Category Archives: General Politics

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 →

Posted in Elections, General Politics | Leave a comment

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

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

Posted on March 10, 2018 by Tricia

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 →

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

A new civil society-political relationship?

Posted on March 6, 2018 by Tricia

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 →

Posted in Civil Society, Elections, General Politics, Transparency and Good Governance | Leave a comment

Independent Institutions Needed Now

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Tricia

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 →

Posted in Civil Society, Elections, Public Administration, Transparency and Good Governance | Leave a comment

Are civil servants the biggest winners in Malaysia’s 2018 budget?

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Tricia

First published on Channel NewsAsia’s website here, on 19 November 2017. Many say Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s 2018 budget brought cheer to Malaysian civil servants who form an important voting bloc in an election year. Tricia Yeoh discusses how much … Continue reading →

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

Malaysia’s general elections, an uphill battle for the opposition

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Tricia

Commentary: Malaysia’s general elections, an uphill battle for the opposition (First published on Channel NewsAsia, 22 October 2017, here). Najib Razak has yet to call the elections. Tricia Yeoh explores the challenges and likely strategies the ruling Barisan Nasional party … Continue reading →

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

Catalonia’s lessons on federalism

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Tricia

(First published in theSun on 11 October 2017, here). ON Oct 1, the Spanish region of Catalonia – in which its capital Barcelona is located – held its second independence referendum in three years. The Catalan government announced that the official … Continue reading →

Posted in Federalism, General Politics, Public Administration, Selangor | Leave a comment

An Open Letter to Dato’ Seri Najib Razak

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Tricia

First published on the IDEAS website on 4 August 2017 here. Dear Sir, Last week you gave an outstanding speech to international investors at the Invest Malaysia 2017 conference. I am sure many were impressed with the economic achievements that have been … Continue reading →

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