Category Archives: On the Beat

Set to be crowded: A flag war in Johor Baru during the 2022 general election. Today, Johor once again finds itself at the centre of a potentially transformative political moment with its upcoming state polls. — Filepic/The Star ALL signs […] Continue Reading

Urban non-Malay voters are more prone to voter fatigue and political disengagement. — K.T.GOH/The Star DAP leaders are troubled – it is certainly not wrong to suggest that. The party, which built its political influence on a dependable bloc of […] Continue Reading

Royal order: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, says all assemblymen in the state should go to Dataran Selangor twice a month to read the Rukun Negara inscribed on a plaque there. — Photos: Selangor Royal Office’s Facebook […] Continue Reading

Big win: The recent Rain Rave Water Music Festival 2026 attracted many international visitors and reportedly raked in RM200mil in tourism income. — GLENN GUAN/The Star THE Rain Rave 2026 Water Music Festival event in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, has […] Continue Reading

Unnecessary distraction: Having an election in these times of global turmoil is not prudent. — Filepic/The Star DESPITE continuous speculation that the general election could be held soon, there is actually no urgency for the unity government to call for […] Continue Reading

Beyond politics: What makes the story of Dicky Yau and Abang Usop particularly powerful is its authenticity. — Facebook/Agencies IT was certainly the news story of the week, and a really uplifting one. Scrolling through social media, it is always […] Continue Reading

At a time when anyone with a phone can publish ‘news’, unverified and often racially-tinged information are common. Being responsible when reporting news has become crucial. AS a new reporter who had just joined a newspaper in 1984, I was […] Continue Reading

Power mode: The columnist on the way to Lusong Laku in Belaga, Sarawak, a few years ago. In Borneo 4WD vehicles are a vital form of transport. — Photos: GLENN GUAN/The Star IT’S always difficult to explain to many Peninsular […] Continue Reading

Still standing: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)is estimated to have more than 190,000 active personnel. — AFP US President Donald Trump has declared that the United States has won its war against Iran, and that the conflict could end […] Continue Reading

Spirit of the season: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, who is well-known for his very muhibbah personality, with (from left) Datuk Kuik Cheng Kang (Group Editor In Chief, Media Chinese International Ltd), Datin Paduka Esther Ng (Chief […] Continue Reading