SOUL SCRIBBLES

There’s no real freedom of speech on social media when expressing an opinion means being attacked for it. Let’s be honest — social media isn’t a marketplace of ideas anymore. It’s a firing range. Post an opinion, question a statement, or even leave a polite comment, and you risk being bombarded with insults. I’ve been called names for simply commenting on other people’s postings. Not attacking anyone, not provoking — just expressing a view. That’s how low our online culture has sunk. Freedom of speech has turned into freedom to bash. People don’t want dialogue; they want dominance. They don’t debate ideas; they destroy reputations. It’s digital mob justice, and it thrives on likes, rage, and self-righteousness. We love to say “everyone is entitled to their opinion,” but only as long as that opinion agrees with ours. The moment it doesn’t, the claws come out. The hypocrisy is glaring — people shout about free speech while silencing others through harassment. Many stay silent not because...

Lately, I’ve been writing more obituaries than I’d like. I’ve never enjoyed it — especially when it means revisiting the life and memories of someone who’s no longer with us.   It always strikes me as odd that we save our kindest words for the dead, crafting heartfelt tributes to people who can no longer read or hear them. An obituary, of course, has its purpose. It tells the world someone has gone, sums up their life, and gives others a chance to grieve and remember.  But sometimes I wonder if we’ve made it too normal to express our love and appreciation only when it’s too late. We do the same thing with awards. How often have we seen “ posthumous recognition ” given to someone only after they’ve gone — when they can no longer savour the applause or feel the pride of being seen and valued? Why do we wait until death to celebrate what was so obvious in life? In Islam , we’re encouraged to speak well of the dead especially to remember their good deeds and forgive their shortco...

* Cabinet before (Rafizi and Ewon) resignations  It has been almost two years since Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim became Prime Minister. His “unity government,” formed in 2022, was created out of necessity, not vision. Anwar has so far kept it together, but stability alone is not enough. The government now needs to deliver results. The current Cabinet, though broad, has become slow and less effective. Many Malaysians feel there is too much politics and too little action. With rising living costs and stalled reform promises, a Cabinet reshuffle is no longer optional; it is necessary. Malaysians want more than slogans. They want ministers who are capable, inspiring, and clear in explaining policies. Results must matter more than words. Replacing underperforming ministers with capable leaders from PH and UMNO would send a strong message, that the Prime Minister values competence over comfort. Reshuffling the Cabinet is not easy. Anwar must balance competing political interests within his c...

  Diplomacy is never just about policy. It is also about posture — how a nation carries itself before the world. Over the decades, Malaysia’s image abroad has been shaped by the very different personalities of its prime ministers. From Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj’s charm to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s idealism, each leader has left a mark — some uniting, some dividing, but all defining how the world sees us. Tunku Abdul Rahman wasn’t only Malaysia’s Father of Independence — he was its first diplomat-in-chief. His diplomacy was rooted in sincerity and friendship, not power. He believed in bridge-building, not confrontation. Under his leadership, Malaysia became a founding member of ASEAN in 1967 — proof of his vision for regional harmony. Tunku’s style was simple and human: win hearts first, negotiations later. He represented Malaysia with warmth, grace, and dignity — a leader who made diplomacy feel personal. It was Tun Abdul Razak Hussein who professionalised Malaysia’s foreign...

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...