MALAYSIA: Malaysia’s billionaire population is projected to grow 39% by 2031, with ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals rising 20.1% to 1,881. Knight Frank attributes this to strong economic expansion, resilient ringgit performance, and active capital markets. Kuala Lumpur’s luxury residences grew 1.1% in 2025, while transactions rose 5.4%. Analysts expect mixed outlooks, but prime assets remain resilient amid reforms and global uncertainty.

Many social media users remain dissatisfied with the situation, arguing it will deepen wealth inequality in Malaysia. A common sentiment online is that billionaires often rise by exploiting ordinary workers, and social media users strongly believe this dynamic is at play.

Political X page @PSMGombak argued that while Malaysia’s wealthy will continue to grow richer, the country may struggle to fund essential services. The post warned that government doctors could face shortages, schools would remain outdated, and public transportation would stay lacklustre — all while the billionaire class expands. 

Another X user described billionaires as a “blight” on society, reflecting frustration that wealth continues to grow while poverty persists. This sentiment underscores concerns that Malaysia still struggles with inequality, and many around the world remain trapped in hardship despite rising fortunes among the elite.

Following that, a commenter argued that Malaysia’s wealth distribution must improve, claiming “a thousand millionaires are better than a single billionaire.” He added that the rich consistently grow richer while the poor become poorer, a phenomenon visible for decades and now plainly evident. 

Meanwhile, there are those claiming that billionaires don’t create wealth, but rather capture it. Another chimed in and said that Malaysia’s rising billionaire count is not a positive indicator, as it reflects worsening inequality. The user claims billionaires capture wealth rather than create it and posed a pointed question: from whom are these fortunes being taken? 

At its core, Malaysia faces deep structural challenges. While the rise in billionaires may look positive on paper, the reality is far less ideal. Ordinary Malaysians continue to suffer from stagnant wages that have barely moved in decades, leaving younger generations struggling to build stable lives. The growing wealth gap underscores how prosperity at the top does not translate into broader progress.

This article (Malaysia’s 2031 billionaire growth fuels debate over who really benefits) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: Malaysia’s government shoulders a heavy fuel subsidy burden of RM8.28 million (S$2.6 million) per hour, or RM2,300 per second, amid Middle East supply disruptions. Crude oil prices surged past US$110 (S$140) per barrel in March, pushing subsidies from RM6 billion (S$1.94 billion) to RM7 billion by April. Officials warn the commitment is unsustainable, with global supply recovery expected to take months.

Additionally, Malaysia’s work-from-home initiative for government agencies and GLCs has not eased traffic congestion as intended. Despite efforts to cut fuel use, reports show Kuala Lumpur remains plagued by bumper-to-bumper jams. Observers note that commuting patterns have barely changed.

However, social media users remain sceptical of the government’s reported subsidy figures. On X, a citizen questioned whether the numbers cited were rhetorical or actual spending, further asking if the Malaysian government purchased the current subsidised oil after February 27, or if the supply came from earlier stock bought at lower prices.

Others argue the government must continue subsidising fuel, as inflation in Kuala Lumpur had already risen before the war. One noted that spending has increased for most households and boldly suggested the government stop collecting taxes altogether if it cannot sustain the subsidy programme.

Additionally, another highlighted that the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia collected RM203 billion (S$65 billion) in 2025. He argued this shows the government can afford to maintain subsidies, suggesting the best approach is to reduce spending on redundant agencies rather than cutting fuel support. 

Another citizen boldly argued that the government should stop portraying fuel subsidies as though they come from its own pocket. He stressed that Malaysia’s poor depend heavily on the fuel subsidy and added that the government would not collapse if subsidies were maintained even for several more years.

Many Malaysians believe fuel subsidies can continue despite the war, pointing to Petronas selling refined oil globally as proof that the country can sustain itself. At the same time, work-from-home initiatives have not expanded as widely as the government hoped, leaving most people commuting daily. With traffic congestion persisting, reliance on subsidies remains a pressing issue for households.

