ARTICLES

1 Dec 2020

The Postponed By-Election in Sabah: Another Fight, By and By

Kevin Zhang|Lee Poh Onn

The postponement of a by-election in Sabah underscores the tenuous hold on power by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional coalition.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin

27 Nov 2020

Malaysia’s 2021 Budget Passed: Muhyiddin Lives to Fight Another Day

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

Despite opposition from within and without, the Perikatan Nasional coalition has passed Malaysia’s 2021 Budget on the second reading. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, however, will still face considerable turbulence going forward.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

25 Nov 2020

Muhyiddin Needs to Unite UMNO’s Factions Behind Him

Norshahril Saat

Prime Minister Muhyiddin’s clock is ticking, and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is holding it.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics UMNO

12 Nov 2020

Malaysia’s “Stand United” Budget Heading Into Testy Debate

Kevin Zhang|Lee Hwok-Aun

Malaysia’s 2021 budget strikes a conciliatory tone, but it will face some vigorous debate in parliament.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

27 Oct 2020

Desperation Debases Democracy in Malaysia

Lee Hwok-Aun

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has not got the emergency powers he had asked for. His government has lived to fight another day. Still, the constant horse-trading and bickering among the country’s political class has only subverted the country’s democracy.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

24 Sep 2020

Anwar Declaration as Malaysia’s Ninth PM: Another (Failed) September Surprise?

Norshahril Saat|Mohd Faizal Musa

Anwar Ibrahim claims that he has enough political support to be the country’s next prime minister. The key here is whether he can assure the Malay-Muslim majority that their rights will not be undermined.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

23 Sep 2020

Anwar’s Parliamentary Majority – Show and Tell, or Tell Only?

Francis E. Hutchinson

Anwar Ibrahim told reporters today that his Pakatan Harapan coalition has the numbers to command a majority in Parliament. If history is any guide, the political manoeuvre could well be a stab in the dark.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

23 Sep 2020

Measuring up MUDA: Getting the Love, Actually?

Mohd Faizal Musa|Siti Syazwani Zainal Abidin

Led by the youthful Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, the newly-established Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) might well be able to break the political deadlock that has long dominated Malaysian politics.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

16 Sep 2020

PAS and the “Younger Brother” Conundrum

Norshahril Saat

Six months after Perikatan Nasional grabbed the reins of power, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia has settled into its position as a party in the ruling coalition. The question is whether the rank and file can stomach the party’s second fiddle status.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

11 Sep 2020

Muhyiddin Yassin: Sitting Pretty (For Now)

Francis E. Hutchinson

Roiled by political instability in the past few months, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin can afford to take a breather, for now at least. A survey by arguably the country’s foremost pollster shows him in a strong position.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics