The writer (left) and his wife, Siew Lean (right), pictured with their granddaughter Yue Xi, whose arrival in January made 2025 a truly blessed year for him and his family. — GAN CHEE KUAN
The year 2025 is drawing to a close. It is a significant year for humankind, marking a quarter of a century since we entered the new millennium in 2000.
That moment was unique in history, charged with a powerful sense of culmination and new beginnings.
The global outlook at the time was a complex blend of utopian hope and existential anxiety, captured by Francis Fukuyama’s optimism in The End Of History And The Last Man and Samuel Huntington’s darker vision in The Clash Of Civilizations.
In 2000, the world was electrified by the rise of the Internet and dotcom enterprises. Today, our excitement is centred on artificial intelligence and big data. Yet human civilisation has not advanced in tandem with technological progress. The world has not become more globalised, humane nor environmentally sustainable.
The year 2025 was shaped by “Liberation Day”, triggered by US President Donald Trump, followed by frantic negotiations and deal-making by affected nations, as well as the escalation of trade tensions between the United States and China. On the environmental front, the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) held in Belem, Brazil in November once again failed to deliver tangible outcomes, even as hurricanes, floods and extreme weather events intensified across the globe.
However, the gravest disasters of our time are man-made: Gaza City has been devastated, its entire population displaced and tens of thousands of innocent lives lost, while the war between Russia and Ukraine enters its fourth year with no end in sight.
I was in Hong Kong for a family holiday in November when the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court housing complex broke out, burning down seven tower blocks and killing at least 160 people – a tragic accident but a lesson for safety maintenance of other high-rise buildings around the globe.
For Malaysia, 2025 was generally a good year. We enjoyed peace, political stability and positive economic growth. The successful hosting of the Asean Summit enhanced Malaysia’s international standing.
Since independence, our nation has taken pride in its racial and religious harmony and cultural diversity.
Yet these founding principles face growing strain as polarising voices shape public discourse for strategic advantage. Democracy’s “one person, one vote” system can be a double-edged sword, and the tipping point may come when the silent majority becomes the minority.
Natural disasters often strike our region towards the end of the year during the monsoon season, and Malaysia has historically been fortunate to avoid major catastrophes.
This year, however, storms came perilously close. Tropical storm Senyar made landfall in our northern states, causing unprecedented flooding and widespread suffering. Neighbouring countries – Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand – were even harder hit and continue to grapple with the devastation and loss of life. My heart goes out to all the victims and their families.
On a personal note, 2025 has been a blessed year for my family. In January, my wife Siew Lean and I welcomed our eighth grandchild, Yue Xi – the first child of our son Kay Jin and daughter-in-law Min Lee, who were married in December 2017.
I am deeply grateful to have witnessed six generations of my family, from my great-grandmother to my grandchildren, and to have lived through the transition from the old world into the modern era.
As I take stock of the year
drawing to a close, I cherish the moments that have passed. I am thankful for another fulfilling year in which my state of health has allowed me to continue lifelong learning, nurture relationships and enjoy some travel.
Goodbye, 2025. I wish all my kith and kin a happy and meaningful 2026.
