Artwork by Dina Gazizova on Unsplash.

Click, clack, click, clack. Sent.

An hour slips by, then two, three…

Still no reply? Four, five.

Uneasiness creeps into my heart. I stared, eyes fixated on the wall, fingers twitching, absorbed and lost in my own stream of thoughts and feelings. I stared and stared at the wall, trapped in my bubble of maybes and what-ifs. The double blue ticks stared back at me, unwavering. Maybe I’ve said something wrong. Maybe they’re busy.

Thoughts tangle. I unravel. I spiral down

down

down.

As humans, this is normal. We tend to fixate on the bad, the inconveniences, the worst-case scenarios, while discarding all the good things altogether. Rick Hanson, a neuropsychologist and founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, describes the brain as a ‘Velcro for negative experiences, but Teflon for positive ones’. This phenomenon is known as the ‘negativity bias’, where the brain is lopsided, making it far easier to pick up, store, and recall negative experiences as they are evaluated to have more powerful effects than positive ones of objectively equal magnitude. This can be seen in our everyday lives, where one negative feedback trumps all other positive feedback, where one minor inconvenience ruins our entire mood, and where a single rude comment outweighs a dozen compliments. This is a direct reflection of the negativity bias deeply ingrained into human nature.

Negativity Bias in Early Days

Throughout evolutionary history, organisms were better attuned and highly responsive to immediate threats in their environment. These threats included intertribal conflicts, predatory attacks, and environmental hazards such as prolonged droughts and natural disasters. Hence, the negativity bias functioned as a form of protection; it was, and still is to this day, a survival skill that enables humans to react swiftly to potentially life-threatening situations, often drawing the fine line between life and death. To put it simply, the more attention our ancestors paid to negative stimuli, the greater their chances of survival were in hostile environments. Consequently, this survival ‘instinct’ likely contributed to the transmission of human genes, embedding the negativity bias across generations.

For instance, a person who overlooks the possibility of a positive outcome may only experience regret for having missed an opportunity, such as a job promotion or successfully striking a deal, but nothing directly bad will arise as a result - the most would be disappointment, regret, or possibly self-doubt. In contrast, a person who ignores imminent danger, the possibility of a negative outcome, will likely end up injured or, in the most catastrophic of outcomes, dead. Hence, Daniel Kahneman, an Israeli-American psychologist and economist, observed that ‘organisms that treat threats as more urgent than opportunities have a better chance to survive and reproduce’.

Losses Cut Deeper Than Gains

In the present day, the negativity bias has evolved into a powerful psychological mechanism that fuels and drives human behaviour; it remains one of the most compelling motivators known to mankind. To illustrate this, many of us are familiar with cautionary statements from our parents, such as warnings that failure to study and work hard will result in undesirable outcomes including struggling to secure stable employment and facing socio-economic hardship. These negatively framed, repeated messages exert a stronger psychological impact than positively framed alternatives, such as encouragement that hard work will lead to success. Similarly, it is more effective for a physician to emphasise the risk of developing lung cancer when persuading a smoker to give up smoking, rather than highlighting the many benefits of improved lung health. These illustrations affirm Kahneman’s view that ‘losses loom larger than gains’ when directly compared against each other.

Psychologically, the pain of losing is twice as powerful as the pleasure of gaining; therefore, the way in which an outcome is framed, whether in a positive or negative context, determines how driven we are to complete a specific task. By nature, our motivation and determination are amplified when we are completing a task to avoid a loss rather than to achieve a gain. This phenomenon is also referred to as the ‘loss aversion bias’, where the brain is essentially wired to avoid losses at all costs.

The Social Sting

It is natural for humans to possess an innate desire to belong and be accepted into social groups. Hence, even subtle signs of dislike or exclusion can evoke strong emotional responses. For example, if a friend casually remarks that one’s taste in music is weird or gives a backhanded comment, that split second of a moment is likely to imprint itself deeply into our memory, lingering far longer than a compliment. As a result, we would pay more attention to our perceived shortcomings and develop a desire to hide these perceived flaws. We then become trapped in a perpetuating cycle of bombarding questions at ourselves.

It is then vital to draw the line between being cautious and constantly scrutinising negative memories. Cautiousness is, without a doubt, a good trait to possess; however, when our brains shift from healthy vigilance and tip into the realm of negativity bias, decision-making no longer becomes rooted in logical analysis, but rather influenced by distorted reasoning. This ultimately leads to irrational or poorly thought choices.

Is It All Bad?

It may seem, based on the discussion above, that the negativity bias is a cognitive tendency that we should approach with caution and avoid letting it consume us entirely. However, the negativity bias can, in certain contexts, do us some good. The bias can function as a reinforcement-learning mechanism for us by providing greater sensitivity to punishment, reminding us to avoid similar negative consequences in the future.

In today’s world, society and especially the media often emphasise the maxim and importance of staying positive, promoting optimism through and through, but let’s be real - staying positive all the time is neither realistic nor sustainable. The complexity of human emotion makes suppressing negative feelings in the name of constant positivity counterproductive. Therefore, while the negativity bias is often painted as a flaw, it is far from entirely detrimental. It has been rooted in our evolutionary need to ensure survival, and this bias has served humanity well throughout history, sharpening us in high-stakes situations. Still, the negativity bias may pose risks such as anxiety and distorted perceptions of ourselves if it goes unchecked.

After all, the negativity bias back then was for venomous snakes and woolly mammoths. Today, it is triggered by a side-eye during lunch or a friend who didn’t reply to your message.

6 hours and counting and still no reply…

Written by: Hee Jo Ee

Edited by: Subiksha

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Byronism as a Whole

“Tall, dark and handsome”, this phrase is commonly associated with the image of the ideal man, the picturesque version of masculinity. The very existence of this archetype can be attributed to the infamous Lord Byron, a 19th-century English poet. Brilliant as he was, his works spread far and wide, with notable examples being “Don Juan” and “She Walks in Beauty.” This traction inevitably led to him being considered one of the greatest poets of all time, paving the way for writers to come. Now, you may wonder, how exactly did he birth the rise of the Byronic man? Well, for one, he typically moulded his characters after himself. Known for his debauchery and cynicism, his characters — unsurprisingly — bear the same traits, often leading to some tragedy in their lives. These tragic heroes ultimately found a place in readers’ hearts, perceived as the pinnacle of male virtues.

Moving on to another question, what exactly defines a Byronic man? A Byronic man is someone who silently broods in a corner, gazing at the world in contempt for misunderstanding his troubled heart- after all, how could society’s fickle mind comprehend his lustrous intellect? This self-loathing leads to him engaging in self-destructive behaviour, which ultimately causes his ruin. This general description doesn’t truly do the archetype justice, yet it does capture its essence — the self-perceived superiority of a dysfunctional man, aware of his flaws but unwilling to work on them. Yet, how can a simple literary trope affect our daily lives?

To begin, we must understand that Byronism is quite human - it was crafted by a troubled man. Hence, it should come as no surprise that the people we meet also display Byronic qualities. However, this is more evident when we examine more popular figures, such as celebrities appearing on our phone screens and in magazines. A name that instantly comes to mind is Marlon Brando, known as an aficionado who rebelled against the systemic mistreatment of people of colour in the United States of America. The same can be said for the “Lizard King” Jim Morrison and James Dean, who is remembered as a “rebel without a cause.” The Byronic man is a rebel who refuses to accept societal norms, bringing waves of progress and change. Nonetheless, over time, the essence of the older Byronic man has been diluted, merely a distant memory for baby boomers to recall. Seeing that many grew up idolising these men, they interpret it as the standard of masculinity, believing that they must be suave and buff, with words that flow as sweet as honey. Sadly, that is a poor representation of the Byronic male archetype, resulting in extreme deviations from the standard.

The rise of Byronic characters has influenced young, vulnerable men to adopt this unhealthy lifestyle, leading to issues regarding their self-esteem. Numerous Byronic characters exist in our media, from Batman to Edmond Dantès, which exposes us to this ideal from a young age. They question their masculinity, believing that they, too, need to live up to a particular image. This inadvertently leads to a toxic relationship with their masculinity. Hence, they opt to mask their true identity, choosing to conform to the societal convention of masculinity. This doesn’t do them any justice, but they learn to suppress their feelings by pretending that they are “strong men.” As of now, we know that men are more likely to experience mental health problems, and trying to fit into a box they weren’t meant to accommodate, only to further exacerbate this problem. Losing their vulnerability hinders meaningful connection and growth, causing a gap in human connection.

As aforementioned, the classic Byronic hero broods away in isolation, feeling judged and misunderstood. Unfortunately, this remains the case today, with the “alpha male” mindset spreading like wildfire. This philosophy, which often leads to a reluctance to treat others as equals, is genuinely alarming. For instance, the “alpha males” think that men are intellectually superior to women and believe that they own the rights to women’s bodies. This not only strips away women’s bodily autonomy, which we have fought so hard for but also goes against basic human decency. Lacking basic compassion and empathy is an indirect consequence of extreme interpretations of the Byronic male archetype. This sets back years of progress and evolution, which leads to biases against either sex. Men are often taught to keep to themselves, and overall, there is a lack of understanding within the community. Thus, it shouldn’t come as a shock that the essence of being human is completely forgotten.

What Exactly Is Byronic?

Characters like Mr Rochester and Heathcliff are commonly referred to as the classic Byronic Males, setting the standard for the rest that came after. Primarily due to the influence of Gothic literature, most people idealise these figures. Byronism has become so normalised in our society that it indirectly influences our daily lives. Take, for instance, the typical authoritarian figure present in corporate and political spaces. The most charismatic leaders tend to possess Byronic qualities, such as an air of command and superiority. This, unfortunately, creates a disadvantage for women in these spaces.

Women are shaped from a young age to be kind and compassionate, to be gentle and open with those around them. These traits strikingly contrast with the traditional “masculine traits”, which don’t leave much room for women’s empathy and softness. However, Byronic women are not received well by society either, often mocked for being too “overbearing” and “bossy”. This societal pressure to balance the duality of their nature creates a no-win scenario for women, where they are bound to lose either way, hindering their professional growth and evolution. This also sheds light on the discrimination faced by women in the workforce, with the prevalence of the “wage gap” and the general stigma surrounding mothers.

The societal roles set for women and men are jarringly different, causing inequality in professional spaces. Nevertheless, this issue truly boils down to a lack of respect for women. Let’s face it: even today, women are still not viewed as equals — women are perceived as burdens and intellectually inferior, with little to no substance. This stereotype has been perpetuated by years and years of misogyny, from the lack of accreditations for women’s contributions to science and literature to the belief that women shouldn’t take up as much space as men. This also describes why so little research is done on women, blaming our “hormonal fluctuations” and calling our dissatisfaction a result of “PMS.” There is little incentive to understand our struggles, to uplift and support us or to ensure fair play. Byronism has set the standard male archetype, and it is one that we have clung to for so long that any perspective that challenges it is immediately dismissed. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Byronism harms men. Men who disobey this role are often perceived as weak or too feminine.

What Can Be Done?

From all that we’ve discussed, we can see that the Byronic hero archetype should no longer set the standard for modern masculinity. The archetype only propagates a harmful narrative where turbulence and emotional dysfunction are normalised. By raising awareness about the limitations of Byronism, we can hopefully make people realise that the image they have been indoctrinated to believe is only a manufactured concoction with no place in the real world beyond the pages of a book. The appeal of the Byronic hero should be taken as an inspiration to promote self-discovery and seek healthier alternatives for self-expression. Instead of looking up to a typical Byronic character, we should opt for other options, like Mr Darcy, who outgrows his cynicism for the sake of stability and connection. These alternative Byronic characters suggest that the first step towards self-improvement is recognising that your negative traits are tarnishing your identity and individuality. Nonetheless, a world where Byronism is no longer romanticised is the key to a wholesome and equal society.

Written by: Rasshmika Nantha Kumar

Edited by: Bryan Lue

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With a black graduation cap and certificate in hand, many students dream of the day they receive that long awaited email from their dream college or university. Parents yelp in joy, overwhelmed with pride. For years, these teenagers had sacrificed their sleep, hobbies, and even mental health – all for a single goal: an admission in a top tier university. American teenagers pack their schedules with AP classes and various extracurriculars; some have even started full scale non-profit organisations or careers in high school.

Global market research firm Ipsos reported that 74% of Malaysians agreed on a strong emphasis on tertiary education for success.1 Many students aim to pursue an education with hopes of getting into top universities or colleges. However, do problems arise when the sole goal of learning is for the sake of completing a tertiary education?

The Dream University

According to a series of interviews conducted by The New York Times, American high schoolers around the states have expressed similar dissatisfaction in their jam-packed schedules, shedding some light on their deteriorated wellbeing caused by learning.2 The constant desire for academic validation pressured them to excel, to check boxes off in college admission criterias. Students are willing to make absurd commitments for a glimpse of hope - catching the college admission’s eyes among the sea of applications.

I’ve also gotten the opportunity to interview a couple of students studying in Malaysia, completing pre-university courses in colleges or in their final years of secondary education, about their learning schedules. Many of them are pursuing academically intense courses and are taking their shot at top universities and competitive courses. With that being said - let’s discover if overworking creates a problem in learning, particularly in shaping their goals for pursuing an education.

Balance between Social Life and Academics

Adam, a Cambridge A-Levels student at Taylor’s College, is currently taking Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science as his subjects. He is looking forward to pursuing a degree in Computer Science in the University of Manchester, United Kingdom - and residing in Manchester in hopes of expanding his career as an AI developer or software engineer.

Adam typically starts his day at 4 AM to care for his pets and get ready for school. As a morning person, he prefers revising at the crack of dawn before college starts. Classes usually start around 8 AM and end at 5 PM for him as an A-Levels student, with breaks in the middle which he would utilise for studying or hanging out with friends. Arriving home at 6 PM, he enjoys a couple hours of rest before completing some further revision, hitting the sack between 11 PM to 12 AM every night.

Despite his seemingly tedious schedule, Adam expresses contentment with his learning experience as he enjoys the flexibility of his college timetable. He is happy to maintain a balance between hanging out with friends and studying subjects he is passionate about. When asked about his goal of pursuing an education, Adam states that his goal is to ‘be able to network and find like-minded individuals’ through his career, giving him that stability he needed in life. Regarding his personal views on learning, he points out that the act of learning has significantly shaped him into the person he is now.

Looking at a Less Tedious Schedule

Sarah, studying Australian Matriculation at Sunway College, is currently taking Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science and looking forward to pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in science in the University of Melbourne.

Sarah’s day typically starts around 8 AM to 10 AM, having 3 to 4 classes a day with an hour-long break in the middle, although her schedule varies day to day. Although her college is near a bustling shopping mall, her schedule does not allow her to frequently hang out at the mall with her friends. She transports to college via a shuttle everyday right before and after class.

As for her opinion on her schedule, not only does she think that her schedule is lenient, but also finds the course ‘quite the bare minimum’. She points out that compared to secondary school, she isn’t required to wake up early in the morning at 6 AM and attend a full day of 6 classes in college, not to mention that her workload had also decreased. Although her schedule is not demanding, her course has a crammed exam schedule, thus she has to study constantly.

The intensity of the course due to the constant examinations trains her time management ability due to the time constraints. ‘And of course at this stage of education, the purpose is prominently because of university’, stating that her goal of pursuing an education currently is also for a tertiary education.

Working on Discipline

Xin Ning, currently studying pure science in a national school (sekolah kebangsaan), is in her final year in secondary school, taking the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) this year. Her course consists of mostly STEM related subjects, such as Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Currently, she is interested in pursuing medicine in a university abroad.

Xin Ning’s school days usually end from 1 PM to 5 PM, and would end earlier on Fridays due to prayers. She describes her schedule as a ‘do what you like’ routine, explaining that she does not follow a strict schedule, rather depending on her varying discipline to study. She expressed her dissatisfaction in her lack of consistency in her current schedule, as she thinks there would be better ways to utilise her time, thus aiming to improve her time management.

Rather than her schedule shaping her learning, she thinks that her attitude plays a bigger factor in her learning, especially in terms of managing her time. Due to her varying schedule, for example; changes due to exam seasons, she believes that her attitude towards learning affects her learning more than her schedule. ‘I enjoy the learning process,’ she remarked, thus she does not think that her schedule affects her learning much.

Wanting to Get Into Your Dream University - Is There a Problem?

‘Goal theory’ is an educational psychology that studies the motivation to learn, exploring the relationship between a determined goal and actual performance of a student. As discussed above, many students are pursuing their education in hopes of getting a tertiary education. However, how does this goal affect their learning process?

According to Ryan & Deci (2000)3, intrinsic goals demonstrate a student’s interest in a learning task based on its quality, a preferable goal for learning as it ensures a meaningful and sustainable learning. However, most students' goals in learning, as explored above, are extrinsic goals. These goals are motivated by college admissions, grades, rewards or approval, rather than a genuine interest and passion in the learning content. Learning driven solely by extrinsic goals creates shallow learning in students, although beneficial for short term goals such as college admissions or outstanding academic performances, it hinders in-depth, analytical learning in further life.

Focalisation on extrinsic goals, especially college admissions, induces stress in students. Hundreds of bright minded students are crossing a narrow bridge in hopes for a seat at their dream university. This could be a major contribution towards stress rather than an intensive schedule. Students feel the need to load their schedules with extracurriculars and honor classes just to stand out in the pool of applicants with straight As. ‘A is the most popular high school grade in America ', Tim Donohue, an English high school teacher states in an New York Times article regarding ‘grade inflation’: 47% of American high schoolers graduate with grades in the A range in 2016, predominantly in high income areas.4 The rapidly decreasing acceptance rate of top colleges is the prominent reason for a student’s obsession with extrinsic goals.

Extrinsic goals prevent effective and beneficial learning and induce mental health issues for students. The American Institute of Stress reveals that students rate their stress level on an average of 5.8 on a 10 point scale, compared to adults scoring an average of 3.8. Negative emotions and even major mental health issues such as anxiety and depression is a distinct issue in up to 70% of American students.5 The competitive nature of such a learning environment drains their wellbeing into a critical state.

Learning Doesn’t Just Happen in School, It Happens at Home

The fundamentals of learning do not begin in school – it begins with parenting. A child’s dependency and attachment to parental figures in their early stages leads to parents being the windows to their perception of the world. It is undeniable that parenting plays an essential role in learning. Thus, issues arising from learning are significantly affected by parenting.

An iPad Kid’s Learning

Screen time is a major concern in parenting in the modern era. Many parents are aware of the dangers of excessive screen time in children: lack of attention span, overstimulation, decrease cognitive skills are all problems parents are warned about, that all severely hinders a child’s learning development. However, parents expressed the impracticality of totally prohibiting screen time to children. Parents appreciate the free time acquired from moments their children spend with the screen, whether it is to do chores, pack their bags, or even have a bathroom break. CNA interviewed parents to understand what changed their minds from deciding to create an entirely ‘screen-free’ environment for their children before birth, to allowing mobile phones to their 10 and 11-year-old children.6 Mr Yuen, a parent, expressed that it would be difficult to completely prohibit screen time in parenting, especially in this digital era.

Parents have to balance limiting screen time and giving children technological freedom, using technology as a learning tool instead of impairing learning. Although excessive technology use severely impairs learning, it is essential for learning too. Choosing the right educational content and limiting screen time allows children to learn through technology. According to Parent, ‘removing the guilt of raising an iPad kid’ should be normalised despite the heavy criticism of using screen time in parenting, as it is nearly impossible to create an entirely screen-free environment.7

Parenting Strategies For a Child’s Learning Prowess

The effectiveness of learning may not be entirely reflected by academic content in school, but rather the type of parenting a child grows up in.

Findings shown in the study ‘Effect of Parenting Styles Strategies on Emotional Intelligence and Academic Achievement of Adolescents’ reveals the effect parenting styles, authoritarian, permissive and neglectful, has on a child’s learning.8 In terms of academic achievements, authoritarian parenting shows the highest academic results compared to the rest. Its effects are also sustainable because children raised in authoritarian parenting maintain high academic performances in college, due to qualities such as intrinsic motivation and self efficacy nurtured. Compared to an adolescent who grew up in a negligent family, these adolescents adapt to low failure expectations and task-irrelevant behaviours, holding the key qualities to a successful academic journey. This demonstrates the possibility that a student’s problems in learning are caused not necessarily by their school learning environment or content, but rather the parenting style they are brought up in. The study proves that parenting could either negatively or positively affect learning.

However, factoring in peer relationships among adolescents, parenting may not be the only factor affecting a child’s learning. In fact, it is difficult for parents to control or supervise their teenager’s friendship. Peer influence could change a teenager’s attitude towards learning as much as parental influence, or even more.

There Is No Definite Answer

Goals, schedules, pressure, technology, parenting, peer influence - there is no isolated obstacle to pinpoint when it comes to learning. It is a multi-dimensional, complex topic, hence we mustn't point fingers or blame a singular factor that contributes to it. Rather, we should try to encourage certain positive qualities that have been proven to be beneficial in tackling these problems in learning.

Written by: Olivia Teo

Edited by: Airissya Qistina Putri

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Are you the kind of person who always has tons of exciting plans in your mind, but never gets them started? Or maybe you’re someone who starts with full energy… only to give up halfway, struggling to persevere till the very end?

Let’s be honest, starting something new feels exciting. Whether it’s your first step towards financial freedom, your journey to enter a top university, or simply picking up a new hobby — the motivation is there, the ideas are fresh, and your heart races with anticipation.

Maybe you were pumped up to start learning how to invest, to finally understand the stock market. Or maybe you told yourself, “This time, I’m going to study smart and ace my exams.” Or you made up your mind to exercise regularly, master the guitar or even just fix your sleep schedule. The desire was real. The intention was sincere. But then… somewhere along the way — a few days, a few weeks or maybe even a few hours in, it just… faded.

Why? I’m assuming that none of us starts a race just to stop halfway. We don’t begin a journey just to quit in the middle of nowhere. We run to win the race! We chase our goals because we believe they matter. BUT, why is it so hard to follow through? Why do we begin with so much excitement but often fail to carry through? Why is it so hard to get started?

Most people fall into one of the two categories: One, you procrastinate and never get started at all; or two, you start with excitement, but can’t seem to finish what you began.

In today’s article, I want to focus on the first part of the equation — starting strong. Because finishing well begins with starting right.

The Real Challenge of Starting Strong

Most people blame it on procrastination. But if we dig deeper, the real root is often fear.

“Procrastination is not a time-management problem, it’s an emotion-management problem.”
— Dr. Tim Pychyl, Associate Professor of Psychology at Carleton University, Canada1

Why fear? For some, it’s the fear of failure — "What if I try and don’t succeed? There’s this belief that if you don’t finish something well, it’s better not to start at all. Because that way, you have a fallback excuse — “Yeah, I didn’t do great because I didn’t even try,” or “I’m pretty sure it’s not that hard, I just didn’t bother to start.”

For others, it’s the fear of the process itself — "It looks so overwhelming. It’s going to take too long, be too hard. I wouldn’t know where to start." Instead of facing that discomfort, we take the easy way out — reaching for what’s convenient and instantly satisfying, like ³ doomscrolling through social media, watching a short YouTube video or grabbing a snack. Anything but starting. Over time, this kind of fear slowly morphs into anxiety — and anxiety, ultimately, is the enemy of action.

How to Overcome Fear and Start Strong?

To be honest, I’m still learning how to start strong — even now. So whatever I’m about to share with you isn’t some foolproof formula, but simply what I’ve learned through my own experience.

I’ve always been someone who found it easy to justify procrastination — “I’m not in the mood,” or “I’ll start later, when I feel more motivated.” Sounds familiar?

But if I’m really honest with myself, it wasn’t just about mood — it was fear. Fear of failure. Fear of not being good enough. Fear that I’d mess it up before I even had the chance to try. So, instead of starting, I’d delay. I’d wait for the “perfect moment” — which, of course, never really came.

And this pattern continued until one particular experience changed the way I saw things — I was suddenly thrown into a situation where I had no choice but to act. I was elected as the President of a club in high school, with no prior leadership experience, no idea how to run a team and certainly no clue how to organise projects.

My first instinct? Panic.

I wanted to hide, avoid meetings, delay decision-making — anything but take charge. I was terrified I’d mess everything up. But when the first project came around, I had no choice. Everyone was counting on me.

So I told myself, “Just do one thing. Just give one instruction. Just one step.” And that tiny step changed everything. After that first move, the rest started flowing naturally. Step by step, things began to fall into place. The task wasn’t as impossible as I had imagined. The fear was bigger in my mind than it was in reality.

That year, I ended up organising nearly 20 projects — something I never thought I’d be capable of. From never leading a single event to managing an entire year’s worth of initiatives. Who would’ve thought? I realised that the biggest thing holding me back wasn’t lack of skill or experience — it was fear and overthinking.

Once I broke that undesirable cycle of “Overthinking → Fear → Procrastination”, I was no longer stuck and started moving forward. So if there’s one thing I’ve learned — it’s this: You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start.

Take one step. Do one small thing.

Momentum will follow.

What Took Me a Day in My Head Took 2 Hours in Reality

But it didn’t just stop there. When I started my part-time job as a poster designer, that same fear crept in again. I found myself reluctant to even begin designing, because in my mind, it felt like creating just one poster would take an entire day. I kept thinking about all the effort involved — finding the right content, drafting the layout, choosing the colour theme, picking the right fonts and images…the list of tedious details went on. It felt overwhelming, and honestly, I’d rather resist the process entirely. I’d much rather relax and watch a movie instead.

But since it was a work responsibility, I had no choice but to begin. To my surprise, the process wasn't nearly as difficult or time-consuming as I had imagined. What I thought would take an entire day only took two hours!

The key takeaway? Things often seem harder in our heads than they actually are. Our fear of starting is usually fueled by overthinking and exaggeration of how difficult a task may be. But once you push past that mental barrier and just begin, you’ll realise that the process is far more manageable than you thought — don’t let fear or assumptions paralyse you.

The Pathway to Starting Strong

Here are a few of my simple but effective formulas to get started:

1. Don’t Overthink — Just Do One Small Thing

When you're overwhelmed, don't try to tackle everything at once. Whether it’s replying to that one email, opening your textbook or starting your PowerPoint slides — just do one thing.

You don’t need to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.

Tell yourself: “I’ll do this for just 5 minutes.” Instead of saying, “I’m going to start to finish my whole assignment,” say, “I’ll open my laptop and just write the title.” Often, that tiny start is all it takes to get past the fear barrier — and once you begin, you’re in the flow and won’t want to stop!

2. Accept That Fear Will Be There — Start Anyway

Fear means growth is on the way. And most of the time, the actual process is easier and far less scary than the mental drama you put yourself through.

Instead of focusing on all the negative possibilities, shift your mindset to what success looks like and how you can achieve it. Replace “What if I can’t do it?” with “What can I do? How can I do it?” and remind yourself of the success waiting ahead. This way, you won’t be trapped in overwhelming anxiety but will stay active and motivated to get started. Little by little, the fear fades, and your confidence grows!

3. Lower the Bar — Then Raise It as You Go

Perfectionism is procrastination in disguise. You don’t need to start perfectly. You don’t need your first draft, your first workout or your first project to be amazing. You just need it to exist.

Starting badly is better than not starting at all — because you can’t improve a blank page, but you can edit a messy one.

In a nutshell, the key to starting strong is simple — as the Nike slogan goes, JUST DO IT! You don’t need to be ready, you just need to begin!

Written by: Samantha Chieng

Edited by: Bryan Lue

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School plays a major part in our society: it is our first exposure to literacy, problem-solving skills, social issues – to put it simply, our first exposure to the entire world. It is unsurprising that throughout the world, we are constantly discussing and debating the right way to shape our system as ideally as possible, raising intelligent, critical thinkers who will contribute to society.

Most of us walk into school every day and might wonder: Why are we learning this? For many of us, the purpose of education may seem unclear. Why do we need to memorise the Pythagorean theorem? Why do we have to identify a simile and a metaphor?

We assume school is our stepping stone to a prosperous career, moulding future generations to be ready for the workforce. However, that may be far from reality–many employers face challenges of finding a suitable candidate equipped with the right skills, a phenomenon identified by Forbes 2025 as ‘skill gap’.1 Our education system has created millions of ‘academic robots’, but not a leader and critical thinker that many employers are fishing for among the sea of applicants. This leads us to ponder: What is the true purpose of the education system? And what school hasn’t taught us, that leads to so many of us being unprepared for the world of the workforce?

China: The Classic Exam-based System

As a rapidly developing country, the Chinese education system aims to build a strong foundation in technical skills rather than soft skills to meet the demanding economy. Memorisation is a major focus in the system, from formulas in mathematics to classical texts and poems in literacy classes. It is believed that a strong foundation is essential to achieve a deep and comprehensive understanding.2

It is well regarded that Chinese students are academically capable; however, there is a scarcity of ‘outstanding’ Chinese performers relative to their large population. Compared to India, having a lower GDP per capita and education attainment than China, India managed to produce many more standouts than China.3 Many CEOs of prestigious industries such as Google, Microsoft, and Adobe are of Indian origin. According to The Times of India, up to 62% of Indian-origin leaders graduated from Indian institutions.4 Given their high academic achievements, it is striking that they have significantly fewer outstanding performers.

Due to the system’s intense focus on memorisation and exam scores, many Chinese students lack creativity, critical thinking and imagination – fundamental skills for cultivating outstanding performers. Chinese students are seen as reserved and obedient, not only due to their rigid learning system but also their classroom ethics. Teachers are placed on a high pedestal, posing as highly respected, authoritative figures.5 This prevents students from questioning or challenging ideas, hindering the development of critical and creative thinking. Due to the memorisation and obedience towards authority, Chinese students lack the skills to take on leadership or innovative roles in society.

United Kingdom: Lack of Respect for Teachers

The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer remarked that the greatest challenge faced by teachers is, surprisingly, a ‘lack of respect’.6 The striking contrast between classroom dynamics in China and the UK illustrates two extremes: rigid obedience versus excessive liberty.

According to NASUWT, a major teachers’ union of 17500, a survey shows that a third of teachers do not feel respected as professionals.7 The recent Netflix hit, Adolescence, depicts a chaotic portrayal of British state schools: disruptive students, addiction to social media, teachers’ lack of authority over students, slothful teaching methods, severe bullying and violence and lack of discipline. Many English teachers had expressed their shock at the accuracy of the show’s depiction.8

A lack of respect for teachers, by both parents and students, deters bright and qualified teachers from entering the position. Without authority, many teachers struggle to conduct lessons effectively as they can’t manage disruptive and uncooperative students. This leads to immense pressure placed upon teachers’ shoulders, thus they are unable to deliver a good quality education.

British students have been falling behind their expected standards due to the declining quality of education. For example, their mathematical skills lag behind those of their Shanghainese peers of the same age by 3 years. According to the OECD, the UK is ranked 25th in the world for reading, 28th for maths and 16th for science, a disappointing outcome given the investment poured into education and the advanced economy. Students' lack of respect towards teachers hinders the quality of education, consequently leading to a failure of students to perform up to standard.

Issue with the Age-based Progression Schooling System

The purpose of the education system is to ‘empower learners to be adaptive, ethical and collaborative’, said Ms. Hema A/P Letchamanan, setting the tone for her views about the education system. I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Hema, a senior lecturer at Taylor’s University School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management.

Ms. Hema pointed out the gap in education because of the age-based progression schooling system. For a long time, she focused on the accessibility of schooling for disadvantaged children, but then realised another problem: ‘Just because someone is going to school, doesn’t mean they’re learning.’ She pointed out that students often move from year one to year two without fully understanding the content they learned in year one, making it difficult for them to catch up with the increasing difficulty each year. Particularly, children who did not have the privilege to attend early childhood education are unable to catch up with the curriculum in their first year of primary schooling, as the primary curriculum assumes they had preschool knowledge. They are ‘disadvantaged from the first day of formal schooling’, Ms. Hema mentioned, especially in a country like Malaysia, where early education is not compulsory.

Importance of Literacy

She also addressed the gap in students’ literacy skills and its detrimental effects on their education. She recounted encounters with secondary students who possessed literacy skills equivalent to those of Year 2 or 3 students, emphasising how crucial literacy is within the curriculum. If a student’s literacy is not up to standard, they are unable to understand any other subjects. Mathematics requires students to read hefty and lengthy questions, while science also requires a foundation in literacy to understand its content. A lack of literacy prompted many students to drop out of school because of their inability to understand the curriculum. This is the reason why she started ProjekBacaBaca, a volunteer-based programme aimed at bridging the learning poverty gap, especially for children in B40 families.

Coexistence Between Artificial and Human Intelligence

The purpose of the education system is to ‘empower learners to be adaptive, ethical and collaborative’. Specifically, the coexistence between human intelligence and machine intelligence. Due to the rapidly emerging artificial intelligence, the education modules have become outdated. Academic information can be easily obtained at the fingertips; therefore, what is the purpose of assessing students based on their academic knowledge? Many students find the work and content they're learning a waste of time, as they can easily access this information online much quicker. Rather, the system should teach students how to utilise AI in their learning. For instance, putting in the right prompts to get the correct answer and verifying accurate information online. Incorporating these elements into a learning module would be much more beneficial than the current traditional learning. However, this is an extremely new aspect for the education system. Many modules have yet to integrate machine learning into their modules.

Employers see education as the ‘pipeline for future-ready talents’, said Ms Hema. In the current digital age, employers are seeking skills AI cannot replicate, such as cross-cultural communication, ethical judgement and adaptability. Currently, graduates are employed with academic knowledge and digital literacy; on the other hand, they lack adaptability and agility, unable to adjust to the expeditiously changing workplace environment. Partly, this is due to their lack of exposure before entering the workforce. Ms. Hema described students as being in a ‘bubble’ before entering the workforce, confined inside the comfort of their parents’ home. Thus, many of them are unable to withstand the challenges faced at work, facing the risk of unemployment. This aligns with the Malaysian youth unemployment rate in 2025, as DOSM shows a 10.3% for Malaysian youth aged 15 to 30.9

More students have become increasingly aware of the flaws of the traditional education system. Many of them realised that content and knowledge can be gained much more easily and quickly with machine intelligence. Ms. Hema described this current conflict between AI and traditional learning as a ‘trial and error period’, where learning modules had not been fully adapted to the current technological advancement. Students are getting agitated as they’ve realised what they’re learning may be a waste of time. Yet, they also do not have the skills that employers seek in applicants. In summary, the current education system has yet to adapt to the accelerating accessibility of information.

What Is the Next Step?

Across different cultures, every nation has its unique problems in its education system that may not cater to its current demands. Especially in the digital era, the system requires adapting quickly to changes. However, traditional academic modules had dominated education for a long time, focusing on imparting information rather than developing soft skills beneficial for entering the workforce. The education system still fails to teach us what we truly need.

Written by: Olivia Teo

Edited by: Subiksha Nair

P.S. Remember to leave a ❤️ if you’ve enjoyed our articles!

In an industry as competitive and ever-changing as the music industry, it can be challenging for some artists to find their footing; nonetheless, there are some exceptions. With the correct marketing tactics, you may find yourself on the Billboard Hot 100.

A good example of this is beloved pop singer Sabrina Carpenter. What most don’t know is that before she was singing in sold-out stadiums, she had a decade-old music career going all the way back to her Disney days, when she starred in shows such as Girl Meets World. She wasn’t particularly unknown, but she was definitely not topping music charts with every release like she is now. But what exactly birthed the icon she is now in the pop scene? To find out precisely what, we need to dive back to the beginning.

Rise to the Top

Sabrina’s song titled ‘Nonsense’, which was released back in 2022, was the start of her steady path to selling millions of albums. The single was well received by the public, going viral on TikTok and other platforms. Not only was it catchy, but it also showed a side of Sabrina that nobody, at least not the general pop listener, had ever seen. What followed next was her album ‘Short and Sweet', and it sure was a sweet album indeed. The title track ‘Espresso’ gave Sabrina a distinct sound and style.

Every performance showcased her signature platform boots and babydoll dresses. This was greatly amplified when she went on tour — The Short and Sweet Tour. Alongside ‘Espresso’, other songs on the album gained popularity rapidly as fans started posting her dynamic performances on social media. Currently, Sabrina is one of the world's most listened to artists, with 65 million listeners monthly on Spotify (24th in the world). As of now, she has landed on the Billboard Hot 100 19 times, an astonishing achievement given her brief time in the limelight.

But the question lingers: What did Sabrina finally do right after a decade in the industry? Was one good track all it really took? Was she going to be another one-hit wonder? The answer? Branding and putting out what we know as her signatures into the world.

A Cup of Espresso and White Platforms

When you think of Sabrina Carpenter, you immediately think of a shiny-haired blonde in a babydoll dress and a pair of white platform boots. This is undoubtedly her iconic combo, as can be observed from her on-stage performances. It became synonymous with her brand because of two things: aesthetics and consistency. The look itself is visually pleasing, complementing her body type and highlighting her best physical features, combined with a cohesive colour palette and beautiful fabrics.

Furthermore, she always stays true to this styling choice in almost every performance. Granted, she does make changes so audiences don't grow tired of the look, but it's still reminiscent of her trademark outfit. On tour, Sabrina has gone viral on TikTok for putting different spins on each outfit while the silhouette remains the same. Fans even show up to her concerts with similar outfits! It's clear that Sabrina's fans have caught on to her iconic look. It's a perfect balance—familiarity and surprise, the golden ratio for successful marketing.

Blonde and Blush

Sabrina has a very distinctive makeup and hairstyle, blonde luscious locks with strong eyebrows, rosy pink blush and plump lips. However, in the earlier days of her career, she experimented with her makeup and hair. From eyeliner and dark eyeshadow to ponytails and braids. It was pretty, but it just wasn't her; the makeup was wearing her, not the other way round. Nothing seemed to stick either, as every other release, she'd come back with a new vibe.

Now she's evolved, her hairdo and makeup have never looked so good before. Not only does it look great, but it makes sense for her brand. Bright blush to give off a girly vibe and thicker eyebrows to complement her strong facial features. Alongside beautiful, fluffy hair that's let down, it's like Sabrina has renewed herself. She never strayed from this look all throughout the Short and Sweet tour, letting the public get used to this version of Sabrina Carpenter. Multiple TikTok users and celebrity makeup artists have replicated her look and have always referred to it as ‘Sabrina Makeup' or something of a similar regard. The makeup has a romantic ambience, which is incredibly fitting for Sabrina, as most of her songs have a common theme of love. It's intentional and effective, another solid trait of good branding.

Wait….That's her Song?

Sabrina has garnered an extensive discography over the past few years, but it was lacking something that Short and Sweet hit the jackpot on — a signature sound.

Her albums were always diverse in one way or another, but they lacked a distinct identity and theme, something she could claim as hers alone. If you listen to ‘Short and Sweet’, you'd notice that Sabrina's voice is whispy, almost fairy and angelic-like. The songs on the album are undoubtedly catchy, with creative melodies. Some tracks even have humour in their lyrics, enabling Sabrina to appear relatable and witty. Now, when you hear her songs, you know it's her. A good example of this is Taylor Swift; she has a distinct voice, and her songs have a recognisable tune- the minute you hear it, your senses tell you it's her.

It definitely helps that her songs are associated with commonly used words. Every time someone orders an espresso in a cafe, in the back of their mind is the song. Every time someone says please more than once consecutively, they can't help but be reminded of that catchy melody. It's genius, meshing together what is routine and Sabrina's brand as an artist. That's the final ingredient, creativity.

I'm a Busy Woman

There's no questioning how much talent Sabrina Carpenter possesses, but unfortunately, talent can't be properly seen without the proper marketing. With a stronger sense of music identity, Sabrina has soared to heights her career has never seen before. Branding to an artist is exposure, identity, and recognition. It's what gets you to the top.

After all, nobody knows who you are till you show it, and there is a right way to do it. As Sabrina herself has so eloquently put it: ‘I’m on SNL and you're not!’

Written by: Willow Sie

Edited by: Rasshmika Nantha Kumar

P.S. Remember to leave a ❤️ if you’ve enjoyed our articles!

Falling in love may be universal, but falling out of love? That’s where the law steps in, and each country handles it a little differently. Divorce, as a legal phenomenon, isn’t just about heartbreak, it’s a mirror to each society’s views on marriage and personal autonomy. From the meticulously codified systems of France, Germany, Sweden, and the United States, to the religiously anchored frameworks in Saudi Arabia and the Vatican, this article takes you through six distinct approaches to divorce law whilst taking a look at how different legal traditions help people call it quits.

France: Napoleonic Order Meets Modern Realities

In France, where the Napoleonic Code still forms the bedrock of the legal system, divorce is an orderly affair. The process is grounded in the idea that marriage is a civil contract and if contracts can be signed, they can be ended. French law provides for several types of divorce: mutual consent, acceptance of the breakdown, fault-based divorce, and separation after two years.1 The preferred route is mutual consent, where both parties agree on all matters, including division of assets, custody, and spousal support. This kind of divorce doesn’t even require a judge anymore. Since a 2017 reform, it can be handled by a notary.

However, if one spouse wants out and the other doesn’t, the court steps in - particularly if blame is involved. Fault-based divorce, though increasingly rare, still exists for situations involving adultery, abuse, or serious misconduct. The entire process typically starts with an attempt at mediation where judges actively encourage reconciliation. If that fails, the matter proceeds through the Family Court, where interim orders might be issued for custody and support. Recent digitalization efforts have made the process quicker; online filing is now available for uncontested cases. Everything is structured, even the emotional mess of divorce gets filtered through administrative elegance.

Germany: Pragmatism Over Passion

Germany takes a predictably pragmatic approach to divorce. If a couple has lived apart for one year and both agree that reconciliation is off the table, the court considers the marriage to be over.2 If only one party wants a divorce, they must live separately for three years, unless there’s serious misconduct, for example, domestic abuse.

Divorce petitions are filed at the local court, and the focus quickly turns to division of property, spousal support, and child custody. Financial disclosure is mandatory, and pension rights accumulated during the marriage are shared. Court appearances are minimal, often just one short hearing. Recent digitization reforms have made it easier to file online, and the state encourages joint custody arrangements, unless one parent poses a danger to the child’s welfare. Support payments, when awarded, are meant to be temporary, enough to help the lower-earning spouse transition to independence. It’s divorce, but without the mess. German law isn’t here to meddle in the right or wrong of a spouse, rather to get work done.

Sweden: No Fault, No Fuss

In Sweden, ending a marriage is refreshingly straightforward. The law doesn’t ask why, only if.3 A spouse who wants to leave doesn’t have to allege fault or wait for some external reason. If there are no children under 16 and both parties agree, the divorce can be finalized in weeks. If one spouse objects, a six-month reflection period kicks in before finalization.

Sweden’s property division rules are simple: everything acquired during the marriage is split 50/50. Assets owned before the marriage remain with their original owner. Child custody is typically shared, and courts expect both parents to continue cooperating. Alimony is rare and usually limited to short-term support. Recent legal updates have focused on ensuring victims of domestic violence can bypass the waiting period and access legal protection more swiftly. The entire system is designed to reduce conflict and encourage autonomy. Divorce in Sweden isn’t framed as a failure; it’s seen as a choice, and the law helps people move on, cleanly and quickly.

United States (Colorado): Businesslike Breakups

In the United States, divorce law varies by state, but Colorado is a good example of modern American family law in action. It’s a strictly no-fault jurisdiction, meaning the only ground needed is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Courts aren’t interested in who did what, they just want to know if the relationship is over.4

The process starts with one spouse filing a petition. The other has about 21 days to respond, and both must provide detailed financial disclosures. Mediation is typically required before any contested matters go to trial. If an agreement isn’t reached, the court steps in to divide property “equitably”, not necessarily equally, and to determine custody and child support. Since 2020, permanent alimony has been phased out in favor of temporary maintenance, calculated by a standard formula. Colorado’s system is focused on fairness and efficiency, treating divorce more like the dissolution of a partnership than an emotional battleground. If both parties are organized, it can be over in three months. If not, the court takes control with no tolerance for games.

Saudi Arabia: Sharia-Based with Reformist Shifts

In Saudi Arabia, divorce law is shaped by Islamic jurisprudence, particularly the Hanbali school.5 It offers different mechanisms for men and women. A man may pronounce ‘talaq’ (a unilateral declaration of divorce) which is effective immediately, though recent reforms require court registration. Women, on the other hand, can seek divorce through ‘khula’ (where she forfeits financial rights) or ‘faskh’, a judicial annulment due to harm or serious incompatibility.

Additionally, there are other forms related to divorce such as mubar’at and tafreeq. Mubar’at refers to a mutual divorce where both spouses agree to end the marriage amicably. Tafreeq is a judicial dissolution granted when the wife wants a divorce but the husband refuses to grant it. In such cases, the wife can approach a Sharia Council or Islamic court, which, after reviewing the case and ensuring the iddah (waiting period) is observed, may dissolve the marriage despite the husband's refusal. This process is often used when there is harm or oppression from the husband, and it is distinct from khula and faskh as it specifically addresses the husband's refusal to divorce.

While this might seem imbalanced, recent reforms have expanded women’s rights significantly. Specialized family courts now handle divorce cases, and procedures have been streamlined to prevent unnecessary delays. The state has introduced online portals to file cases and track proceedings. Reconciliation efforts are still central, with court-appointed arbitrators working to salvage marriages. When that fails, courts decide on support, custody, and visitation. Custody laws tend to favor mothers for younger children, with transitions occurring as the child grows. Saudi law blends tradition with evolving norms, aiming to preserve Islamic values while responding to modern expectations, particularly regarding women’s autonomy.

Vatican City: Annulment, Not Divorce

Technically, the Vatican doesn’t recognize divorce at all. In the eyes of the Catholic Church, a valid sacramental marriage is indissoluble. However, a couple may obtain an annulment,6 that is a declaration that the marriage was invalid from the start. Grounds for annulment include lack of consent, psychological incapacity, or failure to follow canonical form.

The process begins with a petition to the diocesan tribunal, followed by a lengthy investigation. Witnesses, psychological evaluations, and written testimony are often involved. A panel of canon lawyers examines the evidence, and the case may be reviewed by the Roman Rota, the Vatican’s supreme court. Pope Francis streamlined the process in 2020, aiming to make it quicker and more accessible, especially for those lacking legal representation. An annulment does not deny that a relationship existed, it simply states that a valid sacramental marriage never did. The goal isn’t legal closure but spiritual clarity, maintaining the Church’s theology while addressing the reality of failed unions.

End Note

Divorce may signal the end of a relationship, but how that ending is handled reveals much about a society’s deeper values, its views on autonomy, responsibility, faith, and fairness. As we've seen, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Whether managed through civil codes, religious doctrine, or pragmatic systems, each legal framework tells its own story about how love is honored and how its unraveling is made bearable. In the end, divorce law is less about endings and more about how we choose to move forward with dignity, clarity, and ideally, compassion.

Written by: Subiksha Nair

Edited by: Li Wen Lim

P.S. We are new to Substack, please do leave a ❤️ if you’ve enjoyed our articles!

I believe many of us are familiar with the term cancel culture. Even if you aren’t, you’ve probably seen it play out across social media. But here’s the big question: Does cancel culture only exist online, without real-world consequences? Or has it quietly crept into our everyday lives — into our schools, communities and friend groups?

At first glance, the usual idea we have is that cancel culture only happens online — to celebrities, influencers or public figures who said or did something that the majority perceive as controversial. We often see it unfold in viral tweets, dramatic YouTube apologies or Instagram stories filled with outrage. But the truth is, cancel culture doesn’t just live behind the screens. It seeps into our daily lives — in classrooms, friend groups, workspaces or even family gatherings. Maybe it's not called ‘cancelling’ in these spaces, but the feeling of being excluded, pressured or judged for not fitting in? It’s eerily similar.

First, What Exactly is Cancel Culture?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, cancel culture is a way of behaving in a society or group, especially on social media, in which it is common to completely reject and stop supporting someone because they have said or done something that offends you.

Simply put, when someone says the ‘wrong’ thing or has the ‘wrong’ view, people don’t just stop supporting them quietly — they start calling them out and attacking them, in an attempt to silence opposing views. In other words, when someone says or does something that offends you, you start pushing them out and ignoring them — canceling them from your social circle.

While we usually associate cancel culture with celebrities and influencers, the reality is that it has a ripple effect. Its core mechanism — social rejection — isn’t new, and it isn’t limited to the internet. In fact, it’s very much alive in our everyday lives! It is as if there's an unspoken algorithm hardwired into our social spaces: no matter who you are, if you cross a certain line, you’re out!

Cancel Culture in Real Life: More Common Than You Think

Here are a few everyday scenarios that may help paint a clearer picture. You’d be surprised how often it quietly seeps into the spaces around us.

1. The Sudden Cold Shoulder

Ever been ignored by your community, friend group or class without knowing why? One day, everything seems normal, and the next, it’s as if an invisible wall has been built around you. No one talks to you. No one includes you. They just start distancing themselves from you, to the point where, when you walk past them, they act as if you’re a stranger — like you’ve never even met! And when you try to approach them, just to ask if something happened, all you get is, ‘You’re just being sensitive, okay?’ But deep down, you know you’re not. You didn’t break any rules. You didn’t hurt anyone. Yet somehow… you’ve been cancelled.

2. ‘You Don’t Have That? Lame.’

Sounds petty? Maybe, but it’s real. More and more people, especially students, are being excluded or teased simply for not following certain trends. Maybe it’s for not owning the viral Stanley cup,1 or not having a Labubu plushie. Or maybe you’re just not into the latest K-drama everyone’s raving about. Suddenly, you're ‘not cool enough’ or ‘weird.’ Sounds ridiculous? It’s happening everywhere.

In some cases, it gets worse. Take the recent incident in Indonesia, where a primary school student was bullied and isolated by classmates just because they didn’t own a Labubu plushie. The student ended up sitting alone and eventually stopped joining school activities. It got so serious that the school had to step in and ban the toy altogether.2

3. ‘Agree With Us or You Are Out’

Sometimes you're in a circle — maybe in school, your workplace or a project team — where you’re doing the right thing, but somehow, you’re seen as the problem?

Take this for example: in some companies, it’s become ‘normal’ for people to rush through tasks at the last minute, miss deadlines or skip checking the details — even in high-stakes environments like compliance, where accuracy is key.

Now imagine someone in that team trying to stick to the timeline, reminding others about deadlines and flagging mistakes before they become real problems. Instead of being appreciated, they get hit with, ‘Why so serious?’ Not because they did anything wrong — but simply because they didn’t follow the crowd.

Who Gets to Decide What’s ‘Wrong’?

Now, here's the real issue: Who draws the line? What exactly defines a ‘wrong action’? When someone is being called out, cancelled, or excluded — whether publicly or quietly — what's the criteria? Did they break the law? Did they harm someone? Or did they just… think differently?

Take, for example, J.K. Rowling. She was labeled transphobic and widely ‘cancelled’ for her comments regarding gender identity.3 Was it right? Was it wrong? That depends on your perspective. But the question is, did she deserve to be shunned entirely for stating her beliefs — even if it's controversial?

There’s a dangerous trend here. Cancel culture doesn’t always rely on facts. Sometimes it’s based on groupthink — what seems right to the loudest crowd. And if you’re not with them, you’re out.

So What Can We Do About It?

Cancel culture isn’t just some distant, irrelevant phenomenon — it’s all around us, and it affects all of us! In many ways, we live in it every day. The real question is: how do we respond to it?

There are two big temptations. One — is to live in fear of being cancelled. Fear of losing friendships, damaging your reputation or being left out. Two — instead of being afraid, we join the crowd. We jump on the cancel bandwagon and shut others down the moment they mess up. In a nutshell, it’s either be the prey or become the predator.

But deep down, we all know this isn’t healthy. There’s a quote I really love: ‘Be in the world, but not of the world.’ To me, that means staying rooted in your values — being present, but not letting the world define who you are. It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to stand out. Yes, you might worry about being excluded. But let’s be honest — if your friends or community cancel you over one disagreement or mistake, maybe they were never worth holding on to in the first place.

Here are three reminders to carry with you:

1. Think critically. Just because something's popular doesn't make it right.

2. Stay respectful. You don’t need to cancel someone just because you disagree.

3. Protect your peace. Not everyone deserves your energy — especially those who try to manipulate or isolate you for being different.

Never let the fear of rejection turn you into someone you’re not. And remember — you're not wrong for being different, for speaking up or for standing firm in your values! So let’s flip the script. Instead of being cancelled by cancel culture, let’s cancel cancel culture — and choose conversations over condemnation.

Written by: Samantha Chieng

Edited by: Bryan Lue

P.S. We are new to Substack, please do leave a like if you’ve enjoyed our articles!

Many of us wish to someday live in the home of our dreams, however this dream comes with a burdensome price tag. Unfortunately, buying a home isn’t as simple as buying a cup of coffee and there are many elements one has to account for before even considering their options. In our modern age, the property market has drastically changed with factors such as changes in property ownership laws and economic conditions. 10 years ago, a two-story terrace house located in the Petaling area after renovations can be found for around RM450,000, that number has since doubled, closing in at almost a million Ringgit according to PropertyGuru Malaysia. Despite this, it’s unfeasible for everybody to just stop purchasing houses, instead we adapt and manage our finances for the privilege to call someplace home. Buying your first home isn’t exactly something you’d see in your school textbook, so this article intends to dissect the financial aspect of owning a humble abode of RM1 million.

This breakdown takes into account that one is living comfortably and not pinching pennies by eating a cup of plain rice every day to get to the finish line. In other words, we’re looking at this with a realistic lens, with commitments, obligations, survival, entertainment, etc. all in mind.

Firstly, we will need to list down several fees a homeowner must bear alongside mortgage application requirements. What is a mortgage exactly? It’s a loan that banks grant for property purchases and is infamous for having a long repayment period, after all it is hundreds of thousands of Ringgits. Most of us simply do not have heaps of money sitting in the bank and to buy a house can take decades of saving, so a mortgage is the route the majority takes. Additionally, other fees such as stamp duties, renovation costs and down payments will also add up to the amount to be paid up front. With all that said and done, the list of upfront payments to account for are as follows: down payment, stamp duty, renovations, furnishing, real estate agent fees, mortgage arrangement fees, legal fees, home insurance, valuation fees and moving costs.

Part 1: The legal system and banks

The down payment operates exactly like a deposit, you will need to pay a certain amount upfront to even qualify to own the house. For first-time home buyers, the government has set it to 10% of the property’s value. In the case of a home valued at 1 million Ringgit, you’d have to pay RM100,000 up front. The remaining RM900,000 would be covered by a mortgage which will be later explained in detail to calculate if it's possible to be eligible for the loan.

Next up are the legal proceedings and transitioning fees. Stamp duties are a form of tax imposed on selected legal documents including transfer of property. They have different rates, the stamp duty is also calculated on a tiered system, not a flat rate, so in our case it’d be RM24,000. For reference, here are the rates:

Legal fees are also required for drafting up a Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) and other documentation. The fee will usually be 0.4% - 1% of the property’s value, for this scenario, we’ll calculate it with 1% assuming the highest rate which would equal RM10,000. Typically, banks will also charge a fee to assess the current market when you opt for a mortgage and thus valuation costs range from RM300 to RM1,000 (varies greatly depending on the bank you choose). For our case, we’ll assume the worst and proceed with RM1,000 in valuation fees.

Even processing the loan contains a fee ranging from RM500 to RM2,000 depending on the home buyer and bank, for a first-time home buyer, the fee is likely on the lower end of that spectrum (perhaps RM1,000 shall suffice). Lastly, if a real estate agent is involved and you came across your dream home through one, then you have to fork up a maximum of 3% in real estate agent fees of your property’s value (Malaysia’s Property Summit, 2024), which will be RM30,000. That puts our sum so far at RM166,000.

Part 2: Miscellaneous fees

Legal fees and the bank aside, there are also small intricacies in the process of owning a home. First off, furniture, assuming you buy a home that’s not furnished, you will need to pay for a sofa, mattresses, a fridge, etc. and you may be looking at an estimate of RM75,000 in furnishing costs, but it can be much higher depending on the types of furnitures you procure and their conditions.

Additionally, renovations can be a wildcard too as it depends on the state of the property, but it’s safe to assume a 1 million Ringgit home will not require intensive foundation renovations but more so just minor fixings, RM15,000 would be a safe estimate. Moving costs also vary greatly but moving intracity should cost no more than 4,000 Ringgit.

Lastly, insurance is considered a monthly payment so it will be calculated into your monthly repayment. Although it’s not a part of your mortgage, it is essential to ensuring your home is adequately protected from unforeseen circumstances. Insurance can vary greatly depending on the coverage plan you choose and the value of your home but on average it’ll be RM200/month (InsuranceInfo, 2023) for a home valued at RM1 million. That puts our final total upfront payments (excluding insurance) at RM260,000.

Part 3: Affording a home mortgage

Upfront costs aside, how much does your monthly income need to be in order to afford the mortgage repayment? First off, the bank would of course charge you interest and the most common number would be around 5%+ (CIMB Bank, 2023). Additionally, to stretch it out, it's recommended you choose a repayment period (tenure) to be longer as it helps lower your monthly minimum repayment. Assuming the tenure is 30 years, the repayment amount per month would be RM4831. Combined with insurance, you’d have to set aside RM5131 monthly.

But everyone has their own set of commitments, and this is where it gets tricky. How much an individual earns to be able to afford the stated mortgage varies greatly on their lifestyle, debts, commitments, etc. and is near impossible to determine universally. For all the costs mentioned above, everything is susceptible to change, and I encourage you to engage in your own research and consult a financial consultant to be more prepared for the ever-changing economy.

Written by: Willow Sie

Edited by: Teoh Jin

P.S. We are new to Substack, please do leave a like if you’ve enjoyed our articles!

TikTok is Shaping Modern Girlhood

Girlhood is weaving its sweet magic across the globe, particularly on TikTok. Over the past year, trending terms such as ‘girl math’, ‘girl dinner’, and ‘girlboss’ have been buzzing around. This is known as girlification where many users slap on the ‘girl-’ prefix to everyday activities, creating a unique movement which has captured worldwide attention. For example, ‘girl maths’ is the illogical ‘mathematical’ method that allows women to justify their delirious spending habits (for example: I’ve bought this cute mug for $50 and had it for 50 days, therefore it is basically free because it is a dollar a day!). TikTok videos focusing on ‘girl math’ have been viewed 33 billion times, fueling the idea of a guilt-free indulgence. Similarly, ‘girl dinner’ is essentially a comforting, impromptu, home-cooked meal whipped up from anything in the kitchen when dining alone; cheese, fruits, 2 slices of bread, and leftovers would not just be dinner, but ‘girl dinner’.

Lastly, a ‘girlboss’ is depicted as a self-made woman who pursues her ambitions while conquering all obstacles in her way.

The spark igniting this culture of girlification was believed to be Megan Thee Stallion’s release of ‘Hot Girl Summer’ back in 2019. Her single focused on female empowerment and was an anthem for women to break free from the chains of societal norms. Similarly, ‘girl power’, one of the earliest expressions of girlification, can be traced back to the 1950s when girlhood emerged as a key symbol of unity in the wake of World War II. This concept was also established by the British Suffragette Movement led by Emmeline Pankhurst where she fought for women’s voting rights in the 1990s. Today, girlhood has evolved from revolution to a lifestyle trend.

Bows, Ballet, and Blush

It is not just girlification that is making waves on the Internet; aesthetics are also shaping and broadening the world of fashion and make-up. Take the coquette trend for example, which has attained nearly 18 billion views and 1.2 million creations on TikTok. The term ‘coquette’ originates from the French word coq and is culturally understood as a flirtatious woman. However, TikTok’s coquette aesthetic carries an entirely different connotation where users tie pastel-coloured ribbons onto anything and everything — as a hair accessory, house decoration, christmas tree ornaments, and even on martini glasses.

This trend is also defined by cherries, dainty lace, and a plethora of pink. The coquette aesthetic often goes hand in hand with the ‘ballet-core’ trend, otherwise known as ‘ballet-inspired fashion’. Young women draw inspiration from ballet motifs such as leg warmers, tutus, headbands, and pointe shoes, incorporating them into their outfits. Even within the trend exists microtrends. For example, Hailey Bieber, an American model and socialite, began the ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’ make-up trend to showcase her new product which leaves a glossy, blushed and shimmering finish. Her tutorial on TikTok has garnered over 38 million views, with countless users recreating the look.

These trends go deeper than just cute bows and stylish appearances; it is a celebration of femininity. The popular TikTok audio ‘How I Love Being a Woman’ sourced from Netflix’s ‘Anne with an E’, is often paired with snippets of videos to showcase the joys of dressing up and engaging in girly activities, enjoying what it means to take part in girlhood.

The Not so ‘Aesthetic’ Side

Even though girlification and pretty pink things may appear harmless, some argue that it further reinforces gender stereotypes. The ‘girl math’ trend, for instance, has portrayed women as being incompetent in maths and budgeting, as they use frivolous reasons to justify their spending habits; which in turn depicts them as poor financial decision makers driven by emotion instead of logic, further accentuating outdated stereotypes. Jess Ramos, a senior data analyst and founder of Big Data Energy, expressed her views on a TikTok video, strongly stating that she would not be participating in the ‘girl math’ trend because she refuses to be made a mockery of, especially when she holds a degree in Mathematics. Similarly, the term ‘girlboss’ is receiving hate as well for suggesting that women are excessively praised for simple achievements, implying a lack of capability compared to men.

On the same note, many critics argue that these terms are transphobic as they imply that feminine activities are exclusive to women only. The usage of the word ‘girl’ is incredibly restrictive because it reinforces the notion that femininity is tied solely to a specific gender identity. This raises the question about the greater need for inclusivity in girlhood as it overlooks the fact that femininity is all encompassing.

More Than Just Pink and Pretty

As human beings, we would naturally have the burning desire to want to belong, to want to feel companionship. When something is labelled as a ‘girl’ thing on the Internet, it feels like a call to home because it creates a sense of relatability and familiarity, uniting all girlhood experiences online. No matter how much people belittle women as just being dolls who love to play dress up, girlhood means so much more than that.

Back in highschool, us girls would always head to the bathroom together, just because. It was less for the reason of actually using the bathroom, but more so due to enjoying each other’s company. Having a girls’ day out meant taking turns to snap endless photos of one another, making sure we all looked our absolute best in each shot. Even after we all went on separate paths, off to different colleges, some things never changed. We would still wait for each other at separate stations just to catch the same train home together. Those rides were filled with chats, catching up on life, and of course, spilling some tea. It was our way of staying connected, no matter how much life changed around us.

So if you ask me, I would say girlhood is a yay.

[Written By: Jo Ee, Edited By: Li Wen]

In the hustle and bustle of contemporary life, it is easy to overlook the unsung heroes who make our lives easier and more convenient. Service workers, including but not limited to cleaners, security guards, drivers, and healthcare workers, play a crucial role in removing countless burdens from our daily lives. Yet, a majority of us often fail to acknowledge their contributions, nor take the time to appreciate them. This article is dedicated to these service workers. Thank you for all that you do.

Five Security Guards, a Student and a Water Dispenser.

After a long afternoon of studying, my water bottle finally reached its end so I headed to the nearest water dispenser to replenish it, only to find 5 security guards in line. It wasn’t an astonishing scene, just 5 security guards, a student and a water dispenser. As they stood around the dispenser, it wasn’t initially visible to me. Then, suddenly, the guards stepped aside, revealing the dispenser and gesturing for me to refill my bottle, even though theirs were still empty or half-filled.

I was confused, they were in line first, why on earth would they let me refill my bottle first? “Oh! Go ahead guys, you were here first,” I tried to assure them that I was in no rush. “No, you’re a student, you should refill your bottle first.” one of the security guards replied. I didn’t know how to react at the time, so I didn’t insist further and filled my bottle. Afterwards, I replayed this scenario over and over again in my head, while drinking from my water bottle.

I wasn’t in a hurry, and I’d like to think that my body language and demeanour conveyed that. Despite this, the security guards seemed anxious to ensure that I was prioritised for a bottle of water — something there was plenty of. The only conclusion I could draw was that these guards are so accustomed to prioritising others’ wellbeing and they instinctively put themselves last. While it is part of their job, this small act of kindness over water, not a life-threatening situation, spoke volumes.

I couldn’t help but wonder how many students have they bent over backwards for and how often do they hear the words ‘thank you’. Looking back on it now, that whole situation sparked the idea of this article.

I pay my therapist to listen to me, not the other way around.

My therapist is a sweet lady who always has a smile on her face. However, there are days when she appears tired, and I don’t blame her — she’s human, after all. I did ask her once, “Ms, how often do your patients wish you well, say thank you or ask you how your day was?”

“Not often I’d say……” she replied.

Her response saddened me. My therapist has been nothing but understanding and helpful. I think she, along with all healthcare workers deserves to be credited where credit is due.

I often thank her and wish her a good day after my appointments and to me, it never took much effort, and I always enjoy seeing the smile on her face when she hears that. It must be challenging to listen to everyone’s problems without often hearing a simple ‘thank you’. It is true that it’s her job to console students and help students in times of need, but for all that she does, showing appreciation through a simple ‘thank you’ is the least I can do.

My best memory of her was when I brought strawberries for her and her colleagues to share. The strawberries were given to me as a gift from a friend and there were plenty to go around. My therapist was incredibly polite and didn’t take much, so I insisted for her to take as many as she pleased. Those strawberries were a small but impactful way to show my appreciation and thank her for her hard work.

I’ve yet to ask her how the strawberries were, I will in my next session.

“Isn’t it their job? We pay them after all.”

There’s an ongoing debate whether we should go out of our way to show appreciation to service workers, given that we contribute to their pay. But the lingering question is, does that give us the right to mistreat them?

We all have to do our jobs to earn our salaries and pay the bills, service workers are no exception. However, the challenges they have to endure just to be paid peanuts are absolutely ludicrous. Not to mention the incredibly long hours they must work, sometimes even up to 15 hours a day. And all that for what? To be insulted by customers when they make a tiny mistake or can’t fix an inconvenience within a few seconds?

There’s a clear line between an incompetent employee that doesn’t try and a hardworking one who’s having an off-day. Unfortunately to many, it doesn’t really matter — they must be perfect at all times. Because what good are they if they can’t deliver? If they can’t serve? It just all seems to be pure entitlement to think that one has control over another person’s life simply because of monetary reasons.

It’s true that service workers, like anybody in the working class, must fulfil their tasks with the highest quality achievable. Be that as it may, when do we start recognising them as human beings rather than just workers?

The Bottom of The Status Pyramid.

Most service workers come from lower or middle class backgrounds. There’s no denying that there’s a significant wealth gap between them and the financially well-off. But these disparities contribute to a sense of entitlement and the ugly habit of looking down on others.

It’s natural that people want to present themselves to be seen as of high status or at the very least be ‘presentable’. However, this expectation can bring about insecurity and this is further amplified for service workers. We mustn’t forget that like all of us, service workers want to be respected and treated fairly. Alas, this simple wish seems much more difficult to achieve as a service worker. It’s unfortunate that looking down on service workers has become the norm, creating a false stereotype of them.

These stereotypes paint service workers as unhygienic, lazy, irresponsible, and undeserving of respect. In all my years of being assisted by service workers, most of them don’t fit a single one of these stereotypes, which tend to be overly exaggerated. My mother used to tell me to stay away from cleaners because they didn’t smell the most pleasant. Yet, I rarely encountered a cleaner with body odour, in fact they often smelt like soap from all the detergent and cleaning products that they handle. Even if they did smell unpleasant, who could blame them? They’re cleaning your gunk!

It never made any logical sense why these stereotypes exist other than the fact people who had it better in life could never walk a day in their shoes.

Service People.

It’ll do us all some good to be kinder and more humane to service people. They do so much for us and all with a smile too. As cliche as it sounds, these people have lives and families of their own, they’re just as human as the rest of us. We mustn’t take their services for granted, the world would look completely different if it weren’t for them. Their life’s purpose is much more than to just serve, every one of them deserves to be acknowledged for their hard work. They are often told ‘to serve is an honour’, perhaps being served by them is an honour too.

If you like clubbing, you’re shallow. If you like reading, you’re pretentious. If you have sex, you’re a slut. If you don’t, you’re a prude. It seems as though women cannot win, no matter what position they’re in.

The feminist movement’s rich and complicated history cannot be summarised in a brief article, and there is fierce debate regarding its precise definition. However, one thing most self-proclaimed feminists agree on is that the movement’s purpose is to give women a choice. But what does this choice entail?

The Rise of the Girlboss: Liberation or New Shackles?

The advent of the internet brought widespread connection, leading many women to realise the lack of true freedom regarding patriarchal gender roles and biases. Feminism has become a raging topic that constantly loses and gains favour in the mainstream, leading many people to form strong opinions on what feminism entails, and what is considered misogynistic.

Misogyny — a dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women — has become embroiled with the idea of what modern-day feminism is supposed to be. We can see this in “‘The Girlboss”, a concept that has received overwhelming positivity in the majority of feminist circles, the idea of a woman being the breadwinner of her home, a woman who breaks the glass ceilings of the workforce, knee-deep in hustle culture while still thriving as both a mother and wife. But is this sustainable? Or even realistic as the idea of a woman with autonomy and happiness for herself?

The origin of the girlboss concept is often traced back to the period when Western, particularly American, women began taking on traditionally ‘masculine’ jobs, such as factory work or engineering, to support its economy while men were away fighting in WWII. Although the USA is not a monolith for all women, it is important for us to recognise that much of the mainstream narrative is influenced by this global superpower.

The Second Wave of Feminism and Its Legacy

This major event went onto lay the seeds of the women’s rights movement in the 60s and 70s, where American author Betty Friedan published ‘The Feminine Mystique’, a book that sought to address the domestication of women and how they were made to believe that to have it all was to be a loving housewife with children and a large house, suppressing their own aspirations and autonomy in life.

With the advent of the second wave of feminism, there was an emphasis on women taking on more traditionally masculine roles to be taken seriously. While this was a reasonable course of action for the time, it led some people to deem feminine women ‘weaker’ or ‘not feminist enough’, as they felt that these women were not contributing to the fight against oppression and the patriarchy. Many women have expressed guilt over feeling they are bad feminists over things such as putting effort into their appearance, or because they place importance on their romantic relationships. But doesn’t shaming women for making these personal choices just circle back to misogyny? Betty Friedan called for women to reject makeup, heels, and bras as instruments of oppression, and now women struggle with traditionally feminine behaviour being at odds with the fight for gender equity. Can one wear lipstick and still fight the patriarchy?

There is an unreasonable amount of pressure on every woman to be mature, respectful, intelligent, obedient, and put-together. If one woman falters, all women are to blame. Male drivers involved in accidents are just ‘drivers’, but female drivers are always ‘female drivers’. Fathers are praised for simply spending just a little time with their children, but mothers who work full time are shamed for not being involved with every aspect of their childrens’ lives. Despite long-standing efforts to balance all of these responsibilities, they are rarely celebrated enough for their hard work. Many feminists have tried to counter this by highlighting these women’s experiences, and acknowledging their accomplishments.

But with counteracting the internalised contempt towards each other comes the other extreme: forgiving women for genuinely horrible behaviour on the basis of ‘supporting other women’. Or feeling as though you are obligated to forgive other women for doing genuinely horrible things to you simply because you have to ‘support other women’. Interpersonal relationships are inherently complicated, and these lines are difficult to draw.

Legally Blonde: Celebrating Femininity and Feminism

One unlikely place where these themes are explored is the 2001 film Legally Blonde, which follows Elle Woods, a bombshell blonde sorority girl studying fashion marketing, who enrols in Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend. Despite having several flaws and being a product of its time, Legally Blonde is a surprisingly progressive film. Elle Woods’ bubbly, girly characterisation did not fit in with the other strong female characters of the time, such as Lara Croft or Sarah Connor, yet she showcases her intelligence and determination at many points throughout the film, as the film advocated for gender equality regardless of femininity and masculinity.

Elle Woods prevails alongside her traditionally feminine character traits, not in spite of them. She eventually graduates as valedictorian while staying true to herself. For example, one of Elle’s classmates, Vivian Kensington, turned out to be engaged to her ex-boyfriend. Despite the initial petty rivalry between the two, they end up putting their differences aside and become good friends. This shift undermined the societal pressure for women to compete for male attention. Her kindness and loyalty, traditionally feminine traits, shine through when she chooses to keep a sorority sister’s career-ruining secret, even though it would hurt the case. Nonetheless, Elle still manages to use her intelligence to find alternative means to win the case. Finally, it is her knowledge of fashion and beauty (in this case, hair and perms) that helps her solve a murder case.

Everything about Elle Woods’ character is girly to the max, from her pink wardrobe to her name (both a reference to the fashion magazine, and the French pronoun for ‘she’). The difference between Legally Blonde and other films with similarly feminine characters is that it never seeks to mock its heroine’s interest in femininity. Even at the film’s outset, Elle had utilised her understanding of clothing to expose a saleswoman’s blatant lies, showcasing her intelligence and knowledgeability. Her love of pink dresses doesn’t stop her from becoming a successful lawyer, nor should it stop other women from pursuing their goals.

The general dictionary definition of feminism is the advocacy for women’s rights on the basis of equality of the sexes. Ultimately, this is an incredibly nuanced and charged subject, and every individual has their personal view on the topic. However, it wouldn’t hurt to be a little kinder to women who simply want to have fun and be pretty in pink.

[Written By: Kianna Chan, Edited By: Bryan Lue]

Malaysia is a country that practises parliamentary democracy together with constitutional monarchy. The Malaysian Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) encompassing 222 members, known as Members of Parliament (MPs) , and the Dewan Negara (Senate) that contains 70 seats, known as Senators. General elections are held every five years, and all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above are eligible to vote for the nominee capable enough to represent them in the Dewan Rakyat. However, Malaysia’s current political landscape is dominated by two major political forces: the unity government comprising Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), and the opposition, Perikatan Nasional (PN). While these two major political coalitions represent broad demographic segments of the population, it harms Malaysia’s political landscape and brings about the emergence of third force parties as alternatives towards the traditional political landscape.

Who are PH, BN and PN?

BN was officially formed in 1973 as a successor to the Alliance Party, which had been governing since Malaysia’s independence in 1957. This coalition is primarily composed of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), and the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC). BN ruled Malaysia from 1957 until 2018, being one of the longest uninterrupted serving governments in the world. PH won the 2018 general election, marking the first time BN lost power since independence. BN came back to power again by forming a coalition government that was led by the chairman of PH, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim after the 2022 general election (GE15).

PH was officially formed in 2015, but its roots can be traced back to earlier opposition coalitions like Pakatan Rakyat (2008) and Barisan Alternatif (1999). The coalition includes Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP), and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah). Later, in 2016, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) joined. Two years after PH ascended to government, Bersatu left the coalition and caused the PH government to collapse. However, PH came back into power again by forming a coalition government with BN after the GE15.

In February 2020, a political manoeuvre known as the “Sheraton Move ‘’ saw several MPs from Bersatu and PKR, along with MPs from BN and PAS, leaving PH and forming a new coalition — PN. This move ultimately led to the resignation of then Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and the installation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the new Prime Minister by the Agong (King) of Malaysia. The PN coalition includes Parti Pribumi Bersatu (Bersatu), Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), Parti Gerakan Rakyat (Gerakan) and Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP).

PN performed surprisingly well in GE15 by gaining more seats than what was predicted . A survey from Merdeka Center, an independent research firm based in Malaysia, predicted that PN would only gain 43 seats before GE15. However, PN successfully gained 74 seats; more than the prediction, and came second behind PH with 81 seats, both surpassing the long-ruling party, BN which only won 30 seats. The coalition’s ability to secure a significant number of seats shaped its role as the major opposition, or even the government-in-waiting in the Dewan Rakyat.

What’s happening in Malaysia’s political landscape?

Malaysia’s current political landscape can be described as a “two-party system”. A two-party system is a political party system in which two major political parties consistently dominate the political landscape. Examples include the United States with the Republicans and Democrats; and the United Kingdom with the Labour Party and Conservative Party. In Malaysia’s context, two parties dominate — the PH-BN unity government and the PN coalition.

Malaysia’s electoral system is the first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the highest amount of votes win. This encourages Malaysia’s two-party system as it incentivises smaller parties to join larger coalitions or parties to maximise electoral success. This has led to the marginalisation of smaller parties and the domination of two major coalitions.

The two-party system harms Malaysia by reducing political pluralism, and the range of policy options available to voters. Moreover, smaller parties and independent candidates struggle to have their voices heard, leading to less diverse political debate and policy formulation.

The Third Force Came to the Attention of the Malaysian Public’s Eyes — but is it a “Flip” or a “Fling”?

The “third force” in Malaysia’s political landscape refers to political groups or coalitions that offer an alternative to the two dominant coalitions. Third force parties emerged due to the political fragmentation that happened when PH’s victory in the 2018 general election ended BN’s dominance, and when the “Sheraton Move ‘’ resulted in the collapse of the PH government. This continuous fragmentation and realignment lead to voter disillusionment and cynicism towards the political process, as the current political coalitions appear more focused on power than addressing public concerns. This led to third force parties gaining traction from Malaysians.

Third force parties include Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang), founded by former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, aiming to provide a new political platform focusing on Malay rights and national integrity. There is also Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), formed by a faction of former PKR members, led by its only MP, Larry Sng Wei Shien. It aims to appeal to a broad audience, promoting multiculturalism and inclusivity. The most notable example, as well as the one with the most media coverage, is Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA).

MUDA was co-founded by the current Muar MP, Syed Saddiq. The party was officially launched in September 2020, as a youth-centric and progressive party that promotes good governance, transparency, anti-corruption measures, and environmental sustainability — specifically issues that affect youth. MUDA collaborated with PH in GE15 but acted as a third force in the last state election due to dissatisfaction towards the PH-BN government after GE15. The party offers an alternative to the traditional political entities, and aims to shake up the established political landscape. The party was hoped to be a ‘kingmaker’ in the Malaysian political landscape, which was crucial for the electorate in creating a ‘flip’ towards traditional political establishments, and bringing up neglected reforms.

Despite that, MUDA suffered a devastating loss during the last state election; all 19 candidates lost their deposits and failed to gain 12.5% of the votes in their respective constituencies. However, it wasn’t just MUDA, all 4 candidates from Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM), failed to gain seats and lost their deposit. The devastating state election results showcased that MUDA failed to gain the trust of voters and even the youths. But why?

Lack of recognition and credibility of voters towards third force political parties is the main reason. As new entrants in a political arena dominated by established parties, MUDA face scepticism regarding their ability to govern effectively and to fulfil their promises. Their absence of a track record may make it difficult for voters to gauge MUDA’s competence. More importantly, MUDA may also be perceived as opportunistic or even just a vote splitter, not being serious in addressing public issues. These criticisms do not just apply to MUDA, but other third force parties as well. In this case, the third force parties in Malaysia’s political landscape seem like a “fling”. only drawing public attention in short bursts, more specifically during the election period. Afterwards, the spotlight is no longer on them.

Was the Existence of a Third Force in Malaysia’s Political Landscape Important?

“The role of a third force in politics is to act as a catalyst for change, to raise issues that the major parties might ignore, and to give a voice to those who feel disenfranchised. It’s about making sure that all segments of society are represented.”

Ross Perot, American businessman and politician

Even though third force parties are receiving less attention from the public, their existence is always important and significant. Third force parties provide alternative voices and perspectives that are often missing from the dominant political discourse. This ensures that a broader range of views and interests are represented, particularly those of younger generations, minorities, and other marginalised groups.

The presence of a third force also introduces additional checks and balances in the political system. They can hold the major parties accountable, scrutinise their actions, and push for greater transparency and governance. Further, they can focus on specific issues that are often neglected by major parties, such as environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, and social justice.

In a nutshell, a Third Force represents political entities outside the traditional coalitions of Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN). These parties, like the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA), aim to provide alternatives to the entrenched political status quo. The importance of a Third Force lies in its potential to break the dominance of the major coalitions, introduce fresh perspectives, and address voter disenchantment with existing political options. Challenges faced by these parties include limited resources, media coverage, and political experience compared to the well-established coalitions. Additionally, they struggle with gaining widespread voter trust and overcoming the perception that a vote for them might be “wasted” due to the first-past-the-post electoral system. Internal cohesion and clear, distinct policy platforms are also critical hurdles. Despite these challenges, the Third Force is crucial in promoting democratic diversification, encouraging political reform, and representing niche or underserved voter groups, thereby contributing to a more vibrant and representative political discourse in Malaysia.

[Written by: William Wong, Edited By: Liwen]

The vagueness of love has allowed artists of all fields to abstractly express emotions and thoughts, through various mediums that captivate audiences of differing demographic and psychographic groups. An important, yet complex emotion to decipher, love has transcended mere words and influenced music, visual art and performance arts. Today, we look at how love songs have evolved through time, implicitly reflecting the perception of love and relationships through decades.

The Early Years: Origins of Classical Love Ballads

As early as the 15th century, music was printed and sold to the general public. ‘Greensleeves,’ a critically acclaimed lyrical piece, allegedly written by England’s King Henry VIII, was said to be inspired by his love letters to Anne Boleyn. While some refer to it as the oldest and most enduring of all love songs (Hatchett, 2008), an equally popular label to the piece is a romantic myth that Henry wrote for his lover and future queen consort Anne Boleyn (Pittaway, 2015). Delving further into the artistry of the Renaissance period, gives us a peek into Thomas Morley’s ‘Now is the Month of Maying,’ where he openly describes outdoor lovemaking as ‘rolling in the hay’ and other crude pleasures.

Breaking into the 16th century gave way to the rise of English and Irish ballads, with popular themes of unrequited and lost love, namely ‘Scarborough Fair’ and ‘Black Is The Color of My True Love’s Hair.’

Several centuries later, love songs were given a new look. Not much changed up until what some believe to be the 1930s, marking the beginning of an era of great love songs from the great musicals.

“We can still hear them, any time at all. They won’t go away, and this is a good thing. We’d be a much worse world without such lovely songs,” (Hatchett, 2008). – about love songs of the 1930s.

Notable pieces from this period of time include ‘Tea for Two’ by Doris Day and ‘Why Do I Love You’ by Johnny Tillotson. Although several renditions have been made, one song that remains timeless is ‘Night and Day’ by the legendary Frank Sinatra, famously nicknamed the Chairman of the Board.

“Night and day, you are the one

Only you ‘neath the moon or under the sun

Whether near to me or far

It’s no matter, darling, where you are

I think of you day and night”

An excerpt from the song ‘Night and Day’ by Frank Sinatra

In these few lines, the perception of ‘old school love’ can be evidently noticed, in my opinion. This is mainly due to the string of simple words that form a beautiful harmony that screams ‘meant to be.’ No vulgarities or obscene descriptions, and yet an impactful impression is made through songwriting.

The Golden Era: Iconic Love Songs of the 20th Century

“As the nineteenth century gave way to the twentieth, love underwent many changes: young people wanted relationships without much involvement from parents and elders, women’s self-image changed as they sought expanded opportunities and the vote, and the innovations of the age transformed American culture. New immigrants came to the United States, and the country expanded,” wrote Stephanie Halls, a writer at the Library of Congress in the United States.

The significance of such revolutionary events in world history was very much present in the context of the 1900s, where an important aspect was the emergence of women’s perspectives and viewpoints being embraced. As women sought the vote, their egalitarianism was often seen as interfering with the socially conservative agenda of marriage, as depicted in the comic complaint song, ‘Since My Margaret Became a Suffragette.’ Beyond this, female singers were also beginning to involve themselves in mainstream music, which was when ‘Please Keep Out of My Dreams,’ by Elsa Maxwell and Nora Bayes gained popularity for its bold expression of a woman’s love.

Love Ballads in Contemporary Music

The 21st century has become an album of so many ‘mini-eras’ where the global commercial music industry has experienced different styles of art that have clung till now and some, gone with the wind for good.

In the early 2000s, Beyoncé’s ‘Crazy In Love,’ took the world by storm with its alluring vocals and catchy lyrics. Another sweet song that gave a completely opposite vibe was ‘Love Story,’ by Taylor Swift, which became the teenage anthem of the time. Other notable poetic pieces include Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ and John Legend’s ‘All of Me.’

The recent hit that garnered millions of views in the span of hours, is Ariana Grande’s ‘We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)’ from her latest album, Eternal Sunshine. Personally, I believe it’s the year’s best love song, as its lyrics evoke deep emotions in listeners, as they tune in deeper. The music video visualises an abstract story of Peaches (the female main character played by Grande herself) who chooses to undergo a procedure that would ultimately erase unwanted memories of her ex, portrayed by Evan Peters. As for the lyrics itself, it reflects Peaches’ realisation that she could never return to being ‘friends again’ or her true self with her past lover, as shown below:

“We can’t be friends,

But I’d like to just pretend.

You cling to your papers and pens,

Wait until you like me again.

Wait for your love.

Love, I’ll wait for your love.”

The chorus of ‘We Can’t Be Friends,’ by Ariana Grande (Album: Eternal Sunshine, 2024)

Conclusion

To end this on a sweet note, love songs have never been bad for they have always been adored by audiences of different periods of time and social settings. What matters is the art of storytelling through songwriting that perseveres and constantly evolves, finding ways to become a step better than before. Ultimately, a rough formula of a good love song could be defined by the equation:

The Perfect Love Song = Relatability + Elements of Hardship in Love + Sweet Words + A Beautiful Melody + An Artist’s Authenticity.

A handpicked list by the author of some love songs from the olden days:

‘Begin the Beguine’ by Cole Porter

‘I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling’ by Ella Fitzgerald

‘Stella by Starlight’ by Frank Sinatra

‘Put Your Head on my Shoulders’ by Paul Anka

‘Cheek to Cheek’ by Fred Astaire

[Written By: Shree Pavana Kurunsikumaran, Edited By: Bryan Lue]

Introduction

What comes to mind when you think of the eldest daughter? Is it someone who constantly strives to make her family proud? Someone who constantly shoulders the burden of her family’s expectations and criticism? This question was asked to two students from Taylor’s University, Ashley Zuzatee, who has an elder brother and younger sister, and Shereen Sidhu, who has two younger brothers; both respectively the eldest daughters of their families. They delved deep into the challenges they faced, how they were treated by their parents, their relationship with their siblings and much more.

Eldest Son vs Eldest Daughter

The common conception is that eldest children, may it be a daughter or son, face similar hardships as they play the role of a ‘third parent’ for their siblings. But due to traditional beliefs in Asian culture and gender roles, the trials faced by sons and daughters, although both valid, are also distinctly different. An eldest son may be expected to perform well to gain status, provide for his loved ones and conquer life’s many tests with fortitude. A daughter, however, is expected to achieve success in her studies, maintain a level of modesty and eventually start a family of her own.

Ashley states that oftentimes her parents put more emphasis on how she plays a pivotal role in her younger sister’s life as a role model. Unfortunately, her older brother wasn’t active in his role as a reliable figure for Ashley to count on. He rarely faced any repercussions for it. She admits to feelings of resentment towards her brother as he wasn’t the older sibling he should’ve been. However, this never stopped Ashley from being there for her younger sister, in an attempt to be present where her brother was absent.

Shereen, the eldest to two brothers, could sympathise with Ashley’s experience. That was until she started university and no longer saw her family on a day-to-day basis. Although she recalled many moments when she had to be present as a parental figure, the duty of the third parent was shared; her youngest brother looked up to both siblings for guidance and care.

This begs the question – are daughters expected to be more nurturing to their siblings due to stereotypes of women being more motherly and well-suited to attend to children? In Shereen’s case, her responsibility was only shared when she was more physically absent in her youngest brother’s life. In a way, the eldest son of Shereen’s family was by default, the next third parent. On the other hand, Ashley had always been a dependable guardian for her sister while her older brother stood to the side.

The Dynamic Between Siblings

It’s an unspoken rule that family will always look out for one another, so as the eldest daughter, how much are they willing to sacrifice to keep this sacred familial bond?

As mentioned before, both Ashley and Shereen both had their fair share of being the shoulder that their younger siblings lean on. Due to this, their siblings have come to rely and seek guidance from them, so the dynamic becomes that of parent and child. Nevertheless, we must not forget that the eldest daughter is in their own right, also a child, not a fill-in parent.

Between Ashley and her younger sister, it is not a stretch to say that she portrays a motherly role for her sister, but at the end of the day she remains as her elder sister, not her mother. It can be difficult to draw the line between being a sister and a mother, as their roles blur into an indistinguishable blob. Regardless, Ashley holds her sister dear and would never stop caring for her, a true testament of the strength and grace of an eldest daughter.

Shereen holds a similar stance with Ashley, as her role as the eldest daughter unfolds to that of a peacemaker. Shereen had to consistently be neutral when her siblings quarrelled; as siblings do. The alternative would be to receive judgement for siding with one sibling over the other, and there’s no telling how big of a division in the family it would cause. Even if she had something to say, Shereen had to routinely hold back on sharing them for the sake of keeping things at bay. Being a mediator in her family’s disputations had aided her in resolving many arguments over the years, but at what cost?

An Eldest Daughter’s Quest to Perfection

Most parents expect their children to be self-sufficient and achieve their definition of success in life. Oftentimes, this wish of success is good-natured as parents ultimately want what’s best for their child regardless of it being overbearing or the root of great pressure.

Ashley mentions a specific memory of how she was scolded by her mother when she slept in one morning, feeling incredibly tired. Her mother commented on her waking up later than usual and was visibly upset. “You always wake up late, why can’t you help around the house more?” were the words she could recall. Bear in mind, this was not routine for Ashley, it was as simple as her sleeping in on one occasion as she was tired from a strenuous day prior.

Why couldn’t Ashley’s mother allow her daughter to rest without instilling a sense of guilt? To appease her mother, Ashley had to be more mindful of taking in some extra hours of beauty sleep even if she was well-deserving of it because God forbid she sleeps in! This instance is a prime example of how an eldest daughter is frequently regarded as someone who should uphold perfect behaviour as expected from her parents.

Shereen recounted that as a child she always performed well in her academics and naturally, her parents never worried about her in terms of her studies. Shereen didn’t gain much as a reward for consistently getting stellar results, after all, it was a given that she’d do well. In contrast, her brother would receive gifts as an incentive to get as many As as he can. But where were these incentives for Shereen when she came home with one clean report card after the other?

“I’d sometimes get aggravated because I wanted things too.” Of course Shereen didn’t study and work hard for the sole purpose of a gift, plus she did gain her parent’s acknowledgement through verbal gifts – the gift of praise. However, the key difference was that Shereen was never incentivised to do well; a small gift can speak volumes that her efforts are equally as valuable as her brother’s.

Children of The Future

Through these stories we get a glimpse of how it’s like to be an eldest daughter. It’s not always rainbows and sunshine, but in a family we are all given our roles to play and these ladies have done an outstanding job at theirs. As the children of our parents, is it possible for us to break free from those allocated roles? For the eldest daughter these roles may be expected but they’re not set in stone.

[Written By: Sie Wei Wan (Willow), Edited By: Li Wen]

“She is sixty-nine years old and lies in the hospital room where she has been marooned for the past eight years, shipwrecked in her own body. “It” is the story that you are now writing – this beginning you have yet to imagine and the ending she will not live to see”.

An excerpt from the memoir by Jiayang Fan, June 14, 2023, The New Yorker

Motor neurons, among the body’s lengthiest cells, transmit electrical signals from the brain to various body parts. In ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) progression, cognitive abilities typically remain unaffected, but motor neurons fail to convey these crucial signals. Consequently, limbs and organs gradually deteriorate, leading to a loss of vital functions such as breathing.

At twenty-five, Fan’s mother’s illness surfaced, and the path forward became starkly evident. She relocated her to their apartment, meticulously chosen for the both of them, with separate spaces for each. Fan administered spoonfuls of Ensure until her medical condition required direct insertion of the feeding tube into her stomach. Setting alarms to monitor her breathing apparatus became routine. To shoulder the escalating responsibilities, Fan embraced additional freelance projects and leaned on borrowed funds from friends. Prioritising her care, the struggling young adult postponed acquiring medical insurance for herself until securing a part-time home aide, later upgraded to full-time, and then to two.

On the day Fan’s mother’s motor neurons ceased to reach her diaphragm, a call from the home aide brought dire news – “your mother is lying unconscious, her skin taking on a translucent blue hue”. Faced with the stark reality that her survival depended on artificial respiration, the weighty decision fell upon Fan’s shoulders to act on her behalf.

Will you save your mother or let her die?

It wasn’t a choice.

Neither of them dwelled in the realm of possibilities. This unspoken truth hung heavy as her eyes widened, her lips fell silent, and no words escaped. Fan thought to herself, flashes of her mother bedridden struck every now and then – “A broken bird, she acted on pure instinct rather than deliberation. There she lay, imprisoned within her own body. Her pallor resembled rain-soaked concrete, her eyes, deep, mournful, and screaming.” It marked the onset of the dreadful alphabet chart, which Fan had once encouraged her mother to learn while speech was still within reach.

The Last Time: An unsaid goodbye.

As Fan bid farewell to her mother for the final time, a lie escaped her lips. She fabricated an excuse about needing to attend to her occupational affairs, when in truth, she stole a precious moment to immerse herself in her storytelling, knowing it will evaporate with the dawn. Her mother nodded in acquiescence, but Fan avoided meeting her gaze. The weight of deceit made it unbearable to look her mother in the eye.

The last time she saw her mother alive, she lied.

She lied, and her mother had died.

The Morning After

In the morning, sunlight cut through the darkness like a sharpened blade, its intensity almost predatory. As Fan reluctantly opened her eyes, there was a fleeting expectation of dissolution, of being swallowed by the ethereal void. Yet, instead of oblivion, the world materialises before her. But could she have trusted it? Her world has always been intertwined with her mother’s presence. How could she believe that she was truly seeing it, or if this was even the same “it” without her?

~

Tell the story well enough, because you got to go to school while she scrubbed toilets.

Tell the story well enough so that time and space will collapse and the two of you will course in a single stream, like water. Tell the story well enough to abolish the end.

Tell the story well enough.

Tell the story well enough.

Tell the story well enough.

Tell the story well enough so that both babies will survive.

Writer’s Note

In the gentle ebb and flow of Jiayang’s narrative, the essence of a mother’s love unravels like petals unfurling in the dawn’s embrace. Through thick and thin, the connection between mother and daughter triumphs as a timeless consonance of devotion and sacrifice. In the tender twilight of memory, with whatever that lingers, their souls eternally dance as one, for their love is not merely a fleeting emotion, but rather an ode to the delicacy of the human spirit and the resilience that lies within.

An essay that transcends plain language. It’s about love. It’s about persistence. It discusses numerous cruelties – the harshness of poverty, terminal disease, bereavement, and generational trauma, but more importantly, a text that delves into the intertwined lives of the author and her mother, shaped by the difficulties of immigration and the author’s mother’s battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Amidst the physical and emotional challenges, the author reflects on their communication struggles and the urgency to convey meaning, while also juggling the grim realities of caregiving. Through vivid imagery, the narrative captures the rawness of a mother-daughter relationship and the looming spectre of mortality.

“Write as if you were dying, “ Annie Dillard once said.

But what if you are writing in competition with death?

What if the story you are telling is racing again?”

The Conclusion

Once, there dwelled a woman longing to bend time and space. Her aim? To barter her own destiny for her ailing mother’s future. Oh, how the tables have turned now. Little did she know, this exchange would meld them into a beautifully difficult entity, fragmented yet fused, with time coursing through them like a solitary stream of water.

But the stream. How strangely that stream would flow, not forward but in a loop, as the mother became the child’s purpose.

“But I am free to do whatever I want now, she says.

Now that you are dead?

Now that I live only in your story.

But my story is your story, you say. What am I without you?

A thing that moves, your mother answers. A thing that is alive”.

[Mother’s Day Special; Written By: Shree Pavana Kurunsikumaran, Edited By: Adryna Chin, Teoh Jin, Li Wen and Bryan Lue]

Introduction

Ever since Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) licensed 5 digital banks, advertisements related to it have been everywhere from screens inside LRT/MRTs to cars wrapped with GXBank’s details. Those behind the 5 digital banks that managed to get a license after 2 years of audit are Aeon Credit, Boost Holding, Sea Limited, KAF Investment Bank and GXS Bank Pte Ltd. GXBank led the way by launching their app back in November 2023 followed by Boost Bank and Aeon Bank recently.

A total of 78% of consumers prefer digital channels for banking transactions, highlighting the increasing demand for seamless digital experiences, according to a survey by Deloitte. Digital banks have revolutionized the banking experience by prioritizing customer-centricity and technological innovation. Moreover, research by McKinsey & Company indicates that digital banks’ Net Promoter Scores (NPS) are consistently higher than those of traditional banks, reflecting greater customer satisfaction.

Furthermore, data from J.D. Power’s Retail Banking Satisfaction Study shows that digital banks outperform traditional banks in key areas such as ease of navigation, account management, and problem resolution. This superior customer experience translates into higher customer retention rates and increased brand loyalty for digital banks. With all the advertising push, the hype for digital banks is rising with the expectation that it might replace traditional banks, so will it actually become reality?

Operating Hours and Accessibility

An aspect that is being advertised a lot about digital banking is their operating hours and accessibility. While traditional banks typically adhere to standard banking hours, often closing on weekends and public holidays, digital banks operate 24/7, allowing customers to conduct banking transactions at their convenience. This alone is a very huge advantage for digital banks.

Customers won’t need to plan their visit to the nearest branch at a specific time anymore. This has been proven challenging for those who do not have any branches nearby them and also for those with busy schedules. Since digital banks promote flexibility, it eliminates all those problems. Customers can access their accounts, make transactions, and seek assistance round the clock which enhances convenience and accessibility.

Moreover, the availability of digital banking services at any time and anywhere, resonates with modern consumers who value flexibility and efficiency in managing their finances. According to a survey by Ipsos, 62% of Malaysians cite convenience as the primary reason for using digital banking channels, underscoring the importance of accessibility in shaping customer preferences.

Due to the limited operating hours, it may cause annoyance and frustration among customers especially when emergencies occur or when there are urgent financial matters. By offering uninterrupted access to banking services, digital banks empower customers with greater control over their finances, reinforcing their appeal and competitive edge in the market.

Incentive

GXBank’s interest rate of 3% per annum, compounded daily, is something that is unheard of since it is notably higher than the rates typically offered by traditional savings accounts in Malaysia. According to data from PIDM, the average interest rate for traditional savings accounts hovers around 0.3% to 0.5% per annum. This means that GXBank’s offering exceeds traditional bank rates by a significant margin, providing Malaysian savers with the opportunity to earn substantially more on their savings.

With GXBank’s high-interest rate compounded daily, customers have the potential to maximize their savings and achieve greater financial growth over time. The compounding effect allows savings to grow at an accelerated pace, amplifying the benefits of the interest earned. This aligns with Malaysians’ financial goals of building robust savings for future needs, whether it be for emergencies, education, or retirement.

GXBank’s additional incentive of 1% unlimited cashback for every transaction further distinguishes it from traditional banking offerings. Cashback rewards are typically associated with credit cards, offering users a percentage of their spending back as a reward. However, GXBank extends this benefit to debit card users, allowing Malaysians to earn rewards on their everyday transactions without the need for a credit card. This innovative feature not only incentivizes spending but also encourages financial responsibility by rewarding customers for their regular purchases.

When comparing GXBank’s offerings with traditional banks, it becomes evident that the benefits provided significantly outweigh those of traditional savings accounts. Traditional banks typically offer lower interest rates and limited or no cashback rewards on transactions. Moreover, the convenience of digital banking, coupled with GXBank’s user-friendly mobile app and streamlined account opening process, further enhances its appeal compared to the cumbersome procedures and limited accessibility of traditional banks.

Financial Inclusion

In Malaysia, the push for financial inclusion has gained momentum in recent years, with digital banks playing a pivotal role in expanding access to banking services. According to data from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), approximately 8% of Malaysian adults remain unbanked, facing barriers such as limited documentation and geographic isolation. Digital banks, leveraging technology and alternative data sources, are poised to address these challenges and reach underserved populations.

For instance, Boost Bank, one of the newly licensed digital banks in Malaysia, targets the financially underserved segments by offering simplified account opening processes and innovative credit assessment methods. By analyzing transactional data and mobile phone usage patterns, Boost Bank can extend credit facilities to individuals with limited credit history, thereby fostering financial inclusion.

Moreover, initiatives such as the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint underscore the government’s commitment to promoting financial inclusion through digital innovation. These efforts aim to bridge the gap between traditional banking services and marginalized communities, empowering Malaysians with greater access to financial resources and opportunities.

Security and Trust

In Malaysia, maintaining trust and confidence in digital banking services is paramount to ensuring the stability and integrity of the financial system. With the rise of cyber threats and data breaches, consumers are increasingly concerned about the security of their personal and financial information. Digital banks in Malaysia recognize the importance of safeguarding customer data and have implemented robust security measures to mitigate such risks.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) mandates stringent cybersecurity standards for financial institutions, including digital banks, to protect against unauthorized access and cyber attacks. Digital banks are required to comply with regulations such as the Risk Management in Technology (RMiT) framework and the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), which govern data security and privacy practices.

Furthermore, partnerships between digital banks and cybersecurity firms bolster the defense against emerging threats, with proactive monitoring and threat intelligence sharing. By prioritizing customer trust and transparency, digital banks in Malaysia aim to instill confidence in online banking services and foster a secure digital ecosystem for financial transactions.

Conclusion

The rise of digital banks heralds a new era of competition, innovation, and enhanced customer experiences in the banking industry. But as digital banking continues to evolve and expand its reach, one question looms: will traditional banks be able to adapt and compete, or will digital banks eventually become the dominant force in Malaysia’s financial landscape?

[Written By: Daniel, Edited By: Adryna Chin]

Instapoetry: a style of written poetry that gained popularity on instagram. It is also a play on the word ‘instant’, which refers to how long it takes to both write and consume this brand of poetry.

Over the last few years, writers like Rupi Kaur, Amanda Lovelace, Atticus, and Aliza Grace have taken the internet by storm with their relatable and easily-digestible writing. While they have brought a lot of funding into the publishing industry with the massive success of their works, they have been criticised for their largely commercial take on literature. They are often short, sweet, and paired with aesthetically pleasing yet simple drawings.

What Is Poetry?

The exact definition of poetry has been debated for a considerable amount of time by a multitude of writers and literary critics. While the majority of critically acclaimed poetry has moved away from strict rhyme and metre schemes (free verse), the level of skill required for the craft has not decreased. Plenty of free verse poets still utilise literary techniques such as alliteration, metaphors, and allusions, which can rarely be found in Instapoetry.

The issue most people have with Instapoetry is that it not only lacks the defining traits of poetic verse, but also lacks depth and creativity altogether. It is overt and straightforward, leaving little to analyse and reflect on. Furthermore, the situations depicted in Instapoems are often vague, as though they were written for the purpose of being reposted on readers’ Instagram stories with little external context. It is through social media that Instapoets are able to build such large fanbases.

Milk and Honey

The New Republic named Rupi Kaur the 2010s ‘Writer of the Decade’, with the success of her debut work Milk and Honey, as well as all her subsequent works. While Kaur’s role as a South Asian woman in a white-dominated literary scene has been regarded as valuable, she has also been criticised for plagiarising other poets, as well as diluting trauma when trying to depict the collective South Asian female experience.

Her popularity is so widespread that my aunt once bought me a copy of Milk and Honey with the intention of helping me get through my exams. I accepted it gracefully, but I couldn’t help but be frustrated with the fact that she had spent over RM100 on a hardcover book whose contents consist of nothing more than shallow writing, mediocre art, and plenty of wasted space.

In the eyes of many critics, the most frustrating aspect of Rupi Kaur’s work is that some of her poems do show genuine potential. For example, ‘midweek sessions’ is generally regarded as one of her better works. However, it appears as though she chooses to publish bite-sized, formulaic poetry instead of actually honing her craft. Many view this as disrespectful towards the art of poetry, with a piece from Society19 claiming that she “shits on the core foundation that constitutes literature as a whole, and thus her work isn’t poetry no matter how much popularity she may gain.”

Adultolescence

With the rise of Instapoetry came a wave of celebrities and influencers, such as Lili Reinhart and Megan Fox, who have decided to publish poetry collections with the same formula. Gabbie Hanna’s Adultolescence, however, gained the most scrutiny, as she was one of the first to do so. Much like with Rupi Kaur’s work, many people criticised the lack of subtlety and nuance in Hanna’s poetry. What you see is what you get.

One of her poems, ‘Iron’, reads as follows:

“When I was young

my mom used to check if the iron was hot

by touching it,

and, I don’t know,

I just feel like there’s

a metaphor in there somewhere.”

(Extract ‘Iron’ from Adultolescence by Gabbie Hanna)

And Hanna is right. There could very well be a metaphor in there somewhere. A metaphor that she could have developed into a genuinely good poem. However, she instead chooses to waste it, lazily publishing a half-formed idea. Many have criticised this approach, stating that her poor writing infantilizes the severity of the topics mentioned in her poems.

In a now-deleted video announcing her more recent collection ‘Dandelion’, Hanna said “People aren’t scrambling very often to read the ‘Iliad’ or the ‘Odyssey.’ They’re great works, but it’s not what people want to sit down and read. I assume, if it was anything like when I was in school, most students aren’t jumping for joy when they’re assigned Shakespeare. But, people are really into books like ‘Milk and Honey.’”

The issue with this is, not only does Hanna not have sufficient understanding of the literary greats, she does not seem interested in learning. It is common knowledge that writers must first be avid readers, or else their work will be subpar. Even with writers who do not follow convention, rules must first be understood before broken. Hanna, on the other hand, does not have this solid foundation, nor does she seem to have an appreciation for literature. She says that people are really into books like Milk and Honey, insinuating that she is only concerned with what is popular and what can make her money, which, again, is the basis for Instapoetry.

While Hanna argues that her poetry is very personal to her and therefore can be excused from its lack of substance, the unspoken rule of publishing is that: once you expect people to pay money for your work, anyone has the right to criticise it.

The Death of Literature

Some people have argued that Instapoetry is justified in its nature, as it is more widely accessible and encourages more people to read. Publishing houses therefore make more money that can be spent on publishing other genuinely outstanding literary works.

However, others argue Instapoetry still does more harm than good by bastardising the definition of poetry, as well as stripping it of its nuances and intricacies. Instapoetry is shallow, not only because of its content, but because of its purpose. It is about as mass-produced as it gets. It is written to be printed in quaint little books that sit on your coffee table, or reposted on social media to fit into an ‘aesthetic’.

In the age of social media, it appears as though critical thinking has waned. Everything is far more superficial, and literary spaces are no exception. With the rise of BookTok, many novels are published and promoted purely based on what tropes and demographics they fit into. And while tropes are by no means what makes a novel bad, stories are now being written to suit certain popular tropes, instead of having tropes simply be a part of an already established plotline. As a part of this phenomenon, the same thing has happened with poetry. The masses no longer want to devote time and effort into understanding not only nuanced writing, but nuanced situations as well.

Thom Young, a poet who created a fake Instapoetry account to mock the genre, said he thought that “people today don’t want to read anything that causes a whole lot of critical thinking,” and this proves evident in the very nature of Instapoetry. Poetry, as a genre, cannot simply be pretty words accompanied by pretty doodles. It is an art form.

In his novel ‘The Ode Less Travelled’, author Stephen Fry says “Poems are not read like novels. There is much pleasure to be had in taking the same fourteen-line sonnet to bed with you and reading it many times over a week. Savour, taste, enjoy. Poetry is not made to be sucked up like a child’s milkshake, it is much better sipped like a precious malt whisky. Verse is one of our last stands against the instant.” This idea goes against everything Instapoetry is: which is, quite plainly, instant.

[Written By: Kianna Chan, Edited By: Adryna Chin]

In a significant ruling, Malaysia’s highest court has declared 16 Islamic laws in Kelantan, a northeastern state, unconstitutional, potentially reshaping the country’s legal landscape. Among the invalidated provisions are statutes covering various offenses such as destroying places of worship (Section 11), sodomy (Section 14), necrophiliac sexual intercourse (Section 16), bestiality (Section 17), and sexual harassment (Section 31). The court’s decision rested on the assertion that the state lacked the authority to enact Islamic laws on these matters, as they fall under the jurisdiction of Malaysian federal law.

Malaysia operates under a dual-track legal system where both secular laws and Shariah, based on Islamic scriptures such as the Quran and the hadith, govern personal and family affairs for Muslims. While ethnic Malays who are predominantly Muslim form the majority of Malaysia’s population, sizable Chinese and Indian minorities also contribute to its diverse demographics.

The case, initiated in 2022, was brought forward by two Muslim women from Kelantan, a state with a predominantly Muslim population of 97%. Governed by the conservative Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) since 1990, Kelantan’s legal framework has been a focal point for discussions on Islamic governance in Malaysia.

