Author Archives: Tricia

Notes on a New Nation, Day 3

Notes on a New Nation Day 3 Post-GE14, 12 May 2018 The news comes at us fast and furious, like bullets from a gun. I’m not sure how long I should be doing these daily updates; I suppose as long … Continue reading

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Notes on a New Nation, Day 2

Notes on a New Nation Day 2 Post-GE14 (as at 5.45pm, 11 May 2018) So much is taking place at such a rapid pace that I feel the need to document events so that I (and perhaps other researchers) can … Continue reading

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Notes on a New Nation, Day 1

Notes on a New Nation Day 1 Post-GE14, 10 May 2018 A few preliminary thoughts on what is happening right now in Malaysia. Unprecedented in our political history. Yesterday on 9 May 2018, we saw the people of Malaysia voting … Continue reading

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Competition for better political and policy outcomes

First published in theSun on 26 April 2018 under the title “Competition for better outcomes”, here. GRAB, the Malaysian home-grown riding app, recently bought over Uber in several Southeast Asian countries. Some of us avid users have already noticed a … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Elections, General Politics, Reflections | Leave a comment

In the contest for power, Malaysia’s resurgent states stake a claim

First published in New Mandala on 24 April 2018, here. The era of dominant federal government may be over as leading states push for greater autonomy, resisting a centre compromised by scandal and policy drift. Ahead of Malaysia’s 14th general election … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Federalism, General Politics, Public Administration, Selangor, Transparency and Good Governance, Water | Leave a comment

Travel inconveniences and work exigencies may discourage blue-collared Malaysians from returning home to vote

First published on Channel NewsAsia on 17 April 2018, here. Commentary: Travel inconveniences and work exigencies may discourage blue-collared Malaysians from returning home to vote  Tricia Yeoh Train and bus tickets are in shortage, suggesting that many blue-collared Malaysians may … Continue reading

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Government knows best

First published in theSun on 29 March 2018, here. IN April 2009, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak famously pronounced that “the era where the government imposed excessive controls and adopted the attitude of ‘government knows best’ is over”. He also said … Continue reading

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Malaysian opposition presents younger array of leaders, amid unhealthy political culture

First published on Channel NewsAsia on 3 March 2018, here. Commentary: Malaysian opposition presents younger array of leaders, amid unhealthy political culture Tricia Yeoh Where political culture traditionally favours seniority and age, the opposition has demonstrated efforts to groom and … Continue reading

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A new civil society-political relationship?

First published in theSun on 1 March 2018 here. OVER the last few weeks, speculation has been rife that several prominent civil society leaders will be making the leap into active politics. This was first prompted by Wan Saiful Wan Jan’s … Continue reading

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Independent Institutions Needed Now

First published in theSun on 15 February 2018, here. AS the nation gears itself up for the 14th general election, it is inevitable that political parties will try to woo their electorate with promises. And try they should, to display policies … Continue reading

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