Syerleena Abdul Rashid

"𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝘁?"

Today, I may have found one answer.

Standing by the fencing piste, I watched two young athletes face each other. No shouting. No rushing. No wild swings.

Just patience. Observation. Timing.

For a few moments, neither moved. They watched. They waited. Then in a split second, one made a decision and struck.

It reminded me that fencing is not really about swords.

It is about discipline. Focus. Self-control.

In a world where everything moves faster and attention spans grow shorter, there is something refreshing about a sport that teaches young people to slow down, think, and make every move count.

A heartfelt thank you to PISTE for organising this wonderful event and for your continued commitment to developing fencing in Malaysia. More importantly, thank you for creating a space where young people can build confidence, resilience, and character through sport.

Congratulations to all the athletes, Kenny and the other coaches, parents, and volunteers who made today's event such a success.

Every touch scored tells a story. But the greatest victories are often the lessons learned along the way. 🤺❤️

There comes a time in life when we look back and realise that many of our strongest foundations were built by the people who came before us.

For me, Father’s Day is a reminder to cherish those moments, to express our gratitude while we can, and to recognise the countless sacrifices fathers make—often quietly, and without expecting anything in return.

Whether you are celebrating with your father, remembering one who has passed, or honouring someone who has been a father figure in your life, may today be filled with love, gratitude and meaningful memories.

To all fathers everywhere, thank you for your unwavering strength, guidance and kindness.

Happy Father’s Day. ❤️🎩

"Why would a Muslim MP support renovation works at a Hindu temple?"

The answer is simple.

Because my faith teaches me respect, compassion, and responsibility towards others.

Recently, I visited the ongoing renovation works at Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple in Batu Gantong, carried out through an allocation from my office.

As a Muslim, I believe public service must be guided by fairness. Every community deserves dignity. Every place of worship deserves care. Every Malaysian deserves to feel seen and supported.

Places of worship are not just buildings. They are where communities gather, where traditions are preserved, where people find comfort, and where bonds between neighbours are strengthened.

When we help upgrade facilities like these, we are not just improving a structure. We are strengthening the community around it.

This is the Malaysia I believe in — one where we respect one another, care for one another, and ensure no community is left behind.

Jalan teruih.

We do our best for everyone. ❤️🇲🇾

头巾不是政治武器

身为一名马来穆斯林女性，同时也是民主行动党国会议员，我对于近日有人恶意篡改行动党女性候选人竞选海报一事，感到非常失望与不安。

头巾（𝐓𝐮𝐝𝐮𝐧𝐠）不是政治武器。穆斯林女性的形象不应该被利用来恐吓选民、制造猜疑，或分裂马来西亚社会。

对于许多穆斯林女性而言，头巾是信仰、尊严与身份认同的一种深刻且个人化的表达。无论一名女性选择佩戴头巾与否，她的选择都应该受到尊重。以这种方式篡改女性候选人的形象，不仅是对相关女性的不尊重，也是对所有穆斯林女性，以及所有相信政治应当保持尊严的马来西亚人民的不尊重。

最令我担忧的，是这种行为背后所传达的信息。它似乎试图让人们认为马来穆斯林身份是一种值得恐惧的象征，或者利用穆斯林女性的形象来制造选民的不安与焦虑。这不仅不公平，更是不负责任且危险的做法。

马来西亚是一个由多个族群共同建立的国家。我们或许有不同的信仰、说着不同的语言、拥有不同的文化背景，但我们共享同样的街道、学校、巴刹、工作场所，以及对子女未来的共同期望。任何政治竞选都不应该破坏这种珍贵的互信。

这正是马来西亚必须摒弃的旧政治文化——教唆一个群体去害怕另一个群体、把宗教当成竞选工具，以及在毫无尊重的情况下利用女性的形象来达到政治目的。

我要真诚地向华裔选民说一句：不要让任何人教导你们去害怕身边的穆斯林邻居。

在这样的时刻，马来西亚人民必须选择理解，而不是猜疑；选择尊重，而不是恐惧。

选举应该是一场理念的竞争。它应该聚焦于谁拥有更好的施政方案、谁能够更好地服务人民、谁能够解决实际问题，以及谁能够团结不同社群。选举不应该沦为经过操弄的图片、种族焦虑或宗教恐吓的工具。

柔佛值得拥有一场建立在理念、政策、服务与解决方案基础上的竞选，而不是建立在恐惧、错误资讯与偏见之上的竞选。

我与那些遭到恶意篡改及滥用照片的女性候选人站在一起。政治立场不同，是民主社会中的正常现象；理性的辩论是健康的；批评也是合理的。但这一切都必须有底线。当有人利用虚假及经过篡改的内容来羞辱女性，并利用宗教谋取政治利益时，这条底线已经被跨越。

身为马来西亚人，我们应当拒绝那些从分裂中获利的人。我们应当拒绝那些依靠挑起社群之间猜疑来维持政治生存的人。

当马来人害怕华人、华人害怕穆斯林，或任何一个群体被灌输另一个群体是威胁的时候，我们的国家不会因此变得更强大。

马来西亚最强大的时候，是我们拒绝被分裂的时候。

𝐒𝐘𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐀 𝐀𝐁𝐃𝐔𝐋 𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐃
升旗山区国会议员

𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐤𝐢𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚, 𝐒𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐮𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐝 - 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠, 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐚 - 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐓𝐮𝐝𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧

As a Malay Muslim woman and a DAP Member of Parliament, I am deeply disappointed and disturbed by the malicious alteration of a campaign poster featuring DAP women candidates.