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This article (Malaysia spending S$2.6 million an hour for subsidised petrol) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: A move by 14 United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) assemblymen to quit the Pakatan Harapan-led government in the small state of Negeri Sembilan is rocking the foundations of the Madani government built by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The unity government comprises Pakatan and Barisan Nasional, with UMNO as the leading party in the Barisan. Pakatan is made up of the Democratic Action Party, which is the biggest party in the coalition, and the PKR, which is Anwar’s party and Amanah.

While there are no talks of frictions between the parties in the unity government, it appears that UMNO is starting to pull some strings in the Madani coalition.

However, if the intended result was the fall of the Pakatan-led government in Negeri Sembilan, then it appears that UMNO has so far failed in this attempt.

The Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, the Ruler of Negeri Sembilan, has stated that the Chief Minister remains in office, while Anwar has also said there will be no snap polls in the state after UMNO’s pullout from the state government.

UMNO has 14 seats in the 36-seat assembly, and it now has the backing of 5 assemblymen from Perikatan Nasional, which is led by the Islamists PAS. Anwar’s Pakatan has 17 seats.

Negeri Sembilan UMNO has today requested an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, saying they want to inform him of their withdrawal of support for the Chief Minister Aminuddin Harun.

State UMNO chief Jalaluddin Alias said the request for an audience was submitted yesterday evening.

Jalaluddin is also seeking an emergency state assembly sitting to determine the position of Aminuddin and his state government in a probable vote of no-confidence.

This article (Madani threatened with political chaos in small state near KL) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: About 10 days ago, a Malaysian posted a photo of a Guinness can found in a store in Saudi Arabia, causing a major stir in some quarters.

For some time now, the happenings in Saudi Arabia have attracted backlash in Malaysia, particularly with reports that alcohol is now available for sale in the country where the two holy cities of Islam are located.

According to a local website, the Guinness can was spotted on a store shelf in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Madinah is the second-holiest city in Islamic beliefs. This is where the Prophet of Islam is buried, in the Masjid Nabawi.

However, the product is not what its iconic branding might suggest. The can in the photo shows the Guinness Draught 0.0, an alcohol-free stout with 0% alcohol by volume (ABV).

In Saudi Arabia, alcohol is strictly prohibited, but this product is sold legally in the country where the Kingdom permits beverages certified at 0.0% ABV.

As expected, the post drew huge responses from Malaysians of all walks of life on Facebook.

Some locals were joking about the 100% alcohol-free tag; others were a bit more sarcastic, saying Muslims will not be allowed to drink those in Malaysia, and some took it seriously, too.

One said they presume it is not going to be categorised as ‘halal’ or permissible in Malaysia. They noted a ‘good’ reason for this.

“I presume it is still not halal in Malaysia because it’s not produced in a halal-certified factory.”

The halal issue has gone viral many times in Malaysia. There were restrictions on Muslims to feast in ‘No Pork, No Lard’ restaurants. These would be restaurants that do not have a ‘halal’ certification.

Then there was the topic of a drunk Malay military officer who crashed his car on a highway against traffic, hitting another car. The accident killed a YouTuber from Bangladesh.

The fact that he was drunk raised some eyebrows among locals. It is haram, the contrary of Halal, for Muslims to drink alcohol.

Back to the case of the Saudi Guinness can, it is sold in supermarkets such as Carrefour KSA and Tamimi Markets. This is a non-alcoholic stout that mimics the taste of the original draught beer without the alcohol content.

On Facebook, some users said the product is sold in Malaysia as a stout, saying: “In Malaysia, it was branded as Guinness Malta.”

However, another chimed, “Now u can drink Guinness Malta in peace.”

On a more serious note, someone else said: The drink could be harmless and can be considered consumable, but still, it was produced by Guinness or Heineken, so it’s forbidden,” expressing their views in the Malaysian context.

Alcohol in Saudi Arabia remains generally illegal, although restrictions have eased for specific, high-income non-Muslim foreign residents and authorised diplomats.

According to Google searches, a restricted, specialised store exists in Riyadh, requiring prior registration and salary verification for entry.

This article (Controversial Guinness Draught can found in Saudi store shelf, receives backlash in Malaysia) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: Days before a new anti-graft chief was appointed, a video clip containing bold claims against both Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his former political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador, went viral.

The video is believed to be an extract from a secretly recorded conversation that was released last year and was at the centre of a corruption scandal involving the Prime Minister’s Office and a former aide to Anwar, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

The accusations in the video are made by a businesswoman identified as a proxy to Shamsul Iskandar, who was Senior Political Secretary to the Prime Minister from December 2022 to his resignation in November 2025. Her name, already a key prosecution witness in Shamsul’s upcoming corruption trial, is also widely publicised in local media and across several social media platforms.

The case is centred on accusations that a businessman, Albert Tei, had given Shamsul Iskandar RM630,000 (S$202,860) in gifts and cash. Tei made the headlines in 2024 as a whistleblower with several videos sent to the media regarding corruption scandals in Sabah.

In last week’s video, the woman is heard talking to Albert Tei.

She claimed that someone named “Anwar” instructed another person named “Farhash” to steal money to be sent to Africa. and that Farhash has been granted Turkish nationality.

With regards to the viral video, Anwar dismissed allegations that his former aide, Farhash Wafa Salvador, was instructed to steal money and hide it in Africa and urged the media to dismiss such accusations.

“There are all sorts of issues; no need to answer them. If they have reasons, they should provide proof. Do you entertain that? Do you entertain? If 1,000 people comment like that, do I have to answer all? If there is evidence, bring it forward,” he said.

The recent clip was also shared by PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who urged those named to respond.

Anwar’s response to earlier videos from Albert Tei was that the videos on the Sabah mining scandal alone did not constitute sufficient evidence.

Tei told a local news portal that the clip recently released was part of a recording he made on Nov 21 last year.

This article (Malaysia PM wants proof of wrong doing after new corruption video surfaces) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: Fashion retailer Padini Holdings Berhad denied wrongdoing after several bank accounts were frozen by the Malaysian Anti‑Corruption Commission in a money laundering probe. The freeze involves external counterparties, not management or staff. 

Padini launched an internal compliance review, engaged legal counsel, and assured operations remain unaffected. The group pledged transparency, full cooperation, and updates on material developments.

The beloved fashion label is proudly Malaysian, with outlets across prime shopping destinations nationwide. Branches can be found in major malls such as Tun Razak Exchange, Suria KLCC, and Pavilion Bukit Bintang. On social media, users emphasise that its clothing offers good value, balancing price and quality, reinforcing the brand’s reputation among local shoppers.

Netizens are voicing bold accusations over the situation. On X, one questioned whether Bank Negara Malaysia should intervene if discrepancies exist in the company’s financial records. The user further suggested the issue could be linked to Malaysia’s alleged “corporate mafia” scandal, amplifying public concern and speculation surrounding the case.

Another user raised speculation about whether anyone might seek to take over the long‑standing Malaysian fashion house. The discussion reflects wider curiosity, as the brand has operated for decades without major issues, making current uncertainties more striking to loyal followers and industry observers.

One other user alleged that certain boutiques in shopping malls could serve as money laundering fronts, suggesting some companies may be using retail outlets as a façade to clean illicit funds, fueling speculation and debate online about the legitimacy of such practices in Malaysia’s fashion retail sector.

Despite the accusations, other social media users are defending the brand. One argued that despite accusations, it remains a legitimate business. While a few users claim certain mall outlets are “money laundering fronts,” many counter that Padini stores record strong turnovers, with consistently crowded locations reflecting genuine customer demand.

For Malaysians, finding clothes that are both stylish and affordable remains a challenge. Foreign fast‑fashion labels like Mango and Zara are often priced beyond reach for the masses. Local brands such as Padini fill this gap, offering fashionable, quality apparel at reasonable prices, making them a trusted choice for everyday shoppers across the country.

