WITH the Dewan Rakyat back in session, many citizens are again concerned about the impact of potential new laws that our elected representatives will have to vote on.

NATIONAL day receptions hosted by embassies are productive and jolly affairs, featuring a speech by the head of mission celebrating the bilateral relationship, a cultural aspect such as a musical performance or art exhibition, and of course, a glimpse of the cuisine from the country hosting.

Unspeakable horrors are befalling our young; much must change to stop these acts from happening.

​​​​​​​THE National Day parade in Seremban was spirited as usual, complete with resplendent march pasts and various invocations of “Madani” – but no tanks!

IT is common in democracies for past and present ministers of a portfolio to disagree with one another, to prove that they did or are doing a better job. Often, these take the form of potshots that do not endear politicians to voters, but substantive questions of policy emerge from the banter.

AT the time of writing, Malaysia has won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik repeated their feat with a nerve-racking save of four match points in their second set against their Danish opponents, while Lee Zii Jia won his first Olympic medal by defeating Lakshya Sen of India.

IN the United Kingdom, the King’s Speech at the state opening of Parliament is the most ostentatious visualisation of the relationship between the constitutional monarch and the elected government of the day.

The current generation is much more aware of the fact that people disagree on things, and that there should be mechanisms to resolve differences peacefully.

After a turbulent period, Sri Lanka is looking forward to political stability and economic growth.

DHAKA’S congestion does take some getting used to, but my return earlier this month was even more educational than my trip in March 2023, when I launched the UCSI University Bangladesh campus.

“NOW I know that you in the penins­ula don’t like the Federal Government either!”

Raya songs, old and new, are open to reinterpretation and renewal in capturing the mood of one of the most important festivals.