ARTICLES

23 Jun 2020

Choosing Pakatan Harapan’s Prime Ministerial Candidate: Reconciling the Unreconcilable?

Francis E. Hutchinson

The Pakatan Harapan coalition has a plan for a political comeback, based on (another) pact between Mahathir Mohamad and his erstwhile nemesis, Anwar Ibrahim. While a bitter pill for Anwar and his party, this looks to be the only option before them. That this is the only visible pathway back to power does not make it any more likely to happen.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

29 May 2020

Inter- and Intra-Coalition Competition in Johor – a Kueh Lapis?

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

There are many different dynamics at play when one examines the tenuous nature of the Perikatan Nasional-led state government in Johor. Think political battles within and without.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

18 May 2020

Mukhriz Mahathir’s Downfall in Kedah: Winners and Losers

Norshahril Saat

The fall of the Kedah state government led by Mukhriz Mahathir will change the country’s political map, and the fortunes of the various players involved.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

14 May 2020

Malaysia’s Next Parliamentary Session: Show-time or Stalling for Time?

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

Malaysia’s next parliamentary sitting was supposed to have seen the tabling of a historic no-confidence motion against the government led by Muhyiddin Yassin. It appears that the premier has dodged the bullet – at least for now.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

13 May 2020

Pushback Against Lifting of Covid-19 Movement Controls: Much Ado About Something

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

State governments’ resistance to the federal government’s decision to lift some Covid-19 movement controls is as much as function of the pandemic’s impacts as political affiliation.

COVID-19 Malaysia Malaysian Politics

30 Mar 2020

Johor’s New Cabinet Line-Up: More of the Same

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

The new cabinet of Johor closely resembles the traditional Barisan Nasional line-ups in terms of ethnic majority. UMNO’s traditional share of ministerial portfolios is also a blast from the past.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

6 Mar 2020

Malaysian PM Muhyiddin: Sins of Omission?

Lee Hwok-Aun

In his maiden speech as Malaysia’s new prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin sought to steady a teetering nation by what was said. But a brooding sense of unease prevails, due to what was not said about the issues that matter.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

5 Mar 2020

Bangsa Johor: A Tale of Two Political Personalities

Serina Rahman

The political dramas gripping Kuala Lumpur in the past week have not reverberated down south in Johor. With relative ease, Barisan Nasional has taken control of the state assembly.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

2 Mar 2020

Muhyiddin and Malay Rights: Too Early to Call

Norshahril Saat

A Muhyiddin government will push for Malay rights, but this is unlikely to be done in excess.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

28 Feb 2020

GPS in Sarawak: Finding the Way In … or Out?

Lee Poh Onn

Political turbulence in Kuala Lumpur and the emergence of two competing coalitions have returned the Gabungan Parti Sarawak to its traditional role as kingmaker

Malaysia Malaysian Politics