witnessing an unprecedented disruption driven by open-source innovation, cost-effective models and new challengers that are reshaping accessibility. A standout ..

EACH time the police arrest a lawbreaker, we often hear that the individual has a long history of past offences. What is puzzling is why previous arrests and punishments have not been effective in steering these criminals onto a path of recovery and lawful behaviour. This raises several questions. Were these criminals let off with a mere slap on the wrist? Are our laws and punishments not severe enough to deter repeat offenders? Or are these individuals simply hardened criminals beyond ..

I AM not going to go into arguments for or against the celebration or observance of Valentine???s Day. However, this day often brings with it the usual fanfare come Feb 14 ??? red roses, heart-shaped chocolates and Instagram posts adorned with declarations of love. There is nothing wrong with that but sometimes I wonder if we have reduced love to a fleeting sentiment, an aesthetic to display rather than an essence to embody. When in truth, love is not just a feeling ??? it is a verb. It is the ..

AS a coffee lover, I have visited many cafes in Malaysia, always looking for the perfect cup of coffee. From small hidden gems to stylish hipster cafes, each place has its own unique way of serving coffee. However, one thing I have noticed is that most of these cafes offer the same type of food to go with coffee. Almost every menu features croissants, muffins or cakes but rarely do I see traditional Malaysian delicacies. This made me wonder. Why are our local snacks not given the same attention ..

THE world is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises. Climate change is threatening the very fabric of our existence, inequality is dividing communities and health crises are exposing the fragility of our systems. At the centre of this chaos are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) ??? a global roadmap designed to tackle these challenges by 2030. However, with less than a decade to go, the progress is alarmingly slow. What is holding us back? According to legal scholar Ernst-Ulrich ..

WHAT do the US government???s backtracking on TikTok ban and flip-flopping on tariffs on Canada and Mexico have in common with Malaysia???s shifting stance on vape laws? They all reflect the dangers of poorly planned policies that get reversed just as quickly as they are introduced ??? creating confusion, uncertainty and unintended consequences. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad???s recent statement that the government is open to reconsidering a ban on vaping is a textbook example ..

THE report ???No-camping regulation sparks public debate??? reminded me of my secondary school days in the 1960s at La Salle Klang. Back then, to visit the nearest sandy beach, residents had to travel over 45km to Morib. Klang had no swimming pool, so bus excursions were organised to places like Morib and Ulu Langat, where the Langat River begins as a mountain stream and flows into the Straits of Malacca near Morib. I fondly recall camping under the tall Casuarina trees at Morib Beach with my ..

IN a world obsessed with accumulation, where success is often measured by the excess we own, the idea of ???enough??? feels almost radical. We live in an age where marketing strategies are designed to make us feel perpetually inadequate ??? there is always a better phone, trendier outfit, newer car. But what if we reframe our perception of scarcity? What if, instead of chasing more, we recognise the power of sufficiency? This mindset shift is more than just personal fulfilment; it is a critical ..

THE launch of DeepSeek, a revolutionary AI (artificial intelligence) platform designed with a low-cost, scalable model, is set to reshape the global AI industry. For Southeast Asia, a region brimming with technological potential and a rapidly growing digital economy, DeepSeek???s arrival could not be timelier. DeepSeek is set to reshape the AI industry, bringing changes that will particularly benefit small and medium-sized tech enterprises. Assistant professor at Nanyang Technological ..

FOLLOWING Donald Trump???s inauguration, John Harris, the founding editor and editor-in-chief of Politico ??? an American digital newspaper reporting on politics on both sides of the Atlantic owned by Axel Springer, a German news publisher and media company ??? had this comment on the 47th US president: ???But the second occasion of Trump taking the oath of office also put him in an entirely new light. For the first time, he is holding power under circumstances in which reasonable people cannot ..

IT was reported on Feb 1 that a contract worker hired to conduct fumigation at a factory in Perai died after carrying out the job from Jan 21 to 28. Another worker was in critical condition while six others were under observation. Fumigation is a pest control process that uses hazardous gaseous chemicals in an enclosed area to exterminate pests. The gas is contained in the secured space for a set period to ensure pests are eradicated, after which the space is safely ventilated and a fumigation ..

