ARTICLES

Anwar Ibrahim supporters hold Pakatan Harapan party flags as they celebrate Anwar swearing in as Prime Minister outside Istana Negara palace in Kuala Lumpur on 24 November 2022.

19 Sep 2023

Anwar’s Unity Government: Striding Forward or Just Moonwalking?

Francis E. Hutchinson

Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government has survived some stern electoral tests of late. But he has his work cut out going forward.

13 Sep 2023

Malaysia Post-PRN2023: Stay the Course or Change Direction?

Khairy Jamaluddin

In this dialogue, which follows on his May 16th podcast, “Defining Tests for UMNO, Anwar and the Unity Government”, Khairy Jamaluddin discusses the main arena of those defining tests: the August 12th Peninsular state elections (PRN2023).

Dialogues at Fulcrum Malaysia Malaysian Politics

Malaysia unveiled its New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP 2030) on 1 September. The plan aspires to chart Malaysia’s industrial transformation from 2023 till 2030. Compared to previous plans, the latest master plan is ambitious, with the incorporation of action plans and a focus on implementation.

12 Sep 2023

Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan: Clear-Eyed on Implementation

Tham Siew Yean

Malaysia newest industrial master plan has a stronger focus on deliverables, with a focus on action plans and the monitoring of implementation.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics

7 Sep 2023

PAS’ Over-confidence Might Be Its Undoing

James Chai

PAS appears to be riding a wave of confidence after its solid wins in the recent state elections. It should be more circumspect.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections

6 Sep 2023

Barisan Nasional and FELDA: A Depleted “Fixed Deposit”

Kevin Zhang

FELDA seats used to be a veritable vote bank for Barisan Nasional. This is no longer the case.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections

29 Aug 2023

Anwar’s Tried and Failed Strategy to Woo Malay Voters

Azmil Tayeb

Anwar’s gambit to out-Islamise his Islamist political opponents has failed to gain traction. He should stop offering a “lite” version of his opponents’ Islamist agenda and tout a more progressive and inclusive narrative.

Identity Politics Malaysia Malaysian Politics

A worker walking past a steamroller at the site of a Lynas plant in Gebeng, Malaysia.

24 Aug 2023

The Race for Critical Minerals in Malaysia: Upstream, Mid-Stream, or Downstream?

Tham Siew Yean

The global hunt for critical minerals used in clean energy platforms such as electric vehicles has put the spotlight on some Southeast Asian countries, in particular, Malaysia.

Environment Malaysia Supply Chains

22 Aug 2023

Anwar’s Sidestepping Ethnic Policies: Not a Way to Gain Ground

Lee Hwok-Aun

The Unity government concedes that the status quo of ethnic quotas in Malaysia cannot be changed. They are easily tarred by PN as meek and ambivalent toward Malay interests, and simultaneously disappoint non-Malays who nonetheless vote for them because PN is viewed as a worse alternative.

Affirmative Action Malaysia Malaysian Politics

18 Aug 2023

Malaysia’s State Elections: Surprisingly Unremarkable

Kai Ostwald

Numerous interpretations have been offered for the recent state elections in Malaysia. They may offer some truth, but the results also conform with general expectations for a mid-term election that have little to do with the specifics of Malaysia.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections