Your Asian mom

The 2026 Budget signals a stronger commitment by the Federal Government to honour the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), with allocations that stand out both in scale and symbolism. For the first time in recent years, Sabah and Sarawak are placed firmly at the centre of national development priorities, backed by a surge in infrastructure and connectivity funding. Yet as with all ambitious plans, the real challenge lies not in announcement but execution. Sabah’s development allocation has risen to RM6.9 billion, from RM4.4 billion in 2022, while Sarawak’s jumps to RM6 billion from RM2.9 billion. The Special Grant for both states doubles to RM600 million, a significant fiscal gesture toward equitable distribution. Beyond these numbers are tangible projects: the Southern Link Transmission Line (RM765 million) to strengthen Sabah’s power grid, RM1 billion in water infrastructure, and the continuation of the Pan Borneo Highway and Sarawak–Sabah Link Road . These are high-vi...

Retirees Are Returning to Work in Malaysia — But Not Everyone Is Happy About It They were supposed to be enjoying their golden years — tending to gardens, not gossip, playing with grandchildren, not power games. Yet many retirees in Malaysia are returning to the workforce, driven by rising living costs , depleted savings, and a desire to stay relevant. According to the Department of Statistics , the number of Malaysians aged 50 and above in the workforce has increased from 1.9 million in 2011 to 2.6 million in 2023 , now accounting for nearly 16% of total employment . With over 10% of the population already aged 60 and above , and projections showing 15% by 2030 , the trend of post-retirement employment is accelerating. Why Older Workers Are Returning to the Workforce For many retirees, the decision isn’t about passion — it’s about survival. The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) reports that only one in three active members meets the minimum savings target of RM240,000 by age 55...

                             Parent and child in restaurant – modern parenting challenges Incidents like changing a child’s diaper in a restaurant , ignoring disruptive behaviour, or letting children dominate public spaces often make bystanders wonder — what’s happening to parenting today? From a psychological and developmental perspective, such situations don’t necessarily point to bad parents , but rather to misguided parenting styles and social pressures that affect how adults manage their children in public. Why do kids misbehave in public? Explore how gentle parenting, screen time, and social pressures shape modern parenting — and how to fix it. 1. Convenience Over Boundaries: The Modern Parenting Trap Many modern parents operate in “survival mode” — juggling work, stress, and screen time. To save time and energy, they may prioritise convenience over teaching moments. For example, changing a diaper ...

The babysitting hassle has eased as most subordinates are now accustomed to the new job flow and are back to doing what they do best. However, one exception remains—a subordinate who has been certified as having Peter Pan syndrome , and he is a constant source of headaches. Peter Pan syndrome is a popular psychology term (though not an official medical diagnosis) used to describe adults—often men—who resist growing up and taking on the responsibilities typically associated with adulthood. The name comes from Peter Pan, the fictional character who never wanted to grow old. This man, not so young and already a father of one, is always craving attention. I also suspect he may have traits of hyperactivity and attention deficit . At times, he would complain that he could not earn money from his work due to certain rules. I initially thought that by working on changing those rules, he might finally achieve what he wanted. But it became clear that his complaints were simply for the sake of a...

This month, something unexpected landed on my lap. I was appointed person-in-charge for the bureau. Just like that — no warning, no ceremony, no survival kit. And as it turns out, the adventure has only just begun. If being in charge of full-time staff felt like managing a quirky little zoo, adding freelancers into the mix has turned it into a full-blown safari — one where the animals ask the same question ten times, pretend the fence doesn’t exist, and then complain that they weren’t told about the fence in the first place. Let’s talk about the latest “upgrade” in our daily chaos: the new system. Now, I understand that change is hard. New platforms take time. So I didn’t expect everyone to master it on the first try. But after ten — yes, ten — rounds of verbal briefings, followed by step-by-step guides, video tutorials, cheat sheets, infographics, and me repeating the same things so often I’ve started to sound like a malfunctioning GPS... we’re still stuck. Still hearing: “Wai...

  This month, something unexpected landed on my lap. I was appointed person-in-charge for the bureau. Just like that — no warning, no ceremony, no survival kit. On paper, it sounds like a promotion. In reality, it feels more like becoming the zookeeper of a very special kind of zoo. Because here’s the thing: being in charge doesn’t mean I just handle the young , energetic and eager-to-learn staff. No. It means I now also have to handle the old ones — the veterans who’ve long mastered the fine art of resisting change. Let me introduce you to my daily circus: The Seniors — The Untouchables They’ve been here forever. They know every corner of the office, every loophole in the system, and every way to avoid doing something new. “Why should I learn this new software? The old one works fine.” “You young people are always changing things.” And when you gently push, suggest, encourage? They smile, nod politely — and ignore you entirely. Occasionally, they even start recruiting oth...

Counting down the days for two years until I turn 40 has made me ponder whether I have done well and achieved what is necessary. I have been in the same job for more than ten years now, with no significant career milestones in terms of position or salary increments. Whenever I think about this stagnant progress—despite having access to international-level training—I always remind myself that I am still considered lucky compared to others who have quit their jobs and are in survival mode, without the guarantee of an Employee Provident Fund for retirement planning. To be honest, I consider myself fortunate to have a job that I am passionate about. But, like any overthinker, I also question whether I have become too comfortable in my life, to the point that I am not pushing myself enough to reach my full potential. Taking into account my company’s sunset industry and unsustainable financial management, it might only last another two years. By right, I should have already started working o...

In today’s fast-paced world, we rely heavily on technology for communication, but sometimes, traditional methods can be disruptive.  Recently, I had an experience that got me thinking about the importance of communication decorum. On my off day, I was interrupted by a stranger— a PR person who insisted on calling me about a story written by another agency. The constant ringing not only ruined my mood but also made me question the boundaries of professional communication. This post discusses why phone calls should not always be the default mode of communication and why respecting people’s time, and preferences is essential in maintaining professional relationships. Why Phone Calls Can Be Disruptive Respecting Personal Boundaries in Communication: Phone calls are intrusive, especially when they interrupt personal time. Whether it’s a weekend or an off day, many people value their time away from work. Communication through email or WhatsApp is less invasive and allows individuals to ...