Beyond International Women’s Day: A Look at Malaysia’s Legal Milestones for Gender Equality

Expecting Again: My Emotional Journey through Trauma, And Then Hope

Last week, I had the extraordinary privilege of speaking at the EmpowerHER Symposium on International Women’s Day. The symposium offered a beautifully nuanced exploration of women’s empowerment. There was a diverse range of speakers, each bringing their unique expertise and perspective to the table. This multifaceted approach to empowerment resonated deeply with me, and It […]

Can Malaysia’s Economy Survive Another Covid Wave? An Open Letter to Dr Dzul

An Open Letter to Dr Dzul

Dear Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Our heartfelt congratulations on your appointment as Malaysia’s new Health Minister. As you step into this position, we extend our best wishes and hopes for a more successful tenure than your predecessor; one that prioritises the health and well-being of a nation. Many rejoiced at your return, however, it is crucial […]

Leveling the Playing Field: A Look at Malaysia’s Proposed Political Financing Bill

Leveling the Playing Field: A Look at Malaysia's Proposed Political Financing Bill

Political financing is one of Malaysia’s “legacy” problems. Almost every major milestone of Malaysian politics is concerned with political financing troubles. In the past, the ruling BN government has been accused of receiving donations from local corporations, while the opposition PR and PH coalitions have similarly been accused of receiving donations from shadowy foreign entities. […]

Expecting Again: My Emotional Journey through Trauma, And Then Hope

Expecting Again: My Emotional Journey through Trauma, And Then Hope

From the moment I learned that I’m expecting again, my heart was thrown into a world of complex emotions. There’s a deep, resonant hope within me for a smooth, healthy, and complete pregnancy journey this time around. Yet, this hope is delicately intertwined with threads of apprehension and memories of my first pregnancy—a journey that […]

Integration or Assimilation: To Detract From Integration Model is to Belittle Everyday Malaysians

Integration or Assimilation: To Detract From Integration Model is to Belittle Everyday Malaysians

“There was assimilation, for example people from Arab countries and India, they have been assimilated. (The Chinese and Indian immigrants) refused, not that we did not insist, but they looked down on us, we wanted them to become Malays. They didn’t want to be known as Malays.” — Dr Mahathir. In a recent Keluar Sekejap […]

End Party-hopping with Recall Act

End party-hopping with Recall Act

Who could have foreseen that Malaysia’s anti-party hopping law enacted in 2022 would be inadequate in undoing a deep-rooted curse of political frogs? Oh, right, just about anyone with a basic understanding of politics beyond wishful thinking. When the idea of having an anti-hopping law provision was first floated around, it was recognised as a […]

Rewriting Reality: The Phenomenon of Political Gaslighting

Rewriting Reality: The Phenomenon of Political Gaslighting

A disconcerting culture of gaslighting has firmly taken root in Malaysian politics, weaving a web of deception that manipulates perceptions and erodes the trust of the people. ‘Gaslighting’ is a term many of us are at least somewhat familiar with. In fact, It became the Word of the Year for 2022, according to Merriam-Webster, following […]

Invest in home-based childcare

Invest in home-based childcare

Access to quality pre-school childcare can play an important role in a child’s development. Quality childcare can provide children with opportunities to learn, develop social skills and build self-esteem. It can also support parents in their parenting role and help build a strong parent-child relationship. Motherhood begins with much hope and anticipation, but for many […]

#EmbraceEquity: Celebrate Our Differences as A Source of Strength

International Women's Day 2023 #EmbraceEquity

As a woman, I find myself increasingly frustrated by the polarisation and victimhood that seems to be pervasive in our society today. While I appreciate the intentions behind movements like “Lean In” and “Me Too”, I cannot fully get behind them. It is not that I do not believe in the importance of empowering women […]

How Populist Policies Might Jeopardize Women’s Career Opportunities

How Populist Policies Might Jeopardize Women's Career Opportunities

Childbirth is one of the most psychologically and physically demanding human experiences, and the postpartum period is often associated with reduced vitality, increased vulnerability, anxiety, depression and trauma. Caring for a newborn is no walk in the park either. As a mother of two adorable twin boys, I cannot imagine giving up the opportunity to […]