This article (Fashion brand’s accounts frozen as Malaysia’a anti‑corruption unit acts) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: The Selangor government in Malaysia is in the process of shutting down 114 pig farms in the state, particularly in Tanjung Sepat and Sepang.

This follows the Sultan of Selangor’s decree to address pollution and social harmony concerns.

From now on, licenses for such farms will no longer be renewed, and the state will transition entirely to imports. Plans for a closed livestock centre in Bukit Tagar have also been cancelled.

However, the debate in Malaysia has shifted away from the real reasons the farms are shutting down, with most political parties now focusing on whether statements about the farm closures are ‘disloyal’.

Lately, an assemblywoman, Wong Siew Ki, who hails from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), became the target of the opposition parties in Malaysia, coming under heavy fire from what some are now calling ‘the rightist fraternity’ in the country.

The criticism against Wong is based on the Sultan of Selangor’s express disagreement with pig farming activities in the state. Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar previously called for Wong’s suspension from the Selangor state assembly for being disloyal.

Yesterday, PAS Selangor filed 10 reports on the issue of pig farming and urged police to take firm action against the DAP lawmaker.

Its Youth Chief, Mohamed Sukri Omar, said the reports were filed by PAS divisions across Selangor and the number is expected to rise over time. The question many are asking is whether Wong Siew Ki is championing a modern and innovative pig-rearing industry in Selangor or is being disloyal to the ruler of Selangor.

Despite the attacks against her, Wong Siew Ki stood by her proposal to allow modern, closed-system pig farming in Selangor. According to her, the proposal was based on feedback from residents in her constituency, Sinar Harian reported.

“This is my duty as an assemblyman. Any issues related to the people, we bring to the state assembly,” she was quoted as saying.

In her speech, Wong also touched on equality rights under Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution. She claims pig farming should not be singled out compared to other livestock, as all forms of animal farming carry environmental risks. She also expressed regret that various parties had politicised the issue.

However, several high-profile Malay activists have come out to dissipate the attacks directed at Wong.

Human rights activist and lawyer Siti Kasim and former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim insist the DAP state representative was only raising a matter of public interest. DAP members also defended the lawmaker.

They believe that “a decree is not the law” as Malaysia practices a constitutional monarchy.

DAP lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh felt that the call for Wong to leave the state (call made by opposition parties) or be suspended from the state assembly for up to 12 months “will create a dangerous precedent in silencing elected representatives.”

“No doubt, the Sultan of Selangor did call for an end to pig farming in the state, citing its environmental impact and Selangor’s demographic make-up, which is respected.”

“Wong’s proposal, however, doesn’t, in any way, disrespect this but instead, offers constructive alternative solutions to the issue which should not be dismissed outright for the reasons stated above,” argued the former deputy minister of law and institutional reform and Bukit Gelugor MP in a media statement.

Siti Kasim chastised the pro-PAS elements for “immediately spinning the issue into one of lege-majeste to the Sultan,”  

“This is not about pigs. This is about silencing voices they don’t like. This is not a matter of principle. This is political manipulation,” fumed the advocate in a Facebook post. “Pig farming exists as an industry. It involves economics, public health and management. Issues like this need clear policies – not emotions. But some parties are more comfortable playing with religious and emotional sentiments than discussing real solutions.”

Zaid Ibrahim asserted that “a decree is not the law but merely the language of the Istana (palace) when they give their advice”.

“We aren’t a country governed by Kings of yesteryear. We are a constitutional monarchy,” reminded the opposition-slant United Malay’s National Organisation member. “Any assemblymember can raise any issue of public interest, and they must not be stopped from performing their duties. As pig farming involves a livelihood, you can’t just close it down without exploring all options.”

This article (A ‘pigs tale’ is going viral in Malaysia but for the wrong reasons, draws debate) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

The Democratic Action Party (DAP)’s Chief Minister in Penang, Chow Kon Yeow, said the state has made great strides in the international semiconductor field by building on its existing foundation and keeping up with global trends.

Penang is the only state in Peninsular Malaysia headed by a non-Malay. With the DAP in control, the state’s economy has been revitalised through a shift toward high-value manufacturing (semiconductors, E&E) and services.

Following a political change in 2008, the year DAP won the state elections, Penang adopted business-friendly policies, attracting high foreign investment.

It sustained an average growth of over 5%. By 2024–2025, Penang solidified its role as a global tech hub and a top exporter, achieving a leading GDP per capita in Malaysia.

Even in the face of the impact of the new US tariff policy, the state was still able to maintain stable growth and attract investment.

But for the Chief Minister, the party’s greatest achievement for Malaysia’s political system is the current two-party system.

The country now has a coalition in power with the Pakatan Harapan -of which DAP is a member- in power, and they are in alliance with the former ruling party, Barisan Nasional, alongside the winners from the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak.

There is a coalition in the opposition with the Perikatan Nasional (PN), which ruled the country from 2020 to 2022. The Islamists from PAS is the main ally in PN with former PM Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu as the other ally.

According to Chow DAP, through its founding generation of leaders, it helped the country to realise that no one party is the undisputed champion.

“DAP facilitated the two-party system of checks and balances in Malaysia, which is a major democratic process,” he says.

He says now in Malaysia, no political party can consider itself the ruling party before or after a general election.

The party is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and for Chow, it is the reforms brought in Penang in particular that are also of great importance.

“The Penang Chief Minister’s (two) term limit was also achieved, and allowing governance to flourish after the change of parties is honourable,” said Chow.

PH, with DAP at the helm, governed Penang for 18 years and has left the impression the coalition has given the people in Penang as a state government that puts the people first and takes care of them.

“We have taken good care of the most basic living needs, such as water and electricity supply, urban services and management, garbage disposal, city appearance management and environmental protection, and other livelihood issues, to meet the needs of the people.”

The state promotes itself as a liveable city, actively pushing for large-scale infrastructure projects in recent years, such as the long-awaited Mutiara light rail transit (LRT) system and Silicon Valley Island reclamation project.

“After the unity government came to power (in 2022), the Penang LRT was finally approved, and construction is underway.”

Chow Kon Yeow also said that Penang’s young new voters are the direct beneficiaries of PH governance, and they may have already felt the effects of Penang’s changes during their secondary school years.

Penang’s policies target young people, including institutionalised funding for schools of all streams, various green and environmental protection projects, the “Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics” agenda, and youth volunteer programs.

This article (Penang’s steady growth puts it among Malaysia’s top industrial hubs) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: PM Anwar Ibrahim is well seen by some analysts within Malaysia and outside the country, and they believe he can retain his post as Prime Minister after the next general elections.

But the internet, with social media buzzing about Anwar daily, seems to disagree with analysts. And in Malaysia, if one wants a barometer to gauge what’s up with local politics, social media platforms seem to be the norm.

Before the 2022 elections, there was a massive trend on social media with intense criticism of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government. They were called all sorts of names by pro-PH and pro-Anwar supporters.

One popular name given to PN and its leaders was ‘roof diggers’ and leaders from the ‘Satan move’, which is another name given to the ‘Sheraton move’ of 2020.

During the Sheraton move, many MPs left Anwar’s party to join Muhyiddin Yassin in a new government after the collapse of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s PH-led government.

PH turned out to be the most popular coalition, winning more seats, but not capturing Putrajaya, the government seat, on its own.

The Barisan Nasional had a relatively limited presence on social media. It was already clear in 2022 that BN would not win the elections, and they barely scratched the surface, ending as the fourth group in the running.

The Islamist PAS also had a lot of support on some social media platforms, particularly on TikTok. This translated into a big win for them. They became the biggest single party in the country, winning 44 seats. That was unprecedented;

The current landscape suggests a different ball game for some parties, especially Pakatan Harapan, with parties like PKR drawing more criticism online

Slow reforms, a massive divide in Anwar’s party, and the ‘prestations’ of Anwar as PM have dampened the party’s popularity.

One can say that Anwar and his party have never been that unpopular online. From TikTok to Facebook, the ball has turned against them.