Background

The Kelantan Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 2019, enacted by the state of Kelantan to replace a version from 1985, outlines Islamic law criminal offences applicable within the state. Alongside, the Syariah Criminal Code (II) Enactment introduced in 1993, known as the hudud enactment, was approved by royal authority in 2015 but lacks legal effect. The reason is that the prescribed punishments exceed the limits set by Act 355, which provides the legal framework for Syariah Courts to adjudicate Islamic principle offences and matters involving Muslims, constrained by the Federal Constitution’s Ninth Schedule.

This 2019 enactment significantly regulates and criminalises various aspects of personal life, often infringing on constitutional rights and international norms. It empowers the state to regulate diverse aspects such as identity, body, belief, behaviour, and relationships, impacting not only offenders but also healthcare and service providers. The law introduces 31 new areas of criminality that infringe federally protected rights, including the public exposure of “aurat,” gender changes, consumption of intoxicants, parental disobedience, and transactions contrary to Islamic law.

Part 3 of the enactment, focusing on takzir offences, penalises self-expression, bodily autonomy, indecent acts and speech, consensual sexual relationships, and familial dynamics. It disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations like children, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with diverse gender identities, imposing harsh penalties.

The enactment raises potential legal and constitutional challenges due to many provisions overlapping with federal laws and conflicting with the Federal List. It allows for judicial caning and other degrading punishments against children and women, contravening international norms. Shariah courts have been granted extensive discretionary powers to impose additional penalties beyond fines, imprisonment, and caning, such as community service, property forfeiture, compensation, and cohabitation orders.

Furthermore, certain sections of the enactment are vague and overly broad, creating legal uncertainty and potentially suppressing freedom of thought, belief, and expression. This includes provisions concerning sorcery, distortion of Islamic teachings, and disrespectful behaviours towards laws.

Legal Implications on a multi-ethnic country

According to a report launched by Sisters in Islam (SIS), Legal Dignity, and Justice for Sisters (JFS) on the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 2019, it found that the enactment has been particularly harsh on women, especially those who are unmarried, entrepreneurs in the beauty and cosmetics industry, human rights defenders, sex workers, and LGBTQ+ women. The enactment criminalises behaviours such as indecent acts or speech, the exposure of “aurat” (parts of the body that Islamic teaching requires to be covered), acts labelled as “lesbianism” (musahaqah), non-cisgender expressions deemed as “changing gender or posing as the opposite sex,” and even disobedience to parents.

In Islam, “aurat” typically refers to the region between the navel and the knees for men, and for women, all but the face and palms must be covered. However, the report criticises the enactment for contravening Malaysia’s obligations under the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). It was noted that the CEDAW committee expressed concerns in 2018 about the Shariah legal system’s gaps in protecting women from discrimination and how Malaysia is falling short on Sustainable Development Goals related to gender equality and women’s rights.

The enactment also has specific provisions for children, offering exemptions for those “who have not reached the age of puberty,” though it does not specify this age, unlike the civil Penal Code. This makes children particularly vulnerable under this law, with several sections disproportionately affecting them, including those that criminalise exposing the aurat, pregnancy out of wedlock, and various forms of familial disobedience.

LGBTQ+ individuals face new prohibitions under two sections that outlaw so-called “changes of gender” and impose criminal penalties on trans men, masculine persons, and other gender-diverse individuals. This impacts the availability of trans-specific healthcare and protections against discrimination and violence.

Human rights groups report facing additional obstacles in carrying out their work due to sections of the enactment that criminalise various forms of support and advocacy. This includes sections that penalise distorting Islamic teachings, insulting laws, and even breaking the peace.

Businesses and service providers are also negatively impacted, particularly those in the fashion industry and those dealing with public display and decency standards. For instance, a section that criminalises exposing aurat in public affects how fashion is displayed and regulated, even impacting how undergarments can be shown on television.

The report concludes with a call to the federal and state governments to review and reconsider the enactment, citing its redundancy, unconstitutional overlap with federal laws, and the unnecessary criminalization of a wide array of activities that should fall outside state jurisdiction. The concern is that such laws not only infringe upon constitutionally guaranteed freedoms but also represent a misallocation of resources.

The Constitutionality of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment

The Federal Constitution of Malaysia establishes the foundational legal framework of the nation, serving as the supreme law under which all subsequent legislation must be evaluated. Since the inception of Malaysia’s independence on Merdeka Day, the Constitution has been the ultimate authority, dictating that any law contradicting its stipulations is void to the extent of its inconsistency. This principle ensures that all legislative actions within the country adhere to the Constitution’s mandates, preserving its integrity and supremacy.

Islam holds a significant position in Malaysia, as recognized by Article 3(1) of the Constitution, which designates Islam as the religion of the Federation. However, it is critical to acknowledge the importance of Article 3(4), which specifies that this recognition shall not impair the Constitution in any other respect. This clause serves as a safeguard, ensuring that the special position of Islam does not undermine the comprehensive legal and constitutional framework that protects the rights and freedoms of all Malaysians.

A notable manifestation of these constitutional principles occurred in a landmark ruling by the Federal Court in 2021 regarding Section 28 of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment. The court’s decision underscored the limited scope of authority that state governments possess in enacting Syariah-related laws. This judgement not only clarified the boundaries within which state legislation can operate but also prompted a deeper examination of the types of Syariah laws that can be enacted at the state level, ensuring they do not overstep the powers granted under the Constitution.

All state laws, including those governing Islamic matters, are required to comply with the Federal Constitution. This compliance is particularly pertinent regarding articles that uphold fundamental liberties and equality, ensuring that all state legislation respects these core values. The enactment of laws, such as the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 2019, thus requires a thorough constitutionality assessment. This assessment must determine whether the laws align with the Federal State List — which outlines the specific legislative powers granted to states — and maintain adherence to relevant constitutional articles that protect civil liberties and ensure equal rights.

In summary, the Federal Constitution of Malaysia provides a robust framework that guides the legality and appropriateness of all laws within the country, including those related to Islamic jurisprudence. Through its provisions, the Constitution not only affirms the position of Islam within the national context but also safeguards the rights and freedoms of all citizens by requiring that all state and federal laws undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure their alignment with constitutional principles

Public Reaction

The recent Federal Court decision in Malaysia has triggered significant reactions, particularly among conservative Muslim groups. These groups have voiced concerns that the judicial challenge might undermine the position of Islam and the authority of Syariah courts within the country. Amidst these tensions, security measures were notably heightened at the court complex in Putrajaya, Malaysia’s administrative capital. Approximately 1,000 demonstrators gathered outside, engaging in prayer and chants of “God is great” as the verdict was announced.

Justice Tengku Maimun clarified the scope of the court’s decision, stating that the case strictly concerned whether the Kelantan legislature had exceeded its constitutional powers, not the broader position of Islam in Malaysia. “Seen from this position, the issue of the civil court not upholding Islam or the Syariah courts does not arise,” she explained. This statement aims to underscore the legal focus of the court’s decision, separate from any religious implications.

Despite the court’s clarification, the ruling was met with disappointment from Kelantan state officials. Mohamed Fazli Hassan, a Kelantan government official, expressed the state’s intention to consult with Sultan Muhammad V, the royal ruler of Kelantan and a guardian of Islam in one of Malaysia’s nine monarch-led states, to discuss the decision and future matters pertaining to Islamic law.

The ruling could potentially set a precedent affecting Syariah laws across other states, suggested Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod, a law professor at Taylor’s University in Malaysia. He predicted a “domino effect” where similar legal challenges might emerge in other regions.

Conclusion

In reflecting on the complexities and implications of the recent ruling on Islamic laws in Kelantan, it becomes evident that the intertwining of religion and politics can be fraught with challenges. The danger lies in the potential for constructive criticism of policies to morph into attacks on religious beliefs, undermining the principles of tolerance and pluralism that are foundational to Malaysia’s identity.

The concept of the separation of religion and state emerges as a crucial safeguard against such risks. By maintaining a clear distinction between religious doctrines and governmental affairs, Malaysia can ensure that policies are evaluated based on their merits rather than their alignment with particular religious ideologies. This separation not only protects individual liberties and freedoms but also fosters a more inclusive and equitable society where diverse beliefs are respected and valued.

Tunku Abdul Rahman’s steadfast assertion that Malaysia is a secular state, coupled with his vision of a nation where religious recognition coexists harmoniously with secular governance, reinforces the importance of upholding this principle. His legacy serves as a reminder that Malaysia’s strength lies in its ability to navigate the complexities of its diverse society while upholding the principles of democracy and individual liberty.

As Malaysia continues to evolve and address the intersection of religion and governance, it must remain vigilant in safeguarding the separation of religion and state. By doing so, Malaysia can uphold the values of inclusivity, tolerance, and respect for all its citizens, ensuring a brighter and more harmonious future for generations to come.

[Written By: Harshaal Medha Naidu, Edited By: Teoh Jin]

TikTok, the powerhouse of short-form content, has risen to become one of the most influential social media platforms since its inception in 2017. Its meteoric ascent saw it surpassing industry giants like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube in downloads by 2018. Notably, between July 2020 and July 2022, it witnessed a remarkable 45% surge in monthly active users. The trajectory of TikTok’s success has been nothing short of staggering, fueled by its innovative algorithms and personalised content delivery, making it the preferred choice for media consumption, particularly among Generation Z.

However, amidst its soaring popularity, concerns surrounding data manipulation have loomed large, especially regarding its China-based parent company’s potential to access sensitive user data and censor content that conflicts with Chinese government policies.

On March 13th, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would compel TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, to divest the social media platform or face a complete ban in the United States. The bill’s overwhelming support in the House, backed by 352 members, with only 65 opposed underscores the gravity of the threat TikTok faces in the US. If the Senate also passes the legislation, if President Joe Biden follows through on his intention to sign it should the bill arrive on his desk, and if TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, doesn’t successfully sell TikTok to a non-Chinese owner before the legislation’s specified deadline then TikTok would cease to exist in the US.

TikTok has vehemently denied any intention of sharing US user data with the Chinese government. However, lawmakers’ concerns were further fueled by revelations of China-based ByteDance employees accessing non-public data about US TikTok users. Additionally, recent national security laws in China, empowering organisations to aid in intelligence gathering, have exacerbated these concerns.

In response, TikTok has asserted that US user data is stored outside of China, with operations in Singapore, the US, and a newly established data centre in Ireland for EU citizen data. Nonetheless, these assurances have failed to assuage many US lawmakers’ anxieties.

In March 2023, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, faced intense scrutiny before Congress, enduring over five hours of questioning regarding the platform’s practices. Lawmakers, questioning Chew’s nationality, accused him of potential allegiance to China, despite his Singaporean identity.

The unfolding saga of TikTok’s regulatory challenges in the US highlights the complex intersection of technology, geopolitics, and corporate responsibility in the digital age. As the debate rages on, the fate of TikTok in the US hangs in the balance, with far-reaching implications for both the platform and its millions of users worldwide.

Hypocrisy Of The Bill

While it’s crucial to maintain checks and balances between social media companies and lawmakers to safeguard transparency and data protection for American citizens, there’s a glaring inconsistency in the proposed ban on TikTok.

If the US decides to ban TikTok, it should logically apply the same scrutiny to every other social media platform. After all, there’s little to distinguish TikTok from its counterparts. Additionally, the belief that only the Chinese government can demand data from TikTok is misleading. Major nation-states possess the capability to extract data from any target they choose, without needing permission.

By singling out TikTok for a ban, there’s a risk of fostering the misconception that our youth will be shielded from social media manipulation, which is far from reality. Moreover, it falsely suggests that only the Chinese government can access sensitive data about American citizens.

A prominent example could be foreign access to US data. It’s widely known that foreign governments have breached our personal lives over the past decade. From breaches like the OPM hack to numerous state-originated breaches, foreign entities likely have a more comprehensive understanding of our activities and preferences than our own government. Put simply, they have our data, period.

Moreover, algorithm influence also plays a pivotal role as anyone who engages with social media understands the influence of algorithms in shaping user preferences. This applies equally to search engines like Google, which capitalise on algorithms to influence user behaviour. TikTok operates under the same principle; algorithms are integral to its functionality. And finally, government coercion, while it’s acknowledged that the Chinese government could potentially leverage its influence over TikTok to access data, the same applies to any other company they choose to target. Foreign hacks targeting sensitive data aren’t confined to domestic entities; nation-states possess the capability to influence or coerce foreign organisations. This is a fundamental aspect of espionage.

The Cambridge Analytica scandal serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of personal data. This data analytics firm exploited millions of Facebook profiles, utilising the information to construct a potent software program aimed at predicting and influencing voter choices. US social media platforms have long played a key role in Washington’s global influence operations, facilitating intelligence collection and the dissemination of American political and cultural values abroad.

U.S. Politicians and TikTok

In December 2022, President Biden took the initial step of banning TikTok on government devices, a move driven by ongoing concerns about China’s influence over ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company.

Paradoxically, TikTok became a pivotal tool in the Biden administration’s communication arsenal. Throughout 2021, the White House collaborated with social media influencers, including prominent TikTok creators, to promote COVID-19 vaccination among the American populace.

The platform’s significance extended into the realm of politics, particularly in the lead-up to the November 2022 midterm elections. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) capitalised on TikTok’s reach by inviting influencers to Washington, D.C. These individuals engaged with senior members of the Biden administration, shared moments with former President Barack Obama, and showcased iconic D.C. landmarks such as the Capitol and the Oval Office. These interactions were thoughtfully documented and shared on TikTok as part of the DNC’s campaign efforts.

Despite Biden’s previous stance on potentially banning TikTok, his campaign recently activated a TikTok profile as a strategic component of their digital strategy for the upcoming presidential election.

However, it’s worth noting that President Biden’s popularity among young voters has been less than optimal. Recognizing this challenge, his campaign’s decision to embrace TikTok reflects a pragmatic approach to re-engage with this crucial demographic. Consequently, advocating for a TikTok ban ahead of the November presidential election might not align with his re-election objectives. Ultimately, the utilisation of TikTok underscores the evolving dynamics of political communication and engagement in the digital age.

Real-World implications

TikTok has vocally opposed the legislation, urging the Senate not to pass it. “We are hopeful that the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realise the impact on the economy, 7 million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who use our service,” the TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek said following the vote.

However, in the case the ban does take place, bottom line is, we’re all going to be okay. It’s not the end of the world. Social media consumers may just move on to other social media platforms. But it’s imperative to note that a potential TikTok ban in the U.S. could spell disastrous economic consequences for millions of Americans, considering the platform’s immense user base.

Among these creators are individuals who have experienced transformative effects on their lives, either by finding their voice or generating income through the platform. For instance,Tiktok lifestyle content creator queencitytrends, commented on the tiktok ban, stating, “i’m pretty disappointed that some of our representatives that have actively used this platform to grow and win elections are still in favour of the ban,”.

Moreover, freedom of speech and civil rights advocacy groups have opposed a ban, stating that such legislation could have a profound impact on the internet at large. They have argued that TikTok’s data practices, while problematic, are not substantially different from those of US-based tech firms.

“TikTok isn’t perfect, but banning it is the wrong solution,” said Jenna Ruddock, a policy counsel at the media advocacy group Free Press. “Like all popular social media platforms, including those that Meta and Google own, TikTok collects too much data on its users. But unilaterally dismantling spaces for free expression limits people’s access to information and cuts off avenues for creators to build community.”

The livelihoods of countless Americans hinge on TikTok, whether as entrepreneurs, content creators, or influencers. Any disruption to the platform’s operations would not only impact individual incomes but also ripple through the broader economy, potentially leading to job losses and stifling innovation in the digital sphere.

Moving Forward

Currently, the bill still faces an uphill battle to become law. While president Biden has confirmed he would sign it, it still has to pass a Senate vote. As for now, it remains unclear when that vote would take place, but TikTok is likely to increase its lobbying efforts on the Hill as it moves forward.

[Written By: Harshaall Medha Naidu, Edited By: Adryna Chin Yee Shin]