Author Archives: Tricia

Malaysian education blueprint- Weighing unity against diversity

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Tricia

Malaysian education blueprint- Weighing unity against diversity Photograph: Kwong Wah Yit Poh Nation-building strategies all over the world have education as a central element. Malaysia is no different. However, the multicultural nature of the population means that education has always … Continue reading →

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In What Shape, Democracy?

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Tricia

In What Shape, Democracy? (A version of this was published in theSun on 19th October 2012). Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of travelling to places like Bukit Mertajam, Kempas, and Parit Yaani in Peninsular Malaysia … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Society, General Politics, Media | Leave a comment

Models for state and city

Posted on October 13, 2012 by Tricia

Models for State and City (This first appeared in Selangor Times, published on 12th October 2012). As part of the Penang launch of my book, ‘States of Reform’, as well as the FreedomFilmFest screenings of my documentary, ‘The Rights of … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Administration, Selangor | Leave a comment

A Budget’s Responsibility

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Tricia

A Budget’s Responsibility (A version of this was first published in theSun on 5th October 2012) Over the past two weeks, several documents were unveiled for public scrutiny. Prime Minister Najib Razak tabled the 2013 Budget for debate in Parliament … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Public Administration | Leave a comment

GLCs Crowding Out Investment

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Tricia

GLCs Crowding Out Investment (A version of this was first published in theSun on 21st September 2012). Deep structural changes are urgently needed to improve the country’s competitiveness, chief of which is dealing with government-linked companies (GLCs) that are presently … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Power of the arts

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Tricia

Power of the arts Photograph: Gabija Grusaite The arts are powerful tools of expression. The impact of a film or a song can be so significant that governments find it hard to stay away. Finding a balance between encouraging the … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Culture, Literature, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Lessons from Selangor show way forward

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Tricia

Lessons from Selangor show way forward (This was first published in Selangor Times, on the 14th of September 2012). It was an entertaining thought that my friend, Keith Leong, would have spent long hours in the very English Cambridge University … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Administration, Selangor, The Cause | Leave a comment

In Search of National Identity

Posted on September 8, 2012 by Tricia

In Search of National Identity (A version of this was first published in theSun on 7th September 2012). It has become somewhat of an annual affair in August and September that Malaysians obsess about our national identity. Although laughable at … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethno-Religious Politics, General Politics, Reflections | Leave a comment

A Matter of Sacrifice

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Tricia

A Matter of Sacrifice (A version of this was published in theSun on 24th August 2012). I started fasting alongside my Muslim friends in 2009, making this year the fourth time I observed the full Ramadhan month. Many friends ask … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethno-Religious Politics, Reflections | Leave a comment

Not easy housing Malaysians

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Tricia

Not easy housing Malaysians Photograph: Ong Ee Lynn One of the most controversial subjects in Malaysia is the issue of home ownership. How are Malaysians earning low wages to afford a house of their own? How is the government at … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Public Administration | Leave a comment