MALAYSIA’S drop of one position in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) recently announced Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) must be seen for what it really is – not one step backwards but many forward in terms of global confidence in the economic policies and future of the country. Publication: New Straits Times, 28 September 2006. Author: … Read more
The almost USD 50 billion budget is the costliest ever in Malaysia’s five decades of independence. It is 10.9% higher than the previous one and nearly three times that of the 1998 budget (not accounting for inflation). Publication: Opinion Asia, 10 Sep 2007. Author: Liew, Chin Tong. Download
Some observers have noted that Malaysia is not being viewed as a country that is as transparent as it should be. It has been pointed out that the practice of awarding large infrastructure projects on the basis of closed-door negotiations would erode public confidence and send the wrong message to the international business community. Publication: … Read more
The task of nation building has posed an enormous challenge for postcolonial Muslim leaders, especially for those committed to the creation of a nation based on Islamic rules, norms and visions. Conventional wisdom holds that the discrepancy between a “parochial” national framework — based on religion — and the modern reality of a nation-state framework … Read more
Presents an overview of the investment strategies and policy of Malaysia. Openness of Malaysia to foreign investments; Currency conversion and transfer policies; Information on performance requirements and incentives, rights of private ownership, and protection of property rights; Amount of political violence, corruption, and crime; International investment agreements, foreign trade zones, and foreign investment statistics; Information … Read more
Given the fact that demonstrations are becoming a common thing in the Klang Valley, the feel-good factor is presently not working to the government’s advantage. The need to lower subsidies in the coming months, makes it even less likely that Abdullah will pick a date any time soon. Publication: Opinion Asia, 17 Nov 2007. [Download] … Read more
This paper discusses several issues and challenges that confront the future of Malaysia’s historic cities in the new millennium, particularly in the light of rapid growth of new townships, depopulation of historic inner city areas, intensive development pressures as well as changing lifestyles and consumption patterns among city inhabitants and tourists. All these challenges are … Read more
India, Malaysia cut subsidies, increase gas prices By MarketWatchLast update: 10:33 p.m. EDT June 4, 2008 HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — Governments in India and Malaysia have boosted motor-fuel prices in an effort to ease the burden of fuel subsidies on national finances. India increased prices of gasoline and diesel by about 10% Wednesday, … Read more
This paper addresses some of the problems of managing ethnic relations in Southeast Asia subse-quent to the financial crisis of July 1997 by comparing the experiences of Indonesia and Malaysia. Publication: Identities, Conflict and Cohesion Programme Paper Number 6 August 2004. Author: Khoo, Boo Teik. Download
Malaysia revamps energy price system, risks backlashBy Soo Ai PengThe Guardian, UKWednesday June 4 2008 PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, June 4 (Reuters) – Malaysia announced on Wednesday a broad overhaul of its energy price system, sharply raising fuel and gas prices but taxing palm oil and power producers in a move that would drive inflation to a … Read more