Malaysia Programme
The Malaysia Programme was established in 2009 to study key developments in Malaysia, relating to its society and governance – including its domestic politics, political economy, and foreign and security policies. The Programme seeks to investigate the driving forces and players behind these developments, and to track and anticipate their trajectories. Malaysia is Singapore’s closest neighbour and a significant player in regional geopolitics, thus, developments there have critical implications for the stability, security and socioeconomic well-being of Singapore and Southeast Asia.
The Programme:
- Conducts studies on social and political trends in Malaysia, with a focus on the major political parties, institutions, civil society organisations, various ethnic and religious communities. Of interest are their leaders and constituencies, emerging issues, and influence on the governance of Malaysia.
- Directs field research in particular regions and states of Malaysia, each with distinct economic, political and social profiles.
- Collaborates with suitable institutions and experts to undertake research projects.
- Publishes its studies and findings in peer-reviewed journals, books, mainstream media and various RSIS platforms to contribute to international scholarship on Malaysia, and to promote public awareness and discourse on relevant issues.
- Organises meetings, seminars and public events for policymakers, scholars, and members of the private sector and civil society to interact, enrich discourse, and promote an understanding of Malaysia and Singapore-Malaysia relations.
Publications and Events
2024
- “Anwar’s Harnessing of National Soft Power to Advance Malaysia’s Regional Leadership“, RSIS Seminar, 5 December 2024, Ilango Karuppannan
- “Why Najib remains a key political player despite 1MDB scandal“, The Straits Times, 2 December 2024, Ariel Tan
- “Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025“, RSIS Seminar, 13 November 2024, Prashanth Parameswaran
- “Malaysia’s Bid for Membership of BRICS: Optimism and Uncertainties“, IDSS Paper, 3 October 2024, David Han Guo Xiong
- “Commemorating 50 Years of Malaysia-China Diplomatic Ties“, IDSS Paper, 29 August 2024, David Han Guo Xiong
- “Anwar Ibrahim in Power: A Historical Locating of the Limits for Change in Malaysia“, RSIS Working Paper, 18 July 2024, Ooi Kee Beng
- “Malaysia in 2023: Full Throttle on Politics, Reforms in Back Seat“, Southeast Asian Affairs 2024. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing, 2024, pp.159 – 176, Ariel Tan
- “The Najib Question“, RSIS Commentary, 22 April 2024, Shahril Hamdan.
- “Anwar’s ‘bridging’ skills put to the test as temperatures rise over race and religion in Malaysia“, The Straits Times, 30 March 2024, Ariel Tan
- “Will 2024 be a Big Year for the Madani Administration?”, RSIS Commentary, 27 March 2024, Shahril Hamdan
- “Singapore-Malaysia Relations in 2024: A Positive Start“, IDSS Paper, 21 March 2024, David Han Guo Xiong. Reprinted in TODAY
- “Reformasi, Perpaduan, Madani: Anwar Ibrahim’s Search for a Sense of Common Purpose“, RSIS Seminar, 21 March 2024, Ooi Kee Beng
- “Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025“, IDSS Paper, 5 March 2024, Nawaljeet Singh Rayar
- “Malaysia’s Relations with China in 2023 under Anwar and the Road Ahead“, 30 January 2024, David Han
- “The Impact of Anwar’s Support for Palestine on US-Malaysia Relations“, IDSS Paper, 18 January 2024, Nawaljeet Singh Rayar
- “The Challenges of Non-Alignment: Managing Risks in Malaysia’s Policy towards China and the United States“, RSIS Annual Review 2023, 15 Jaunary 2024, David Han
2023
- “Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet Reshuffle: Staying the Course“, RSIS Commentary, 19 December 2023, Ariel Tan. Reprinted in TODAY
- “Malaysia’s Position on the Israel-Palestine Issue”, RSIS Webinar, 6 December 2023, Ilango Karuppannan and Johan Saravanamuttu
- “The Anwar govt a year on: Stability restored but major challenges remain“, The Straits Times, 24 November 2023, Ariel Tan
- “Is Malaysia Ready for its Next Major Flood? History, Politics, and Policy Challenges in Flood Governance”, RSIS Webinar, 16 November 2023, Fiona Claire Williamson, Said Alhudzari and Ong Kian Ming
- “The 10th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat: Principles for Enhancing Bilateral Relations“, IDSS Paper, 15 November 2023, David Han Guo Xiong
- “Will the Malaysian Government Make Use of its Good Fortune?“, RSIS Commentary, 26 September 2023, Shahril Hamdan.
- “Performing “Prime Minister” in the Wake of Malaysia’s State Elections”, RSIS Commentary, 24 August 2023, Shahril Hamdan. Malay version reproduced in Berita Harian
- “Analysis of the Malaysia’s State Elections Results and their Implications”, RSIS Webinar, 17 August 2023, Ibrahim Suffian and Shahril Hamdan
- “Malaysia’s state elections: Implications for the Anwar administration“, The Straits Times, 16 August 2023, Ariel Tan
- “Malaysia’s Upcoming State Elections: Issues, Players, and Potential Outcomes”, RSIS Webinar, 10 August 2023, Ibrahim Suffian and Shahril Hamdan
- “How Doctrinal Differences Among Distinct Islamist Strands of Thought Influence Malay-Muslim Political Actors and Political Outcomes in Malaysia“, RSIS Working Paper, 14 July 2023, Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid, Che Hamdan Che Mohd Razali
- “The Future of UMNO”, RSIS Seminar, 16 June 2023, Shahril Hamdan and Bastien Onn
- “Malaysia’s DAP in a Unique Position of Strength“, RSIS Commentary, 5 June 2023, Shahril Hamdan
- “The State of The UMNO-PH Union“, RSIS Commentary, 3 May 2023, Shahril Hamdan
- “Sabah’s Chinese-led Property Tourism: A Win for Development?“, RSIS Commentary, 17 April, 2023, Sylvia Koh
- “East or West: How Anwar Ibrahim Decides?“, RSIS Commentary, 17 April 2023, Nawaljeet Singh Rayar
- “Malaysia’s Role in South Thailand: What’s at Stake“, IDSS Paper, 14 April 2023, Nawaljeet Singh Rayar and David Han Guo Xiong
- “PAS is on the rise, but talk of a ‘green wave’ is premature“, The Straits Times, 14 April 2023, Ariel Tan and Salihin Subhan
- “The Anwar Administration: Once More with Less Feeling, More Art“, RSIS Commentary, 30 March 2023, Ariel Tan
- “The Anwar Administration’s Foreign Policy: Fresh Start, Old Constraints?”, RSIS Seminar, 28 March 2023, Shahriman Lockman, Thomas Daniel and Ngeow Chow Bing
- “Malaysia’s Changed Electoral Landscape“, RSIS Working Paper, 27 March 2023, Meredith Weiss
- “Understanding China’s Role as a Development Partner in Sarawak“, RSIS Commentary, 23 March 2023, Sylvia Koh
- “UMNO Party Elections: Incumbents in Control, For the Moment“, RSIS Commentary, 23 March 2023, Shahril Hamdan
- “Malaysia’s Changed Electoral Landscape“, RSIS Commentary, 7 March, Meredith L. Weiss
- “Anwar Ibrahim’s visit signals Malaysia-Singapore ties remain on an even keel“, South China Morning Post, 5 February 2023, Nawaljeet Singh Rayar
- “Sarawak Regionalism: Not the Only Driving Force for Voters in GE15“, RSIS Commentary, 20 January 2023, Sylvia Koh
- “The Trajectory of Malaysia’s Changing Dominant-party System“, RSIS Seminar, 16 January 2023, Meredith Weiss
- “Anwar Seeks New Old Friend in Indonesia“, RSIS Commentary, 19 January 2023, Nawaljeet Singh Rayar
2022
- “How Political Parties Used TikTok in the 2022 Malaysian General Election“, RSIS Commentary, 22 December 2022, Ooi Kok Hin
- “Malaysia is Back: The Foreign Policy of Anwar Ibrahim“, IDSS Paper, 20 December 2022, David Han
- “Malaysian General Election: Cash, Campaigns and Candidates“, RSIS Commentary, 14 December 2022, Aira Azhari
- “Malaysia’s 15ᵗʰ General Election: Malay-Muslim Voting Trends and the Rise of PAS“, RSIS Commentary, 6 December 2022, Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid and Che Hamdan Che Mohd Razali. Reproduced in Berita Harian
- “How Video Campaigning Shaped Malaysia’s Election“, RSIS Commentary, 28 November 2022, Ross Tapsell. Reprinted in TODAY
- “The royal dilemma of picking a prime minister for Malaysia“, The Straits Times, 28 November 2022, Ariel Tan
- “Malaysia’s Upcoming General Election: Players, Issues and Possible Outcomes”, RSIS Seminar, 11 November 2023, Ibrahim Suffian and Meredith L. Weiss
- “Malaysia’s 15ᵗʰ General Election: Tracking a Shifting Partisan Landscape“, RSIS Commentary, 8 November 2022, Meredith L. Weiss
- “Malaysia’s GE timing: What’s at stake?”, RSIS Commentary, Ariel Tan, 6 October 2022. Adapted version reproduced in TODAY
- “Economic Challenges in Post-Pandemic Malaysia: Policy and Governance Perspectives“, RSIS Seminar, Nurul Izzah Anwar, 5 July 2022
- “Rising US-China Competition: Economic Implications for Malaysia”, RSIS Seminar, Ong Kian Ming, 8 June 2022
- “From Competition to Cooperation: The Global Palm Oil “Sustainability Turn” as a Turning Point for the Malaysia-Indonesia “Special Relationship”, RSIS Working Paper, 16 June 2022, Helena Varkkey
- “Malaysia-China Defence Ties: Managing Feud in the South China Sea“, RSIS Commentary, 26 May 2022, Ngeow Chow Bing
- “Managing the Optics of Malaysia’s Relations with the U.S.”, IDSS Paper, 30 March 2022, Amanda Trea Phua and Nawaljeet Singh Rayar
- “An UMNO Triumphant or Insecure for GE15?”, IDSS Paper, 18 March 2022, Ariel Tan and Nadiah Isa, Reproduced in TODAY
- “The Johor State Election Outcome: What Does It Portend for UMNO/Barisan Nasional?”, RSIS Panel Webinar, 16 March 2022, Hamidin Abd Hamid and Fui K. Soong
- “Malaysia-US Relations: Challenges and Opportunities”, RSIS Panel Webinar, 24 February 2022, Elina Noor, Adam Leong Kok Wey and Marc Mealy
- “Can Youth Save Malaysia’s Democracy?”, RSIS Working Paper, 7 January 2022, Meredith L. Weiss
- “Undi18: Youth Vote Only Part of Story”, RSIS Commentary, 4 January 2022, Meredith L. Weiss
Programme Staff
Ariel Tan
Senior Fellow
Deputy Head of Policy Studies
Coordinator of Malaysia Programme, IDSS
DID: +65 6790 4919
Email: [email protected]
David Han Guo Xiong
Research Fellow
Malaysia Programme, IDSS
DID: +65 6513 7656
Email: [email protected]
Visiting Fellows
Mr Shahril Sufian bin Hamdan
Visiting Fellow (May – August 2023)
Malaysia Programme, IDSS
Dr Meredith Leigh Weiss
Visiting Senior Fellow (November 2022 – February 2023)
Malaysia Programme, IDSS
Dr Ngeow Chow Bing
Visiting Senior Fellow (11-24 September 2024)
Malaysia Programme, IDSS
PUBLICATIONS AND EVENTS: 2021
- “Malaysia’s Defence White Paper at Two: Progress and Challenges“, IDSS Paper, 29 November 2021, Ivy Kwek
- “The FPDA and Malaysia’s Geopolitical Considerations“, IDSS Paper, 9 November 2021, Nawaljeet Singh Rayar
- “Malaysia’s Policies and Interests in the South China Sea: Developments, Successes, and Failures“, RSIS Working Paper, 7 October 2021, Johan Saravanamuttu
- “Malaysian Budget 2022: Time For Radical Measures“, RSIS Commentary, 1 October 2021, Muhammed Abdul Khalid
- “Intense politicking persist beneath truce between Malaysia’s ruling coalition and opposition“, CNA, 21 September 2021, Nawaljeet Singh Rayar
- “Malaysia’s Policy Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Drivers, Players, Consequences”, RSIS Panel Webinar, 31 August 2021, Azrul Mohd Khalib and Muhammed Abdul Khalid
- “Malaysia’s New Government: Same But Different“, IDSS Paper, 24 August 2021, Ariel Tan
- “A new prime minister appointed but Malaysia politics still on knife’s edge“, CNA, 23 August 2021, Johan Saravanamuttu
- “Johor’s Pandemic Challenges“, RSIS Commentary, 10 September 2021, Jose Ricardo Sto. Domingo
- “Malaysian politics needs a reset“, Nikkei Asia, 26 July 2021, Ariel Tan and Joseph Chinyong Liow
- “In Malaysia, what lies beneath the divorce of Umno and Muhyiddin’s Bersatu?”, South China Morning Post, 24 July 2021, Joseph Chinyong Liow and Ariel Tan
- “The Evolving Role of Malaysia’s Royalty”, RSIS Commentary, 12 July 2021, Piya Sukhani
- “Countering terrorism on Malaysia’s borders”, East Asia Forum, 10 July 2021, Piya Sukhani
- “Chinese plane incident — Malaysia caught between a rock and a hard place”, TODAY, 14 June 2021, Nawaljeet Singh Rayar
- “Federal-State Ties: Rising Tensions & the Pandemic”, RSIS Commentary, 3 June 2021, Jose Ricardo Sto. Domingo
- “Sabah’s Unrelenting Exclusionary and Inclusionary Politics”, RSIS Working Paper, 5 May 2021, Vilashini Somiah and Jose Ricardo Sto. Domingo
- “Malaysia’s Political System: End of Permanent Coalitions?”, RSIS Commentary, 5 May 2021, Wong Chin Huat
- “DAP and Malaysian Politics Post-Sheraton Move”, RSIS Panel Webinar, 4 May 2021, Teo Nie Ching, Zairil Khir Johari, and Professor Meredith Weiss
- “Malaysian Chinese Federal Representation: Limited Prospects?”, RSIS Commentary, 16 April 2021, Nawaljeet Singh Rayar
- “Global Health Security COVID-19 and Its Impacts – Malaysia’s Vulnerable Migrants: Key to Economic Recovery?”, RSIS Commentary, 4 March 2021, Jose Ricardo Sto. Domingo
- “Umno – and Malaysia – at the crossroads”, The Straits Times, 8 February 2021, Ariel Tan and Joseph Chinyong Liow
- “Understanding Malaysia’s high-wire act on the Abraham Accords and the Israel-Palestine issue”, TODAY, 19 January 2021, Ariel Tan
- “The Abraham Accords: Malaysia’s Cautious Response”, RSIS Commentary, 13 January 2021, Ariel Tan
- “Malaysia in 2020: Political Fragmentation, Power Plays and Shifting Coalitions”, Southeast Asian Affairs 2021, Johan Saravanamuttu, 2021
- “One Year on, the Centrality of Politics in Malaysia’s COVID-19 Crisis”, Southeast Asian Affairs 2021, Eugene Mark, Jose Ricardo Sto. Domingo, Nawaljeet Singh, 2021
PUBLICATIONS AND EVENTS: 2020
- “Malaysian youths will force a political reckoning some day. That day may be at hand”, Channel News Asia, 2 December 2020, Piya Sukhani
- “Malaysia’s Ageing Population: What It Means for Singapore”, RSIS Commentaries, 1 December 2020, Jose Ricardo Sto. Domingo
- “Is MUDA a New Hope for Malaysian Politics?”, East Asia Forum, 28 November 2020, Piya Sukhani
- “Malaysia’s Interests in the South China Sea”, RSIS Panel Webinar, 8 October 2020, Professor Dato’ Dr. B.A. Hamzah, Dr. Lai Yew Meng, and Shahriman Lockman
- “Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim claims to have majority to form new government”, CNA Interview, 23 September 2020, Johan Saravanamuttu
- “High Stakes for Muhyiddin in Sabah State Polls”, East Asia Forum, 9 September 2020, Piya Sukhani
- “Why the Pakatan Harapan Government Fell and the Coalition’s Prospects for GE15”, RSIS Panel Webinar, 4 September 2020, Yang Berhormat Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Jahabar Sadiq
- “The Route to Radicalisation for Malay-Muslim Women: Tracing the Nexus between Universals and Particulars in Malaysia”, RSIS Working Paper, 7 August 2020, Piya Sukhani
- “Najib’s Conviction: What Does It Mean for Muhyiddin?”, RSIS Commentaries, 5 August 2020, Prashant Waikar
- “The Shifting Politics of Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia”, The Diplomat, 10 July 2020, Piya Sukhani
- “The Domesticated Doraemon: The Outlook for Women under Perikatan Nasional”, New Mandala, 10 June 2020, Piya Sukhani
- “UMNO at the Crossroads: Implications for Malaysian Politics”, RSIS Virtual Roundtable, 4 June 2020, Dr. Hamidin Abd Hamid and Dato’ Mazri Muhammad
- “No-Confidence Vote Delay: Muhyiddin On Shaky Ground?”, RSIS Commentaries, 14 May 2020, Prashant Waikar
- “Breaking Malay–Muslim hegemony – patronage, factionalism and feuds in the 14th Malaysian general election”, The Round Table, 4 May 2020, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman and Edmund Terence Gomez
- “The impact of foreign policy on GE14”, The Round Table, 4 May 2020, David Han
- “Sabah: breakthrough in the fixed deposit state”, The Round Table, 4 May 2020, Arnold Puyok and Piya Sukhani
- “Generational divide: how Pakatan Harapan swung the youth vote in GE14”, The Round Table, 4 May 2020, Prashant Waikar
- “Global Health Security: COVID-19 and Its Impacts – Migrant Workers: Wake-Up Call for Malaysia”, RSIS Commentaries, 30 April 2020, Johan Saravanamuttu and Khor Yu Leng
- “The UMNO’s Brewing Civil War”, The Diplomat, 29 April 2020, Prashant Waikar
- “COVID-19 slaps a stress test on the Malaysian economy”, TODAY, 6 April 2020, Eugene Mark
- “Malaysia–China relations in the time of COVID-19”, East Asia Forum, 1 April 2020, Johan Saravanamuttu
- “Malaysia’s Covid-19 Strategy”, RSIS Commentaries, 27 March 2020, Jose Santo Domingo
- “Why Pakatan Harapan Fell”, TODAY, 3 March 2020, Ariel Tan
- “All eyes on how new Muhyiddin government handles three issues in Malaysia”, TODAY, 2 March 2020, Ariel Tan
- Pathways to Contemporary Islam: New Trends in Critical Engagement, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2020, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman, Eds.
PUBLICATIONS AND EVENTS: 2019
- “Understanding why Umno is leaning on Islam and PAS”, TODAY, 16 December 2019, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman and Prashant Waikar
- “Lessons from Malaysia’s Tanjung Piai by-election”, East Asia Forum, 7 December 2019, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman and Prashant Waikar
- “East Malaysia’s Rising Role in Malaysian Politics and National Unity”, RSIS Seminar, 28 November 2019, Professor James Chin
- “For PH, Winning the Hearts and Minds of Malay-Muslim Women is Easier Said Than Done”, TODAY, 27 November 2019, Piya Sukhani
- “Malaysia’s 14th General Election and UMNO’s Fall: Intra-Elite Feuding and the Pursuit of Power”, RSIS Book Launch Seminar, 7 November 2019
- “Raising Naik: A Resurgence of Ethnoreligious Sectarianism?”, New Mandala, 11 October 2019, Piya Sukhani
- “Yet Another Haze Crisis: How Now?”, RSIS Commentaries, 3 October 2019, Johan Saravanamuttu and Khor Yu Leng
- “Malaysia-China Relations: An Upward Trajectory?”, RSIS Commentaries, 29 August 2019, Nawaljeet Singh
- “Economic Challenges and Opportunities for Malaysia: 1 Year after GE14”, RSIS Closed-Door Roundtable, 29 August 2019, Dr Ong Kian Ming
- “A potent political force faces huge challenges as UMNO, PAS join hands”, CNA Commentaries, 18 August 2019, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “Malaysia’s Economy – Challenges and Opportunities”, RSIS Closed-Door Roundtable, 19 July 2019, Dr. Muhammed Abdul Khalid
- “What are the Political Calculations Behind the Move to Lower the Voting Age in Malaysia?”, TODAY, 16 July 2019, Prashant Waikar
- “Media Freedom: Is Malaysia Ready for a More Open Society?”, RSIS Commentaries, 25 June 2019, Najwa Abdullah
- “Inventing New Malaysia: The (Im-)Possible Reform of Political Culture”, RSIS Closed-Door Roundtable, 7 June 2019, Dr. Sophie Lemiere
- “Malaysia and the Rome Statute: Domestic Debate Over?”, RSIS Commentaries 21 May, 2019, Prashant Waikar
- “The Malaysian Government wants to make Sarawak an Equal Partner, So Why Did It Say No?”, TODAY, 24 April 2019, Piya Sukhani
- “Malaysia’s Changing Federal-State Relations – The Sarawak Imbroglio: Constitutional Amendment Setback”, RSIS Commentaries, 18 April 2019, Piya Sukhani
- “Malaysia-China Economic Relations Post-GE14: Rhetoric vs Reality”, RSIS Commentaries, 10 April 2019, Eugene Mark
- “What’s Behind Calls for Independence in Sabah?”, The Diplomat, 3 April 2019, Piya Sukhani
- “Is Najib’s Popularity Resurgence Just a Blip?”, TODAY, 1 April 2019, Prashant Waikar
- “Why Mahathir is Refusing to Remove Unpopular Leaders”, The Diplomat, 6 March 2019, Prashant Waikar
- “Malaysia’s Semenyih By-Election: What Next for Race-based Politics?”, RSIS Commentaries, 6 March 2019, Johan Saravanamuttu
- “Changing Federal-State Relations – Malaysia’s Third Vote: Bringing Back Local Council Elections?”, RSIS Commentaries 05 March 2019, Prashant Waikar
- “One Year Later: Has Malaysia Changed?”, RSIS Commentaries, 10 March 2019, Adrian Tan
- “Johor Post-GE14: Bangsa Johor In the Era of Change”, RSIS Closed-Door Roundtable, 5 March 2019, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed
- “Malaysia’s Changing Federal-State Relations – Post-GE14: Decentralising Federal-Selangor Governance”, RSIS Commentaries 1 March 2019, Prashant Waikar
- “In Malaysia, politics is becoming local again”, TODAY, 21 January 2019, Prashant Waikar
- “What next for Malaysian politics as PAS, UMNO cement alliance”, TODAY, 31 January 2019, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “Singapore-Malaysia Ties: What Lies Ahead in the Post-KTM Era?”, RSIS Commentaries, 19 January 2019, Yang Razali
- Malaysia’s 14th General Election and UMNO’s Fall: Intra-Elite Feuding in the Pursuit of Power, UK: Routledge, 2019, Edmund Terence Gomez and Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman, Eds
- Dancing with the Ummah: Islam in Malaysia’s Foreign Policy under Najib Razak”, The Pacific Review, 2019, Prashant Waikar, and Rashaad Ali
- “Competing Frames of the Gulen Movement: The Case of Malaysia”, Sociology of Islam, Vol. 7, No. 1, 2019. 61 – 91, Saleena Saleem
PUBLICATIONS AND EVENTS: 2018
Books
- “Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia and Political Islam: Identity, Ideology and Religio-Political Mobilization”, Routledge, 2018, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
Op-eds
- “ICERD and Old Politics: New Twists in Post-Election Malaysia?”, RSIS Commentaries, 21 December 2018, Prashant Waikar
- “The intractable politics of race in Malaysia”, TODAY, 12 September 2018, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “GLCs and Patronage: Understanding Mahathir’s position on HSR and ECRL”, TODAY, 5 September 2018, Prashant Waikar
- “The Hero we Need: Hang Tuah as Model Southeast Asian”, Straits Times, 28 August 2018, Farish Noor
- “Sino-Malaysian Relations: A Brand-New Engagement in a New Era”, Asia Dialogue, 31 July 2018, XinYing Chan
- “Understanding Najib’s vocal stance on the new govt., 1MDB case”, TODAY, 24 July 2018, Prashant Waikar
- “Dr M and Zakir Naik: Who is supporting who?“, TODAY, 17 July 2018, Aida Arosoaie
- “Sense and sensibility in S’pore-Malaysia bilateral ties”, Straits Times, 10 July 2018, Adrian Tan and David Han
- “Will the civil service work with the new Pakatan government?”, TODAY, 25 June 2018, Prashant Waikar
- “Malaysia’s new dawn, one month on“, TODAY, 11 June 2018, Rashaad Ali
- “Making sense of the civil service swing in GE14”, TODAY, 6 June 2018, Prashant Waikar
- “Why PAS surpassed expectations in Malaysia’s GE and is new forbearer of Malay politics”, TODAY, 18 May 2018, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “What effect did social media have on the Malaysian election result?”, TODAY, 16 May 2018, Najwa Abdullah and Amalina Anuar
- “To win over Johor voters, politicians compete to represent the Johor identity“, CNA, 8 May 2018, Rashaad Ali
- “In Sabah, the opposition’s optimism is overestimated”, TODAY, 8 May 2018, Arnold Puyok and Prashant Waikar
- “China-Malaysia Relations and the Malaysian Election”, The Diplomat, 8 May 2018, David Han
- “Penang’s Multi-cornered Contests: Challenges Amid Certainty”, RSIS Series on 14th Malaysian General Election, 8 May 2018, XinYing Chan
- “Old Politics and New Media: Social Media and Malaysia’s 2018 Election”, The Diplomat, 8 May 2018, Najwa Abdullah and Amalina Anuar
- “Gerrymandering & Its Potential Impact”, RSIS Series on Malaysia’s 14th General Election, 7 May 2018, Johan Saravanamuttu
- “Disqualification of opposition candidates strengthens Barisan Nasional’s chances in 2018“, CNA Commentaries, 5 May 2018, Rashaad Ali and XinYing Chan
- “As battle for Malay voters heats up, don’t expect PAS to go quietly into the night”, CNA Commentaries, 4 May 2018, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “Malaysian Youth Politics: Is there even such a thing?”, TODAY, 3 May 2018, Prashant Waikar
- “PAS’ tricky battle for Kelantan and its future”, TODAY, 29 April 2018, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “Malaysia’s Election and Southeast Asia: Issues and Implications”, The Diplomat, 23 April 2018, David Han
- “Why dissolution of Dr M’s party could hurt the opposition”, TODAY, 13 April 2018, Prashant Waikar
- “New boundaries, voter apathy and the slow erosion of democracy in Malaysia“, TODAY, 9 April, 2018, Rashaad Ali and Najwa Abdullah
- “Disenchantment to discourage voting: Barisan Nasional’s use of disillusionment as an election strategy”, TODAY, 5 April 2018, Prashant Waikar
- “MCA and DAP – A case of differing fortunes and challenges“, TODAY, 5 March 2018, Chan Xin Ying
- “Exclusionary preachers: Cause or symptom?”, TODAY, 2 March 2018, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman and Aida Arosoiae
- “Malaysia’s 2018 General Election: Alternative Scenarios?”, RSIS Commentaries, 14 February 2018, Yang Razali
- “Rohingya radicalisation in Malaysia: Where’s the evidence?”, New Mandala, 2 February 2018, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman and Aida Arosoiae
- “How the differing fortunes of Malaysia’s Chinese-majority political parties could hurt the country”, TODAY, 23 January 2018, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman and XinYing Chan
Journal Articles
- “Competing Frames of the Gulen Movement: The Case of Malaysia“, Sociology of Islam (2018), p. 1-31, 20 December 2018, Saleena Salim and Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “Jihad in the Bastion of “Moderation”: Understanding the Threat of ISIS in Malaysia”, Asian Security, 2018, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman and Aida Arosoaie
Book Chapter
- The Confluence of Race and Religion in Understanding Islamophobia in Malaysia in Enes Bayrakli and Fared Hafez (eds) Islamophobia in Muslim Majority Societies (London: Routledge 2018), Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
Events
- “Economic Outlook of Malaysia Baru”, RSIS Seminar, 14 December 2018, Manu Bhaskaran
- “UMNO in the Opposition: Fragmentation or Reform?”, RSIS Closed-Door Seminar, 27 November 2018, Yang Berhormat Khairy Jamaluddin
- “A View from the Inside: Post-GE14 State of Barisan Nasional”, RSIS Roundtable, 26 September 2018, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam
- “Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia and Political Islam: Identity, Ideology and Religio-Political Mobilisation”, RSIS Book Launch, 27 July 2018
- “Spectrum of Islamism in the Middle East and Southeast Asia”, RSIS Panel Seminar, 26 July 2018
- “What’s in Store for a “New Nation”?: Reformasi, Legacy, and the Future of Racial Politics in Malaysia Baru”, RSIS Seminar, 19 July 2019, Yang Berhormat Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad
- “The 14th General Election of Malaysia: A New Dawn for Democracy?”, Panel Discussion, 4 June 2018, Jointly Organised Symposium by Malaysia Study Group of Asia Research Institute, Department of Malay Studies, National University of Singapore, and RSIS
- “Malaysia and Belt & Road Initiatives”, RSIS Seminar, 26 January 2018, Dr Mao Wei
- “Post-Election Analysis of Malaysia’s GE14: Its Results and Implications”, RSIS Panel Discussion, 18 May 2018
- “The 14th Malaysian General Elections: Analysis and Implications”, Panel Discussion, 28 Feb 2018
PUBLICATIONS AND EVENTS: 2017
Book Chapter
- The Violent Trajectory of Islamization in Malaysia, Illusion of Democracy: Malaysian Politics and People (vol 2) edited by Sophie Lemiere, (Kuala Lumpur: Gerakbudaya, 2017), Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman and Aida Arosoaie
Op-eds
- “Mother of All Elections 2.0: New Crossroads in Malaysian Politics?”, RSIS Commentaries, 11, Dec 2017, Yang Razali
- “Will upcoming election mark a new crossroad in Malaysian politics?” TODAY, 11 Dec 2017, Yang Razali
- “Shiite Resistance to Malaysian Religious Orthodoxy”, RSIS Commentaries, 7 December 2017, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman and Lulia Lumina
- “How the differing fortunes of Malaysia’s Chinese-majority political parties could hurt the country”, TODAY, 23 Jan 2018, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman and Chan Xin Ying
- “Najib’s United States Visit: What is Going On?“, RSIS Commentaries, 11 October 2017, Chan Xin Ying and David Han Guo Xiong
- “Najib’s Mother of All Budgets: Gearing Up For 14th General Election”, RSIS Commentaries, 28 November 2017, Saleena Saleem and Amalina Anuar
- “Will Najib’s ‘mother of all budgets’ deliver him the election?”, East Asia Forum, 15 December 2017, Saleena Saleem and Amalina Anuar
- “Tudung Ban in Malaysian Hotels: Differing Political Responses“, RSIS Commentaries, 19 December 2017, Prashant Waikar and Rashaad Ali
- “Manuscripts of South-east Asia’s Global Past”, The Straits Times, 5 September 2017, Farish A. Noor
- “Sealing The Mahathir-Anwar Alliance: Will They Unseat Najib?” RSIS Commentaries, 19 July 2017, Yang Razali Kassim
- “Beyond 50: ASEAN’s Role in the Evolving Regional Order”, RSIS Commentaries, 4 September 2017, David Han Guo Xiong and Shawn Ho
- “KL Atheist Gathering Stokes Fire of Religious Intolerance”, TODAY 23 August 2017, Rashad Ali
- “China-Malaysia Relations: The Three Dilemmas of Malaysian Chinese”, RSIS Commentaries, 21 August 2017, Chan Xin Ying
- “Healthy China-Malaysia Ties Could Hurt Ethnic Chinese”, TODAY, 28 August 2017, Chan Xing Ying
- “Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia: Need for Policy Rethink”, RSIS Commentaries, 29 August 2017, Chan Xing Ying
- “The Manufacturing of Moral Panics in Malaysia”, TODAY, 17 August 2017, Prashant Waikar
- “Malaysia’s Two-Faced Rohingya Policy?”, TODAY, 29 September 2017, Prashant Waikar and Chan Xin Ying
- “Sealing The Mahathir-Anwar Alliance: Will They Unseat Najib?” RSIS Commentaries, 19 July 2017, Yang Razali Kassim
- “North Korea Threat: How Should ASEAN Respond?”, RSIS Commentaries, 15 May 2017, David Han Guo Xiong
- “PAS bentang hala tuju masa depan”, Berita Harian, 10 May 2017, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “Pemuda PAS: vanguard of Malaysian Islamist politics”, New mandala, 16 May 2017, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed, Aida Arosoaie
- “PAS, the third force in Malaysian politics?”, TODAY, 04 May 2017, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “After the Muktamar: Is a New PAS Emerging?”, RSIS Commentaries, 03 May 2017, Yang Razali Kassim
- “With new appointment for Hishammuddin, Najib moves closer to polls”, TODAY, 27 April 2017, Rashaad Ali
- “Kim Jong Nam’s Death: What It Means For Malaysia”, RSIS Commentaries, 12 April 2017, David Han Guo Xiong and Shawn Ho
- “Najib’s U-turn Over Hudud Bill: Election Gambit or Fight for Survival?”, RSIS Commentaries, 05 April 2017, Yang Razali Kassim
- “RUU 355 Rallies: Gauging Support for Islamic Law in Malaysia”, RSIS Commentaries, CO17038 , 1 March 2017, Rashaad Ali
- “The Rise of Trump and Its Global Implications – Malaysia-US Relations: Challenges and Continuities”, RSIS Commentaries, 16 January 2017, David Han
- “Malaysia’s new but not fresh opposition party”, East Asia Forum, 17 March 2017, Saleena Saleem
- “Expanding Malaysia-Saudi Ties: Benefits and Risks for Malaysia”, Eurasia Review, 10 March 2017, Saleena Saleem
- “Expanding KL-Saudi Ties: Benefits and Risks for Malaysia”, RSIS Commentaries. 09 March 2017, Saleena Saleem
- “The image problem of Malaysia’s opposition”, Lianhe Zaobao, 08 March 2017. p. 25, Saleena Saleem
- “Malaysia’s New Opposition Party Bersatu: Balancing Potential with Public Image”, RSIS Commentaries, 03 March 2017, Saleena Saleem
Journal Articles
- “Understanding Islamophobia in Asia: The Cases of Myanmar and Malaysia”, Islamophobia Studies Journal, 4, No. 1, (Fall 2017), pp. 17-36, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “Engaged scholars in socio-political reform: the case of Aliran”, Critical Asian Studies, 19 June 2017, Johan Saravanamuttu
- “Malaysian Foreign Policy Toward Singapore From Mahathir to Badawi and Najib: A Role Theory Assessment”, Asian Politics and Policy, 26 April 2017, David Han Guo Xiong
- “China’s Normative Power in Managing South China Sea Disputes”, The Chinese Journal of International Politics, 19 April 2017, David Han Guo Xiong
- “A Transitioning Sabah in a Changing Malaysia”, Kajian Malaysia, 15 April 2017, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “The Islamic conservative turn in Malaysia: impact and future trajectories”, Contemporary Islam, 1 April 2017, Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman
- “The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) of Malaysia: A History”, Oxford Online Journal of Islamic Studies, Oxford University Press OUP, (Ed. Robert Repino) Madison Avenue, New York/ Oxford. 2nd edition, 2017, Farish A. Noor
- “Sarawak State Elections 2016: Revisiting Malaysia’s Federalism”, Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 36, 1, pp.29-50 (March 2017), Mohamed Nawab Mohamed Osman and Rashaad Ali
Events
- “Youth and Malaysia’s Next General Elections”, RSIS Seminar, October 12, 2017, Mr. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, People’s Justice Party (PKR) Youth Leader; and Selangor State Executive Councillor
- “Straight Talk on Malaysia: Political and Economic Realities in 2017”, RSIS Seminar, 25 May 2017, Yang Berhormat Wong Chen, Member of Parliament for Kelan Jaya; and Mr Shaun Kua, Chief Strategy Officer, INVOKE
- “Sarawak After Adenan: Sustained Change or Return to Status Quo”, RSIS Seminar, 04 April 2017, Dr Arnold Puyok, Senior Lecturer, Politics and Government Studies, Department of Politics and International Relations, Faculty of Social Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak