ARTICLES

7 Mar 2024

Malaysia’s Public Service Pensions: Will to Reform, Without A Roadmap

Lee Hwok-Aun

Malaysia has announced that future public service recruits will retire on accumulated Employee Provident Fund savings instead of the current, popular pension scheme. Before proceeding, the Anwar Ibrahim administration must clarify the fiscal situation and attendant reforms needed.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

22 Feb 2024

The ASEAN Power Grid: How the LTMS-PIP Can Inform the BIMP-PIP’s Development

Mirza Sadaqat Huda

A quartet of ASEAN member countries have taken a first important step towards the vision of a regional power grid. The next step is to look back for lessons learned to move forward and improve collaboration, leveraging the experience of not just officials but stakeholders in the private sector.

22 Feb 2024

Sharia versus Shariatisation in Malaysia: Which One Will Triumph?

Syaza Shukri|Norshahril Saat

Parti Islam SeMalaysia has protested against a Federal Court ruling decision which ruled that sharia-related laws in Kelantan were unconstitutional. Its actions underscore a long-running struggle between sharia and shariatisation.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Religion

19 Feb 2024

Inclusivity or Division? The Unintended Consequences of Non-Segregated Gyms

Syaza Shukri

A controversy in Malaysia about segregated gym hours has led to a conflation of Islamic tenets with an inherent obstruction to gender equality.

Malaysia Religion

15 Feb 2024

The Return of Melaka Gateway: Scaled-down Ambitions

Tham Siew Yean

What was touted as a mega project in the form of the Melaka Gateway is now a shadow of its former self. There remains, however, significant challenges for the envisioned cruise terminal.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy

7 Feb 2024

PAS’ Efforts to Attract Non-Muslims: An Exercise in Futility?

Mohd Faizal Musa

PAS has stated that it needs to redouble its efforts to win non-Muslim support. However, its exclusivist stance on many policy issues remains a significant impediment.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

6 Feb 2024

The Evil, Stupid and Arrogant in Malaysian Politics: Who is Jadong?

Sharifah Afra Alatas|Norshahril Saat

A leading opposition figure in Malaysia has resorted to firing deprecatory epithets at the administration led by Anwar Ibrahim. The reality is that that the Malay portmanteau “jadong” could apply to politicians of all stripes.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

6 Feb 2024

Rhetorical Sympathy for the Palestinian Struggle in Malaysia and the Poignant Misuse of ‘Zionism’

Benjamin Y.H. Loh|Sarah Ali

Malaysia’s online and offline support for Palestine in light of the 7 October 2023 attacks seems to indicate a dualism in solidarity— voluble support for the Palestinian cause juxtaposed with opposition to taking in Palestinian refugees and asylum seekers.

Human Rights Malaysia Middle East Rohingya

5 Feb 2024

Najib Razak’s Partial Pardon: Cui Bono?

Francis E. Hutchinson

The controversial halving of Najib Razak’s 12-year sentence appears to be a boon to multiple stakeholders.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

29 Jan 2024

Migrant Worker Policies after One Year of Anwar Ibrahim’s Government: An Indonesian Perspective

Alfian Al-Ayubby

The Anwar government has taken some steps toward improving the migrant worker situation, but has not addressed the underlying structural problems. More comprehensive policies and effective implementation are needed to protect migrant workers from Indonesia and all source countries.

Indonesia Labour Rights Malaysia Migrant Workers