Author Archives: Tricia

A Neutral Public Service

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Tricia

A Neutral Public Service  (From theSun, 11th January 2013) As a public policy researcher, filmmaking was the last thing I thought I would venture into. But having received a grant and opportunity from a local NGO, Pusat KOMAS, last year … Continue reading →

Posted in General Politics, Human Rights, Public Administration | Leave a comment

The Personal and the Professional

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Tricia

This article first appeared in Selangor Times in January 2013. Yet another Malaysian incident has made it into international news. The Wall Street Journal, amongst other newspapers since, has reported on Bank Islam’s suspension of Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajudin after … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections | Tagged | Leave a comment

State Budgets 2013: The last for now

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Tricia

State Budgets 2013: The last for now Photograph: Benson Kua It was a fairly significant moment when the Selangor and Penang Pakatan state governments tabled and passed their final budgets of their first five-year term in power for the year … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Selangor | Leave a comment

Time to Take Stock

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Tricia

Time to Take Stock (From theSun, 28th December 2012) Former President of the United States Bill Clinton would use a Nasa-loaned moon rock, carbon-dated 3.6 billion years old, to help him gain perspective on things, saying, “We’re all just passing … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections, General Politics, The Cause | Leave a comment

The PAS conundrum – or is it really?

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Tricia

The PAS conundrum – or is it really? (From Selangor Times, 28th December 2012) At a recent policy dinner at St. Mike’s, a cozy Ipoh restaurant, I spoke of civil society, reform issues and my experience of having worked at … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethno-Religious Politics, General Politics, Religion | 1 Comment

Governing from the Bottom Up

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Tricia

Governing from the Bottom Up (From theSun, 14th December 2012) The recent public war of words between former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and his ex-colleague Datuk Ramli Yusoff over criminal links, abuse of power and political connections … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Administration | Leave a comment

The AES in Pakatan Rakyat states

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Tricia

The AES in Pakatan Rakyat states (From Penang Monthly, December 2012 issue) The Automated Enforcement System (AES) has emerged as another issue which the Pakatan-led states, namely Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan, have come to a common policy agreement not … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption, Economics, Selangor | Leave a comment

‘Tis the season to be rallying

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Tricia

‘Tis the season to be rallying  (From Selangor Times, 30th November 2012) The past weekend has been a busy one indeed. Not only was the city’s annual arts festival, Urbanscapes, taking place, but this time Sigur Ros, the atmospheric Icelandic … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Society, Human Rights | Leave a comment

Dear Dr. Mahathir, we do seek greater reforms

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Tricia

Dear Dr. Mahathir, we do seek greater reforms (From theSun, 30th November 2012) Dear Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Mahathir Mohamad, In your address to the 2012 Umno General Assembly earlier this week, you stated that the Barisan Nasional has “pandered” … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Society, Corruption, Economics, Human Rights, The Cause | Leave a comment

The Economy and Political Interference

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Tricia

The Economy and Political Interference (A version of this was published in theSun, on 16th November 2012) In the World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2013, Malaysia’s rank improved by two spots, now placed as the 12th most competitive economy in … Continue reading →

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