Author: M Rajah

The decline of decorum in modern society

A man who understands decorum and the courtesies is a great treasure; I hope to train and send into society as many such men as I can. — Mas Oyama, South Korean karate master ———————————————– I had a surprise call last Thursday from an ex-colleague whom I lost touch with

A stalwart leader’s journey to Sarawak’s top post

If the Prime Minister can come, the two Deputy Prime Ministers can also come to the Senate meetings why can’t the ministers come? Is this place too low for the ministers to come? This is the upper house of Parliament. — Wan Junaidi, reminding Cabinet ministers to respect the parliamentary

Leash Dr Mahathir before he does more harm…

Sometimes we go the wrong way and we have to turn around, but only if necessary. We are not perfect people. Even angels make mistakes. So when angels make mistakes, they turn around. — Dr Mahathir Mohamad, after his election victory in 2018 Of late, the Malaysian political landscape has

Visionary leader’s seven-year odyssey transforming Sarawak

A statesman will tell you what’s true, even if it is not popular. A politician will tell you what’s popular, even if it is not true. –Anonymous A group of Umno friends invited me for dinner last Saturday at Oomph, a café in Petaling Jaya, which offers nice western cuisine.

Have no mercy on predatory recruitment agencies, employers

If the Malaysian government’s approval process for hiring foreign workers is transparent, not a single worker should be unemployed. — Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia In recent years, the country has witnessed a surge in the exploitation of foreign workers — especially workers from South Asian nations as well as

I wish for a resilient and just nation

New year — a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately, we write it. The choice is ours. — Alex Morritt, author, poet, lyricist and travel writer My aspirations for 2024 encompass a wide range of hopes and desires, focusing on progress, harmony, unity, and accountability.

Excessive parental interference with one’s relationship

The consequences of parental and sibling interference can last a lifetime, impacting one’s future relationships and decisions. In some cases, their interference can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress, causing harm to one’s mental health. – Unknown Just as I was thinking of what to write for today’s column,

Sarawak and the US-China competition

The establishment of a new type of inter-power relationship between China and the United States needs an accumulation of dribs and drabs. – Xi Jinping, Chinese President Did you know that the CIA used to have a listening post in Kuching at the height of the Cold War? In fact,

Are law enforcers becoming moral and fashion police?

Police officers should not be burdened with the added responsibility of first determining the complainant’s dress code, then classifying the severity of complaints before allowing any complainant to lodge a report. – SUPP Women chief Kho Teck Wan Fashion and moral policing in this country must stop immediately! The Anwar

Towards an efficient and effective civil service

Ten apathetic government officials can do more damage to a country, than a hundred crooked ones.– Abhijit Naskar, neuroscientist Early this year I wrote about the civil service, the Sarawak civil service in particular, which under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg went through notable changes since