Dr Lee Hwok-Aun is Senior Fellow of the Regional Economic Studies Programme, and Co-coordinator of the Malaysia Studies Programme at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. He was previously Senior Lecturer in development studies at the University of Malaya. He authored Affirmative Action in Malaysia and South Africa: Preference for Parity (Routledge, 2021), co-edited The Defeat of Barisan Nasional: Missed Signs or Late Surge? (ISEAS, 2019) and has written various ISEAS Perspective and Trends articles on Malaysia’s affirmative action, inequality, education and labour. He led an unprecedented field experiment on hiring discrimination, published as “Discrimination of high degrees: Race and graduate hiring in Malaysia” (Journal of the Asia-Pacific Economy, 2016).
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Lee Hwok-Aun
Articles by Lee Hwok-Aun (29)
2023 Budget Speech: Act One of Anwar Ibrahim’s Reform of Malaysia?
Lee Hwok-Aun
Anwar Ibrahim’s 24 February speech unveiled a budget largely replicating the October version presented by his predecessor. Given that Malaysia’s reforms extend beyond public funding priorities and allocations to institutional reforms and new narratives of nationhood, the budget speech may be just the opening act.
“Anything Is Possible” at GE15, but Pakatan Harapan Needs a GE14 Rerun
Lee Hwok-Aun
In the lineup for Malaysia’s 15th general elections, Barisan Nasional appears to have an advantage over its rival Pakatan Harapan. To take power, the former can rally allies and partners to its side. The latter must win big on its own.
The Najib Verdict: Judges Made Their Mark, But Will It Last?
Lee Hwok-Aun
The Federal Court’s upholding of the conviction of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has restored confidence in the key national institution. But the country’s democracy faces stern challenges ahead.
The Implications of Najib Razak’s Jail Term
Francis E. Hutchinson|Lee Hwok-Aun
In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to Francis Hutchinson and Lee Hwok Aun about the implications of the jailing of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Dr Hutchinson and Dr Lee are the Coordinator and Co-coordinator of ISEAS’ Malaysia Studies Programme respectively.
Malaysia’s GE15: When Race-Based Policies Might Trump Rice-Bowl Promises
Lee Hwok-Aun
Months away from Malaysia’s general election, little separates the ruling coalition and the opposition in terms of ‘rice bowl’ economic policies. The vote winner lies elsewhere: Malays value general pledges on jobs and social services, but they are wary of parties that make no commitment to pro-Malay policies.