AS a political battleground, Sabah is bursting at the seams. Never has there been such a crowded election in Malaysia as the one scheduled to be held on Sept 26 in the Land Below the Wind.

COMPARED with their counterparts in Thailand, youth in Malaysia are still a long way from playing a meaningful role in pushing for better democracy and governance. The few young MPs we have are part of the stultifying political order, which has remained largely unchanged.

FROM the Industrial Relations Act to problems at the workplace brought about by Covid-19, the country’s two main bodies representing bosses and workers have a history of being at loggerheads. But for once, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) and Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) are seeing eye to eye, united by their vehement opposition to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

THE fixation on hills in Melaka often arouses amusement and, sometimes, even intrigue. There are just too many places around the historical city named after “bukit” (hill).

It’s a growing concern that Malaysia is on Tier 2 watchlist of the Trafficking in Persons Report for the third consecutive year for its failure to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking of foreign workers.

THERE was a time in the not-too-distant past when the people’s trust in our police force was unshakeable. The mere presence of the “mata-mata” evoked fear among crooks.For a few decades after independence, there was no doubting the people’s confidence in the police. Above its vital role in maintaining order, the commitment of the police to uphold the rule of law was unquestioned.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to better manage Malaysia’s migrant labour, especially in improving the unhygienic conditions of their living spaces.

THE response to the bold but fair suggestion was not surprising, given the protected status of the country’s 1.71 million strong public servants.

IT IS almost impossible to keep up with the numbers. At the time of writing, the Covid-19 virus has infected close to two million people across the globe and killed some 120,000.

AFTER a turbulent week of political twists and turns, we have a new Prime Minister promising to appoint Cabinet members of high calibre with integrity and a clean track record. However, for some, the main questions, including on the legitimacy of the new government, remain unsettled.

It’s disturbing to see that threats and intimidation are increasingly influencing political decisions in Malaysia. The govt has to be firmer in handling key racial and religious issues.

SINGAPORE beat us to it again, this time in decriminalising suicide. Last week, it became the latest country to repeal archaic laws that made suicide attempts a criminal act.Unlike in Malaysia, where experts have been mulling over the issue since 2012, Singapore’s Penal Code Review Committee appraised outdated laws and came up with recommendations in August 2018.