IT was seen as a new era of progress. Malaysian football's ranking rose to 125th in the world, its highest in 19 years. We had stunned high-riding Vietnam 4-0 and things were looking good.

Despite the setbacks, the system shows value where it is well implemented.

IN OUR earlier commentary, Budget 2026: From B40 to B70, Redefining Malaysia's Middle Class, EMIR Research argued that Malaysia's deepest fiscal challenge lies not merely in managing debt but in recognising the erosion of its true middle class.

Let's focus on the big picture. We need to pull together, support and not sabotage Tourism Malaysia's efforts.

Despite the strong rhetoric to combat corruption, there has been lack of enforcement and accountability for decades.

ONE of the saddest episodes in recent upheavals to me was the "kuil haram" issue, with all its painful social, religious and political connotations.

FOR the first time in Arne Slot's Liverpool career, the club are facing a mini crisis.

ASEAN has long envisioned a future of shared prosperity built on interconnected supply chains, labour markets and sectoral linkages.

TOUTED as the world's first "Gen Z Uprising", it took only 30 hours for demonstrators to topple a government.

I'm a 42-year-old who has been married for many years.

Sabah's Semporna is the gateway to the heavenly beauty of the nearby islands. However, the town is a hellish mound of trash, with too few facilities for the tourists who flock there.

Who is controlling what we think, and influencing what we are inspired to fight for?