ARTICLES

21 Jul 2025

Rethinking GenAI Visuals in Government Communications

Brandon Tan Jun Wen

Governments are turning to generative AI to assist in public communications, sparking backlash from the public over the quality and intent of such visuals. A better approach would be to pair GenAI with human expertise.

17 Jul 2025

Manufacturing Malaysia’s Future: Hope or Hype?

Liew Chin Tong

Fulcrum editor Lee Hwok Aun and Malaysia Studies Programme Coordinator Francis Hutchinson speak with Liew Chin Tong, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry. Their conversation spans Malaysia’s challenges in engineering a second industrial take-off, implementing reforms, and navigating global uncertainties.

Dialogues at Fulcrum Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics

10 Jul 2025

Data Centres, Energy Demand and Sustainability: Can Malaysia Strike the Right Balance?

Sara Loo

Malaysia’s ambitions to be a digital powerhouse demand urgent consideration of rapidly increasing energy demands. Based on current figures, Malaysia appears to have overcommitted to data centre expansion, especially in Johor, without sufficiently robust sustainability guidelines in place.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Sustainable Development

10 Jul 2025

Mahathir Mohamad at 100: Monumental Achievements, Mixed Legacies

Tricia Yeoh|Francis E. Hutchinson

To live a long political life in Malaysia is not unusual; to have a century’s longevity and the lengthiest career guarantees its two-time former premier ‘Dr M’ a unique place in the history books.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

4 Jul 2025

US Duties on Southeast Asian Solar Panel Exports: Where the Sun Does Not Shine

Archanun Kohpaiboon

The US has imposed new duties on solar panel imports from four Southeast Asian countries to address unfair Chinese trade practices. The duties will continue to be part of Washington’s arsenal of options.

Antidumping Cambodia China Malaysia Solar Imports Thailand US Vietnam

25 Jun 2025

Thorny Issue: The Durian Economy and Land Tussle in Pahang

Wong Sook Wei

There has been an ongoing dispute between the Pahang state government and farmers cultivating durians on encroached state land. With a new player in the fray, however, the dispute looks closer to a settlement.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics

24 Jun 2025

Malaysia’s Metadata Controversy: Surveillance in the Guise of Statistics

Nuurrianti Jalli

The Malaysian government's directive to collect mobile phone metadata from telecom providers has sparked much unease. It should implement stronger safeguards to demonstrate accountability.

Data Privacy Government Surveillance Malaysia Telecommunications

10 Jun 2025

Power Behind the Istana Gates: Musa Aman’s Quiet Influence in Sabah’s Election

Arnold Puyok

Musa Aman, the former chief minister of Sabah, has made a dramatic return as the state’s governor. He is expected to provide the political stability that Sabah needs.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Musa Aman Sabah

9 Jun 2025

Next Challenge for Parti Keadilan Rakyat: Keeping its Anchor Role in Government

Adib Zalkapli

Parti Keadilan Rakyat has completed its leadership elections, which turned out to be intense and not without controversy. But it has a far bigger challenge ahead.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Parti Keadilan Rakyat

3 Jun 2025

Plantation Workers Can Barely Live on Malaysia’s Minimum Wage

Alfian Al-Ayubby

Malaysia’s recently raised minimum wage is insufficient for plantation workers, who deserve a living wage to sustain their livelihoods and contributions to this key economic sector.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics