BANGKOK, Thailand--There has been much discussion about the existence of a deep state within Malaysia. This essay looks at its components. The deep state is not a unified and coordinated mechanism. It is heterogeneous and diverse. It is probably only bound together by a common narrative, sometimes interpreted differently. At different points of time, different aspects of this deep state exercise more power over the others. Other times, there is even conflict between the various elements.
BANGKOK, Thailand--Remember when Pakatan Harapan secured their surprise election victory back in 2018? Many expressed their joy as Merdeka Day relived. There was so much hope about a Malaysia baru being born.
BANGKOK, Thailand--When Malaysia faced the Asian economic crisis back in 1997, the then Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamed called on his old friend Tun Daim Zainuddin to head the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) set up under the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) to find a solution through the National Economic Recovery Plan (NERP).
BANGKOK,Thailand--Nothing is straightforward in Malaysia. Last Saturday, the Barisan Nasional (BN), led by the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) won a resounding state election victory in Johor, only to find that their chosen Menteri Besar (chief minister) candidate Hasni Mohammad was overlooked by the Johor palace for Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
BANGKOK, Thailand--There is a clear danger the Federation of Malaya may one day secede from Malaysia. This is not as far-fetched as it seems.
BANGKOK, Thailand--The shortage of McDonald’s French fries earlier this month in Malaysia is symbolic of a much bigger national problem. Many food items are in short supply and subject to rapidly rising prices.
BANGKOK, Thailand--Medical experts around the world are beginning to say that the Covid-19 crisis is heading into an endemic stage with the emergence of the Omicron variant.
After nearly 75 years in public life, the political career of Mahathir Mohamed appears to be drawing to a close at age 96. As he becomes less relevant amid the country’s current fevered political manoeuvring, it is time to look at what the last four years, with 20 months as prime minister once again, did for his legacy.
Former Attorney General Tommy Thomas in his recent book, “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness,” suggested that big-time corruption in the Malaysian polity sprang up during the Tun Abdul Razak era – 1970-1976 – that a secret or covert space in government appeared, out of sight of any scrutiny.