ARTICLES

24 Mar 2023

Repurposing Fuel Subsidy to Facilitate Malaysia’s Shift to Electric Vehicles

Tham Siew Yean|Kevin Zhang

Malaysia seeks to ensure the poor benefit from fuel subsidies rather than the rich, but rationalisation can also contribute towards sustainability. The savings from the removal of fuel subsidies can be directed towards developing renewable or low-carbon alternatives, thereby contributing to meet Malaysia’s pledge to be “a carbon neutral country by 2050 at the earliest”.

13 Mar 2023

Anwar’s Uneasy Truce with Malaysia’s Powerful Civil Service

Kai Ostwald

Anwar Ibrahim’s relationship with Malaysia’s powerful civil service is key to his government’s success and survival. He faces serious challenges in maintaining a positive relationship, but developments since 2018 help his chances.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

8 Mar 2023

2023 Budget Speech: Act One of Anwar Ibrahim’s Reform of Malaysia?

Lee Hwok-Aun

Anwar Ibrahim’s 24 February speech unveiled a budget largely replicating the October version presented by his predecessor. Given that Malaysia’s reforms extend beyond public funding priorities and allocations to institutional reforms and new narratives of nationhood, the budget speech may be just the opening act.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics

8 Mar 2023

Anwar’s First 100 Days: Passing Grade but Stern Tests Ahead

Khairy Jamaluddin

Anwar Ibrahim has managed to even the keel of Malaysia’s new coalition government in its first 100 days. But his fragile coalition government faces sterner tests on the horizon.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

6 Feb 2023

PAS and the Midterm Polls: Existential Challenge of Becoming a National Party

James Chai

In the coming state elections, Parti Islam SeMalaysia has ambitious plans to take ground in states it does not control. Taking the fight to the enemy, however, may necessitate a deeper examination of its own identity as an Islamist party.

Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

26 Jan 2023

Malaysia’s ‘Green Wave’ Was a Long Time Coming

Serina Rahman

Parti Islam SeMalaysia made solid gains during Malaysia’s 15th General Election. It banked on candidates who are deemed to be religious and clean. In future, the party that hews to a more public expression of Islam will be able to hold on to the Malay-Muslim voter base.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Political Islam

18 Jan 2023

“Undercover” Ministers in Malaysia

James Chai

A few ministers in the new Malaysian cabinet are providing citizens with a breath of fresh air as they conduct surprise visits to see what ails public services, but the winds of change have not gathered sufficient force for true reform.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

23 Dec 2022

The Binding Forces that Hold Malaysia’s Team of Rivals Together

James Chai

The strength of the new unity government in Malaysia lies in three aspects: strategic, legal and relational.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

5 Dec 2022

How Will Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government Revise Budget 2023?

Cassey Lee

New Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim has to lead his “unity government” in navigating the process of revising the country’s Budget 2023 through some significant headwinds.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics