ARTICLES

25 Jan 2024

Takeaways from Anwar’s December Cabinet Reshuffle

Francis E. Hutchinson

Malaysia’s recent cabinet reshuffle sheds some light on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s thinking about his cabal of coalitions and cliques.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

25 Jan 2024

Dubai Move Failed to Understand GPS

James Chai

The Dubai Move sought to entice Gabungan Parti Sarawak to switch sides. At its core, the ill-fated move misunderstands what the coalition stands for.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

23 Jan 2024

Mahathir’s Broadside About Race: Time to Map Out a Coherent Vision

Norshahril Saat|Sharifah Afra Alatas

Mahathir Mohamad’s controversial remarks about race relations in Malaysia has put the impetus on the incumbent administration to elucidate a coherent vision of Malayness and multiculturalism.

Ethnic Malaysia Malaysian Politics

17 Jan 2024

Making the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone Work

Ong Kian Ming

To fully harness the benefits of bilateral cooperation on both sides, the recent signing of the memorandum of understanding for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone needs to be followed up by the relevant agencies doing the real spade work after the initial hype is over.

Economic Planning Malaysia Singapore

Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz

16 Jan 2024

Policymakers' View

Malaysia and ASEAN in 2024: Facing Challenges with Focus and Strength

Tengku Zafrul Aziz

Malaysia and ASEAN face pressing challenges and opportunities in technology adaptation and transition, geopolitical instability and ASEAN competition, and the need to green our economies. With judicious strategies and effective actions, we can head into 2024 with cautious optimism.

ASEAN Malaysia Policymakers’ View Sustainable Development

10 Jan 2024

Malaysia’s “Dubai Move”: Nothing to See Here, For Now

Norshahril Saat

There has been recent speculation about machinations to bring down Malaysia’s Unity Government. This detracts from the need to deliver on governance outcomes.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

5 Jan 2024

Zulkifli Hasan as Malaysia’s New Deputy Religious Affairs Minister: An Analysis

Mohd Faizal Musa

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s new appointee in the religious affairs ministry has the requisite credentials to aid in the government’s bid to resist the rise of the conservative opposition.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Religion

29 Dec 2023

2023 Top 10

Same Moon, Different Dates for Hari Raya (Again!)

Norshahril Saat

Some countries in Southeast Asia might end up celebrating Hari Raya on different dates, but this should not detract them from the higher goals of Ramadhan.

2023 Top 10 Indonesia Islam Malaysia Singapore

28 Dec 2023

2023 Top 10

On the Horns of Anwar’s Twin Dilemmas

Khairy Jamaluddin

The results of the recent state elections in Malaysia were not unexpected. But the more important thing is Pakatan Harapan’s pursuit of the Malay vote, and what this portends for the coalition going into the next general election.

2023 Top 10 Malaysia Malaysian Elections

27 Dec 2023

2023 Top 10

Anwar’s First Year: Performative and Underperforming

Khairy Jamaluddin

Anwar Ibrahim’s ascent to the country’s highest office last year was accompanied by a surge of expectations in his reformist government. One year on, however, his administration has lost some of its shine.

2023 Top 10 Malaysia Malaysian Politics