Law & Paneir

The Indo-Pacific region is entering a period of heightened geopolitical turbulence, marked by intensifying great power rivalry, militarization, and shifting strategic alliances. At the heart of this evolving security environment lies the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) a regional bloc that, for decades, has anchored its relevance on neutrality, consensus, and informal diplomacy. However, as the competition between the United States and China escalates, and as new powers like India rise to assert their influence, ASEAN finds its core principles of sovereignty, autonomy, and unity increasingly under pressure. The region’s security architecture is transforming rapidly, and ASEAN must respond decisively to safeguard its members' sovereignty and strategic autonomy in the face of these challenges. The most pressing threat to ASEAN’s sovereignty comes from the South China Sea, where Chinese assertiveness has undermined the security and territorial integrity of sever...

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli recently acknowledged something that many non-Malay voters have known for some time: support for the party is slipping. It’s not a new phenomenon but it is one that has deepened since the 2022 general election. For years, non-Malays, particularly the Chinese and Indian communities, stood firmly behind PKR and Pakatan Harapan. Their support was based on the belief that this coalition represented the promise of reform, inclusivity, and a Malaysia beyond racial politics. But less than two years into governing, that hope is fading and fast. Unfulfilled Promises, Growing Apathy The cost of living has increased, and while this affects all Malaysians, minority communities feel the pinch more acutely due to their systemic exclusion from state assistance in education, business, and employment. But beyond economic frustrations, many feel that their concerns have been outright ignored by a coalition that once championed them. Key issues that once defi...

As Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) heads into its upcoming party election, it does so not merely to elect new leaders, but to decide its political destiny. Once the standard-bearer of reform in Malaysian politics, PKR now teeters on the edge of becoming the very thing it once sought to dismantle a party driven by personality cults, race-based politics, and the raw pursuit of power. The rise of factionalism and the creeping influence of political operatives with UMNO and BERSATU-style instincts threaten to hollow out the ideals that once inspired Malaysians to believe in something better. This party election will not just reshape PKR’s leadership structure it may mark the beginning of its irreversible decline. PKR’s foundation was born of struggle. The Reformasi movement, sparked by the sacking and imprisonment of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1998, gave rise to a party rooted in principles of justice, democratic reform, and multiracial unity. For years, PKR positioned itself as the...

In today’s hyperconnected world, misinformation spreads faster than verified facts, posing significant threats to national security, democratic stability, and public trust. For a diverse, multi-ethnic and digitally engaged country like Malaysia, the consequences of unchecked disinformation can be particularly severe. From polarizing communities to undermining public institutions, misinformation has become a strategic challenge that demands a comprehensive national response. Globally, misinformation has been weaponized for political influence, economic disruption, and geopolitical advantage. Malaysia is not immune to these risks. It is imperative that the country develop a robust, future-ready strategy to combat the growing threat of disinformation by learning from international best practices and tailoring them to local contexts. Finland: Media Literacy as a National Defence Tool Finland is widely recognized as one of the most misinformation-resilient nations, and much of i...

Terrorism is not born in a vacuum. Behind every act of ideological violence lies a history of grievance, social injustice, and identity politics. While the world often focuses on religion or geopolitical strife as the root causes of terrorism, a more insidious and deeply embedded trigger is often overlooked: racism and discrimination. These factors, when left unaddressed, do not just isolate communities they push individuals to the edge, where violence becomes a form of expression. This is especially dangerous when such sentiments are stoked deliberately by those in power. In Malaysia, the issue of "2R" i.e. race and religion has become increasingly volatile. Some politicians and hate preachers have, at times, exploited these identities to rally support, marginalise minorities, and sow distrust. In a multiracial country where national unity is always a work in progress, such tactics can have disastrous long-term consequences. When race and religion are weaponised fo...

On the evening of May 10, a hush fell over the battlefield. For the first time in almost a week, the borders between India and Pakistan experienced a semblance of tranquillity, following one of the most intense and devastating confrontations in recent memory. Operation Sindoor, India's bold and precise military response targeting terrorist strongholds in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), signifies a pivotal moment in the evolving security strategy of the subcontinent. Although hostilities have ceased, a new strategic framework for India has emerged, one that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has articulated with both clarity and decisiveness. It is imperative to formally recognize this new doctrine as The Doctrine of Sindoor . A Red Line Reimagined Codenamed Operation Sindoor, which symbolically invokes the sacred red mark representing dignity and honour for Indian women, was a direct military response to the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Within a fortnigh...

In the pre-dawn darkness of May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a highly calculated and precision-targeted military response against nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). The strikes came just two weeks after the Pahalgam massacre, where 26 civilians including foreign nationals were gunned down in an attack India attributes to Pakistan-backed terror outfits. While the operation was intense in execution, it was also marked by its restraint and clarity. India deliberately avoided full-blown war, directing its firepower solely at terrorist infrastructure, not Pakistani military installations or civilian areas. For a country like Malaysia, which maintains a posture of strategic neutrality and internal stability in a complex region, Operation Sindoor offers significant lessons in deterrence, precision warfare, and national defence preparedness. Precision Over Provocation India's reaction was not a hasty act of vengeance...

In the early hours of May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, its most extensive cross-border military action since the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. The operation targeted nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), serving as a direct response to the horrific Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22. Carefully planned and precisely executed, the mission marked a major shift in India’s counter-terrorism strategy exposing critical weaknesses in Pakistan’s defence systems while showcasing the growing sophistication and restraint of India’s military approach. A Strategy That Took Pakistan by Surprise India's operational strategy for Operation Sindoor was founded on three key principles: precision, restraint, and psychological impact. In contrast to earlier retaliatory actions, Operation Sindoor was deliberately designed to prevent escalation while effectively conveying a strong deterrent message. Indian authorities highlighted that ...

As the global economy adjusts to the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, one continent has become increasingly central to future power dynamics: Africa. Rich in natural resources, demographic vitality, and economic potential, Africa stands poised to shape the 21st century. Yet much of the continent still grapples with the enduring legacies of colonialism. One of the most persistent symbols of that legacy is the CFA franc a currency system created by France in 1945 and still used today by 14 African countries. For France and other former colonial powers, this is a defining moment. Will they cling to outdated systems of control masked as cooperation, or will they rise to meet the urgency of the moment by supporting African nations on the path to full sovereignty, economic independence, and regional leadership? The CFA Franc: Stability or Subjugation? The CFA franc was originally introduced to stabilize France’s colonial economies in West and Central Africa....