The raft of measures announced by the Malaysian government to restrict people’s movements will help to stem the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The measures, however, are having a huge impact on the country’s poor.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Fighting Covid-19 in Indonesia: The Nexus of Religion and the State
The positions taken by some Islamic groups on the national policy of social distancing will determine the success – or failure – of the policy.
Singapore-Malaysia Border Shutdown: Counting the Costs
Recent policy responses effected by Malaysia and Singapore to combat the Covid-19 pandemic have been responsible and measured – and have also underscored the deep and wide economic relations between the two neighbours.
Johor’s New Cabinet Line-Up: More of the Same
The new cabinet of Johor closely resembles the traditional Barisan Nasional line-ups in terms of ethnic majority. UMNO’s traditional share of ministerial portfolios is also a blast from the past.
Malaysia: Land of the (Increasingly) Self Employed
The ranks of self-employed individuals in Malaysia has swelled in recent years. The government has to do more to facilitate the growth of such one-person operations
Covid-19: A Particular Philippine Problem
The Covid-19 pandemic has sent the cruise industry floundering. This is hitting maritime seaman hard, in particular, those from the Philippines.
Covid-19 Doesn’t Just Take Lives. It Also Takes Livelihoods
The economic storm stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic is taking its toll on businesses. But self-employed workers are taking the brunt of it.
Fighting Covid-19 in Thailand: The Need to Arm the Real Combatants
The Prayut government has mishandled the Covid-19 crisis. The battle against the deadly virus should best be left to the frontline combatants in the healthcare sector
The Ruling Party in Myanmar Turns Populist
The ruling National League for Democracy’s bid to change the constitution has floundered. But the failure has highlighted the growing schism between the increasingly populist NLD and the corrupt and power-hungry military elite
Flattening the Curve, Flooring the Poor
Governments over-reaching in their Covid-19 responses are laying heavy burdens on the poorer among their citizens