Category: Development EN

by Cikgu Azmi He did not descend as lightning striking from the sky of power, but arrived as the morning light that touched the narrow alleys of life. His steps never rushed ahead of the people, nor did he leave them behind. He walked alongside them, listening to the pulse of pain and hope on the very ground they shared. His presence was like a light that never blinded. It warmed, and gave...

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 December 2025 – In a significant tribute to one of Malaysia’s most revered social advocates, the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim, officiated the launch of the book, “The Man Who Could Move Mountains: Reflections on the Social Activism of S.M. Mohamed Idris,” edited by Claude Alvares, Shahridan Faiez and Lim Jee Yuan. The event was held at the...

Over the past 15 years, children’s lives have become ever-more saturated with screen time – from smartphones and social media to video streaming. This surge in digital consumption has unfolded alongside a rise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses in many countries. Could the growing use of digital devices be playing a role? According to a major new study, children...

Sahabat Alam Malaysia is strongly opposed to any review of the present policy in the 2030 Penang Structure Plan, that prohibits any development on hillslopes above 76m or above 25- degree slope gradient. We are very troubled to learn that the state is mulling changes to this policy in preparation for the 2040 Structure Plan, by allowing a relaxation of this rule to allow for hillslope...

The National Kenaf and Tobacco Board Act 2009 (Act 692) came into force on 1 April 2010 with the purpose of modernising and strengthening the kenaf and tobacco industries. With the dissolution of the National Tobacco Board, the newly established National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) assumed responsibility for developing a sustainable kenaf sector that covers everything from cultivation to...

GEORGE TOWN: Media and civil society must work closely together as both are vital pillars of a healthy democracy, says Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai. The National Journalism Laureate and Bernama chairman said such collaboration helped the public better understand their rights and policies, enabling more participation in meaningful national debates. "This creates the necessary pressure and visibility...

Penang today stands at a critical tipping point. Many residents across the state are living with daily, worsening consequences of decisions made without transparency, proper planning or meaningful community input. Traffic congestion has become a permanent feature of life. Flash floods that were once rare now strike with increasing frequency. Green spaces continue to vanish. And in many...

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)’s scandal involving naturalised or “heritage” players and the alleged forging of official documents has brought disrepute to both the sports body and the nation. The issue concerns seven foreign-born players who were reportedly provided with forged documents before going on to represent the Malaysian national football team. The Consumers’...

Kuala Lumpur/ Jakarta / Manila / Bangkok: 24 November 2025 — The 15th meeting of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) Negotiating Committee is scheduled to take place from 24 to 28 November in Kuala Lumpur this week. Civil society organizations from across ASEAN reiterate calls for greater transparency and meaningful public engagement in the ongoing negotiations of the DEFA,...

The recent spectacle of our world-class airport terminal knee-deep in floodwater, a chaotic sequel to the perennial breakdown of its aerotrains, was more than just an operational failure. It was a perfect, damning metaphor for the state of our nation. We have become an international laughing stock not for a lack of ambition, but for a fundamental failure in execution. This is not merely bad luck...