Malaysiaku, Negaraku

There are friendships forged in boardrooms, and then there are connections born of shared wavelengths, mutual respect, and a deep appreciation for doing things the right way. Recently, I had the rare pleasure of meeting an old friend in person—someone I’ve shared a digital bond with since the days of 90s SMS right up to today’s WhatsApp chats.  Despite decades of digital rapport, this was only the second time we’ve ever met face-to-face. His name is Syed Hidzam Osman, and in him, I’ve found such a true kindred spirit that during our catch-up, I felt an urge to ask him: “Can we be more than friends? Can we be brothers?” Now, right here on this blog, I am making it public. I can only hope he accepts! The Dynamic Duo of TNB’s Golden Era To understand why Syed holds such a special place in my professional and personal regard, you have to wind the clock back to the era of Tan Sri Ani Arope, the legendary chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). Syed was specially hand-picked by T...

In today's digital age, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it is an absolute necessity. To attract customers, many telecommunication companies roll out attractive freebies and promotional offers.  However, beneath the surface, many of these deals trap everyday consumers in restrictive long-term agreements, often lasting two to three years, accompanied by heavy termination penalties. It is high time for the government to review these contracts and determine whether they unfairly favor corporations over citizens. The Trap of Fine Print: A Real-World Example Take, for instance, a common broadband promotion: a provider might offer six months of free Wi-Fi, only to lock the client into a rigid three-year contract. An unsuspecting consumer might sign up simply to test if the service suits their needs. If they later discover that the connection is poor, coverage in their area is unreliable, or technical issues cannot be resolved, they find themselves trapped.  To make mat...

  Right Place, Right Path: Rethinking Education and Vocational Training for National Progress Education has long been touted as the great equalizer, but in our pursuit of mass academic certification, we often overlook a fundamental truth: not everyone is academically inclined. Human beings possess diverse strengths. While some thrive in abstract concepts, formulaic problem-solving, and rigorous academic research, others are inherently hands-on and mechanically minded. When we ignore these inherent differences and force everyone down a single, rigid academic pipeline, particularly into research-intensive universities we set many up for unnecessary struggle. The Mismatch: Universities vs. Vocational Institutions If you place students who learn best through practical application into traditional, theory-heavy university spaces, many will inevitably struggle to cope. However, place those same individuals in vocational training institutions, or TVET programmes, and you will often find t...

This is not a journey driven by ego, but a mission to make a difference. Just as salt was once used to preserve meat from rotting in the days before refrigerators were available, we, too, must work together to preserve the moral fabric of our society, with our army of 26 soldiers standing united in this mission. Having been invited to speak at a seminar, the author would be happy to deliver the same talk to journalism students or youth groups. He has also prepared a set of reflective questions to encourage readers to reflect on their own lives and apply some of the principles that have guided his personal journey. The purpose of this book  26 letters of the alphabret on the keyboard This is not an ego journey but as salt, often used to preseeve meat from rotting at an era where refrigerators were not available, we must  work together to preserve our society with our army of 26 soldiers . Since he has been invited to speak at a seminar instal, he would be happy to repent the s...

For years, Malaysian workers have waited for their basic salaries to catch up with the rising cost of living.  While some employers have taken the initiative to reward their employees fairly, others have been slow to act, leaving the Government to intervene. This raises an important question: should workers have to wait indefinitely for employers to recognise that their salaries are no longer sufficient to meet their basic needs? The proposed increase in basic salary to RM2,500 should not be viewed merely as another government policy that employers must comply with. It should be an opportunity to rethink how businesses value their employees and improve productivity. The Government cannot be expected to look into every aspect of every business. Its responsibility is to establish a fair framework, protect workers and create conditions for sustainable economic growth. Moving forward, employers and employees must share the responsibility of building a better future together. Higher wag...