Budget 2026 and the squeezed middle: How to rebuild confidence without breaking the budget
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.
China sees substantial increase in women's education level, says white paper
KUALA LUMPUR: China has made tremendous efforts to ensure women's equitable access to education of all categories and levels and women's right to education has been effectively guaranteed, says a white paper released on Friday (Sept 19).
What we want our leader-managers to lead and manage
IN POLITICS, government, business and social institutions, leader-managers must be able to lead and manage in four key areas.
No one should endure abuse to earn a living
IN 2020, Malaysia ranked second in Asia for cyberbullying among youth - a stark reminder of how serious the issue has become. The rise of social media has turned online spaces into breeding grounds for insults, identity misuse and harassment. Over the years, the workplace has undergone a major shift, both legally and culturally. Behaviours that were once regarded as "normal office culture" or just a "management style" are now being taken more seriously.
Debt as destiny: Turning Malaysia’s liabilities into sovereign assets
MALAYSIA'S debt debate remains trapped in numbers: 64% of GDP, RM1.304 trillion, the statutory ceiling. Yet ceilings are political constructs, often gamed by guarantees and off-budget tricks (see "Debt, Deceit and Delay" by EMIR Research). The more vital question is not how high the ceiling sits, but how strong the floor is. What real fiscal space does Malaysia have once interest costs, rollover obligations, and household burdens are counted? And, crucially, what do we gain in return for every ringgit borrowed?
The contribution of the Soviet and Chinese peoples to victory in World War II: Remember history and build better future
On Sept 3, the whole world celebrates the day of the end of World War II, the most destructive and violent conflict in human history.
China’s parade shows the world a strong force for stability in a turbulent era
On September 3, Beijing will stage a grand military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World War II.
Malaysia’s obesity time bomb: A national crisis in the making
MALAYSIA has long been labelled the "fattest nation" in Asia.
Cooperation with China to bolster Malaysia's development, says expert
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's cooperation with China will play a crucial role as it implements the latest edition of its national development plan, aimed at advancing socio-economic development and strengthening resilience, Xinhua reported, citing an expert.
AI in Malaysia: Caution without strategy is its own mistake
PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim's warning on the perils of artificial intelligence (AI) spending captures Malaysia's dilemma: spend without discipline and billions will be wasted, hesitate too long and the nation risks being left behind in the next wave of technological sovereignty.
Alaskan Summit: America’s urgency and Russia’s consistency
That negotiations now unfold directly between Washington and Moscow speaks volumes: the war in Ukraine was never only about Kyiv, but about a proxy confrontation with the West, led by the United States and its military–industrial complex. For Russia, this is not a shift, but a continuation of the position long anchored in the Minsk II Agreement — that the root causes lie not in Donetsk or Luhansk, but in the West's refusal to respect agreements, sovereignty, and civilisational diversity.
Reciprocal tariffs revisited: Relief for some, sovereignty for sale?
The United States has quietly lowered its so-called "reciprocal tariffs" for a select group of countries. But as rates drop, the real cost may be rising—in market concessions, policy shifts, or even access to strategic resources.
