Category Archives: Economics

Malaysia’s Budget 2026: Fiscal Reform or Fragility?

Posted on November 5, 2025 by Tricia

This was first published on Fulcrum on 3 November 2025 here. Malaysia’s 2026 budget continues fiscal reforms but exposes structural fragilities such as heavy operating costs and rising debt. These factors may threaten long-term fiscal stability. Earlier this month, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Mahathir Mohamad at 100: Monumental Achievements, Mixed Legacies

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Tricia

by Tricia Yeoh and Francis Hutchinson This was first posted on Fulcrum (ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute platform) on 10 July 2025, the 100th Birthday of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad here. An edited version of this opinion piece was republished on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, General Politics, International Relations, Public Administration, Reflections | Leave a comment

Featured on BBC World Questions Panel

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Tricia

I was recently invited to be a panellist at the BBC World Questions programme, recorded live in a studio with an audience of 150 people in Kuala Lumpur. This programme has been conducted in over 100 countries around the world. … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Civil Society, Economics, Ethno-Religious Politics, General Politics, Human Rights, International Relations, Politics, Public Administration, Transparency and Good Governance | Leave a comment

The 2025 ASEAN Summit Creates an Opportunity for Canada

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Tricia

This commentary was first published on the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada website on 17 June 2025, and can be found here. The recent ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — held against the backdrop of rising U.S. protectionism and … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, International Relations, Outside Malaysia, Politics, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Abdullah Badawi – An Understated and Underrated Leader

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Tricia

This piece that was co-authored with Dr Francis Hutchinson of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute was first published in Fulcrum on 6 May 2025, here. Abdullah Badawi’s brand melded the best of two worlds, namely rising living standards and technological ambition minus … Continue reading →

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

Should Selangor Take Kuala Lumpur Back?

Posted on December 24, 2024 by Tricia

This was first published by ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute on its Fulcrum platform on 18 December 2024, here. There is talk of integrating Kuala Lumpur into Selangor again. However, before considering reintegration, the capital’s governance and residents’ needs must be addressed. … Continue reading →

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

Tug of Wealth: Malaysian States Seek a Fairer Deal in Oil and Gas

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Tricia

First published on the Fulcrum platform under ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute on 18 November 2024, here. A potential legal tussle between Sarawak and Petronas has implications for Malaysia’s approach to development and for the country as a whole. In early September, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Federalism, Oil and Gas | Leave a comment

SG4 Group: PAS Bid to Consolidate Bargaining Power?

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Tricia

This was first published on Fulcrum here, on 2 October 2024. A new move by four PAS-controlled states to form a joint company is brilliant if seen from the lens of political consolidation. Four Malaysian states – Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Federalism, Public Administration, Religion | Leave a comment

Malaysia needs ASEAN to navigate a pathway between ‘the West’ and ‘the rest’

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Tricia

This piece was first published on the East Asia Forum site on 18 August 2024 here. Its editorial, titled “Malaysia mustn’t waste its moment of regional leadership”, also refers to the piece here. As ASEAN chair in 2025, Malaysia has … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, General Politics, International Relations, Outside Malaysia | Leave a comment

Malaysia’s States: Open for Business, Yet Not Always Transparent

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Tricia

This op-ed was first published on Fulcrum, a platform under ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute on 12 August 2024 here. This was written as part of my 6-month fellowship with ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Malaysia is enjoying strong inflows of foreign direct investment. … Continue reading →

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