by Sophie Lemière | Jun 19, 2023 | Blog, Opinion Pieces
In his attempts to mollify Malay nationalists and Islamic conservatives, Anwar risks alienating his liberal and multi-ethnic support base. Malaysia has long been portrayed as a peaceful mosaic of cultures and a fascinating example of Arab, South, and Southeast... by Sophie Lemière | May 31, 2023 | Blog, Opinion Pieces
The historic alliance between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) to form government last November has left many voters in both coalitions confused. With no less than six state elections to be held by July (in Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan, Penang, Selangor... by Sophie Lemière | Apr 28, 2023 | Blog, Opinion Pieces
After two decades of struggle for democracy, Anwar Ibrahim finally became the 10th prime minister of Malaysia last November. His election comes with very high expectations on human and civil rights reforms. However, after more than 100 days in power, Anwar’s promises... by Sophie Lemière | Apr 24, 2023 | Blog, Opinion Pieces
Now that the first 100 days of Anwar Ibrahim’s government are over, the democratic path that the iconic leader of the Reformasi movement had promised to set the country on remains extremely sinuous. Stuck between his allies in the United Malays National Organisation... by Sophie Lemière | Apr 3, 2023 | Blog, Opinion Pieces
Having finally scaled the pinnacle of Malaysian politics, will political compromises undermine Anwar’s dream of a genuinely democratic Malaysia? Last November, after two decades of struggle for democracy in Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, the former leader of the Islamist...