WHEN most people think about addressing climate change, they often envision high-level policy meetings, international summits and governmental negotiations. However, what is frequently overlooked is the increasingly pivotal role courts worldwide play in enabling individuals and advocacy groups to hold governments and corporations accountable for their environmental impact. Through strategic climate litigation, citizens are asserting their legal rights and demanding stronger climate policies. ..

AS US tariff threats dominate headlines and markets reel, concerns mount from Washington to Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian analysts warn that US trade measures, especially against China, could disrupt local industries and raise costs. However, a broader look shows that these threats are far from an economic apocalypse. In fact, Donald Trump???s protectionism may backfire, isolating the already shrinking US market while giving countries like Malaysia a chance to reshape their trade ties. The global ..

A FEW days ago, I discovered a leak in the pipe leading to the water meter of my house. Upon closer inspection, I found numerous bite marks on the black pipe, with a small puncture visible. Water was gushing out through the puncture in a fine jet. I noticed the leak only in the evening, so I used a raffia string to tie tightly around the puncture to reduce the water flow. The next day, I instructed my handyman to fix the leak, not thinking it was anything major, so I did not bother notifying ..

FEBRUARY is Kids Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about ENT health issues in children, including hearing loss. Hearing is essential for the development of an infant and child. It impacts intellectual growth and speech development. When hearing impairment goes unnoticed, children may struggle with communication, experience social isolation and face delays in reaching developmental milestones. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 5% ..

OUR home is a humble symbol of tradition and togetherness in the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, where skyscrapers typically pierce the sky and life races ahead. In an era where independence often precedes interdependence, my family and I have chosen a less travelled path: living together across generations. Sharing a home with my parents, siblings and immediate family members since 2018 has strengthened our bonds and enriched our lives in countless ways. Our family home is a microcosm of life, ..

THE world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) holds the key to solving some of humanity???s greatest challenges, yet one critical resource remains underutilised: the potential of women and girls. The underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM is not a matter of capability but of cultural, societal and systemic barriers. As the world marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science tomorrow, it is crucial to examine why these disparities persist and how they can ..

HOSPITALS can be a daunting environment for children as they are filled with unfamiliar sights, sounds and procedures. Research has found that over 90% of children aged four to six experience fears related to hospitals, with concerns primarily revolving around nursing interventions and being a patient. Some of the primary fears highlighted were ward environment and medical staff as well as apprehension about treatments and procedures. This issue is prevalent among Malaysian children as well, ..

THE statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, asserting that there is no need for new guidelines for Muslims visiting non-Muslim places of worship or events, is sensible and relevant. Firstly, it was unnecessary for Minister in the Prime Minister???s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na???im Mokhtar to raise the matter without first bringing it up in the Cabinet, especially knowing this is a sensitive issue. There have been negative responses over the announcement ..

Q: My wife and I have been married for a few years, and lately, our relationship feels a bit stale. Is that normal? It bothers both of us but we are not sure how to fix it. Focus on the Family Malaysia: We understand. When Jean and Jim first started dating, Jim lived in Kuala Lumpur, and she lived in Malacca. Without a second thought, Jim would often drive two hours just to have dinner with her. During their courtship, he was more than willing to inconvenience himself to show his interest and ..

ON Jan 20, a day when the tech titans of the West were in prominent attendance at Trump???s presidential inauguration, a little known China artificial intelligence (AI) company DeepSeek released an open source version of its R1 model, a technical report as well as licensing for unrestricted commercial use. This was no ordinary AI app. It matched and surpassed the leading AI app, OpenAI???s ChatGPT, on several key benchmarks. Perhaps most important to ordinary as well as business users of AI ..

THIS Chinese New Year, amidst the endless flow of drinks and cookies, I decided to treat myself and indulge in these luxuries. I usually don???t drink carbonated beverages but I thought I would reward myself with a can or two on the first day of the celebration. With few days into the festivities, I found myself unconsciously heading to the fridge for a carbonated drink. Thoughts like ???It???s okay??? and ???A can or two won???t hurt??? kept running through my mind as I continued. Then, I ..

WE all know that one person in our WhatsApp group ??? the self-appointed ???news anchor??? ??? who eagerly shares the latest headlines, only to later realise they have spread false information. One day, it is a ???miracle cure??? for every disease under the sun. Next, it is a viral warning about a non-existent crime wave. And let us not forget those get-rich-quick schemes that promise you financial freedom, but only end in regret. Misinformation is like wildfire ??? one spark can quickly ..

THE first annual conference I attended at Sime Darby Berhad was in Penang, an event I had been looking forward to. However, I already suspected there would be some people I would not like and the three days were not going to be a holiday. In some way, I had not fully settled into the company on the plantations side. I had a few friends who were fine but after joining the group, I sensed some quiet questions about what role I would play and whether I might get in their way in the future. Few ..

FEW would deny that the world is in poor shape. All those pronouncements about ending poverty and stopping world hunger remain pipe dreams. Instead, we see more conflicts, driven mostly by greed and lust ??? greed for oil and lust for power. All those talks about fighting for human rights are nothing but broken promises. Humanity is trampled mercilessly in the power grab. Hypocrite is the right word. Even the rampant killing of other fellow beings is open for all to see on social media. The ..

THE Great White Father in Washington has spoken. Let mere mortals hark and obey. President Donald Trump has described Gaza as a ???mess??? that needs to be ???cleaned up???, stating that 2.1 million human refuse are befouling this potentially prime beachside property. ???We just clean out that whole thing??? quoth the ???great developer???. Trump said the answer to this thorny problem is to move all these Palestinian refugees to neighbouring Egypt and Jordan. Voila! Problem solved! Why didn???t ..

HIGH-DENSITY areas such as transport infrastructure, places of worship, tourist attractions, stadiums, shopping centres and commercial streets are prime targets for extremists due to large crowds, especially during events. Over the past two months, global vehicle-ramming attacks (VRA) on these venues have reignited discussions on public safety related to violent extremism and terrorism (VE). In November, a driver rammed a car into a Zhuhai sports centre in China, killing 35. Additionally, a ..

LEARNING is not something we can grow out of. It is like a friend that stays with us from the time we are born until the time we leave this world. It reminds us that there is always more to know. It does not matter if you are a child discovering new things, an adult learning new skills or an older person writing notes in a small notebook. Learning is an important part of life, just like breathing. I often think about how children learn. They are naturally curious. They ask questions and explore ..

NOWADAYS , messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Telegram have become indispensable tools for organisational communication. Initially designed for personal use, these apps are now widely utilised for managing daily tasks, sharing critical information and making decisions more efficiently. The conveniences offered by these applications, such as instant messaging and the ability to share images, videos and documents, have greatly streamlined communication within organisations, significantly ..

AGRICULTURE remains the backbone of Malaysia???s economy and a critical element of our national identity. However, as the climate crisis escalates, this vital sector faces mounting threats that can jeopardise our ability to feed the nation. The unpredictable nature of climate factors ??? from rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods and droughts ??? are threatening food production and distribution. These accelerating changes underscore the urgent need for resilient and sustainable food ..

INTERNATIONAL Day of Education, observed annually on Jan 24, serves as a global reminder of the vital role education plays in empowering individuals and communities. The theme for 2025, ???AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation???, highlights a pressing challenge: how education can adapt to the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) while ensuring human creativity, ethical reasoning and decision-making remain central. When we look across different ..

IN the short period since his election, President Donald Trump has started to tear down the edifice of Western rules-based law and international order. Ironically, this is the international political and economic system of which the US has been its main beneficiary, definer and enforcer, and over which it has engaged in conflicts and wars around the world since the end of World War II. Although the US has held a dominant and frequently hegemonic position in the international order (IO), this ..