This hardworking Malaysian is all fired up for the next phase in her life.

Apart from convincing the next US president to attend the Asean summit next year, the bigger challenge for a trading nation like Malaysia is to tackle an inward looking leader.

A new chapter begins for Malaysia and Indonesia relations, and the feel good vibe between leaders is spilling over onto the citizens too.

The Foreign Ministry’s engagement with the media has been almost nil ahead of Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship next year. This is not the time for isolation, says the writer.

Real institutional and administrative reforms go beyond cancelling trips.

Revealing classified diplomatic communications can be a dangerous thing to do.

Malaysia flew in a group of injured Palestinians two weeks ago but what many are unaware of is that it took Mindef two months of planning to bring them in safely.

Tongues are wagging in Putrajaya over an unexpected choice for the new Chief Secretary to the Government. The ‘dark horse’ must nip the gossip in the bud and quickly show leadership of Malaysia’s 1.6 million civil servants.

Not even a fall and brain surgery can keep this nonagenarian down.

Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, Tan Sri Kadir Mohamad worked tirelessly but so quietly that not many are aware of his invaluable contributions to Malaysia.

Malaysia should not blow its chance to show leadership next year as Asean Chair – certainly not by being distracted by all the talk about joining the BRICS bloc.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong have set a positive tone to resolving outstanding bilateral issues between the two countries – but will good relations between leaders trickle down the line?