Category Archives: Economics

A prime minister’s powers

First published in theSun on 13 August 2015, here. THE news of the prime minister having removed the attorney-general and deputy prime minister; promoting the Public Accounts Committee chairman; and transferring several Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers shocked many people. … Continue reading

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Nothing to hide

(First published in theSun on 11 June 2015, here). IN our A-Level English literature classes, we used to describe Shakespearean comedy as “someone else’s tragedy”. Such is the case of the most recent public relations disaster to have befallen our … Continue reading

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Waking up to an old, brewing crisis

(First published in theSun on 28 May 2015, here). MALAYSIANS have finally woken up to the cruel plight faced by refugees and migrant workers following the consecutive events of the last few weeks. The most disconcerting has been the discovery … Continue reading

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On the 11th Malaysia Plan

Bloomberg Malaysia interviewed me today on the 11th Malaysia Plan that is due to be tabled in Parliament on Thursday, 21st May 2015. This is the final 5-year plan before Malaysia is due to achieve Vision 2020 five years from … Continue reading

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Debate on the TPPA

IDEAS organised a debate on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) on 28 March at the Kuala Lumpur Teaching Centre, Nottingham University. It was a rich debate by two gentlemen, both whose views I respect very much. We got the audience … Continue reading

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Australia-Malaysia Youth Forum 2015

I had the privilege of giving some introductory remarks recently on 14 May 2015 at the Australian High Commission, with whom IDEAS jointly organised an Australia-Malaysia Youth Forum 2015.  ** Good morning to HE Rod Smith, PSM, Australian High Commissioner … Continue reading

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The rise of regional politics

(First appeared in theSun on 14 May 2015, here). THE second biggest piece of news emerging from the UK in the last two weeks (the first being the arrival of Princess Charlotte, according to some social media feeds) was not just … Continue reading

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In pursuit of freer trade

First published in theSun on 9 April 2015, here. IT IS significant that Malaysia is chair of Asean this year, at the end of which the Asean Economic Community is to be fully implemented, at least according to the blueprint. The … Continue reading

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Follow the money

First published in theSun here, on 19 March 2015. AT its annual report launch last week, Bank Negara deputy governor gave a relatively healthy assessment of the country’s economy. So glowing was the report, however, that several members of the … Continue reading

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How independent is the MACC?

First published in theSun here on 26 February 2015. Congratulations are due to the 26 members of the three independent panels of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), 19 of whom are new appointees. In his speech, Prime Minister Najib Razak … Continue reading

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