ARTICLES

22 Jun 2018

Reviewing Mahathir’s and Malaysia’s Foreign Policy

Tang Siew Mun

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's visit to Japan in June 2018 signaled the government's interest to work closely with Japan. While affirming friendly ties with China, Malaysia will vigorously defend its rights in the South China Sea disputes.

Malaysia Malaysia-Japan Relations

14 May 2018

The Future of China’s Investment in Malaysia under Mahathir

Tham Siew Yean

While Mahathir's new government has no issues with foreign direct investment from China, the same cannot be said of Chinese investments funded by loans guaranteed by the previous government - particularly infrastructure projects such as the East Coast Rail Link and the numerous port projects that may pose a security risk.

11 May 2018

Whither Malaysia’s China Policy Under Prime Minister Mahathir?

Ian Storey

Despite his highly vocal stance that Malaysia has become too dependent on China, the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and China is unlikely to change drastically under Prime Minister Mahathir. China is too important as an economic partner for Malaysia, and Malaysia being is too influential within ASEAN for China to upset.

China-Malaysia Relations Malaysia South China Sea

31 Jul 2017

A Futile Call: Making Bahasa Melayu ASEAN’s Official Language

Tang Siew Mun

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib's proposal to adopt the Malay language as ASEAN's “main and official language” is unrealistic and divisive. It could also rollback ASEAN's gains in positioning the regional organisation as a global entity. Instead, it should focus on more urgent and pressing matters of community-building.

ASEAN Bahasa Malaysia Malaysia

5 Apr 2017

UMNO’s U-Turn on RUU 355: What Makes Coalitions Stick in Malaysia?

Nicholas Chan

The Barisan Nasional government's U-turn on changes to RUU 355, which will give the syariah courts more extensive powers, suggests that the coalition dynamics of politics are behind the move. Put simply, the coalition’s survival is equally, if not more important than UMNO’s electoral appeal.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics UMNO

21 Mar 2017

Chinese Capital Controls and Forest City

Serina Rahman

Recent Chinese curbs on financial outflows from China has led to speculation that this will affect the iconic Forest City mixed development in Johor. The southern state says that sales will not be affected. After all, Chinese investors have a habit of circumventing around new laws.

China-Malaysia Relations Malaysia Malaysian Politics

25 Jan 2017

Whither the True Cost of Mega-Port Development?

Serina Rahman

The development of the Klang Valley's third port and industrial city in Carey Island comes against a slump in the international shipping trade, and the formation of mega-alliances of container carriers for economies of scale due to over-capacity. Assessment of economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and political impact needs to be carried out – as well as its implications on other Malaysian ports.

Economic Development Malaysia

12 Jan 2017

“Islamization of Politics” in Indonesia and Malaysia?

Leo Suryadinata

Recent political developments in Indonesia and Malaysia have seen the use of Islam in determining the political processes – Islam was employed to weaken the ruling elite, or to maintain political power and to support a forthcoming election. Such tactics may inadvertently destroy the pluralistic nature of both societies.

Indonesia Malaysia radicalism Religious Intolerance

12 Jan 2017

What Lies Ahead for Sarawak with Adenan Satem’s passing?

Lee Hock Guan|Lee Poh Onn

Chief Minister Adenan Satem, who passed away recently, implemented a series of popular policies, which helped to deliver the bulk of parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak to the ruling coalition BN in the 2013 elections. While Adenan has a team in place to seek continuity in policies, there is a lack of a new leader vocal enough to face the government in Putrajaya.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

15 Dec 2016

Migrant Worker Abuse Remains a Problem in Malaysia

Lee Hwok-Aun

The presence of forced labour in Malaysia prevails despite some employers being compliant with market norms against such labour. It is the government''s responsibility to monitor and enforce checks against labour abuse and make the system treat migrant workers better.

Labour Exploitation Malaysia Malaysian Economy