Meanwhile, in June last year, Merdeka Centre gave Anwar an unexpected boost. It said the Unity Government has strong potential to remain in power in the new term after the 16th General Election (GE16).

Merdeka Centre Program Director, Ibrahim Suffian, said this would be the case if there are no major shocks to the country’s economy or political landscape in the near future.

He added that economic issues have remained the focus of the people for the past two decades and are expected to be the determining factor of support for the MADANI administration.

However, the Internet seems unforgiving towards Anwar for basically dropping his reform promises as soon as he became PM.

On Facebook, one commenter had this to say: “His supporters have begun to get angry at how the Madani government is managing the economy while they are struggling.

“Do you think they will vote again in silence? There are Malay candidates from other parties too. PN doesn’t need to worry — global issues are enough to make the people reject PH.”

What’s more interesting is that on the same post on Facebook, there were more than 3000 likes. But more than two-thirds of these likes were laughing emojis.

The users were laughing at the post’s suggestion that:

“Public Support for Anwar Increases. Anwar Could Become Prime Minister Again Even if GE16 Is Held at the End of This Year – Analyst”

This led another Facebook user to say that laughing emojis are plenty, but like emojis are very little.

But some made it clear they have little choice but to vote for Anwar in a fresh election because they do not see good choices from other parties.

“Simply put, it’s like this… If we don’t vote for Anwar, then who are we supposed to vote for? I’m also confused with Malaysian politics,” one noted.

This article (Perceptions of Malaysian PM now differs from analysts to online users) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

KUALA LUMPUR: A 31‑year‑old military officer suspected of drunk driving caused a fatal head‑on collision on the Maju Expressway (MEX), killing a 22‑year‑old Bangladeshi passenger. The suspect failed a breathalyser test, while several others, including the e‑hailing driver who suffered from a head injury and the other passenger, a woman, also sustained injuries. 

Police confirmed the case is being investigated under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. 

The incident comes amid ongoing public debate, with Transport Minister Anthony Loke having faced criticism on social media over calls for stricter penalties for drunk driving.

Reports indicate that the suspected drunk driver was driving on the opposite side of the road prior to the collision. Social media users are outraged with the lack of enforcement from the government. On X, one user boldly claims Malaysia’s laws are overly protective of drunk drivers, warning that the victim in the recent MEX tragedy may never see justice.

Following that, another questioned how many more lives must be lost before enforcement against drunk driving is strengthened. Fatal drunk‑driving accidents remain a central focus for online users, amplifying calls for stricter accountability and reform.

A third argued that public officials should refrain from consuming alcohol, especially while on duty, stressing they must serve as role models for society. Instead, she lamented, the opposite is happening.

One more netizen insisted the perpetrator should never drink alcohol or drive again. Citing the horrific crash that claimed a young man’s life, the user argued he must face manslaughter charges and imprisonment to ensure accountability.

The government has yet to address this recurring problem, as according to statistics, Malaysia continues to grapple with alarming road safety statistics. In 2022, police recorded 545,588 accidents, with 6,080 deaths — nearly 1,500 crashes daily, or one every minute. However, analysts stress that alcohol is not the primary driver of most of these accidents.  

Social media users remain adamant that the government must enforce stricter measures against drunk driving, as tragedies like the recent MEX collision continue to claim lives.

This article (Suspected drunk driving by military officer leaves one dead on Malaysian highway) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: Statelessness is a prominent problem in Malaysia that affects thousands of children, leaving them without legal identity, education, healthcare, or employment opportunities. Citizenship laws, unregistered births, adoption gaps, and Indigenous or refugee backgrounds contribute to the problem. 

For some, mothers face unequal rights in passing nationality, worsening the cycle of invisibility. Despite reforms like the Zero Reject Policy and recent legal rulings, systemic barriers persist, keeping many children vulnerable and excluded from fundamental rights.

A 24‑year‑old man recently shared a heartfelt video on social media about his situation: his mother is Indonesian, his father Bangladeshi, yet he was born in Malaysia. He explained that without citizenship, his future feels uncertain. He fears he may never marry if he remains here, as any children he has could inherit the same struggles. 

Netizens argue that Malaysia should impose stricter rules on marriages involving foreign nationals. One X user claimed immigration laws should ban such unions, warning they contribute to the rise of stateless children. The user further suggested that the government fine individuals who enter into these marriages, framing it as a deterrent against future cases of children left without nationality.

Another netizen argued that Malaysia has endured hardships since before independence, from British colonisation to the Japanese occupation. He claimed that children born here without proper documentation are now “trying” to claim Malaysian citizenship, despite the man in the viral video acknowledging he understood the country’s laws.

A third one shared a personal story of someone she knows: a child of Indonesian and Bangladeshi parentage who was abandoned by her mother after she remarried. She expressed sympathy for the girl, noting that she will almost certainly face a difficult life ahead due to her stateless status and lack of support.

Some netizens expressed sympathy for the young man’s plight but placed blame on his parents, arguing they should have planned better before having a child. Commentators stressed that he did not choose to be born in Malaysia and should not be penalised for circumstances beyond his control. 

Many Malaysians remain uneasy about the presence of immigrants, and frustration deepens when stateless children are born within the country. While public sentiment reflects dissatisfaction, the issue itself is undeniably growing. Without decisive policy actions, the number of stateless children will continue to rise, thus creating long‑term social and legal challenges that Malaysia cannot afford to ignore.

This article (‘My future is uncertain’: Stateless youth in Malaysia shares his reality) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: A 64-year-old is probably finding himself alone after a four-month jail sentence by the Sessions Court in Malaysia after he admitted uploading offensive content online.

His content on Facebook went against the royal institution and was uploaded in August last year. It fell under the sensitive issues of race, religion, and royalty (3R).

This is a new ruling in Malaysia pushed by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and its partners in the Madani regime, headed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The 3R offences are charged under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Many were surprised that the Malaysian government would push for such punishments under the 3R label, something that did not exist in the past, particularly during the time when Anwar and his allies were in the opposition.

Nevertheless, this is the new norm and Mat Derus Ali, the 64-year-old, is not alone in this dilemma. Another man is also facing the courts on the same grounds.

Mat Derus entered his guilty plea before Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman after the charge was read out.

He was accused of knowingly initiating a communication of an offensive nature with the intent to hurt others via his Facebook account at 2:15 a.m. on August 20, 2024.

News reports say the post was later detected at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Tower in Cyberjaya.

The prosecution said the content from Mat Drus amounted to a clear insult to the royal institution and contained elements of racial and religious provocation that could incite hostility.

The judge warned that issues involving 3R are highly sensitive and must not be trivialised.

On the other hand, retired soldier Marzuki Ismail, 52, however, pleaded not guilty to posting an offensive Facebook comment in December last year and is out on bail of RM7,000 with one surety and fixed June 9 for case mention.

He, too, is accused of making and initiating an offensive communication via his account at about 2:30 p.m. on December 22, 2025, with the post later detected at the MCMC Tower in Cyberjaya.

Nevertheless, the opinions are divided on Facebook and other social media platforms.

For example, on Facebook, a comment read:

“Cheating Money reports are classified as No Further Action NFA. Closed account cheque report NO Action.”

This is probably in relation to cases involving people in positions of power, either in institutions or companies.

Meanwhile, another user defended the jailing of the elderly man, saying, “Never underestimate threats to the security and Prosperity of our nation by Kepala Angin types. The Court has acted correctly to ensure the smooth running of our nation. The Rukun Negara needs to be the Foundation for a successful Administration and for the rakyat to function.”

People are also joking on TikTok. “Why did some not push the Tin Milo to help the uncle? Pity the uncle,” noted one.

Tin Milo is a term used for the Islamic party PAS, which is yet another local joke on how the party would use Milo tins to collect funds for their members who have to pay hefty fines.

This article (Race, Religion & Royalty laws in focus after 64-year-old jailed in Malaysia) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.