Author Archives: Tricia

Taking back liberal

(first published in theSun on Thursday, 9 July 2015, here) AT an IDEAS public forum last weekend on whether or not Malaysia is ready for a liberal political party, it was evident that all three of the panel speakers acknowledged … Continue reading

Posted in Liberalism, Philosophy, Religion | Leave a comment

Nothing to hide

(First published in theSun on 11 June 2015, here). IN our A-Level English literature classes, we used to describe Shakespearean comedy as “someone else’s tragedy”. Such is the case of the most recent public relations disaster to have befallen our … Continue reading

Posted in Corruption, Economics, General Politics, Transparency and Good Governance | Leave a comment

Waking up to an old, brewing crisis

(First published in theSun on 28 May 2015, here). MALAYSIANS have finally woken up to the cruel plight faced by refugees and migrant workers following the consecutive events of the last few weeks. The most disconcerting has been the discovery … Continue reading

Posted in Corruption, Human Rights, Public Administration | Leave a comment

On the 11th Malaysia Plan

Bloomberg Malaysia interviewed me today on the 11th Malaysia Plan that is due to be tabled in Parliament on Thursday, 21st May 2015. This is the final 5-year plan before Malaysia is due to achieve Vision 2020 five years from … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Public Administration, Transparency and Good Governance | Leave a comment

Debate on the TPPA

IDEAS organised a debate on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) on 28 March at the Kuala Lumpur Teaching Centre, Nottingham University. It was a rich debate by two gentlemen, both whose views I respect very much. We got the audience … Continue reading

Posted in Economics | Leave a comment

Australia-Malaysia Youth Forum 2015

I had the privilege of giving some introductory remarks recently on 14 May 2015 at the Australian High Commission, with whom IDEAS jointly organised an Australia-Malaysia Youth Forum 2015.  ** Good morning to HE Rod Smith, PSM, Australian High Commissioner … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Society, Economics, Outside Malaysia | Leave a comment

The rise of regional politics

(First appeared in theSun on 14 May 2015, here). THE second biggest piece of news emerging from the UK in the last two weeks (the first being the arrival of Princess Charlotte, according to some social media feeds) was not just … Continue reading

Posted in Corruption, Economics, Federalism, Public Administration, Transparency and Good Governance | Leave a comment

Seeking religious shelter

Seeking religious shelter This was first published in theSun here, on 30 April 2015. OVER the weekend, I travelled to Kuala Krai in Kelantan, one of the worst hit areas during the December floods. Five months later, many families are still … Continue reading

Posted in Religion | Leave a comment

In pursuit of freer trade

First published in theSun on 9 April 2015, here. IT IS significant that Malaysia is chair of Asean this year, at the end of which the Asean Economic Community is to be fully implemented, at least according to the blueprint. The … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Transparency and Good Governance | Leave a comment

To whom is the IGP accountable?

(Written on 31 March 2015, and not published elsewhere). Last Monday evening, one of our IDEAS National Unity Youth Fellows, a young student from Universiti Malaya, heard that a few of his friends were arrested at the anti-GST protest in … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Society, Public Administration, Transparency and Good Governance | Leave a comment