Author Archives: Tricia

The untold story of the Teoh Beng Hock case – Part 1

Posted on July 19, 2017 by Tricia

First published on The Malaysian Insight here on Sunday, 16 July 2017. “WHAT would you say to Beng Hock if he was alive today?” Up till this question, Soh Cher Wei, the wife of Teoh Beng Hock, had maintained a … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption, Human Rights, Personal, Selangor, The Cause | 1 Comment

Reviewing Malaysia’s Corruption Record

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun here, on 6 July 2017. NOT many Malaysians are aware that we are a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the first globally binding international anti-corruption instrument. The treaty requires its member countries to … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption, Outside Malaysia, Transparency and Good Governance | Leave a comment

Taxing federal-state relations

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun here, on 22 June 2017. Earlier this month, the Sarawak state government decided to quit the Malaysian Tourism Board, following the federal government’s introduction of a new tourism tax that would affect all hotels across the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Federalism, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Long road to university autonomy

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 8 June 2017 here. LAST week, the minister of higher education said that Malaysia’s public universities are expected to record a rise in the QS World University Rankings this year. If this is true, then … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Leave a comment

A tougher business environment

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 25 May 2017, here. THIS time of the year is when the Treasury begins its consultation process, collating feedback to prepare the annual budget to be tabled in October, for the following year. Over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Liberalism | Leave a comment

Reviewing Malaysia in Troubled Times

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 11 May 2017, under the title of “Let’s start with income distribution”, here. “THE absence of good institutions and transparency in public undertakings, government procurement, and … the design of public policy has the potential … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Public Administration | Leave a comment

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