ARTICLES

21 Apr 2022

Credit UMNO for the Rakyat’s Benefits? More Serious Accounting Needed

Kevin Zhang|Lee Hwok-Aun

UMNO and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri are hoping to take credit for recent announcements on hiking the minimum wage and allowing special withdrawals from retirement savings, but the devil is in the details.

19 Apr 2022

The Malaysian Opposition’s ‘Big Tent’ Strategy: A Misreading of Election History

James Chai

The Malaysian Opposition would do well to reconsider its calls for a ‘Big Tent’ strategy. A closer look at voting patterns in recent Malaysian elections raises questions about their assumption that a united opposition would secure an electoral victory against BN.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

5 Apr 2022

Bahasa Melayu as ASEAN’s Second Language: Sekali Lagi Tak Boleh

Joanne Lin

Malaysia has again proposed making Malay a working language of ASEAN, but this proposal is likely to be a non-starter as ASEAN wrestles with more pressing crises.

ASEAN Malaysia Malaysian Politics

29 Mar 2022

Johor’s Menteri Besar Surprise: Poster Boy Makes Way For King’s Man

Francis E. Hutchinson

The appointment of a relatively junior assemblyman to be Johor’s Menteri Besar is curious. But there are deeper undercurrents at work.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

29 Mar 2022

Custody Woes: PAS’ Calls for the ‘Desecularisation’ of Malaysian Law

Mohd Faizal Musa|Faris Ridzuan

Malaysia’s Islamists and conservatives, led by PAS, are challenging the country’s legal system, calling for the ‘desecularisation’ of Malaysian law in cases involving religious conversions.

Islamic State Malaysia Malaysian Politics Political Islam

22 Mar 2022

UMNO Assembly Puts Prime Minister’s Back to the Wall

Norshahril Saat

It was all sweetness and light at the recent general assembly of the United Malays National Organisation. But there is more than meets the eye.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

21 Mar 2022

Another Win for Barisan Nasional: Now To Prove Their Worth

Serina Rahman

With its victory in the Johor State elections, Barisan Nasional has won two state elections at a trot in four months. The run-up to election day was somewhat subdued, but the stakes are high, as the coalition rues its chances in the coming general elections.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

16 Mar 2022

Pakatan Harapan in Johor: Fading Fan Favourites

Kevin Zhang|Francis E. Hutchinson

PH’s campaign messaging has consisted of playing its ‘fan favourites’ of good governance and anti-corruption. This is a re-run of the 2018 campaign, which successfully linked Malaysian’s economic woes to the imposition of the Goods and Service Tax (GST), the financial extravagance of former prime minister Najib Razak, and the ill-fated 1MDB.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

10 Mar 2022

Johor Polls: Old Boys Singin’ the Same Old Tunes

Norshahril Saat

Like evergreen hits, the feuding parties in Johor’s state elections are rehashing old formulations in the form of multi-racial coalitions with Malay-nationalist entities at the helm.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

9 Mar 2022

Malaysia’s Focus on When to Raise Minimum Wage Must Not Forget Why

Lee Hwok-Aun

After years of lobbying, Malaysia finally approved an increase in the national minimum wage to RM1,500. While the government has since delayed its implementation, current economic circumstances require the wage floor to be raised sooner rather than later.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics