ARTICLES

12 Apr 2023

Anwar’s Coalition Government: Navigating Tricky Undercurrents

Khairy Jamaluddin

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has secured some breathing space after the passing of his maiden budget and a successful trip to Beijing. But he has dangerous undercurrents to navigate going into state elections.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

4 Apr 2023

Malaysia’s 15th General Election: Ethnicity Remains the Key Factor in Voter Preferences

Marzuki Mohamad|Ibrahim Suffian

The results of Malaysia’s 15th General Election revealed that ethnicity remains the key factor determining voter behaviour. But in a reversal of previous trends, the coalition that received the most support from the ethnic Malay majority is in the Opposition, while the coalition that received the least Malay support is leading the government. This suggests that the current political configuration is intrinsically fragile.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

31 Mar 2023

Forging Anwar’s Cabinet: Fervent Followers, Forbidden Friends, and Former Foes

Francis E. Hutchinson

With his first 100 days behind him, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has acted proactively to solidify his hold on power. Adept at backroom negotiations, he swiftly cobbled together a Cabinet representing his broad ‘coalition of coalitions’ while ensuring that he and his loyalists controlled the most powerful positions. This Long Read provides an analysis of how the spoils were distributed in Anwar’s new Cabinet.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

27 Mar 2023

UMNO’s Zahid – A Formidable Yet Flawed Political Operator

Francis E. Hutchinson

UMNO President Zahid Hamidi’s tactics to consolidate power have opened himself and his party to potential vulnerabilities as a new generation of Malaysians demand cleaner government.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

24 Mar 2023

Repurposing Fuel Subsidy to Facilitate Malaysia’s Shift to Electric Vehicles

Tham Siew Yean|Kevin Zhang

Malaysia seeks to ensure the poor benefit from fuel subsidies rather than the rich, but rationalisation can also contribute towards sustainability. The savings from the removal of fuel subsidies can be directed towards developing renewable or low-carbon alternatives, thereby contributing to meet Malaysia’s pledge to be “a carbon neutral country by 2050 at the earliest”.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics

13 Mar 2023

Anwar’s Uneasy Truce with Malaysia’s Powerful Civil Service

Kai Ostwald

Anwar Ibrahim’s relationship with Malaysia’s powerful civil service is key to his government’s success and survival. He faces serious challenges in maintaining a positive relationship, but developments since 2018 help his chances.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

8 Mar 2023

2023 Budget Speech: Act One of Anwar Ibrahim’s Reform of Malaysia?

Lee Hwok-Aun

Anwar Ibrahim’s 24 February speech unveiled a budget largely replicating the October version presented by his predecessor. Given that Malaysia’s reforms extend beyond public funding priorities and allocations to institutional reforms and new narratives of nationhood, the budget speech may be just the opening act.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics

8 Mar 2023

Anwar’s First 100 Days: Passing Grade but Stern Tests Ahead

Khairy Jamaluddin

Anwar Ibrahim has managed to even the keel of Malaysia’s new coalition government in its first 100 days. But his fragile coalition government faces sterner tests on the horizon.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

6 Feb 2023

PAS and the Midterm Polls: Existential Challenge of Becoming a National Party

James Chai

In the coming state elections, Parti Islam SeMalaysia has ambitious plans to take ground in states it does not control. Taking the fight to the enemy, however, may necessitate a deeper examination of its own identity as an Islamist party.

Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

26 Jan 2023

Malaysia’s ‘Green Wave’ Was a Long Time Coming

Serina Rahman

Parti Islam SeMalaysia made solid gains during Malaysia’s 15th General Election. It banked on candidates who are deemed to be religious and clean. In future, the party that hews to a more public expression of Islam will be able to hold on to the Malay-Muslim voter base.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Political Islam