Articles | Lowy Institute

6 Sep 2019
India

Malaysia
A fugitive preacher ignites controversy in Malaysia

Max Walden

The government’s shielding of Zakir Naik tests PM Mahathir Mohamad’s commitment to equal rights and democratic values.
22 Aug 2019
Malaysia
In Malaysia, flipping over the script

Ooi Kok Hin

Proposed changes to a school textbook have sparked a public debate that goes to the heart of national identity.
29 Jul 2019
Malaysia
Malaysia’s Mahathir has no interest in building a dynasty

Amy Chew

Speculation Mukhriz Mahathir could take over from his father is just that – Anwar Ibrahim is anointed.
19 Jul 2019
Malaysia
Mahathir holds all the cards, again

James Chin

A bitter rift over sex claims between would-be successors has again shown the ugly side of Malaysia’s politics.
18 Jul 2019
Asia

Indonesia

Thailand

Philippines

Malaysia

Southeast Asia
After the voting, personality beats policy in Southeast Asia

Greg Earl

Malaysia is not the only country consumed by speculation about who takes over from a conspicuous and captivating leader.
28 Jun 2019
Malaysia
Why Mahathir is unlikely to make Anwar his successor

Qi Siang Ng

Few thought the then 92-year-old return PM would be anything but a charismatic seat-warmer – except the man himself.
7 Jun 2019
Malaysia
Mahathir’s tilt to China smooths the way for Beijing in Southeast Asia

Shankaran Nambiar

Always known as a fiercely non-aligned leader, Malaysia’s Prime Minister has changed his tune on the Belt and Road.
10 Apr 2019
North Korea

Malaysia
Making a murderer: the assassination of Kim Jong-nam

Fiona Broom

Has justice been subsumed after a very public attack dragged Southeast Asian nations into North Korea’s power feuds?
9 Apr 2019
Malaysia
Domestic politics drive Malaysia’s abrupt global court U-turn

Renee Jeffery

Politicking to protect rights of Malaysia’s hereditary rulers has dashed plans to join the International Criminal Court.
5 Mar 2019
Malaysia
Malaysia joins the International Criminal Court

Renee Jeffery

Why now, after resisting membership for more than 20 years, has Malaysia decided to ratify the Rome Statute?
20 Feb 2019
Malaysia
Courting change in Malaysia

Fiona Broom

A combination of progress and hesitation is evident under Malaysia’s new rule, amid fear political turmoil will drag on.
14 Feb 2019
Malaysia

Singapore
Spats in the straits between Malaysia and Singapore

Bec Strating

The diplomatic tit-for-tat between the two neighbours for the territorial claim of the waterway has a long history.
1 Feb 2019
China

Malaysia
Malaysia and China: breaking up is hard to do

Ben Bland

Mahathir’s promise to scrap or renegotiate “unequal” infrastructure deals with Beijing – a plan easier said than done.
23 Nov 2018
Asean

Malaysia
From the high horse: Malaysia’s problematic track record

Rob Edens

Mahathir’s portrait of racial harmony in Malaysia is inspiring – except, of course, for being demonstrably false.
18 Oct 2018
China

Türkiye

Malaysia
Mahathir: Uighurs “have done nothing wrong”

Elliot Brennan

Countries are struggling to navigate the issues – trying to please Beijing, the Uighurs, and respect human rights.
24 Sep 2018
Malaysia
Malaysia: allowing students to find voice

Max Walden

After years of official limits, a healthy democracy in Malaysia needs to give students the space to discuss politics.
6 Sep 2018
Malaysia
Mahathir redux: the past guides the future

Francis E. Hutchinson

The legacy of his first stint as prime minister is shaping his second – history suggests Mahathir will remain a player.
30 Aug 2018
Australia

Indonesia

Malaysia
Economic diplomacy: Indonesia, trade deals and TPP

Greg Earl

After a breakthrough with Jakarta, will Aussie-trained Indonesian workers be welcomed into Australia to improve skills?
20 Aug 2018
Malaysia
Decoding the Mahathir Doctrine

Cheng-Chwee Kuik , Chin Tong Liew

How the new Malaysia is responding to the changing internal and external environment amid US–China uncertainty.
8 Aug 2018
Malaysia
Malaysia: Mahathir navigates the region

Mina Erika Pollmann

How much has Mahathir changed in his orientation towards the West in the last 15 years?
26 Jul 2018
Philippines

Malaysia
The Sabah question

Malcolm Cook

The Philippines and Malaysia are sparring over territory as Manila looks at a change to country’s constitution.
22 Jun 2018
Malaysia
The big clean-up in Malaysia

James Chin

Political confusion might appear on the surface, yet the new government cannot act without the right people in place.
14 May 2018
Malaysia
Malaysia: what now?

Amrita Malhi

As the dust settles, Mahathir needs to navigate the Chinese threat he exploited in the campaign, while the Islamist lobby seeks new ground.
11 May 2018
Malaysia
Did an election just cause Malaysian democratisation?

Thomas Pepinsky

Southeast Asia’s incumbent authoritarian regimes have long presided over elections, but they almost never step aside as a result.
10 May 2018
Malaysia
Malaysia election: coming of age

Greg Earl

This surprise victory has implications at many levels, and there is good reason to think it may go well.
8 May 2018
Malaysia
Malaysia’s political treadmill

Simon Roughneen

Mahathir Mohamad might be back on the campaign trail in opposition but this doesn’t appear to be an obstacle to the present government.
20 Mar 2018
Malaysia
Najib makes electoral hay from ASEAN-Australia Summit

Amrita Malhi

Malaysia’s Prime Minister had an eye on an audience at home while striding an international stage in Sydney at the weekend.
15 Mar 2018
Malaysia
Tamil rap artists resisting poverty and discrimination in Malaysia

Sangeetha Thanapal

Hip-hop as an art form is rooted in resistance and has been embraced by many Malaysian Tamils.
14 Feb 2018
Malaysia
Malaysia’s election – electric and exhausting

Amrita Malhi

Politicians might talk political tactics and leave the public bored, but a real contest is brewing.