Category Archives: Public Administration

Following the money: Political financing in Malaysia

Posted on August 4, 2019 by Tricia

First published in The Asia Dialogue on 30 July 2019 here. It is important to examine how political parties are financed, as this reveals who has the biggest influence on party decision-making. The questions of real concern are: does the … Continue reading →

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Reviving the Spirit of Federalism: Decentralisation Policy Options for a New Malaysia

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Tricia

This policy paper was published as Policy Ideas No. 59 for the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) Malaysia. It can be downloaded for free here. Introduction Up to 2008, the spirit of Malaysia’s federalism had all but faded, … Continue reading →

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The Fall of the Corrupt

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Tricia

First published in theSun here, on 17 May 2018. IN Ayi Kwei Armah’s book, The Beautyful Ones are Not Yet Born, the protagonist is a civil servant who chooses not to take bribes for favours at the expense of his children’s education … Continue reading →

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Notes on a New Nation, Day 7

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Tricia

Notes on a New Nation Day 7 Post GE-14 (16 May 2018) and Concluding Thoughts (for now) How apt it is to end the week with what most would consider to be sweet justice. Just seven short days following the … Continue reading →

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Notes on a New Nation, Day 6

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Tricia

Notes on a New Nation Day 6, Post-GE14 (15 May 2018) The slowest news day since the election, so we shall keep it short. Last evening (14 May), the Agong released a press statement stating that he was satisfied with … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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