Arkian

By Professor Dato Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Malaysia has just launched the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13). Not just another five-year blueprint; it’s a declaration of intent to finally leap the nation into the ranks of high-income economies. Central to this ambition is a heavy bet on technology as the engine of growth, including a contentious venture […]

By Norbani Che Ha Marketing has never been a static discipline. Its role has continuously adapted to reflect the priorities of business and society. In the past, the focus was on mass production, making goods widely available and affordable. The following era emphasized product innovation, quality, and persuasive advertising to capture consumer attention. Today, the

By Nahrizul Adib Kadri Nations, like people, grow awkwardly. But that’s still growth. Some days it’s obvious: a new MRT line, a policy that finally makes sense, a younger leader speaking with quiet wisdom. Other days, it’s clumsy and contradictory. We move forward and stumble back. We say all the right words and then forget

By Professor Dato Dr Ahmad Ibrahim The world stands at a crossroads. As climate disasters escalate, resources dwindle, and the race to net-zero intensifies, science has never been more critical to human survival and economic resilience. Talk about the economy going circular will not happen without adequate investment in science. Even the latest inroads in

Navigating the clash with politics By Professor Dato Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Many bad news on education lately. More and more unhealthy and uncalled for disruption from politics. Should politics come first? Or education? Logically, good education should give rise to healthy politics. Whilst, the excessive intrusion of politics into education can destroy education. Once education

By Mohammad Tariqur Rahman In today’s reality, higher education, particularly university education worldwide, is aimed at producing ‘human capital’ who are primarily meant to contribute to a nation’s economic prosperity while serving the individual needs for financial salvation. The human capital theory argues that education requires investment, which in turn yields future returns. At the

By Turukesh Vellasamy At my grandfather’s care home in Penang, the staff works tirelessly to care for dozens of elderly residents. Yet, one incident remains etched in my memory: an elderly woman, frail but full of life, collapsed alone in her room. No one noticed for hours. When help arrived, it was too late. Stories

By Lee Wai Guan and Dr. Maisarah Hasbullah The World Energy Council (WEC) highlights that a healthy energy system relies on three equally vital pillars: energy security — ensuring a stable supply despite market disruptions; energy equity — providing universal access to affordable and sufficient energy; and environmental sustainability — driving the transition to low-carbon,