ARTICLES

Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chairman Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar at the meeting of the National Finance Council in Putrajaya, Malaysia on 5 March 2026. (Photo from Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar / Facebook)

16 Mar 2026

Perikatan Nasional’s Opposition Leader Dilemma

Norshahril Saat

Perikatan Nasional has been in a pickle over who will assume the role of opposition leader. While it has finally been decided that PAS should lead the coalition, PN’s marketability as a viable alternative to the ruling coalition remains in doubt.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

13 Mar 2026

Running of Kuala Lumpur: When Demographics Stand in the Way of Direct Polls

Ooi Kok Hin

There are sound reasons for Kuala Lumpur to have a directly elected mayor. Such a technocratic solution, however, has been bogged down in the mire of ethnic anxieties.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

12 Mar 2026

Malaysia’s Unity Government’s 10-Year Term Limit Terminated: What Next?

Francis E. Hutchinson

The prime minister and his government have little time to lose in pushing harder for reform, if they wish to retain their support base.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

5 Mar 2026

Local Polls in Putrajaya: The Perfect Pilot Project?

Francis E. Hutchinson

Local elections in Malaysia warrant a second look.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

4 Mar 2026

Death Without Departure: Bung Moktar and the Persistence of His East Coast Political Authority

Vilashini Somiah

All politics is local and, in many cases, personal. The passing of Bung Moktar Radin illustrates these truisms in rural Sabah politics, as his influence persists for now.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Sabah

A protester holds a sign during a demonstration to demand the arrest of Malaysian Anti-Corruption chief commissioner Azam Baki at Jalan Bangsar on 22 January 2022 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Annice Lyn / Getty Images via AFP)

3 Mar 2026

Anwar is Weak, But the Opposition is Weaker Still

James Chai

The political woes of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is a political goldmine for the opposition. But it has failed to capitalise on the opportunity.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

24 Feb 2026

Rethinking Malaysia’s Path to Net Zero

Renard Siew

Carbon credits to be tabled under Malaysia’s new climate change bill should serve as a bridge towards decarbonisation rather than a substitute for it.

Climate Change Malaysia Malaysian Politics

13 Feb 2026

Malaysia’s Opposition: The Need to Close Ranks

Adib Zalkapli

To mount a creditable challenge to the ruling coalition, Malaysia’s opposition coalition needs to overcome a list of obstacles, foremost among them infighting within the grouping.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

6 Feb 2026

The Roots and Persistence of Terengganu’s Hardline Approach to Islamic Law

Mohd Faizal Musa

Since August 2025, Terengganu has implemented stringent shariah-based legislation penalising Muslim men who neglect Friday prayers, allowing for imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to RM3,000. This reflects a broader trend of rigorous shariah enforcement under the PAS-led state government.

Islam Malaysia Malaysian Politics

22 Jan 2026

Rabble-rouser UMNO Youth Unlikely to Dent Ahmad Zahid’s Unity Call

Norshahril Saat

UMNO Youth has pulled out all the stops to persuade the party leadership to yank UMNO out of the ruling coalition. But the UMNO president has different ideas.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics