How Israel Uses AI Technology in Genocide

When many of us think of AI, we think of ChatGPT or self-driving cars. But with each passing day, AI is also used more and more in warfare. While proponents of the usage of AI in armed conflict cite operational efficiency, precision, and speed, the reality is often much different. It raises pressin…

How Did Students in South Africa Fight For Free Education?

Everything Must Fall is a 2018 documentary film by Rehad Desai, centered on South Africa's #FeesMustFall movement. The film provides a gripping account of the student-led protests that erupted across South African universities in 2015, demanding free, decolonized education and an end to systemic in…

How Do We Bridge the Polarisation in Malaysia?

We live in an increasingly polarised world. Ethnonationalism and other forms of right wing and ultra-conservative populist movements are on the rise in Malaysia and across the world. People are pushing further away from each other. Prejudice fuels political discourse. Why is this happening and what…

What Are the Structural Barriers to Gender Equity in Malaysia?

Here are two important statistics you need to know. One, only 55% of working age women in Malaysia are part of the labour force, compared to 81% of men. Two, women receive RM 66 for every RM 100 in salaries and wages received by men.  This highlights profound economic disparities between the gende…

PROJEK30% - Why We Need More Women in Politics

EMPOWER, in collaboration with civil society coalitions like JAG, BERSIH, and CSO Platform for Reform, has launched the Projek30% campaign to push political parties to field at least 30% women candidates in the next General Election (GE16).  But why is there a lack of representation among women in…

Ahmed Alnaouq on Gaza and How the World Failed the Moral Litmus Test

Ahmed Alnaouq, a Palestinian activist and journalist based in the UK, is the co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, a platform that empowers young Palestinians to share their stories and experiences with the world through storytelling and journalism.  In October 2023, Israel dropped a bomb on his famil…

Can Malaysia Arrest Benjamin Netanyahu If He Comes Here?

Last week, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defence, Yoav Gallant. They were charged with crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, and inhumane acts, as well as the war crime of using starvatio…

What Went Wrong in Malaysia’s Nation-Building Journey?

Dato’ Mohammed Hussein was with the Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) Group for 31 years. Prior to his retirement on 30 January 2008, he was the Deputy President/Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer of Maybank Group.  He wrote a book recently— How Malaysia Missed 7 Chances at Nation-Building.…

Why We Need a Media Council

Media freedom or freedom of the press is something journalists in Malaysia have been grappling with for many decades. For many years, draconian laws have been used to clamp down on journalists and the media. Many have also been arrested.  While there is no denying that the media has more freedom p…

Malaysia’s Democratic Transition Amidst Rising Southeast Asia

Malaysia is at an interesting juncture right now. In 2018, Malaysians voted out the Barisan Nasional government that was once thought invincible and had ruled the country since its independence. Then there was a period of political instability since Langkah Sheraton until about a week after GE15. N…