How India-Pakistan conflict threatens ASEAN, GCC and China's strategic convergences in coming summit China, though not a direct party to the India- Pakistan dispute, finds itself encumbered. It has massive infrastructure projects in both countries under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Its strategic partnership with Pakistanepitomized by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)is critical to Chinas access to the Arabian Sea. At the same time, Beijings economic ties with India remain ..

Rats, plagues, and Malaysias urban battle confronting a growing menace Step into any bustling Malaysian city restaurants, hawker stalls, cinemas, or busy markets, and you might spot an unwelcome visitor scurrying in the shadows: rats. These resilient rodents have become a pervasive urban challenge, thriving amid overflowing rubbish, food waste, and poorly maintained drains. Once a rare sight, dead rats flattened on roads now tell a grim story of a relentless battle between humans and rodents. ..

For a while, media observers entertained the tiniest sliver of hope that this could be the year the Philippines finally shed its notoriety as a murder capital of journalists. In hindsight, the dream wasnt so far-fetched: 2024 was the first time in two decades that not a single Filipino media practitioner was killed in the line of duty, according to a report of the Committee to Protect Journalists released in February. In October, the Philippines ranked ninth on the Global Impunity Index ..

The results of the recently concluded Ayer Kuning by-election are clear. The winner is the Unity Government (Barisan Nasional + Pakatan Harapan), and the loser is Perikatan Nasional. In simple terms, voters rejected extremism and chose stability. Behind the victory, theres a subtle political sentiment worth ponderinglike a heated iron plate that appears mild on the surface but remains scalding to the touch. The Unity Government appears to be stable for now, but the real test has just begun. ..

RESET 2027: MIPP reformation of Indian national issues in Malaysia The India Unity Festival was held at the Midlands Convention Center in Shah Alam, gathering 1,000 participants from various backgrounds, including professionals such as educators, political analysts, businesspeople, NGOs, private sector officials, and representatives from PAS, MUDA, DHPP, and Gerakan. This event united all Indian groups in Malaysia to celebrate the New Year according to the Tamil calendar. Along with a number of ..

US President Donald Trump has deliberately sown discord worldwide in attempting to remake the world to serve supposed American interests better. He will not cede influence, let alone power and control, to other nations, let alone people. His chief economic adviser, Stephen Miran, has offered some rationale for Trumps tariffs besides promoting his Mar-a-Lago Accord plan for US imperial revival. But even if most governments comply, the US deficits dilemma will not be resolved. For Miran, Trump is ..

Golden Week has long been one of the busiest times to travel in Japan. A series of holidays starting on April 29 and ending May 5 gives people at least a week off work. This year, the crowds are bigger than ever as foreign tourists pour in while Japanese stay home. The weak yen and pent-up demand after the lifting of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in 2023 have driven much of the boom. Before the pandemic, Japan had been growing in popularity as policies, such as easier entry, to attract foreign ..

Viewpoint: Do the Chinese TikToks exposing designer brands spell the end of luxury? The fashion industry has been rocked by a wave of Chinese TikToks exposing luxury brands in recent weeks. A response to US President Donald Trumps tariffs of 145 percent against China, these viral videos are fronted by supposed factory workers, brand owners and sourcing agents who claim to be the Chinese manufacturers behind Europes most prestigious luxury brands. Others have gamely revealed the names and ..

A good opportunity to use Trumps reciprocal tariffs to restore free trade order In April 2025, the Trump administration announced that it would impose reciprocal tariffs on more than 75 countries. It claimed that the United States huge trade deficit was caused by other countries unfair trade practices, and set different reciprocal tariffs for each country, ranging from 10 to 50 percent, as a means of correction. This policy is a threat to traditional global multilateralism and clearly violates ..

Political messages revealed by the Ayer Kuning by-election Barisan Nasional (BN) Umno candidate Mohamad Yusri Bakir won the Ayer Kuning by-election in a three-cornered fight, defeating candidates from Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) by a majority of 5,006 votes. Ayer Kuning has traditionally been a Umno stronghold. In the 2018 general election, despite a strong opposition wave that toppled the BN government, Umno still managed to win the Ayer Kuning state seat. In the ..

Do you think the convict Najib was denied justice? Umno-Baru supreme council member, Puad Zarkashi, might think that he is a defender of those who were wronged, claiming that the convicted felon, Najib Abdul Razak, was denied justice, with no firm decision made for him to serve the rest of his sentence at home. When asked to comment about the attorney-generals (AG) move to challenge the Court of Appeals decision about Najibs royal addendum, Puad expressed huge disappointment with the AG. He and ..

Who should lead the countrys Opposition coalition, Perikatan Nasional? Who should lead one of Perikatans main drivers, Bersatu? These are important questions because, as weve seen in countries around the world, a national Opposition bloc can either have a huge impact on politics, offering strong checks and balances to push the government of the day to work better, or it could splinter into irrelevance. On Friday, I had coffee in Kuala Lumpur with two analysts from Ilham Centre, a political ..

Beyond the hat: What OReilly got wrong about Malaysia When Bill OReilly doubled down on his mockery of Malaysiascoffing that Malaysians cant even buy a little hat and citing a household income figure of US$5,731 versus US$42,220 in the U.S.he wasnt just being flippant. By cherry-picking figures without context, he painted a distorted picture of economic despairand in doing so, revealed a worldview still steeped in colonialist condescension. Like many such soundbites, the truth lies in what he ..

Much of North Jakarta was paralyzed for two days due to traffic snarl-ups on the roads leading to Tanjung Priok Port last week. The port authority should be held responsible for the gridlock, which was a result of its poor operations and planning. It was not the first such incident on that scale, as it occurred last year and in previous years. The media reported that the congestion last year stemmed from an error in the automatic port gate system. It seems to be the norm that containers ..

An afternoon to cherish: The Port Klang legends reunite _"This is where good friends meet, and strangers become friends."_ It was more than just a lunchit was a celebration of Malaysias port unsung heroes. I had the honor of attending a special gathering organized to recognize the men and women who helped build Port Klang into one of the busiest and most important ports in the world. From humble wooden jetties in 1900 to the mega port city it is today, their hard work moves goods from Malaysia ..

There is a question many are grappling with. Why is it that difficult to find a replacement for Tan Sri Azam Baki, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)? While most senior civil servants retire and are replaced routinely, Malaysians are asking why is it almost impossible to find a new MACC boss. There are already talks that Azams tenure will be extended again. If this takes place, it will be his third extension and many are asking the government, Prime ..

Can the JS-SEZ bridge supply chain barriers amidst global tariff storm? I just returned from a trip to Washington DC. I believe the MITI team had productive engagement sessions on 24 April 2025 with the US Secretary of Commerce, H.E. Howard Lutnick and the US Trade Representative, H.E. Ambassador Jamieson Greer. Malaysia stands ready to continue collaborating with the United States regarding President Trumps reciprocal tariffs, and we remain open to negotiations in four key areas: reducing the ..

How Malaysia keeps its compass steady amid tariff shocks, and builds for whats next The tariff clock is ticking again. Washingtons reciprocal-tariff playbook now includes a 90-day freeze for everyone but China, where duties spike to 104 percent. Beijing retaliates at 125 percent. Europe wont weaken its tech rules to win favor. Into this churn, President Xi Jinpings April tour of Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia was mocked by some US commentators as a quixotic shopping trip to countries that have ..

_Why do you write about this famous actor only after he has passed away, and not when he was alive?___ My daughters innocent question made me ponder and reflect on how we often tend to wait till someone is gone to truly appreciate his or her life and legacy. This article is my answer - a tribute to celebrating greatness in the moment, not just in memory. The recent passing of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Malaysias fifth Prime Minister, has stirred my reflections or observation on a familiar human ..

The internal elections of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) have once again laid bare the contradictions of a party once synonymous with the spirit of political reform in Malaysia. Far from being a straightforward democratic exercise, the elections have instead become a flashpoint for more profound questions about Malaysias post-2018 political direction, the meaning of Reformasi in todays context, and whether PKR can remain the standard-bearer of democratic renewal. For decades, PKR represented hope. ..

MalaysiaChina visa-free policy: Striking a balance between opening up and control The visa-free policy for Chinese nationals will be extended to five years and the number of days permitted is also increased from 30 days to 90 days. The extension was announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. This is one of the memorandums of understanding signed during Chinese President Xi Jinpings visit to Malaysia. In 2023, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the relaxation ..

Donald Trumps top economic advisor claims the President has weaponised tariffs to persuade other nations to pay the US to maintain its supposedly mutually beneficial global empire. The Institute is funded by financiers such as media czar Rupert Murdoch, who controls Fox News, The_Wall Street Journal_, and other conservative media. Miran defends Trumps tariffs as part of an ambitious economic strategy to strengthen US interests internationally with a generational change in the international ..

As a nation many of us find ourselves in a worse state of hopelessness and despair than we had been in the past. I wrote this many, many months ago but held on from sending my opinion, in the hope that things would improve. They have sadly worsened; as a nation we have continued to deteriorate. When we, civil society and many Malaysians, were fighting to rid ourselves of corrupt and dictatorial leaders and governments, we had hope hope for a change in government that would do what was right and ..

PKR ministers, MPs defeated in party elections, Rafizis faction under fire The party elections of PKR have revealed shocking results so far, with several ministers, deputy ministers and state assemblymen losing their positions particularly those aligned with Datuk Seri Mohd Rafizi Ramli, PKR deputy president and the Minister of Economy. A bizarre phenomenon in this election is that many candidates who are division heads lost in the election while other members of the respective teams won. This ..

Americas authoritarian drift: Lessons for the Philippines It is excruciating to witness the United States once a global beacon of democratic ideals squirm under the shadow of a returning Trump presidency. Not even a hundred days into office, and already, the outlines of authoritarianism are hardening. The constitutional architecture of checks and balances so meticulously crafted by the American Founders has begun to buckle. The executive, once counterbalanced by Congress and the courts, is now ..

The untold message behind Xi Jinpings visit to Malaysia Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Malaysia again after a lapse of 12 years, albeit a brief one this time round. Compared to his previous visit in 2013, the Malaysian public did not get the chance to come closer to this world leader in unofficial events this time. In 2013, besides the official welcome ceremony at the Parliament House, Xi also visited Istana Negara and the Prime Minister's Office to participate in official activities such ..

Why India must hew the middle ground between US and China When two elephants clash, the grass beneath them gets crushed. The United States and China are levying ever-escalating tit-for-tat tariffs on each other. President Donald Trump of the US is getting m

Analysis of ALPS-treated water and revitalisation of Japan-China economic exchange A year and a half has passed since the regular release of water treated with the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). Unfortunately, there are still countries that impose import restrictions on Japanese seafood despite scientific analysis confirming its safety. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website has two reports dated March 24, 2025. ..

I declare my unequivocal support to the recent call by a lawyer and that of the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) for a nationwide ban on firecrackers. This is not the first time Ive touched on the subject, and I doubt it will be the last. As long as firecrackers and fireworks are still being sold to the public at random as if they are safe toys, even for kids to play with, I will continue to speak up for its ban. I was glad that lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan has called for the ban on ..

Analysis of ALPS-treated water and revitalisation of Japan-China economic exchange A year and a half has passed since the regular release of water treated with the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). Unfortunately, there are still countries that impose import restrictions on Japanese seafood despite scientific analysis confirming its safety. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website has two reports dated March 24, 2025. ..

Myanmar recovery: An urgent plea for ASEAN-led global action The devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28 has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the death toll could surpass 10,000, with 15.2 million people affected, critically requiring temporary shelter, water, sanitation, medical support and food. The United Nations highlighted that even before this latest tragedy, a significant portion of Myanmars ..

In a complex and demanding time for public policy and government funding, very few investments offer returns as far-reaching as early childhood education. It is important to know that the first few years of a childs life marks a crucial period for learning. Placing importance on efforts for early childhood development must be of priority during these years for the greatest efficiency and effectiveness. Having the right stimuli in a quality early childhood education setting will nurture a ..

US President Donald Trump has again seized global attention by arbitrarily imposing sweeping tariffs on the rest of the world. He reminds us America is still boss, claiming to make America great again (MAGA) by ensuring America first at everyone elses expense. is April 2 Liberation Day announcement triggered wild speculation over his proposals final form, implications, significance, and likely impacts, not only for the near future but also well beyond. Since then, the world has been scrambling ..

Vietnam deepening friendship, cooperation with China BEIJING: Vietnam and China are two neighbouring countries with many similarities in history and culture. In 2025, the people of Vietnam and China are joyfully celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In recent years, bilateral trade between Vietnam and China has taken significant strides. Vietnam maintains its position as Chinas largest trading partner in ASEAN and, by 2024, it had become Chinas ..

When President Donald Trump vowed to Make America Great Again, he anchored that vision in the promise of reviving US manufacturing. On paper, its a compelling pledge factories returning home, middle-class jobs restored, American pride reignited. But, beneath the rhetoric lies a sobering question: Can America truly bring manufacturing back without confronting its deeper, structural weaknesses? Once the envy of the world, Americas productivity engine has stalled. Not because of a lack of capital, ..

Whiplashed! That is how most of us following the news about Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs feel! First came the announcement on Liberation Day reciprocal tariffs, which roiled markets and wiped out trillions of value from bourses globally. Then came the 90-day pause on those tariffs, where all rates for all countries (except China) were levelled at 10 per cent, whipsawing markets yet again. When two economic titans clash, global trade and economic growth will likewise be impacted. Retaliatory ..

Xis visit deepens Malaysia-China and ASEAN relations Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit three ASEAN countries Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam next week. Xis visit to these three Southeast countries is widely seen as a counter-measure to US president Donald Trumps tariff policies, which have shaken the world trade system. Southeast Asia is not spared too. China is expected to step up efforts to deepen its economic and bilateral ties with ASEAN. Malaysia currently is the rotating chairman of ..

Xi comes to town: Can China win hearts in troubled times? As the global economic landscape enters a new phase of volatility, Chinese President Xi Jinpings state visits to Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam next week carry a sense of urgency. At a time when the global economy grapples with rising uncertainty, his arrival in Southeast Asia holds significance that extends far beyond formal diplomacy and photo opportunities. These visits occur immediately after US President Donald Trumps sweeping ..

What would life be without the USA? World trade, tariffs, BRICS, and the strategic pivot developing countries must make In recent weeks, US President Donald Trumps announcement of sweeping tariff hikes on goods from 180 countries sent shockwaves through global markets. From disbelief to outrage, governments and businesses scrambled to make sense of what many now see as the start of a new era of American economic coercion, if the American people allow him to have his way! Among the primary ..