Perfect on screen, empty inside: Rethinking the true meaning of beauty

 

WE live in a world that’s obsessed with appearances. Scroll through social media for five minutes, and you’re hit with perfect selfies, flawless filters, and bodies that look airbrushed in real life.

Ads, influencers, even the shows we binge—they all send the same message: how you look matters most. And sure, enjoying beauty is part of being human but when looks become the main way we measure our worth—or other people’s worth—something important gets pushed aside.

This isn’t just a “woman’s issue” anymore, if it ever really was. Yes, women have always felt the pressure to look a certain way. But now? Men are right there in it too.

Fitness goals, grooming routines, even the pressure to look good in a thumbnail—it’s everywhere. The real problem isn’t that we care about beauty. It’s that we’ve started to forget the quieter, deeper qualities that actually make someone beautiful over time: kindness, honesty, humility, strength of character.

Inner beauty might not photograph well, but it’s what holds a life together. It shows up in how someone treats a waiter, how they handle disappointment, how they show up for a friend in need.

And unlike our faces or bodies, which change no matter what we do, inner qualities only get richer and deeper with age. A person who’s built on solid values can face heartbreak, failure, or loss without falling apart.

Meanwhile, someone who’s spent everything on looking “perfect” might still feel empty and anxious inside.

This all points to a bigger imbalance—between the stuff we can see and touch, and the stuff that feeds our spirit. Our culture loves quick wins, instant likes, and shiny things.

But we’re not just bodies. We have hearts and souls that need attention too. When we ignore that part of ourselves, no amount of beauty products or gym selfies will make us feel whole.

 Real well-being comes from balance. Taking care of your body and appearance is fine—it’s part of self-respect.

But when that care is paired with inner growth—learning to be more patient, more honest, more loving—then everything changes. You can appreciate beauty without being ruled by it. You can succeed without losing yourself.

Here in Malaysia, with our mix of cultures and faiths, we already have deep roots in values like modesty, respect, and integrity. Those aren’t old-fashioned ideas—they’re anchors.

Families, schools, and community leaders can all help young people see past the filtered versions of life. We can teach kids—and remind ourselves—that a person’s worth isn’t in their jawline or their follower count. It’s in how they live.

Young people especially need help navigating this crazy, image-obsessed world. When we encourage them to think critically about what they see online, to accept themselves as they are, and to care more about character than looks, we’re giving them real armor. The kind that doesn’t crack when a filter fails or a wrinkle appears.

So no, we don’t need to throw away our skincare routines or stop enjoying fashion. But we do need to expand what we mean by “beauty” because real beauty isn’t just what you see in the mirror.

It’s how you treat someone who can’t help you back. It’s how you get back up when life knocks you down. It’s the mark you leave on your community.

In a world that can’t stop staring at screens, the quiet, stubborn strength of inner beauty might just be the most powerful thing we’ve got left. 

KT Maran is a Focus Malaysia viewer.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 

- Focus Malaysia.

Beyond income: Malaysia’s hidden poverty problem

 

MALAYSIA’S poverty rate is falling, but for many households, life is not getting easier. If you earn above the poverty line, you are not poor, and if you fall below it, you are. This definition is simple, clear, and widely accepted, yet it is increasingly misleading.

Today, poverty does not always present itself as empty pockets. Instead, it often appears in more subtle but equally pressing forms, such as having a full time job that still does not provide financial security, or living in a household that sits just above the poverty line yet remains constantly vulnerable to unexpected shocks.

In this context, it becomes evident that while money can measure income, it cannot fully capture lived reality.

The limits of income-based thinking

Malaysia has made commendable progress in reducing income poverty. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the absolute poverty rate stood at 5.1% in 2024, while hardcore poverty declined to just 0.09%.

The average Poverty Line Income was estimated at RM2,705 per household per month, suggesting that fewer Malaysians are living below the minimum income threshold.

However, these figures tell only part of the story. Income provides a snapshot of earnings, but it does not reflect whether individuals can access essential services such as healthcare, education, or safe housing.

(Image: DOSM)

It also does not capture whether households experience stability, dignity, or meaningful opportunities for upward mobility. Two households earning the same income may live entirely different realities, with one being stable and secure while the other remains stretched and constantly adapting to survive.

When poverty is measured solely in monetary terms, many of these lived struggles remain invisible.

Poverty as lived experience, not just numbers

As we often emphasise in our research, poverty is not just about what is missing from wallet, but what is missing from a person’s ability to live with dignity, security, and choice.

This perspective highlights the importance of understanding poverty as a lived experience rather than a purely numerical condition.

The Multidimensional Poverty Index, developed by the United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, offers a more comprehensive framework.

Instead of focusing only on income, it evaluates whether individuals have access to key dimensions of well being, including education, health, and living standards.

This broader approach is particularly relevant in Malaysia today. Although income poverty has declined, relative poverty remains significantly higher at 16.7%, based on a threshold of RM3,509 per month.

This suggests that many households are living below what is considered a reasonable standard of living, even if they are not classified as poor under traditional measures. In other words, a growing number of Malaysians are not poor by definition, but are far from secure in reality.

Vulnerability above the poverty line

Perhaps the most pressing issue today is not extreme poverty, but vulnerability among those just above it. The data reveals a clear disparity between urban and rural experiences, with urban poverty recorded at 3.7% and rural poverty at 9.9% in 2024.

While poverty remains more visible in rural areas, urban households are increasingly experiencing hidden forms of financial strain driven by rising living costs.

For many individuals, especially young working adults, earning slightly above the poverty line does not necessarily translate into economic security.

(Image: SPH)

A significant portion of income may be spent on rent, leaving little room for savings. Long commuting hours, limited access to affordable healthcare, and the inability to build financial resilience are common challenges.

From a statistical perspective, these individuals are not considered poor, yet their lived experiences suggest otherwise. This raises an important question of whether we are measuring poverty accurately or simply measuring what is easiest to quantify.

Reframing poverty is not merely an academic exercise, but carries important implications for policy and practice.

When poverty is defined solely in terms of income, assistance programmes may fail to reach those who are most vulnerable, particularly individuals who fall just above eligibility thresholds.

At the same time, structural challenges such as housing affordability, healthcare access, and education quality may remain insufficiently addressed.

Adopting a multidimensional perspective allows for a more nuanced understanding of deprivation and enables the design of targeted and evidence based interventions.

More importantly, it shifts the focus from short term financial relief to long term well being and resilience. In doing so, it restores the human dimension of poverty and ensures that policy responses are grounded not only in numbers, but also in lived realities.

Ultimately, poverty is not just about how little one earns, but about how limited one’s choices are.

It reflects the inability to access opportunities, to withstand economic shocks, and to move forward with confidence. It is a condition marked by constant compromise, even among those who may appear economically stable on paper.

As Malaysia continues its development journey, the challenge is no longer simply to reduce poverty rates, but to understand poverty more honestly and measure it more meaningfully.

If we continue to rely solely on income based definitions, we may succeed in lowering the numbers, yet fail to improve the lives behind them. In the end, it is those lived experiences that should matter most. 

Dr Nik Zirwatul Fatihah is the Research Fellow Post Doctorate at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies (UAC), Universiti Malaya. Shuhaida Salleh is a Doctoral candidate at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 

- Focus Malaysia.

The side gig boom: Why Malaysians are rewriting the rules of work

 

THE nature of work is shifting more rapidly than ever before. Once, stability was defined by a steady job, incremental promotions, and the promise of retirement after decades of service.

Today, that model no longer feels secure for many professionals. Rising living costs, economic uncertainty, and an increasingly competitive job market have prompted individuals to rethink what security and success truly mean.

In this evolving landscape, side gigs have moved from the margins into the mainstream. What was once seen as supplementary income or a stopgap measure is now being embraced as a serious and sustainable way to build a real, thriving business, even from the ground up.

Across Malaysia and beyond, professionals are discovering that side gigs and side hustles not only provide financial buffers but also open doors to flexibility, growth, and limitless opportunities, leading to long-term reinvention.

The appeal lies in accessibility. Digital tools and global platforms have democratised opportunities once reserved for niche industries. Skills such as digital marketing, funnel design, content creation, and copywriting are no longer the domain of specialists in large firms.

With the right training and guidance, they are within reach of students, stay-at-home parents, and even retirees seeking renewed purpose. In this way, the gig economy is no longer defined by age, background, or gender, but by willingness to learn and deliver value.

Still, scepticism remains. Freelancing has long carried the perception of instability. Yet experience shows that when approached strategically, freelancing can be one of the most reliable and empowering ways to work.

The key lies in building credibility, cultivating long-term client relationships, and showing up with professionalism in a crowded digital marketplace.

When freelancers prioritise quality and ethical delivery over shortcuts and gimmicks, they not only earn repeat business but also position themselves as trusted partners in a fast-changing economy.

Businesses, too, are paying attention. As talent becomes more mobile and employees increasingly pursue flexible alternatives, organisations are beginning to rely on freelancers for specialised expertise and agile support.

With the rise of social media platforms, influencer marketing, and other trends, the focus is now on hiring and retaining freelancers who possess skills in writing, website design, video editing, email marketing, and providing virtual assistance.

This shift forces companies to rethink retention strategies while simultaneously creating new opportunities for collaboration with independent professionals.

The rise of skilled side-gig workers signals not the erosion of the traditional workforce, but the emergence of a hybrid model where employment and entrepreneurship coexist.

For policymakers, educators, and corporate leaders, the implications are clear. Side gigs are no longer peripheral to the economy. In fact, they are central to how modern careers are built.

They represent not only a way to supplement income but also a pathway to achieving real financial goals, time freedom, location freedom, dignity, and real control in uncertain times.

The challenge ahead is not whether this shift will continue, but how individuals and institutions alike will adapt to it.

The future of work is not a question of choosing between stability and independence. It is about recognising that stability itself is being redefined. And in this new definition, side gigs are not a risk. They are an opportunity. 

Kristy Ting is the founder of Side Gig Accelerator.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia

Rohingyas in Baju Melayu appeal to save their people; netizens show little sympathy

 

THE PLIGHT of the Rohingya community in Malaysia continues to draw concern, as many struggle to survive on the margins of society with little legal protection.

Without proper documentation, many are forced to rely on irregular or odd jobs to make ends meet.

They often take on low-paying, labour-intensive work in construction, cleaning, or small-scale trading—jobs that locals may avoid which also come with high risks.

So it is unsurprising that a group of Rohingyas decided to appeal to Malaysian sympathy by telling us to save the Rohingyas in a video.

The video which was posted on X by netizen @kamaghul has since received over 103 comments and 318 shares.

The message is understandable, but the optics used drew quite the attention since they were all dressed up to the nines in the traditional Baju Melayu, complete with sampin and songkok.

The main actor who stood in the middle of the video even had the cheek to call himself Prince. Whether the name alludes towards his tenuous link to royalty or not, we do not know.  

But the important question remains. Is all that dressing up helpful in delivering the right message to the crowd?

Looking through the comment section, we can confidently state that the answer is a big No.

“Wow, even the clothes have changed and become similar to the Malay. Be careful, there are many zionist countries that use migrants to change the system,” said a sceptical @jayrulz22.

Check out this picture comment too, which suggest that the Rohingyas are quite a nuisance:

“Who sponsored the sampin? Just came out of the plastic?” wondered @ikhwan_meteorix.

“At least iron the shirt and the sampin. Then go home to your respective countries,” added @wanahmadzhafran.

Then there was a hard-hitting @afialiuddin telling them to get their citizenship through football.

None of the comments were sympathetic towards their plight. 

Away from the insensitive jokes and tasteless remarks, the Rohingyas have been fleeing persecution in Myanmar for years.

Thousands have sought refuge in Malaysia but there are no official numbers since this is undocumented. 

While the country has become a de facto sanctuary, it does not formally recognise refugee status, leaving Rohingyas in a legal grey area.

This is no simply matter, but more importantly, it is no laughing matter. — Focus Malaysia