ARTICLES

18 Jul 2023

Malaysia’s 2023 State Elections: Projections and Scenarios

Ong Kian Ming

This Long Read uses the results of the 15th General Election (GE15) held in 2022 to project the possible outcomes in the upcoming state elections, through the use of various scenarios. A key question for the upcoming polls is the extent to which supporters of former political rivals Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) will “transfer” their votes to each other in the upcoming state elections.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections

6 Jul 2023

What’s the Matter with MUDA – is it Moody or just Misunderstood?

Francis E. Hutchinson

The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) has parted ways with Pakatan Harapan to contest the upcoming state elections. Although some have written the youth-focused party off, there might yet be method to its madness.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections

5 Jul 2023

Malaysia’s 2023 State Elections: So Much Fuss For So Little Work

Lee Hwok-Aun

Amid the political spectacle, Malaysia should critically consider the meagre roles and resources of state governments. The irony is that states, in following their own election cycles, end up augmenting federal dominance and disempowering themselves.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

26 Jun 2023

Debunking the Myths of Malaysia’s “Green Wave” in GE15

Ong Kian Ming

It is time to refresh the popular but inaccurate characterisation of recent Malaysian politics as broadly influenced by Islamisation. The truth is more complex.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections

22 Jun 2023

Transparent Content Moderation the Key to Responsible Political Discourse

Harris Zainul

As Malaysia heads into six state elections, it is imperative for social media platforms to step up their game in moderating harmful content.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

20 Jun 2023

Is Malaysia’s “Green Wave” More a Tsunami of Discontent?

Khairy Jamaluddin

In the run-up to elections in six states, Malaysia’s Prime Minister is seeking to improve his coalition’s electability among Malay voters. The crux of the issue is less about a ‘green wave’ sweeping across the country than a wider discontent over the lack of economic direction.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

19 Jun 2023

Malaysia’s Democracy in the Shadow of Hegemonic Rule

Kai Ostwald

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has long cultivated an image of himself as a reformist leader. His ability to effect change, however, is limited by the country’s legacy of hegemonic politics.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

6 Jun 2023

Malaysia’s Ample Start-up Funds Need to Be More Accessible and Accountable

Tham Siew Yean

Malaysia has established numerous funds to nurture start-ups, but must do much better in simplifying the current system, reporting relevant data, and assessing policy outcomes.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy

25 May 2023

Malaysia’s First Unity Government Convention: The Art of Keeping Enemies Close

James Chai

Malaysia’s new Unity Government is in a state of consolidation and relative stability. The current unified coalition structure will stay in its current semi-permanent state, whereby it retains the trappings of a coalition without formalisation.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

19 May 2023

Why Malaysia’s Unity Government Will (Probably) Survive

Kai Ostwald

Malaysia has seen four changes in government since 2018. Its 15th general election resulted in a grand-coalition government comprising former arch rivals. Will this new government be equally short-lived? This Long Read examines the reasons why Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government may be more stable than one would think.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics