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“The Spectre of Mass Party-hopping Mars Malaysia’s Democratic Integrity” by Lee Hwok-Aun

 

2018/107, 21 December 2018

Post-election party hopping and allegiance switching are not new to Malaysia. However, unlike previous episodes, the country now ponders the spectre of mass exodus from UMNO into the Pakatan Harapan coalition already holding a comfortable majority. Beleaguered UMNO President Zahid Hamidi’s decision to step aside and hand over duties to his deputy Mohamad Hassan may help stem the outflow, but some irreversible moves and continual uncertainties raise questions about the integrity of Malaysia’s electoral system and parliamentary democracy.

 

“Australia’s Support For Israel Puts Indonesian Trade Deal On The Line” – An Op-Ed by Siwage Dharma Negara and Leo Suryadinata in SCMP

 

This article was published by South China Morning Post on 20 December 2018.

Dr Siwage Dharma Negara is Senior Fellow and Co-coordinator Indonesia Studies Programme while Dr Leo Suryadinata is Visiting Senior Fellow with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

 

Seminar on “Challenges Facing Malaysia’s New Government”

 

The results of Malaysia’s 14th General Elections held in May this year were unexpected and transformative. As the new administration continues to try and deliver its campaign promises, it is now more important than ever to be mindful of the economic challenges that lie ahead.

 

“Rakhine State Politics a Major Barrier to Rohingya Return” by Gerard McCarthy

 

2018/106, 20 December 2018

More than a year after Myanmar military operations forced over 720,000 Rohingya people to Bangladesh, the prospects of the group returning remain dim. Various reports and analyses have unpacked the immense barriers to their repatriation. These include the Myanmar military’s insistence on a rigid ideology of indigeneity that excludes Rohingya along with the questionable implementation of plans for their genuine social and political integration by the civilian government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

 

Moe Thuzar and Ye Htut interviewed by Mediacorp News for Primetime Asia: Wed 19 Dec 2018 on the Rohingya Crisis

 

This programme was published by Mediacorp Channel Newsasia on 19 December 2018.

Ms Moe Thuzar is Fellow and Co-coordinator Myanmar Studies Programme and Lead Researcher (Socio-Cultural Affairs) ASEAN Studies Centre; while Mr Ye Htut is Visiting Senior Fellow, with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

 

Siwage Dharma Negara quoted by South China Morning Post: “How Price Of Sugar Could Swing The Indonesian Election (And It’s Bittersweet For Joko Widodo)”

 

This article was published by SCMP on 19 December 2018.

Dr Siwage Dharma Negara is Senior Fellow and Co-coordinator Indonesia Studies Programme with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

 

Serina Abdul Rahman interviewed by BFM 89.9: “THE YEAR IN REVIEW: GE14”

 

This podcast was published by BFM on 18 December 2018.

Dr Serina Abdul Rahman is Visiting Fellow with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

 

“Nurul Izzah’s Resignation Threads between Idealism and Pragmatic Politics” by Norshahril Saat

 

2018/105, 19 December 2018

On 17 December, Nurul Izzah Anwar made the surprise announcement that she was stepping down from her position as PKR (People’s Justice Party) Vice President. The daughter of prime minister in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim is the Member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh in Penang. Nurul Izzah was ushered into politics after her father’s sacking in 1998 from his position of deputy prime minister and subsequent jailing. Anwar’s removal triggered the reformasi movement and led to the formation of Parti Keadilan Nasional (National Justice Party), a pre-cursor to the existing PKR.

 

“Batam blues: Change skipper or get new boat?” – Op-Ed by Francis Hutchinson and Siwage Dharma Negara in The Straits Times

 

This article was published by The Straits Times on 15 December 2018.

Dr Francis Hutchinson is Senior Fellow and Coordinator, Regional Ecnonomic Studies Programme while Dr Siwage Dharma Negara is Senior Fellow; with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. 

 

Norshahril Saat quoted by The Straits Times: “Malaysia’s pilgrims’ fund scandal strikes at core of Malay worries”

 

This article was published by The Straits Times on 16 December 2018.

Dr Norshahril Saat is Fellow with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.