ARTICLES

26 Jan 2023

Malaysia’s ‘Green Wave’ Was a Long Time Coming

Serina Rahman

Parti Islam SeMalaysia made solid gains during Malaysia’s 15th General Election. It banked on candidates who are deemed to be religious and clean. In future, the party that hews to a more public expression of Islam will be able to hold on to the Malay-Muslim voter base.

18 Jan 2023

“Undercover” Ministers in Malaysia

James Chai

A few ministers in the new Malaysian cabinet are providing citizens with a breath of fresh air as they conduct surprise visits to see what ails public services, but the winds of change have not gathered sufficient force for true reform.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

9 Jan 2023

Malaysia Cuts ECRL Costs, but Can the Mega Railway Project Pay?

Tham Siew Yean

The unity government has shaved the cost of the debt-funded project. But of greater concern is whether the ECRL will generate enough revenue for Malaysia to pay back the loan. The ECRL’s commercial viability also lacks public disclosure.

Infrastructure Malaysia transport

5 Jan 2023

Malaysia’s security law reform must regain momentum

Sze Fung Ng

Reviewing security laws, and possibly other draconian laws, acknowledges that these are relics of the past that have no place in contemporary Malaysia. The new government’s deliberations must include the question of repealing the controversial Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA).

Criminal Justice System Malaysia

23 Dec 2022

The Binding Forces that Hold Malaysia’s Team of Rivals Together

James Chai

The strength of the new unity government in Malaysia lies in three aspects: strategic, legal and relational.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

5 Dec 2022

How Will Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government Revise Budget 2023?

Cassey Lee

New Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim has to lead his “unity government” in navigating the process of revising the country’s Budget 2023 through some significant headwinds.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

29 Nov 2022

Malaysia’s New PM: The Need to Get It Right for the Country

Norshahril Saat

Malaysia’s new premier Anwar Ibrahim has made the right moves in his first week in office. Going forward, however, he has a slew of challenges.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

14 Nov 2022

Polarised but Hopeful: How Malaysia’s Gen Zs May Vote, and Why

James Chai

This Long Read features the findings of a recent poll on the voter sentiments of Malaysia’s Gen Zs. A majority of Gen Zs hold low trust in the political actors that are running the country but are nonetheless still politically engaged. 79 per cent of them say that they will most likely turn out to vote in the coming election.

Demography Malaysia Malaysian Politics

9 Nov 2022

Identity Politics Might Undermine Malay/Muslim Unity

Norshahril Saat

Three broad coalitions are gunning for the Malay/ Muslim vote in Malaysia’s general election. The question is whether voters still regard the issues of race and religion as important.

Identity Politics Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics