THE recent tragedies at educational institutions where allegedly bullying sometimes escalated into brutal deaths have shaken Malaysians to the core. These horrifying incidents are not isolated acts of violence; they are a mirror reflecting our collective failure to nurture responsible, compassionate and morally grounded youths. We are seeing a worrying trend of bullying, including cyberbullying. There is an urgent need for targeted interventions and policies. Normally, there is a complex ..

TODAYS young people are living through a time of profound global challenges. Conflicts continue to uproot families, hunger remains widespread and millions of children face uncertain futures. This years International Youth Day theme, Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond, calls attention to the vital role that young people can play in turning global ambitions into realities. The link between war and hunger is undeniable. Unicef reports that nearly one in six children worldwide lives in ..

EVERY year, Malaysians celebrate Independence Day on Aug 31. Not long after, Malaysia Day is commemorated on Sept 16. While the former marks the birth of a sovereign nation free from colonial rule, the latter celebrates the formation of the broader Malaysian Federation in 1963, when Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak came together. Since achieving independence in 1957, incidents of racial tension have, unfortunately, never been unfamiliar to Malaysians. Almost every week, there seems to be a new ..

PERHAPS the most cynicism-producing event of the year was the rush by seven European leaders to Washington to lend support to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his meeting with President Donald Trump, following the latters summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to try to end the war in Ukraine. European leaders joining the meeting included United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor ..

THE proposed Urban Renewal Bill, tabled in Parliament, has the potential to reshape our cities and towns for future generations. If done right, it can revitalise neglected urban areas, spur economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents. However, the law must strike a fair balance between the interests of all stakeholders landowners, tenants, developers and the government. Key principles that should guide this bill include: 1. Fairness to landowners and tenants - Landowners ..

TEACHING is the one profession that creates all other professions. This age- old adage speaks volumes about the profound impact educators have on the world. If teaching shapes all other professions, then educators are the architects of the future. They dont just impart academic knowledge; they also mould the attitudes, values and behaviours that shape the future generation. Educators are more than just knowledge carriers; they are influential role models. From early education to tertiary ..

IN our increasingly digitised world, technology is not just a convenience; it has become essential to communication, learning, work and civic participation. While some can navigate digital spaces with ease, many others remain sidelined. This disparity, known as the digital divide, is no longer about access to devices or the internet; it also includes gaps in digital literacy, economic power and control over advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Dutch media scholar Jan van ..

AWARENESS campaigns are the adult version of Ill start my diet on Monday. We keep promising action but end up printing posters instead. Bullying? Roll out a banner. Road safety? Launch a hashtag. Climate change? Invite a sweaty panda mascot to dance at a mall. Meanwhile, the only real change is in the quality of the free curry puffs at the launch event. The truth? Awareness is not the problem. You know it, your Makcik knows it, even your cat judging by its judgy glare knows it. The real gap ..

I HAVE never been a mother, so I cannot profess to knowing what it is like to bring up a child or children. However, I do know what it is like to be a child and, as an adult, what it feels like to look back on my childhood and see all the dysfunction and problems that led to me having ADHD and depression in my adult years. Also, as a somatic psychotherapist, I see so many adults struggling with their lives because of the environment they grew up in. Some clients are clear about their feelings ..

WHEN I was in school, bullying was there the name-calling, the pushing in corridors, the whispered jokes about my looks or background. I still carry those memories, though I rarely speak of them. But what I see today feels different darker, more vicious. And unlike in my time, it is starting earlier, spreading wider and costing lives. From the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, to the 2013 case of 16-year-old Wan Ahmad Faris found lifeless in his school dormitory toilet and the ..

I THINK I have lived long enough to see both progress and heartbreak in this country. And I am still here. Still holding the same red passport, still standing up when Negaraku plays wherever and whenever and still quietly hopeful even when things dont go the way I wish they would. Loving Malaysia, for me, has never been about idealism; it is about presence about showing up even when the mood isnt festive, when the headlines disappoint you or even when your voice feels small. The truth is, ..

MY wife and I are expecting our first child. I am anxious to be a dad but also intimidated. My father was not a good role model, so I feel pretty clueless about this whole parenting thing. Please help. Focus on the Family Malaysia : Author Kent Nerburn once said, It is much easier to become a father than to be one. Maybe that is one of the reasons why so many dads feel overwhelmed. It is easy for dads to feel like they are in over their heads when your six-month- old baby starts wailing and you ..

AS Malaysia celebrates its 68th year of independence, we are reminded of the journey that has shaped our nation into what it is today a diverse, united and forward-moving country. From the historic moment of independence on Aug 31, 1957 to the vibrant Malaysia we know today, our progress has been deeply rooted in the values of unity, perseverance and a collective determination to build a better future for all. Unity has always been the cornerstone of our national identity. Despite our ..

G25 MALAYSIA welcomes the release of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) (20262030), which outlines a clear medium-term vision for Malaysias transition to a developed, high-income nation by the end of this decade. With GDP continuing to grow and per capita income rising steadily, Malaysia is well positioned to make this leap. However, to achieve the desired objectives, the plan must include the necessary institutional and human rights reforms to meet the rising expectations among the new generation ..

EVERY Aug 31, Malaysians across the nation wave flags, join parades and revel in the festive spirit of Merdeka Day. Yet, beyond this splendour, colour and celebrations, lies a more profound purpose, the remembrance of the nations liberation from colonial rule and our ascent into sovereignty. We have been colonialised since 1511, when the Portuguese took Malacca, then the Dutch colonialised us in 1641 and later followed by Britain in 1874, when they introduced the residential system in Malaya. ..

IMAGINE standing in front of a mirror that not only reflects your image but also echoes your voice to millions. That is what the media has become; not just a mirror of society but also a megaphone that can amplify, distort or drown out voices. Once limited to radio shows and printed headlines, the media industry has now evolved into an ever-expanding universe of tweets, TikToks, podcasts and 24/7 news cycles. However, as this universe grows, we are left with important questions: Who holds the ..

EVERY Aug 31, the heart of Malaysia beats with pride. This year marks the 68th anniversary of our nations independence, a moment when Malaya, through diplomatic negotiations, freed itself from British colonial rule in 1957. The inspiration for this article came while I was at Berjaya Times Square, noticing the proud display of Jalur Gemilang fluttering in the wind, both there and at Sri Damansara Courts. That sight instantly reminded me of our legendary singer, the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad, ..

VOLODYMYR Zelensky was not invited to the meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin in Alaska because the meeting was a bilateral summit to discuss a potential ceasefire and peace settlement in Ukraine. The purpose of the meeting was for the two leaders to gauge and determine a path to a broader peace agreement. The exclusion of Ukraines president has been a point of concern for Kyiv and its European Union and British allies as it goes against the principle of nothing ..

EVERY August, Malaysians cosplay as loyal citizens. Out comes the Jalur Gemilang, dusted off like it is a rare artefact. You stick it on your balcony, post Merdeka spirit on Facebook, then September arrives and you are back to chucking plastic into longkangs and treating the traffic light like it is just a suggestion. August is also the month when the Jalur Gemilang escapes captivity from under beds, storerooms and, yes, the bonnet of a Proton Wira that hasnt moved since the last SEA Games. ..

THE disclosure of corrupt senior military officers has left Malaysians shocked, angry and deeply disillusioned. I am distraught by the treachery of the few, entrusted with safeguarding the nation, lining up their own pockets. In my days as a soldier, a treasonable crime like this is punishable by death. I write as one who once wore the uniform and carried the rifle into the thick jungles of Sarawak, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan. I have known the weight of duty, the taste of fear and the ..

THE last time I was in Washington, DC, I came out of my downtown hotel near the White House and asked the doorman which way to walk to a certain restaurant. Turn left, you will be fine, he said. Turn right and you may be murdered. This, in the hallowed capital of the worlds most powerful nation. I was already well familiar with the many dangers of one of Americas most crime- ridden cities. As a graduate of the Foreign Service School of Georgetown University, I knew all about street crime. A ..

THE recent incident at a secondary school in Kajang, Selangor involving a 14-year-old student who pleaded guilty to punching his teacher, sparks national concern over student behaviour and the emotional well-being of students, parents and educators. While the legal proceedings continue, this case presents a deeper opportunity to reflect on the underlying issues contributing to such an outburst and, more importantly, how Malaysias growing network of online mental health support can help prevent ..

I AM writing to express my sincere gratitude and immense joy following our unforgettable school reunion dinner on Aug 2. This year marks a golden milestone for us the ACS Seremban class of 1975. It has been 50 years since we all left our beloved alma mater, yet the bonds we forged remain strong as ever. The occasion brought together four tables of former schoolmates a remarkable turnout that is testament to the enduring bond we still share after all these years. While most of us now reside in ..

THERE is a question that often arises when something big happens a historic moment, a national milestone, a collective high. It usually begins like this: Where were you when...? Most of the time, it is not about geography but memory about anchoring ourselves to something larger, remembering not just what happened but how it made us feel. For me, one such moment was the night of the 1992 Thomas Cup finals. Malaysia versus Indonesia. Badminton, of course. It was a Saturday, and I was a ..

THE recent tragic incident involving a 13-year-old girl who fell from a third- floor building has deeply shaken our community. This heartbreaking situation compels us to examine the complex dynamics of bullying understanding its impact on victims, the factors that create bullying behaviour and our collective responsibility in prevention. Understanding root causes Children rarely become bullies in isolation. Research shows that bullying behaviour often stems from the bullys experiences of ..

TWO days ago, superstar Rajinikanth walked back into our cinemas, not just to entertain, but to remind us why we have loved him for decades. In Coolie , he teams up with director Lokesh Kanagaraj to deliver the kind of swagger only he can the sunglasses flip, the slow-motion walk and that unmissable en vazhi, thani vazhi my way is a unique way. For Rajini, that way has always meant standing up for the little guy, no matter how big the villain. In Coolie, Rajini plays Deva, a port worker who ..

IT started like many clinic visits. A middle-aged man, visibly drained, walked in with his wife. They were polite, even affectionate, but beneath the surface, something was cracking. I forced him to come, the wife confessed. She looked tired, not just from lack of sleep, but from holding it together. His snoring is deafening. He thrashes at night. Im scared Ill get hurt in my sleep. For months, they had tried to endure it until she quietly moved into the spare room. What began as a temporary ..

Q: I studied art in college and married before graduating. Four years later, my time is spent preparing meals, wiping toddlerss noses and mopping the kitchen floor while my still-single university friends have thriving careers in graphic design and other artistic disciplines. I love my children but I cant help feeling jealous. Should I just give up on my artistic dreams altogether? It feels like that part of my life is long gone. Focus on the Family Malaysia: Here is a perspective you may not ..

HAVE you ever sat staring at a task, knowing exactly what needs to be done, yet feeling your body almost glued to the chair? Your mind keeps circling around it replaying the worry, possible mistakes and fear of doing it wrong. At the same time, there is the dull guilt of not having started. It becomes a strange mix of anxiety and avoidance as if you are trapped in a loop. This is procrastination, not just a delay in action but a state where the mind creates a hallucinated fear of something ..

AMID intensifying great power rivalry and regional flashpoints, such as the recent Thailand-Cambodia border skirmish, Malaysia is asserting itself as a credible and proactive middle power. Its chairmanship of Asean this year has reaffirmed its long-standing foreign policy strategy of selective alignment, a pragmatic approach that allows Malaysia to build bridges between rival powers while championing Aseans relevance in an increasingly polarised global order. Through a principled and agile ..

IN todays rapidly evolving educational landscape, conversations often revolve around technology, digital transformation and modern infrastructure. However, at the core of academic success lies one constant and critical factor the quality of teaching. Drawing from over 14 years of experience as an educator in higher education, complemented by 20 years of professional involvement in the hospitality industry, I firmly believe that teaching quality is one of the most powerful contributors to ..

AS the government considers raising tobacco taxes in Budget 2026, the Consumer Choice Centre (CCC) urges policymakers to adopt a more effective and science- based approach. Risk-based taxation, where nicotine products are taxed according to their level of health risk, offers a practical solution that supports public health while avoiding unintended consequences, such as the growth of black market or barriers to harm reduction. While reducing non- communicable diseases is commendable, a uniform ..

BULLYING is no longer confined to schools; it has infiltrated chat rooms, social media feeds and gaming platforms, creating an environment where harassment is constant, public and hard to escape. In Malaysia, rising numbers of bullying cases offline and online are now colliding with another disturbing trend: increasing adolescent suicide risk. Rising tide of bullying The recent national figures paint a stark picture: School bullying cases: The Education Ministry recorded 4,994 cases from ..

PRESIDENT Donald Trump has single-handedly pushed countries closer towards a new world order that will be different from the present American and Western- dominated one. As Trump brags to the American public about the latest gains from his transactional foreign policy using tariffs as his bazooka, impacted countries have begun to look closely at the concessions they have been compelled to make. Meanwhile, their media and public are debating whether their countrys negotiating team has done well ..

IT happened just after dawn. On May 11, as the mist hung low over the EastWest Highway in Gerik, a five-year-old elephant calf stepped out from the forest beside his mother. To him, the road was not a threat; it was simply another clearing between trees, a quiet path between safety and river, between yesterday and tomorrow. But he never made it to tomorrow. Moments later, the calf still innocent in his gait, tethered to his mothers shadow was struck by a 10-tonne lorry. The massive truck ..

WE are deeply concerned by the recent report of a student who had his course options removed by UPU upon disclosure of his autism status. This undermines the basic principles of fairness and inclusion. Every young person deserves a pathway to further education that respects their abilities, not a barrier defined by their disability status. When an institution rescinds opportunities based on neuro-diversity, it sends a message of exclusion, which can create feelings of rejection and anxiety. ..

AS the month of August dawns upon us, it brings with it a powerful reminder of our nations historic journey to independence. Merdeka month is not merely a time of festivity; it is a meaningful period to reflect on our shared history, appreciate the sacrifices of those who came before us and renew our commitment to national unity and progress. On Aug 31, 1957, Malaysia then Malaya emerged from the shadows of colonial rule and stood proud as a sovereign nation. That historic moment was not the ..

NOW comes the million-ringgit question splitting uncles at mamaks and aunties on Facebook like a nasi lemak sambal war: Should Malaysians get their EPF as a monthly allowance like school pocket money or in one glorious lump sum, jackpot-style? But here is the latest plot twist: Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying says the proposed monthly pension-style withdrawals wont touch current members existing rights. It will only apply to newbies signing up after the mechanism kicks in. Current ..

EVERY so often, something happens in Malaysia that makes you stop and think: Do we actually understand what inclusion means or are we just paying lip service? Here is one example. In a well-known commercial complex, bays located right next to a centre for children and youths with cerebral palsy are being reclassified as preferred zone parking. The monthly pass? Jumping from RM120 to RM450. No discounts and no exemptions, not even for an NGO helping wheelchair users who depend on those bays for ..

THE feeling is one mixed with exuberance and exhilaration. A sudden sense of achievement washed over me like the fresh rays of the morning sun, unadulterated and real. Entering the seventh decade of my existence, I welcomed it with profound joy. This is not just another birthday; it is the year I can scream with complete abundance that I have made it this far in life. Life has not been a bed of roses but as you live it, life possesses a unique way of showing, telling and teaching you lessons ..