SOUL SCRIBBLES

A recent social media thread debating who can or cannot use lifts sparked a wave of opinions — some practical, others defensive — and revealed much about our attitudes toward public courtesy. The question was simple: are lifts meant only for strollers, wheelchairs, and the elderly, or can the physically healthy use them too? The truth is straightforward — lifts are for everyone. But not everyone  needs  them equally. That’s where courtesy, or the lack of it, defines who we are as a society. We’ve all seen it before. The lift doors open, and a crowd rushes in before allowing others to step out. Young, able-bodied people push past parents with prams, senior citizens, or those with mobility aids — all because everyone’s in a hurry. There’s no rule forbidding the healthy from using lifts, but there’s an unspoken one about empathy and patience. Sadly, that’s the one we’ve forgotten. Choosing the stairs or escalator when we can isn’t a sacrifice — it’s a small act of consideration. ...

Donald Trump ’s upcoming visit to Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN Summit is not just another headline — it’s a high-stakes test of diplomacy, restraint and regional relevance. For Malaysia , hosting the U.S. President is a diplomatic win. It reinforces our standing as a neutral and credible convener — able to bring the world’s major powers to the table without appearing to take sides. In a region increasingly shaped by U.S.-China rivalry , that balance matters more than ever. Trump’s presence offers ASEAN a rare opportunity to speak directly to Washington on issues that hit close to home — from U.S. tariff threats on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals , to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Malaysia has made clear that engagement with the U.S. does not mean endorsement of its Middle East policy. On the contrary, it provides a platform to press for moral accountability alongside economic stability. But there’s an elephant in the room. Trump is no ordinary statesman. His record of shooti...

When the government announced in Budget 2026 that RM600 million would be spent to restore Carcosa Seri Negara , reactions were swift — admiration from some, disbelief from others. It’s easy to see why. The figure sounds hefty when many Malaysians are struggling with high living costs and public institutions are pleading for funds. Yet dismissing the plan outright risks overlooking what Carcosa represents — a piece of Malaysia’s history slowly fading from memory. So, is the project worth it? That depends on how we define value — and whether Khazanah Nasional , tasked with leading the project, can make the restoration of more than a vanity exercise. Done right, it could deliver more than nostalgia. Restored heritage sites elsewhere have become powerful economic and cultural engines. Singapore’s Raffles Hotel and Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental attract visitors not just for luxury, but for legacy. Malaysia could do the same — blending heritage, commerce, and storytelling to create a dest...

As the state heads to the polls, Sabahans are asking a deeper question — will this election finally give them the dignity and autonomy they’ve long been promised? Every few years, Sabah becomes the darling of Malaysian politics. Suddenly, federal leaders descend on Kota Kinabalu with pledges of progress, promises of development, and talk of honouring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). And every few years, after the ballots are counted, the attention fades. The roads remain uneven, rural schools still lack basic facilities, and the familiar feeling of neglect returns. This is the pattern Sabahans know all too well — a state rich in resources but poor in returns, abundant in political attention but short on sustained respect. But this coming state election feels different. Not because the names on the ballot are new, but because the political mood has changed. Younger Sabahans, in particular, are restless. They are better informed, more connected, and far less patient with empty rhetori...