LAST Saturday morning, I had brunch with my usual group of friends at our favourite coffee shop, and our discussion centred on Malaysia’s recent interest rate increase to 2.75%. We noted how this policy move enhanced the appeal of ringgit-denominated assets in the international market, contributing to the ringgit’s strengthening
SARAWAK’S 83,708 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) remain the backbone of the economy, driving employment, sustaining households and anchoring community life. Yet many still depend on traditional methods – manual bookkeeping, paper records and face-to-face marketing – that limit their ability to compete in an increasingly digital global marketplace.
THE 2026 New Year message of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim marked a clear turning point. What stood out was the balance between immediate relief and longer-term reform. Reducing the service tax for MSMEs and deferring e‑invoicing until 2027 reflect an understanding of ground realities, particularly for MSMEs already
When Parliament enacted the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA) last year, it marked a significant milestone in Malaysia’s journey toward confronting the complexities of digital life. For millions of citizens who spend much of their day online—whether for work, social connection, or news consumption—the legislation offers cautious optimism. What was
IN recent days, a pernicious scam has emerged across social media platforms, cloaked in the banalities of everyday commerce. What appeared to be a routine transaction – purchasing eggs and sausages – was, in fact, the entry point into a sophisticated digital deception. The scheme was presented with disarming simplicity:
ORDER an ice Chinese tea in Kuching and you may feel like you’re spinning a roulette wheel. At one kopitiam, it’s RM1.20. At another, RM1.50. Just a few streets away, the same drink jumps to RM1.80, RM2.10, RM2.20, or even RM3.00. For a beverage as humble and universal as Chinese
AS the monsoon season settles over Sarawak, the downpour does more than soak the streets – it washes over the livelihoods of those who depend on fair weather to survive. For three local hawkers, this year’s rains have been especially cruel. Last Friday, I visited the market and spent time
IN the bustling coffee shops of Kuching and the vibrant community halls of Sibu, a subtle shift is taking place. If you look closely at a family gathering or a neighbourhood committee meeting, you will notice two distinct worlds colliding. On one side are the Baby Boomers and Gen X,
MANY Sarawakians, including my friends, have given the thumbs up to the Sarawak Budget 2026. Their reaction is understandable. Far from being a routine fiscal exercise, the budget presented by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is a strategic roadmap for transformation. At a time when global
OVER the past week, I had several engaging conversations with fellow business owners about how rural entrepreneurs’ digitalisation is reshaping our industries. Today, may I share some of the key insights with our Tribune readers. In Malaysia’s urban centres, digital tools have become second nature – whether through online banking,