The Simon Says Podcast

During USA semiquincentennial celebration, President Trump delivered one of the most powerful and focused speeches of his two presidencies, evoking "American exceptionalism" and warning against the dark forces that seek to destroy it. In this episode, we discuss the uniqueness of USA government system.

Johor Menteri Besar (MB) Onn Hafiz Ghazi dissolved the state assembly one year ahead of schedule, paving the way for Johor state election that will be held in the next weekend. With the Barisan Nasional coalition’s flagship party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), having deep roots in Johor, the “arrogance” with the organisational prowess causes PMX to be agitated over the less colla...

With Starmer quitting as Labour leader, thus paving way for contest for new prime minister, would this be a lesson for Malaysians when the voters allow disappointment to turn into disengagement and nation in decline?

With 11 July 2026 set by Election Commission as the polling date for Johor, political pundit Bridget Welsh commented that Johor polls set the tone for competitive election season. With UMNO feeling bullish about defending its state administration, are we seeing a rallying of old powers gearing up for General Election?

While the former Malaysia Economy Minister has pulled a stunt with formation of his new party “Kancil Party” in an attempt to portray an image of weakened Madani government, the uncertainty surrounding petrol subsidy cut has plagued the hearts of many “T20s”. As Malaysia draws nigh to election cycle, we explore stigmas surrounding wealth tax and subsidy in a nation not foreign to affirmative actio...

We have heard rumours of new party formation and now our Malaysian eyes have seen it. What will become of Malaysia? Tune in to the discussion and find out if you’re keen on nation watch.

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Even in the midst of withdrawal of accreditation of Iran’s ambassador by foreign ministry of Lebanon with Tehran’s violation of diplomatic norms and established practices, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibraham has shown continual support in the name of Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty, “particularly in the face of continued Israeli strikes in the country and in Lebanon”. In this episode, w...

Following a ruling by the US Supreme Court on 20th February 2026 that struck down the Trump’s presidential authority on impose duties on virtually every country, Malaysia’s former investment, trade and industry minister, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, has stated that Malaysia is no longer tied to the 19% US’ reciprocal tariff deal signed last October. Simultaneously, US President has warned that countr...

Just earlier this February, dumpy woke pop star Billie Eilish was applauded by woke leftists when she went on a tirade during Grammy Awards, claiming “No one is illegal on stolen land.” In this episode, we discussed the rise of anti-colonialism especially prevalent in the people group who firmly embraces affirmative action, and what sort of Malaysia would we like to have, even as US is facing

Few years ago, former President George W. Bush once claimed, “An isolationist United States is destabilizing around the world.” That statement came from a stance of refusing to denounce the far-left policies of Obama, seemingly attack the Trump’s administration focus on enforcement of immigration law for American’s benefit. And today, we see many trying to define MAGA doctrine since the assassinat...

Joe Rogan, in his podcast, claimed “ICE are villains” after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICE agitator Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In this episode, we discussed the topics concerning even gen alpha right now if border control is a good thing for a nation.

Professor Tajuddin Rosdi gave an opinon piece in FMT in Dec 2025 titled "Get ready for an Umno-PAS-GPS-GRS govt" where some people have accussed him of sowing fear so people will continue to support PH. In this episode, we discussed the lack of workable consensus on what is a desirable future as a nation, and confront the reality and perhaps even hope for a better future for Malaysia.

In state election held in Sabah last November 2025, it was evident that voters in Sabah rejected national parties, in a stinging rebuke to decades of neglect by the federal government. We see the rise of Sabah nationalism, but was the core message one that speaks volume to acceptance of corruption so long Sabah first? Find out more in this episode.

In the recent New York mayoral election, we see Mamdani’s message of affordability, one that resonates and represents the rights and dignity of working people, has been branded by the Democrats to be a powerful one. Are we seeing the similar trends of voter’s concern in Sabah election? Will urban blight will bring these people to their senses?

President Trump once responded to commentary from Tucker Carlson by saying, "The one thing Washington cannot forgive is that I put America first — always put America first. I could never help it. I have to do that in order to make America great again. I reject their foolish and disastrous foreign wars, their horrific globalist trade deals, their open border catastrophes, their corruption of o...

In the recent Trump’s state visit to Malaysia, there were many critics who liked and disliked the posturing that PMX showed. Some fancy Trump, and some just don’t. Nonetheless, the shift in PMX from continual focus on international crises to local matters such as affordability in every day lives of citizens is one to be lauded. Could it be a diplomatic advantage that we reaped from the Trump’s sta...

With Cambodia-Thailand Peace Pact signed in Malaysia, Trump declares this to be a momentous day for South East Asia. In Trump’s speech - “I would also like to thank Anwar. I called him right at the beginning and said, ‘You have two countries fighting right next to you. We need a third place, a neutral place,' and he was there.” Does this mark the beginning of a golden age for Malaysia - a neut...

It has been 1 month plus since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who is well known even among ordinary people in Malaysia. Some people said he was killed because of his Christian faith, but we believe he’s killed for his discussion of ideas. Domestically, the issues remain the same - religion, racial, DEI (quota), economic sluggishness, competition among the different versions of Malaysia. Aat th...

In a brilliant article by John Carney of Breitbart titled “Putting a Price on Admission to America’s Market”, we discussed in this episode as to how did we, Malaysian government, get from "I am not going to pay a single payment of tariff" to "thank you very much, 19% tariff is an excellent deal.” Tune in to find out more. Article credit: https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2025/07/29/breitbart-busin...

As Malaysia struck a deal at the eleventh hour with the Trump administration, we discussed in this episode what might have been the ideal tariff deals for Malaysia, especially when our Prime Minister has been recently labelled as “cukaiman” (aka tax man) with the introduction of sales and service tax even on the imported fruits.

In Zaid Ibrahim’s facebook post, he said, “Guided by its Council of Guardians - religious scholars with deep ideological conviction - Iran not only survived but asserted its independence despite decades of war and crippling sanctions from global superpowers.” In this episode, we explored Nurul Izzah’s brave opinion where it is said that scholars have no influence in Malaysia; only religious bureau...

Framed as part of the Madani Government’s broader fiscal reform efforts, Malaysians have been thrusted into the supposed reform that are in fact patchwork fix for underlying ever expanding government expenditure. More and more, the Madani tax is looking like Mamdani tax that is aimed to redistribute wealth. Are we looking at waning support for PMX for the lack of fiscal reform? Tune in to find out...

Nations Realignment through Trump’s Middle East Visit (Ep.123) In the recent visit to Middle East, Trump called out “Nation-building Neo-Cons” and liberal “Non-Profit” who had betrayed the ordinary people in the nation; and it was apparent that from the visit, Trump’s main focus remains to be putting America first. In that visit, it came as a surprise to many when Trump was greeted with warm stand...

Rafizi recently made a statement - "If Nurul Izzah loses, people would say Anwar has been rejected by his own party. So what choice do you have here?" In this episode, we explore the significance of this party election that may impact the general election.