Electoral campaigns in the run-up to Malaysia’s six state elections on 12 August are spinning economic success stories to tug heartstrings, but the electorate will surely reference their lived experience as they cast ballots.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Negeri Sembilan State Election: A Safe Bet for Anwar Administration?
Negeri Sembilan is considered a safe ground for the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional unity alliance. But friction in the coalition might emerge if UMNO has a good showing in the state.
The Untapped Potential of Carbon Credit Trading in ASEAN
ASEAN holds out immense potential for generating carbon credits, given the region’s incredibly rich biodiversity and abundance of renewable energy sources. Member countries should collectively forge commitment and a timeline for implementing regionwide carbon trading.
The Unity Government: Preventing a Partial Victory in the Polls
The Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional tag-team will likely win by a big margin in the Penang state elections. The key question here is whether the Unity Government would represent Malays in the state adequately.
Leveraging Dirt: Soil as Southeast Asia’s Under-explored Solution for Carbon Mitigation and Food Security
The world’s soils are under threat due to deforestation, urbanisation, agriculture, and pollution. Southeast Asia should prioritise sustainable soil management to reap the benefits of carbon mitigation and enhance food security.
Wan Nor: Hero from the Deep South but Not the Saviour of Thai Democracy
The twin burdens placed on a veteran Thai politician hailing from the south will test his political skill and stamina. No less than the future of Thai democracy may be at stake.
Sanusi’s Bully Pulpit Populism: Boon or Bane?
In the run-up to the state elections in Kedah, Parti Islam SeMalaysia is touting a Trumpist-type politician. The approach is unconventional but explicable if one considers the party’s ambitions.
Will UMNO’s Mutant Electoral Map Bite Pakatan Harapan?
In the run-up to the Selangor state elections, Pakatan Harapan has to rally UMNO votes to its side. It must also overcome vulnerabilities caused by the latter’s 2018 gerrymandering of the state’s electoral map.
Is Indonesia’s Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School Facing an Existential Threat?
An Islamic boarding school and its principal are embroiled once again in controversy. This time, maybe the public’s complaints will bite – but for how long?
Anwar Ibrahim Welcomes Abdul Somad to Putrajaya: What Gives?
The Malaysian premier’s warm welcome to a controversial Indonesian preacher should have raised questions about the former’s commitment to moderate Islamic principles. That the visit did not cause more of a stir within Malaysian circles raises even more questions.