Author Archives: Tricia

Malaysia’s new leadership line-up strengthens Mahathir’s hand

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Tricia

First published on the Channel NewsAsia website on 14 May 2018, here. Mahathir Mohamad named three Cabinet ministers and announced the establishment of a Council of Elders on Saturday (May 12), in a move that strengthens his position within the … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption, Economics, Elections, General Politics, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Notes on a New Nation, Day 5

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Tricia

Notes on a New Nation Day 5, Post-GE14 (14 May 2018) We are inching towards one week post-election day, but it feels like much longer, given the number of events taking place; the changing of the tides is rapid, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Notes on a New Nation, Day 4

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Tricia

Notes on a New Nation Day 4 Post-GE14, 13 May 2018 It has been the quietest day in news since election day (thankfully). Kudos to the media that has been faithfully following the news daily; they must be exhausted, but … Continue reading →

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

Notes on a New Nation, Day 3

Posted on May 12, 2018 by Tricia

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

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Tricia

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 →

Posted in Elections, General Politics | Leave a comment

Notes on a New Nation, Day 1

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Tricia

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 →

Posted in Elections, General Politics, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Competition for better political and policy outcomes

Posted on April 28, 2018 by Tricia

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

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Tricia

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

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Tricia

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

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Tricia

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 →

Posted in General Politics, Liberalism, Philosophy | Leave a comment