Author Archives: Tricia

The economic impact of autism

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 13 April 2017, here. MALAYSIAN-produced film Redha (which was long-listed for the Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Academy Awards) features Nam Ron as the father of a boy with autism who initially refuses … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Health, Special Needs | Leave a comment

Integration the world over

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 16 March 2017, here. IN August 2015, I visited France at a time when the Syrian refugee crisis was just unfolding, causing much uncertainty and consternation. The discussions I had with academics and policy analysts … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethno-Religious Politics, General Politics, Human Rights, Language, Liberalism, Outside Malaysia, Religion | Leave a comment

Drop unnecessary rules on business

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 9 March 2017, here. RECENTLY, the government banned the Dego Ride motorcycle service, which is hailed using a smartphone application (like Grab and Uber). The deputy transport minister said in response that “so far, no … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Free small businesses from price controls

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 16 February 2017, here. UNDER the guise of helping the poor, countries under communist regimes in the past imposed one of the most disastrous economic interventions ever: price controls. The results in these countries are … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Can Trump’s policies affect Malaysia?

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Tricia

(first published in theSun on 2 February 2017 here). AT least one of US President Donald Trump’s policies will have an impact on Malaysia. His decision to pull out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), in which Malaysia would have … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Oil and Gas, Outside Malaysia, Transparency and Good Governance | Leave a comment

Adenan Satem’s Fight for Sarawak

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun here, on 19 January 2017 THE passing of Sarawak chief minister, the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem, last week sent political reverberations across the country. Whither Sarawak in the next general election, many asked? How exactly … Continue reading →

Posted in Federalism, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Fighting corruption a decade later

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 5 January 2017, here. THE beginning of the year is as good a time as any to reflect upon the direction the country is heading towards. Ten years ago, Malaysians were just beginning to appreciate … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Society, Corruption, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Rights of the natives

Posted on December 25, 2016 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 22 December 2016, here. A VIDEO went viral at the end of November on social media, portraying the Temiar Orang Asli community singing Negaraku as the blockade they had set up to protest logging at … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Liberalism, Selangor | Leave a comment

Rohingya refugee rights

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 13 December 2016 here. AT A “Solidarity March” two weekends ago, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak protested the atrocities taking place in Myanmar, condemning Myanmar for what he considered as the “genocide” and “ethnic … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights | Leave a comment

Walkway of Shame

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Tricia

All we know is “one worker”, We don’t know your name, “From Vietnam” to KL, The city of shame. You gave up your life For some eco construction, And instead what it gave you Was death and destruction. Who were … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Public Administration | Leave a comment