ARTICLES

6 Sep 2022

The Najib Verdict: Judges Made Their Mark, But Will It Last?

Lee Hwok-Aun

The Federal Court’s upholding of the conviction of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has restored confidence in the key national institution. But the country’s democracy faces stern challenges ahead.

2 Sep 2022

The Implications of Najib Razak’s Jail Term

Francis E. Hutchinson|Lee Hwok-Aun

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to Francis Hutchinson and Lee Hwok Aun about the implications of the jailing of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Dr Hutchinson and Dr Lee are the Coordinator and Co-coordinator of ISEAS’ Malaysia Studies Programme respectively.

Criminal Justice System Dialogues at Fulcrum Malaysia Malaysian Politics

2 Sep 2022

Malaysia’s Multi-coalition Platter Spices Up Talk of Fragmented Parliament

Norshahril Saat

Whenever the next Malaysian general elections are held, voters will be in for a bumpier ride as coalition politics lead to more uncertainty about how the next government will shape up.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

26 Aug 2022

Najib Razak’s Political Career: The End of the Beginning or the End of the End?

Francis E. Hutchinson

After a span of four years, Najib Razak has exhausted his legal options and is now in jail for, among other things, criminal breach of trust. He still has some legal recourse, but at the moment things are looking good for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Anti-Corruption Corruption Malaysia Malaysian Politics

24 Aug 2022

Political Succession in Southeast Asia: When Dynasty Might Mean Destiny

Julia Lau

Some of the region’s political scions will be rising through the ranks in future elections, but it is not all smooth sailing in politics even if one is born with a silver spoon.

Indonesian Politics Malaysian Politics Thai Politics

22 Aug 2022

Unretweeted Love? #KeluargaMalaysia Overtures Fall Flat

Amirul Adli Rosli

Driving a successful hashtag campaign is more complicated than blitzing social media. An analysis of tweets appending #KeluargaMalaysia suggests that such attempts have backfired because the hashtag has been appropriated by Twitter netizens to express their discontent with the government.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

15 Aug 2022

Thai Parliamentarians Should Learn from Their Malaysian Counterparts

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Thailand should take a leaf from Malaysia, which has effected a law to deter party hoppers in the country’s legislature.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Thai Politics Thailand

4 Aug 2022

Malaysia’s GE15: Not All Youth Votes Are Equal

James Chai

Malaysia’s Undi18, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, was supposed to empower a new generation of voters. As it turns out, however, not all youth votes have the same weight.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

1 Aug 2022

Leadership in Place, PKR Needs to Focus on Ideology

Norshahril Saat

Parti Keadilan Rakyat, the political party of Anwar Ibrahim, has a new slate of leaders in place. To make a difference, PKR will need to find a balance between pragmatism and the need to uphold multiracialism.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

21 Jul 2022

Malaysia Must Pursue A New Order of Stability via Democracy

Liew Chin Tong

UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has publicly argued that Malaysia should return to the old order with UMNO as the singular dominant party and Barisan Nasional ruling with two-thirds majority. It is important for the nation to ask, what sort of new political order should emerge?

Malaysia Malaysian Politics UMNO