Alwyn Lau | Opinion | Malay Mail

People look at iPhones on display at the Apple Fifth Avenue store in New York City, US on May 23, 2025. — Reuters pic

Malaysia / 19 h ago

MCMC warns iPhone users to update iOS now following ‘Darksword’ exploit discovery

Lunch time at Sathiyanery Vegetarian Food Centre is a well organised affair where a curated vegetarian set goes for RM11. — Pictures by Lee Khang Yi

Eat-drink / 19 h ago

Brickfields’ Sathiyanery Vegetarian Food Centre offers an unbeatable vegetarian lunch set for RM11

Lim Guan Eng speaks during a campaign rally at Karpal Singh Drive in Penang on August 11, 2023. — Picture by KE Ooi

Malaysia / 14 h ago

Guan Eng mocks Penang CM over land tax, says 90pc revisions show system is broken

Traffic builds up on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway towards the East Coast as city residents begin their ‘balik kampung’ journeys ahead of Aidilfitri in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama pic

Malaysia / 15 h ago

PLUS expects heavy traffic until night as festive travel peaks ahead of Aidilfitri

The US-Israel conflict with Iran has driven global fuel prices higher, but despite recent increases, Malaysia still maintains comparatively lower prices. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Malaysia / 9 h ago

As global fuel prices climb, how does Malaysia compare with other countries?

Gemini said

A notice (R) informing customers that B7 biodiesel has run out is displayed on a pump at a Shell petrol station in Bangkok on March 16, 2026, following import disruptions caused by the Middle East war. — AFP pic

What You Think / 18 h ago

Malaysia can weather the Gulf war better than others in Asean — Phar Kim Beng

US President Donald Trump meets with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington yesterday. — AFP pic

World / 18 h ago

Japan PM navigates Trump meeting smoothly despite Pearl Harbor remark

An undated illustrative image shows detainees in handcuffs. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Malaysia / 13 h ago

JB Southkey murder: Five suspects arrested, four nabbed in Singapore with SPF’s help

Traffic builds on the Lingkaran Tengah Utama (LTU) Expressway in Gua Musang on March 19, 2026. — Bernama pic

Malaysia / 16 h ago

Raya exodus: LLM says most routes under control except two key highways

Bank Negara Malaysia governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said Malaysia’s M40 group faces rising living costs despite economic growth. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

Malaysia / 13 h ago

M40 yet to feel full benefits of economic growth, says BNM governor

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued a warning for thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds in Perak, Kelantan, Pahang, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak until 7 pm today. — Picture by Hari Anggara

Malaysia / 10 h ago

Thunderstorms, heavy rain expected in six states until 7pm today, says MetMalaysia

Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang remains the country’s retail tourism hub, anchored by malls such as Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and neighbouring streets, which benefit from proximity to hotels, nightlife, and attractions. — Picture by Hari Anggara

Money / 17 h ago

Malaysia leads Asean retail tourism with domestic trips and premium experiences driving growth

A still from a surveillance camera shows a man dragging a woman on the ground after punching, kicking, and kneeing her in the head, reportedly in Melaka.

Malaysia / 15 h ago

Melaka food delivery rider remanded over violent attack on pregnant wife

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks during Ramadan event with Permatang Pauh community leaders in Bukit Mertajam on March 20, 2026. — Bernama pic

Malaysia / 11 h ago

‘This is not the time for division,’ Anwar says as Malaysia grapples with oil price shock

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “not sure who’s running Iran right now.” — AFP pic

World / 18 h ago

Netanyahu says Iran ‘decimated’ as Gulf energy strikes rattle markets

Alwyn Lau

Alwyn Lau

Bookworm. Contrarian. Proud Malaysian. Or thereabouts. Tweets at @alwyn_lau

Opinions

A still shows a video conference with Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (top row, left) chairing a remote session with his Cabinet on March 31, 2020 in London. — AFP pic

17 Mar 2026

Revisiting the WFH debate

The author argues that slashing gym licence fees is unlikely to significantly reduce Malaysia’s obesity rate, as research shows population-level weight problems are driven more by diet, lifestyle and public health policies than by gym access alone. — AFP pic

08 Mar 2026

Will lower gym fees reduce Malaysia's obesity rate?

AI-generated songs had taken over my playlist. — Reuters pic

01 Mar 2026

Is AI taking over music?

Festivities are wonderful but I guess being interrogated on some of the personal aspects and decisions in one’s life in the middle of one’s entire clan can be daunting. — Bernama pic

19 Feb 2026

CNY’s famous ‘20 Questions’

More

According to the author, there are also numerous reasons why tuition centres may face a drop in demand in the future. The most obvious answer is the presence of the Web and the (literally) infinite number of online learning and/or personalised learning websites and apps out there. — Pexels.com pic

03 Feb 2026

Are tuition centres still relevant in an age of AI?

Jackie Chan in a scene from ‘The Shadow’s Edge’. The author argues that Jackie Chan’s last decade of films — filled with repentant fathers, estranged children and emotional pleas — reads like a six-movie message to his real-life kids, a cinematic attempt at reconciliation playing out on screen long before it happens in real life. — AFP pic

22 Jan 2026

Jackie Chan’s cinematic way of reaching out to his kids

A teacher interacts with students at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jalan Kebun in Shah Alam on January 3, 2023. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

16 Jan 2026

How much does your performance in school ‘predict’ your future?

There is no question that online distraction is a new sort of epidemic today. — Picture by Hari Anggara

07 Jan 2026

How to fight digital distractions

The author argues that Malaysian cinemas undermine the movie-going experience by forcing patrons through cramped, poorly lit and uncomfortable exit routes — a jarring finale that feels unsafe, unnecessary and wildly out of step with the glamour promised at the front door. — Picture by Ahmad Zamzahuri

02 Jan 2026

Why must exiting a cinema hall be such a lousy experience?

According to the author, the true world-beaters climb slowly, steadily. And crucially, they spend their early years dabbling widely, dipping into multiple sports, subjects, instruments — building what you might call a rich ‘learning capital’ that compounds beautifully over decades. — pexels.com pic

23 Dec 2025

Does early specialisation sabotage greatness?

Visitors view books at the Straits Quay Convention Centre in Penang on November 28, 2019. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

15 Dec 2025

Repurposing university libraries

The author argues that PTPTN no longer functions as a real loan system because repayment rates are so poor. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

11 Dec 2025

Can we stop calling PTPTN a loan?

Teachers prepare for class at a school in Ipoh, Perak, on June 23, 2020. — Picture by Farhan Najib

02 Dec 2025

Schools as worry factories?

The author reminds Malaysians that KLIA was opened in 1998 and says there has been only the occasional leaking and minor flooding in its past 27 years. — Screengrab via X

17 Nov 2025

Poor optics but otherwise resilient #KLIA

According to the author, many Malaysian executives — on a 24/7 journey of clawing with their finger-nails after the next promotion and next salary increment — see the very concept of ‘free time’ as a moral failure. — pexels.com pic

11 Nov 2025

When ‘free time’ scares us

“6-7” was Dictionary.com’s 2025 Word of the Year.

06 Nov 2025

Is ‘67’ nonsense or an example of linguistic democracy?

The author learnt from a conversation with a student from China that the practice of replacing the number “4” with “3A” is rare compared to Malaysia. — Freepik pic

24 Oct 2025

‘4’ or ‘3A’? A chat about tetraphobia

Authorities are seen at a school in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya October 14, 2025, after a schoolgirl was stabbed by her schoolmate. — Bernama pic

16 Oct 2025

School stabbing: A parent’s shock and reflection

File picture of an accident that occurred on May 13 involving a gravel-laden lorry and an FRU truck on Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam, Teluk Intan. — Bernama pic

13 Oct 2025

Are lorries the number one cause of traffic accidents in Malaysia?

Students arrive at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seksyen 7 in Shah Alam on March 3, 2022. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

29 Sep 2025

What’s required (or rewarded) in school but ignored (or punished) outside school?

Vehicles are seen approaching the drop-off/pick-up area of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. — KLIA pic

23 Sep 2025

Thoughts on being picked up from KLIA

In my experience it’s very normal for parents, especially Asian parents, to have a LOT of say in what their children study, not least because they’re paying the tuition fees and what-not. — Unsplash pic

17 Sep 2025

Whose future is it? Exploring parental influence on post-graduate paths

With 80 per cent of Malaysians expected to be city-dwellers by 2030, the government argues that the URA will keep our urban vibes fresh and home-owners’ feelings happy. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

02 Sep 2025

Urban Renewal Act debate: Modernisation imperatives vs community concerns?

Primary school students return to school at Sekolah Kebangsaan Syed Idrus Chemor in Perak March 21, 2022. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Farhan Najibnn

03 May 2022

The (cautious) case against mask mandates

A man smokes outside an eatery in Petaling Jaya January 1, 2019. u00e2u20acu2022 Picture by Miera Zulyana

25 Apr 2022

Why a smoking ban probably won’t help

A man walks past a shuttered bar/night club with a u00e2u20acu02dcFor Rentu00e2u20acu2122 sign in Kuala Lumpur during the Covid 19 pandemic October 18, 2020. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Ahmad Zamzahuri

11 Apr 2022

So what really is the problem with nightclubs?

A customer counts how much change was given back after buying some groceries at a wet market in Kuala Lumpur. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Saw Siow Feng

29 Mar 2022

Why are we worth more dead than alive?

21 Mar 2022

Three groups who welcome the RM10,000 EPF withdrawal

Form Five students get ready to sit for their SPM examination at SMK Seksyen 7 in Shah Alam March 2, 2022. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

15 Mar 2022

Should Malaysian students do a gap year?

Sekolah Kebangsaan Section 7 students on their first day back at school in Shah Alam July 22, 2020. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

28 Feb 2022

Could e-textbooks be the solution to heavy school bags?

Election Commission officials get the polling station at Dewan Badminton Kompleks Perumahan Polis Tabuan Jaya ready ahead of early voting in Kuching December 13, 2021. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

14 Feb 2022

Are Covid-19 cases being artificially boosted ahead of Johor polls?

The Lim clan having their reunion dinner at Lim Jetty, Weld Quay on January 31, 2022. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

07 Feb 2022

Playing ‘20 Questions’ at Chinese New Year

Rex Lee Kok Hong, 36, displays his angpow collection at his home in Sungai Dua February 13, 2018. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

31 Jan 2022

Chinese New Year and e-’ang pows’

27 Jan 2022

BAM should revoke Goh Jin Wei’s ban too

A general view of traffic on the Federal Highway in Kuala Lumpur June 1, 2021. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

24 Jan 2022

Alternative to holiday traffic jams

Students resume classes at Sekolah Kebangsaan Meru Klang in Klang January 10, 2022. u00e2u20acu201d Bernama pic

17 Jan 2022

Why hasn’t ‘Pendidikan Moral’ been scrapped yet?

People receive their Covid-19 booster shot at the KL Gateway Mall in Kuala Lumpur January 5, 2022. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Ahmad Zamzahuri

10 Jan 2022

Boosters: Allow walk-ins at PPVs by disabled

People wait to receive their Covid-19 vaccines at the Covid-19 vaccination centre in the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Seri Kembangan, June 17, 2021. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

27 Dec 2021

Notes from a PPV volunteer

A general view of traffic on the Federal Highway in Kuala Lumpur June 1, 2021. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

20 Dec 2021

Three pointers on how to be safer behind the wheels

As the country slowly reopens, the temporary traffic respite will gradually come to an end. u00e2u20acu2022 Picture by Yusof Mat Isan

13 Dec 2021

So far, yet so near: Are you a super-commuter?

Choong has spent more than 30 years zipping around the world visiting archeological dig sites and even excavating in some. u00e2u20acu201d Picture via Facebook

07 Dec 2021

A conversation with Malaysia’s own Indiana Jones

The release of u00e2u20acu02dcJames Bond: No Time to Dieu00e2u20acu2122 for Malaysian cinemas has been from September 30 to November 25. u00e2u20acu201d Picture courtesy of United International Pictures Malaysia

29 Nov 2021

James Bond: From fantasy to reality

Just IN

Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof convey Aidilfitri greetings to the public. — Pictures via Facebook/Zahid Hamidi and Facebook/Fadillah Yusof

7 h ago

DPMs Zahid, Fadillah highlight kinship, unity and prudence in Aidilfitri messages (VIDEO)

Two men were killed while four others were seriously injured in an accident that occurred in Precinct 1 heading towards Taman Wetland, Precinct 12 in Putrajaya this afternoon. — Picture courtesy of Fire and Rescue Department

7 h ago

Two killed, four injured after car skids and hits tree in Putrajaya

Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar conveyed Aidilfitri greetings to the public. — Pictures via Facebook/Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Facebook/Wan Rosdy bin Wan Ismail

8 h ago

State leaders call for stronger kinship and spirit of togetherness this Aidilfitri (VIDEO)