Kopitiam Council

As we commemorate Malaysia Day, it's a time to reflect on the formation of the Malaysian federation and its meaning today. How did the vision of the nation’s founding leaders shape Malaysia, and does the federation still hold true to those ideals? The journey to Malaysia's formation is filled with pivotal events, watershed moments, and larger-than-life figures. Unraveling the complexities of that...

During his visit to Sabah for the Himpunan Perdana Rakyat at the Sabah International Convention Centre, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took on dual roles: leading the nation and steering his party, PKR, with the launch of the “Kinabalu Declaration” aimed at revitalizing PKR’s Sabah branch. Yet, beyond the speeches, PMX’s visit hints at the delicate balancing act he faces in keeping his po...

Following a victory at the Nenggiri by-election and a “return to form” reminiscent of its pre-pandemic influence, the UMNO general assembly at the World Trade Centre has shown renewed vitality that had been absent in recent years. However, this revival also brings back the familiar grandstanding and political posturing, with UMNO continuing to appeal to its conservative Malay base. At the same tim...

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been appointed as Thailand’s new Prime Minister, making her the youngest and second woman to hold the position, following in the footsteps of her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. This development raises questions about the resurgence of the Shinawatra political dynasty in Thailand. In a nation where the last e...

Perbincangan ini merangkumi pelbagai isu berkaitan seni bina masjid, nilai Islam, filem, kebebasan bersuara, pendidikan, dan pemikiran kritis. Terdapat kritikan terhadap pembaziran dalam seni bina masjid dan perbandingan antara budaya praktis dan ideologi keruhanian. Dialog antara agama dan kesedaran sosial juga dibincangkan sebagai langkah untuk membina toleransi dalam masyarakat.

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Prize laureate and pioneer of microfinancing, has been appointed as the interim prime minister of Bangladesh. This comes after civil unrest and complaints against the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina. However, Yunus faces challenges such as winning a legitimate election and navigating the power play between India and China. The movement that caused Sheikh Hasina t...

Executive Security Agencies have been having a rough month, with the attempted assassination attempt on former US President and Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump alongside the announcement of Democrat candidate Incumbent President Joe Biden dropping out of the race in favour of his Vice President Kamala Harris. As both parties scramble to reorganize themselves towards a crucial electi...

Covering two developments that have slipped under the radar, Bangladesh has been gripped with civil unrest and Venezuela’s future ambiguous following its recent general elections. Although oceans apart it is nonetheless developments worth mentioning and worth pondering as the world continues to wrestle with geopolitical uncertainties. Bangladesh is suffering from episodes of protests with universi...

Iran has been no stranger to public figures losing their lives and, in this case, the political leader of Hamas, the government in the Gaza strip has been assassinated in Tehran during a visit to attend the inauguration of recently elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Immediately, the region has flared up once again in response as the 62-year-old Palestinian politician was killed in a guid...

Taking a break from elections and revisiting the ever popular topic that is the BRICS. Indonesia has shown less enthusiasm than neighbors Malaysia and Thailand. What does this tell of Indonesia as a regional player and it's aspirations? Haffisz and Adi will dive back into the BRICS and unravel Indonesia's lack of relative appetite for the trending regional clubhouse Tune in to Kopitiam Cou...

Malaysia is also no stranger to elections. Almost every other month Malaysians are forced to bear witness to by-elections and this time round Sungai Bakap is on the table. However, by-elections are decent enough barometers to gauge sentiment and performance. This is where Haffisz and Adi will attempt to give their two cents on the Sungai Bakap by election and what trends can be observed. Tune in t...

It seems there's almost an election every other week, as half a year has passed for the year with the most elections. But what elections are of note? France teetering on an emerging right wing tilt as the legislative assembly has seen a three way split. Whereas Iran observing some exciting episodes with unconventional choices coming to the fore. Kopitiam Council sees Haffisz and Adi make some...

Halfway through 2024, the world is witnessing a wave of national elections, with countless eyes fixed on the political landscapes shaping our future. While the U.S. Presidential Elections are often seen as a bellwether for the Western world, the United Kingdom is hosting its own thrilling political showdown. The Conservative and Labour parties are locked in a fierce battle for leadership in Whiteh...

As Russia finds itself further isolated from the Western world it is natural that Moscow would turn its head to new horizons having its gaze turn East in North Korean and Vietnamese leadership with President Vladimir Putin still on the campaign trail to secure another election victory making its visits to Pyongyang and Hanoi. Questions arise as to what grand design Putin has for the region as any...

Malaysia is embarking on a brave new venture as joining the club of middle powers vying for BRICS membership. Placing the Southeast Asian country on a ambiguous path as it straddles between the great power rivalries of Beijing and Washington. In the midst of this development there are concerns over Malaysia's place in the BRICS and even disagreement given paranoia over China's posturing. T...

The Kaamatan festival encapsulates the spirit of gratitude and abundance amongst Sabah's indigenous ethnicities however it seems the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has other notions of abundance outlined in his speech at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association's Koisaan Hall. Although touching on admirable and lofty aspirations such as poverty eradication and emphasising the inclus...

The role of culture and faith is a major conversation in Malaysia, deeply intertwined with its social, political, and economic dynamics. This discussion spans the entire political spectrum, taking on various flavors and forms. So, how does one navigate the complex and multifaceted landscape of these ideas in Malaysia? In this episode of Kopitiam Council, recorded at KL Podcast Studio, Haffisz and...

Sabahans have been left bewildered and embarrassed after the drama unfolding on the 16th of May at the court of appeal where the Sabah Law Society is pursuing legal action against the federal government for Sabah’s 40% revenue. Now the date for a decision on whether or not SLS will be granted has been revealed. Yet, there will always be behind the scenes at play and with all eyes on SLS we tend to...

The Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held a much-anticipated public statement to which he emphasized the requirement for ending corruption and facilitating economic growth. To that end a bold move towards subsidy rationalization has emerged. The policy being borne out of a long-term strategy to stabilize Malaysia’s economy has earned praise and criticism alike, whether these are opportune or sincere i...

Gripped under the overarching claws of the theocracy, It seems the supposed successor to the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has lost his grip on the succession with President Ebrahim Raisi the “Butcher of Tehran” tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash North of the City of Tabriz alongside the Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, The Governer of East Azerbaijan and Ayat...

The atrocities committed against the Palestinian people in Gaza have entered a harrowing new chapter, with the city of Rafah, the last bastion of refuge for Gazans, now under siege by the Israeli Defense Force. Despite months of deliberation in the United Nations, potential ceasefire negotiations, and massive civil movements across the globe, it seems all efforts have fallen on deaf ears as Israel...

The topic of secession has long been a contentious issue within the Sabahan narrative, often viewed with suspicion by the Federal Government in Malaya. But does this line of thinking hold any merit? This heated topic has landed many individuals in hot water, yet it remains a conversation worth having. One region has already left the Federation and thrived, but can such success be replicated, or is...

On the 2nd part of this week’s episode Haffisz and Adi delves into the recent May 16th Court of Appeal case involving the Sabah Law Society, the Federal Government, and unexpectedly, the Sabah State Government. The twists and turns within the confines of the courtrooms has left many questions about what lies ahead and the broader implications of the delay and the circumstances surrounding it. Insi...

On a special 2 parter episode, Kopitiam Council focuses on May 16th, a highly anticipated day for Sabahans, as the Court of Appeal was set to decide if the Sabah Law Society could challenge the federal government over the 40% revenue owed to the state. However, the proceedings took an unexpected turn when the Sabah state itself challenged the Society, pushing the decision to May 24th and leaving m...

Elections after elections after elections, it seems Pakatan Harapan has managed to blunt Perikatan Nasional's momentum in the recent Kuala Kubu Baru by-election. But what does this say about the coalition's strength in countering the Green Wave? Indications suggest that Bersatu's role in Perikatan Nasional mirrors UMNO's in the Unity Government. Meanwhile, PAS appears to have reach...