While Malaysian women could soon have equal citizenship rights under the Federal Constitution, the battle for equality for all is far from over, says the writer.

It’s simple, says the writer, and nothing to do with religion: child abuse is child abuse is child abuse.

This month as we celebrate our freedom from colonial rule, it might be worth remembering that we are never truly merdeka if there are still people around the world who are not, says the writer.

Art in many ways has no ethnicity but to stay alive, it needs support and as many people as possible to experience and appreciate it.

It’s a jumbled-up jungle out there, and all we need is consistency – especially from our leaders – to help us cope, says the writer.

We all have a doppelgänger – the person we present to the world and the person we really are. It’s only when people’s different personae clash that we need to be wary.

We should do as we preach and be kind to others, especially those taking refuge in our country, says the writer. There is nothing to lose.

Perhaps it would benefit us all if every time we felt hurt or insulted, especially this Ramadan, we took a moment and asked ourselves ‘What would the Prophet do?’, says the writer.

The Federal civil and criminal courts may not be perfect, but we have a running chance at being dealt with justly should we come before them, says the writer.

Concern and advocacy for a global cause does not deprive our own backyard of the same energy to do good, says the writer.

There is a chilling blood lust within the Israeli government whose murderous intentions are being supported without any qualms by their overseas supporters.

And when we see what is happening when an entire people are denied their human rights and dignity, does it make us reflect on how we uphold the same rights for ourselves and everyone around us, asks the writer.