Category Archives: Economics

Ambition Without Alignment: Managing Malaysia’s Rare Earth Value Chain

Posted on April 23, 2026 by Tricia

This policy paper was published by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute as a Trends (Issue 14, 2026) in April 2026. It can be viewed here. Executive Summary In the escalating US-China trade war and projected increased demand for critical minerals, deposits … Continue reading →

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

Balancing Malaysia’s Economic Ambitions and Political Constraints

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Tricia

This article first appeared in the Caravanserai Magazine of the Royal Society of Asian Affairs (Spring 2026 Issue 9) here. Balancing Malaysia’s Economic Ambitions and Political Constraints Tricia Yeoh Malaysia is at a critical juncture. Amid a rapidly shifting global … Continue reading →

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

Malaysia’s fiscal reset collides with global trade politics

Posted on February 18, 2026 by Tricia

This article first appeared on the East Asia Forum website on 11 February 2026, accessible here. In Brief Malaysian efforts at domestic fiscal balancing and external economic rebalancing remained unfinished at the end of 2025. Progress on fiscal consolidation — … Continue reading →

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

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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