A tudung is not a political weapon. A Muslim woman’s image should not be used to frighten voters, provoke suspicion, or divide Malaysians.

For many Muslim women, the tudung is a deeply personal expression of faith, dignity, and identity. Whether a woman chooses to wear it or not, that choice deserves respect. To manipulate the image of women candidates in this manner is disrespectful to the women targeted, to Muslim women, and to all Malaysians who believe politics should be conducted with dignity.

What troubles me most is the message behind the act. It appears designed to suggest that Malay Muslim identity is something to be feared, or that the image of a Muslim woman can be used to create anxiety among voters. That is unfair, irresponsible, and dangerous.

Malaysia is a country built on many communities living together. We may pray differently, speak different languages, and come from different cultures, but we share the same streets, schools, markets, workplaces, and hopes for our children. No political campaign should be allowed to poison that trust.

This is the old politics Malaysia must move beyond — telling one community to fear another, turning religion into a campaign tool, and using women’s images without respect.

To Chinese voters, I say this sincerely: do not allow anyone to teach you to fear your Muslim neighbours.

In moments like this, Malaysians must choose understanding over suspicion, and respect over fear.

Elections should be a contest of ideas. They should be about who has the better plans, who can serve the people better, who can solve real problems, and who can bring communities together. They should not be reduced to manipulated images, racial anxiety, or religious fearmongering.

Johor deserves a campaign based on ideas, policies, service, and solutions — not fear, misinformation, and prejudice.

I stand with the women candidates whose images were manipulated and misused in this irresponsible attempt to mislead voters. Political differences are normal in a democracy. Debate is healthy. Criticism is fair. But there must be a line, and that line is crossed when false and manipulated content is used to demean women and exploit religion for political gain.

As Malaysians, we should reject those who benefit from division. We should reject those who survive politically by making communities suspicious of one another.

Our country does not become stronger when Malays fear Chinese, when Chinese fear Muslims, or when any community is made to feel that another community is a threat.

Malaysia is strongest when we refuse to be divided.

𝐒𝐘𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐀 𝐀𝐁𝐃𝐔𝐋 𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐃
𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐔𝐊𝐈𝐓 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐀

Some visits remind you that Malaysia’s story is often found in the most ordinary places.

During an impromptu visit to Madani Kitchen Tanjong Tokong, I met Chef Leonardo from Batu Ferringhi.

Every morning, he prepares traditional Malay kuih by hand — measuring, mixing, steaming and shaping each piece with care.

What made the moment especially meaningful was that Chef Leonardo is not Malay.

But he has taken the time to learn the craft, respect the tradition, and share these flavours with the community.

Standing in that kitchen, surrounded by trays of kuih, I was reminded that culture is not only something we inherit.

It is also something we appreciate, learn and carry forward together.

A non-Malay chef making traditional Malay kuih in Tanjong Tokong may seem like a small story.

But to me, it says something beautiful about Malaysia.

Thank you, Chef Leonardo, for the warm welcome and for reminding us that Malaysia is at its best when we do not just tolerate each other’s cultures, but take the time to learn, respect and keep them alive.

In that small kitchen in Tanjong Tokong, surrounded by kuih, laughter and stories, Malaysia felt exactly as it should be.

Shared.

Sincere.

And delicious.

Ramai orang fikir tugas seorang Ahli Parlimen berlaku di dalam Dewan Rakyat.

Hakikatnya, banyak perkara berlaku di meja sarapan.

Pagi ini di TPS Tanjong Tokong, saya menikmati sarapan ringkas — serabai dan roti telur — bersama penduduk setempat.

Sarapan yang sederhana. Perbualan yang tidak sederhana.

Sebelum sempat saya menghabiskan makanan, kami sudah berbincang tentang isu komuniti, perkembangan kawasan, kisah keluarga, kenangan lama dan pelbagai perkara yang berlaku di kejiranan.

Itulah yang saya s**a tentang pagi-pagi seperti ini.

Tiada mikrofon. Tiada ucapan. Tiada protokol.

Hanya sekumpulan penduduk yang berkumpul, berkongsi makanan dan berbual tentang kehidupan.

Kerana kadangkala, cara terbaik untuk memahami sesebuah komuniti bukan melalui laporan atau mesyuarat.

Tetapi dengan duduk semeja, bersarapan bersama dan mendengar.

P/S: Sarapannya sedap, tetapi perbualannya lebih bermakna. ❤️