by Sophie Lemière | Jan 17, 2023 | Blog, Opinion Pieces
With the rise of Anwar Ibrahim as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister and the fall of Mahathir Mohamad, whose once-in-a-lifetime defeat expedited the 97-year-old leader to an overdue retirement, Malaysia has entered a new political era. Since 2018, Malaysia’s tectonic... by Sophie Lemière | Dec 21, 2022 | Blog, Opinion Pieces
The democratic icon’s path to prime minister has been tortuous and long. But is Malaysia’s pluralism slipping away precisely when Anwar is getting his shot to lead the nation? In 1998, Anwar Ibrahim was the icon of the reformasi movement, the largest democratic... by Sophie Lemière | Dec 7, 2022 | Blog, Opinion Pieces
Malaysia has seen a long series of political surprises since the GE15 polling day on November 19. The political fatigue that many Malaysians (and observers) suffered in the run-up to the election did not translate into abstention, with over 70 percent voter... by Sophie Lemière | Dec 6, 2022 | Blog, Opinion Pieces
For his government to survive, Umno needs to pacify the hearts and souls of the Malays, ‘mission impossible’ in a context where PN leaders have openly declared themselves as the government-in-waiting. “Kabinet Anwar: the whole country kena... by Sophie Lemière | Nov 25, 2022 | Blog, Opinion Pieces
Standing on a podium, in front of the tower erected in his name, Mahathir is giving what will end up being the last campaign speech of his career. Tun Mahathir Mohamad, nicknamed Tun M or Dr. M, is the poster boy for the Malay conservative party Pejuang, which he...