Commentaries Archives - Page 3 of 201

Investment from China a boon for Anwar’s administration, but Malaysia must be cautious

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has secured a record investment commitment of RM170 billion from China, which is expected to bolster his administration’s support and create a favorable atmosphere. Anwar’s focus on the economy and his efforts to win foreign investment and create job opportunities are earning him many brownie points, according to Dr Ngeow Chow Bing, the director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya. However, some experts warn that Malaysia needs to be cautious not to be bullied by China, given its significant economic relationship with the country.

Yee Loon
4 April 2023

M Ravi — From S$6k fine to 5 years suspension

The Law Society of Singapore has imposed a maximum five-year suspension on lawyer M Ravi for improper conduct, citing his lack of respect for key legal institutions and his baseless allegations. Teo Soh Lung voiced her opinion on how the judgment raises concerns about stifling free speech and expression and the overprotection of legal institutions.

Op-Ed Contributor
1 April 2023

Is another government collapse imminent in Malaysia? Political analysts share their thoughts

Political analysts weigh in on the possibility of another government collapse in Malaysia, as PAS President defends PN’s plan to overthrow the Unity Government, sparking controversy. Six-state elections are due later this year.

Yee Loon
22 March 2023

Democratization in Southeast Asia: Insights from Democracy Report 2023

Democracy Report 2023 by V-Dem Institute shows hope in reversing democratic backsliding in small countries, including those in Southeast Asia, but notes nine countries in the region have declined substantially.

The Online Citizen
10 March 2023

Going behind the quirky must-do of the oath of secrecy in Singaporean elections

Singapore’s Oath of Secrecy for elections requires all authorized personnel to swear they will not do anything forbidden by Section 56 of the Parliamentary Elections Act. This includes reading out the 500-word Section to the declarant, which is deemed an onerous and anachronistic requirement. Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss proposed revising the oath statement on Forms 18 and P13 to state that the declarant has read and understood the relevant section instead. The Elections Department (ELD) has replied to her feedback and will consider her suggestion in the next review of the forms.

The Online Citizen
10 March 2023

Commentaries

International Women’s Day – Why I look forward to the day when we won’t need a day

Liz Drysdale, the Asia Pacific & Japan Marketing Director at SentinelOne, writes in a LinkedIn post that women should be celebrated every day, not just on International Women’s Day. Despite the advances made towards gender equality, Drysdale notes that there is still much work to be done, especially in Asia Pacific where women make up only 35% of the workforce, and only 4% of CEOs and 5% of board members. She urges society to focus on changing old habits and behaviors, supporting organizations that promote gender equality and continuing to push for more opportunities for women.