My Blog
You’ll find here all my commentaries and analysis for think-tanks and the Media.
South China Morning Post | As Malaysia confronts rape culture in schools, conservative norms are being scrutinised
A Malaysian student last month posted a video reporting one of her teachers telling students: ‘If you want to rape someone make sure they are over 18’ Rather than the consequences of Islamic conservatism, the controversy is a symptom of a global culture of gendered...
South China Morning Post | Amid Malaysia’s political chaos, is the country’s king carving out a new place for himself?
Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah has had to make an unprecedented number of decisions this year, amid a global pandemic and the manoeuvres of political parties While his statements and actions are seen by some as contradictory to the king’s constitutional role, it...
South China Morning Post | Anwar Ibrahim’s prophecy of power could come true at last. But for Malaysia, it might be better if it didn’t
As the Malaysian democracy icon prepares to meet the country’s king on Tuesday, anticipation is growing that he might finally become PM History shows such an upset is possible, yet the compromises it would involve could dash any hopes of democratic reform and cause...
South China Morning Post | Mahathir is always right – his comments about Macron need context. But so does France’s relationship with Islam
The French president’s statement that ‘Islam is in crisis’ reflects the country’s failure to address the challenges of immigration and colonial memory Likewise, Mahathir was trying to rattle Macron, as well as other Muslim leaders – but he has also revealed his...
CSIS | The Malaysian Political Game: Where Are We?
Photo: MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images Anwar Ibrahim, an icon of Malaysia’s democratic movement of the late 1990s, declared on September 23 that he has the parliamentary majority needed to peacefully take power. The announcement has been greeted with skepticism. The...