Bukit Damansara — When the Rich Protest Progress

Image courtesy of Google by Dr Rahim Said Welcome to Bukit Damansara, Malaysia’s very own Beverly…

Finally, Toilets That Deserve a Standing Ovation (and Not Just a Quick Exit)

by Dr Rahim Said Finally, some good news that doesn’t involve politics, potholes, or price hikes.…

Operation Durian: When Germany Declared War on a Fruit

by Dr Rahim Said  Only in Germany could a durian spark a full-scale emergency response. Four…

Where to Find Halal Mooncakes in Kuala Lumpur — and Why My Friend Priscilla Deserves a Medal

By Dr Rahim Said  Every Mid-Autumn Festival, like clockwork, a neatly wrapped box of mooncakes appears…

The Death of Late Night

Image courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel FB by Dr Rahim Said Recently in the USA, television was…

When Subsidies Collide with Marriage: A Petrol Station Standoff

Image of a Petronas petrol station. Subsidised RON95 for Malaysians is also available at Petron, Shell,…

When the Fire Brigade Meets Belacan: A Tale of Smells Lost in Translation

Image courtesy of Belacan Alor Ibus FB By Dr Rahim Said Smells, like memories, are always…

Luxury from Florence & Gospel of Branding

By Dr Rahim Said From my perch on the first floor of Mid Valley Mega Mall,…

At 78, I Found My Cure in Karaoke

Because nothing says healthy ageing is like croaking Neil Sedaka at midnight and calling it therapy.…

Mango Dreams in Bangkok

by Dr Rahim Said  I’m in Bangkok this week, and all I want is mango and…

So, What Now, Langkawi?

By Dr Rahim Said Once upon a time, Langkawi was the jewel of Malaysian tourism –…

Robert Redford: Riding Into the Sunset

By Dr Rahim Said  The first time I became aware of Robert Redford was in 1969,…

From Cat Stevens to Yusuf Islam: A Wild World That Shaped My Journey

(Pic courtesy of Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens FB) By Dr Rahim Said In the 1960s, when I…

When Shoes Fly and Dresses Betray: A Study in Wardrobe Malfunctions

by Dr Rahim Said Molly-Mae Hague might have walked away with a National Television Award (NTA),…

Turning Urban Relics into Treasures

by Dr Rahim Said  Once upon a pre-digital time, the ringing of a public phone booth could mean…

From Rusty Sheds to Living Roofs: A Plea for Beautifying Government Car Parks

By Dr Rahim Said Visiting government buildings can be a sobering experience—not because of the paperwork inside,…

How Our Mosque-Going Elders Became Malaysia’s Latest “Road Villains” While the Real Maniacs Roam Free

(Image courtesy of Microsoft Copilot) By Dr Rahim Said  At dawn in Bukit Damansara, the roads…

Zara’s Vigil: The Night Sabah Discovered Its Own Power

Image courtesy of Microsoft Copilot By Dr Rahim Said Last Friday night, Sandakan’s The Piazza, Harbour…

Datuks at Sambal Hijau, Tan Sri at Common Man: The Gentlemen Who Refuse to Rust

by Dr Rahim Said Somewhere between the sambal petai and the apple crumble, three very distinguished…

A Good Innings by Hj Abdul Karim Yacob — When Hands Reach for the Invisible

A tribute and gentle guide by Dr Rahim Said “To Allah we belong and to Him…

All About Groin Grooming: When Madness Walks the Corridors of Power

by Dr Rahim Said Let us begin with the presumption of innocence. That is, after all,…

Durian Skins, Civic Sins — And They Walk Among Us

by Dr Rahim Said Only in Malaysia can a durian skin spark almost a major outrage.…

Remember When Roti Kapai and S.M. Salim Held Sway During Leisurely Afternoons?

by Dr Rahim Said There was a time when no one paid attention to calorie counts,…

When Monkhood Meets Modernity: Love, Money and Extortion in the Temple Courtyard

by Dr Rahim Said It was once believed that the only temptations monks faced were second…