ARTICLES

Mahathir Mohamad (R), Anwar Ibrahim (C) and Muhyiddin Yassin

16 Jul 2021

Are We Witnessing the Bankruptcy Proceedings of the Malay Agenda?

Ooi Kee Beng

After a series of power grabs, there are few ideological differences among the country’s political parties and groupings in power. If UMNO as a phenomenon has run out of gas, its raison d’etre — Malay supremacy — needs some reconsideration.

14 Jul 2021

Malaysia’s Covid-19 Response: Pressed to Be (in the) Present

Lee Hwok-Aun|Kevin Zhang

Pressed by short-term exigencies caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia is planning to raise Malaysia’s debt ceiling to 65 per cent of GDP. Another round of stimulus package might be on the cards.

COVID-19 Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics

13 Jul 2021

Reopening Malaysia’s Parliament: Not a Panacea

Norshahril Saat

The Malaysian government’s decision to reconvene Parliament has been welcomed. But this in itself will not resolve the list of problems facing the country in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

9 Jul 2021

Malaysia’s Latest Political Fisticuffs – Muhyiddin or Zahid on the Ropes?

Francis E. Hutchinson

In the past week, the Malaysian prime minister had to absorb a couple of political blows. But his coalition is not in any immediate danger — yet.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics UMNO

7 Jul 2021

#BenderaPutih: Hoisting the White Flags of Hope

Serina Rahman

The White Flag Movement underscores how Malaysians will go the extra mile to help each other out, at a time when there is growing unhappiness over the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

18 Jun 2021

Muhyiddin’s Gambit: Royally Blocked

Francis E. Hutchinson

What the Prime Minister has proposed in suspending Parliament, the King has blocked. PM Muhyiddin ignores the will of the Sovereign at his peril.

COVID-19 Malaysia Malaysian Politics

11 Jun 2021

The Other Face of PAS: Eschewing Narrow Sectarianism for Global Revivalism

Mohd Faizal Musa

PAS, under the leadership of Hadi Awang, has championed Sunni-Shi’a conciliation. But it is highly uncertain whether this will remain true under the younger generation of PAS leaders.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Religion Religious Intolerance

9 Jun 2021

Policymakers' View

Malaysia’s Long Overdue Defence Reforms: Jettisoning the Age of Innocence

Liew Chin Tong

The age of innocence that has dominated Malaysia’s attitude towards defence matters in the past three decades needs to be jettisoned. Given mounting threats in its external environment, Malaysia needs to accelerate defence reforms centred on the concept of jointness across multiple domains.

Defence Malaysia Malaysian Politics Policymakers’ View

12 May 2021

The UMNO General Assembly and the Rocky Road Back to Putrajaya

Norshahril Saat

In the May 2018 general election, UMNO lost power for the first time in history but clawed back into government in March 2020 through defections from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government. However, the party is now deeply split. A close examination of the positions of various UMNO leaders demonstrates that not all is well within the party, and its path to recapture Putrajaya is rocky.

Bersatu Malaysia Malaysian Politics UMNO

11 May 2021

Muhyiddin’s Special Envoy to the Middle East: Largely Ceremonial

Fauzan A. Roslee

Hadi Awang, the Malaysian prime minister’s special envoy to the Middle East, has done little to advance Kuala Lumpur’s interests in that region. His role is more political than functional.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Middle East