ARTICLES

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.

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

9 Mar 2022

The Johor State Elections: A Spiderweb of Spats, Splits and Surprises

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

All eyes will look to Barisan Nasional as Johoreans head to the polls on March 12. Looking at the advantages BN faces going into the election and the fractured state of its opponents, BN has exceptionally strong chances of doing significantly better this time.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

8 Mar 2022

Parti Warisan in Johor: Making Waves or Merely a Ripple?

Serina Rahman

Parti Warisan from the state of Sabah is seeking a foothold in peninsular Malaysia. It remains to be seen whether it will grab the imagination of the electorate.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

4 Mar 2022

Political Instability and Enhanced Monarchy in Malaysia

Shad Saleem Faruqi

Except in specific situations in which royal discretion is explicitly conferred, the Malaysian King is required to act on the advice of the Prime Minister. Lately, however, due to a widening trust deficit between citizens and government, there are calls for the monarchs to provide leadership and play an enhanced role in providing checks and balances against discredited political institutions.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

31 Jan 2022

Parsing the UMNO-Bersatu Battle in Johor

Norshahril Saat

UMNO has certain advantages in Johor, but its victory in the coming state elections is not assured.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

24 Jan 2022

Elections in Johor: Needlessly Nigh?

Francis E. Hutchinson

The Johor state assembly has been dissolved, paving the way for snap state elections to be held within the next 60 days. For those UMNO leaders seeking to boost their party’s momentum, this might not be the wisest of moves.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

20 Jan 2022

Seeing Red over Rising Prices for Greens

Amirul Adli Rosli

Malaysian netizens are seeing red over the government’s handling of rising prices for daily necessities. The reality is that much of the recent price hikes are due to factors beyond the government’s control.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics