Category Archives: On the Beat

Beware the snakes that walk

Poor reputation: Hopefully, in this Year of the Snake, the amazing reptilians will avoid the bad press, at least for a year, says the writer. —123rf WE will be ushering in the Year of the Snake soon. Unlike many other […] Continue Reading

A quirky, loveable Malaysia

Colourful Malaysia: The Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign was launched in Sepang on Monday, but there is there is plenty of work to be done before we roll out the carpet for visitors next year. — Bernama THE Visit Malaysia […] Continue Reading

A new year, with more of the same

WELCOME to 2025. It’s a brand new year and like many Malaysians, we readily look forward to a better year. I am a fervid optimist but also a realistic person. I have also learnt to exercise more patience and tolerance […] Continue Reading

Resolutions, but no solutions

AHEAD of Jan 1, like millions of people around the world, I try to draft an annual list of New Year resolutions. It’s really a futile annual ritual because the resolutions always remain unfulfilled, much like the empty pledges made […] Continue Reading

A season to celebrate, together

It’s Christmas, but it won’t just be Christians who will be celebrating. All ethnic groups will have reason to enjoy the yearend holidays – and that is what makes Malaysia special. A CHINESE media friend from Hangzhou texted me the […] Continue Reading

Facts, not fiction, dear MPs

Resolutely defiant: Dr Siti Mastura has stubbornly clung on to her far-fetched claims even when the facts are strikingly clear. — Screecapture/RTM PAS Member of Parliament for Kepala Batas Siti Mastura Muhammad holds a doctorate. The 35-year-old politician studied at […] Continue Reading

Dirty city that’s an atrocity

Eyesore: The Klang River continues to be filled with rubbish, mostly plastic waste, despite the efforts of the ‘trash trawler’, the boat pictured above that’s used to remove floating waste. — KK SHAM/The Star IT is coming up to almost […] Continue Reading

Keeping the flag flying

Charm offensive: With his persuasive personality as well as eloquence in English and even Arabic, Anwar (here at G20) can help enhance Malaysia’s image on the global stage. — Bernama FORMER Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad must certainly be […] Continue Reading

Lessons for Afghans on female education

Controversial policy: A schoolgirl walking home from school in the Fayzabad district of Badakhshan Province. Afghanistan is the only country in the world that does not allow girls and women to attend secondary school and university, and forbids women from […] Continue Reading

The bullying must stop

UPNM should not tolerate even one incident of bullying, let alone another one in such a short period of time. — The Star IT has happened again. Yet another bullying case has been reported at the National Defence University (UPNM), […] Continue Reading