BANGKOK, Thailand-The true winner of Malaysia’s general election in November was the Malaysian Islamic Party, the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia or PAS. PAS won 49 out of the 62 seats it contested in the 222 seats in national parliament.
SACRAMENTO, U.S.--Arguably the only useful outcome of the 22-month Pakatan Harapan coalition that ruled Malaysia until February 2020, was court proceedings instituted against former Prime Minister Najib Razak and Zahid Hamidi, United Malays National Organization party president.
BANGKOK, Thailand--There has been much discussion about the existence of a deep state within Malaysia. This essay looks at its components. The deep state is not a unified and coordinated mechanism. It is heterogeneous and diverse. It is probably only bound together by a common narrative, sometimes interpreted differently. At different points of time, different aspects of this deep state exercise more power over the others. Other times, there is even conflict between the various elements.
BANGKOK, Thailand--The Tourism Malaysian highlights Malaysia’s ethnic diversity as a unique strength. The website proudly espouses Malaysia as the only “one place where all the colours, flavours and sights of Asia come together.”
BANGKOK, Thailand--There is a clear danger the Federation of Malaya may one day secede from Malaysia. This is not as far-fetched as it seems.
BANGKOK, Thailand--With the United Malays National Organisation, or UMNO back in political power with a firm and dominating position to the other Malay-centric political parties, kleptocratic practises are on the rise once again.
JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia -- In the age of hyper-polarisation, championing the cause of the middle ground or moderation seems unfashionable, akin to drinking coffee without sugar or milk, as scholar Wong Chin Huat once said. But as responsible leaders, we must be clear-eyed on what is ultimately good for health.
