Category Archives: Public Administration

Taxing federal-state relations

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun here, on 22 June 2017. Earlier this month, the Sarawak state government decided to quit the Malaysian Tourism Board, following the federal government’s introduction of a new tourism tax that would affect all hotels across the … Continue reading →

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

Reviewing Malaysia in Troubled Times

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 11 May 2017, under the title of “Let’s start with income distribution”, here. “THE absence of good institutions and transparency in public undertakings, government procurement, and … the design of public policy has the potential … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Drop unnecessary rules on business

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 9 March 2017, here. RECENTLY, the government banned the Dego Ride motorcycle service, which is hailed using a smartphone application (like Grab and Uber). The deputy transport minister said in response that “so far, no … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Free small businesses from price controls

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 16 February 2017, here. UNDER the guise of helping the poor, countries under communist regimes in the past imposed one of the most disastrous economic interventions ever: price controls. The results in these countries are … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Can Trump’s policies affect Malaysia?

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Tricia

(first published in theSun on 2 February 2017 here). AT least one of US President Donald Trump’s policies will have an impact on Malaysia. His decision to pull out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), in which Malaysia would have … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Oil and Gas, Outside Malaysia, Transparency and Good Governance | Leave a comment

Adenan Satem’s Fight for Sarawak

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun here, on 19 January 2017 THE passing of Sarawak chief minister, the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem, last week sent political reverberations across the country. Whither Sarawak in the next general election, many asked? How exactly … Continue reading →

Posted in Federalism, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Fighting corruption a decade later

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 5 January 2017, here. THE beginning of the year is as good a time as any to reflect upon the direction the country is heading towards. Ten years ago, Malaysians were just beginning to appreciate … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Society, Corruption, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Walkway of Shame

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Tricia

All we know is “one worker”, We don’t know your name, “From Vietnam” to KL, The city of shame. You gave up your life For some eco construction, And instead what it gave you Was death and destruction. Who were … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Public Administration | Leave a comment

Men in Blue

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Tricia

Men in Blue, Your main duty is to Keep the streets clear of crime. Instead, you strike fear, And to us it is clear, It’s not the best use of your time. Men in Blue, We know that you act … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Society, Crime, Poetry, Public Administration, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Bijan the Clown

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Tricia

Once in a land, There lived a funny man, Who wore a jewel-studded crown. But he was afraid of balloons, And even of cartoons, His name was Bijan the Clown. He tried hard to be brave, But he was just … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption, Poetry, Public Administration, Uncategorized | Leave a comment