Category: Political Thought

Political Thought
November 8, 2022

On GE15 & Electing a Representative

When describing elections, we often hear it being akin to the hiring process. Candidates present their credentials/track record and the ones best we feel suitable would be hired. While this is true to a degree, it doesn’t capture the full picture. Elections are akin to a hiring process. Yes. But they are not like hiring entry level, associates, or middle level managers. Rather, it is […]

Political Thought
May 4, 2020

Malaysia’s Federal System in the Spotlight

The era of the federal government having the final say is over. YBhg. Dato Sri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Vice President of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) It was not an era that should have started or sustained. #Malaysia is a #Federation. No one can deny that this came about because Parti Perikatan/Barisan Nasional dominated Governments at the Federal and State levels. Especially during #PM4 […]

Political Thought
September 3, 2019

Should the Office of the Prime Minister be subjected to Term Limits?

Westminster Model The Westminster Model, i.e. sistem kerajaan perwakilan beparlimen, does not prescribe such mechanics. Instead a prime minister and his/her government will continue as long as: S/he remains a member of the elected house, and S/he commands the confidence of a majority of the members of that elected House. Consider the cases of John Major, Gordon Brown, Kevin Rudd, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee among […]

Political Thought Reflections
June 16, 2017

Should the government…?

The most dangerous statement any one could make in a democracy: “The government should…” I subscribe to the political philosophy of limited government and small government. The former part of the ideals of liberalism; the former a philosophy held by classical liberalism, libertarianism, and conservatism. In this piece, ‘government’ does not just mean the Prime Minister, the Federal Cabinet, the Chief Minister, the State Ministers, […]

History Political Thought
June 9, 2017

Hung Parliament: Minority Government, Coalition, or Confidence & Supply

Results of the UK Elections are coming in as I write this entry. Already many are calling on the departure of Theresa May, the British Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, and Minister for the Civil Service. Terms that are entering the lexicon of observers and enthusiasts alike include hung parliament and minority government. Of course, there will be those who – like Jeremy […]

Political Thought Reflections
July 25, 2016

Politics of Principles or Persecution?

1Malaysia Development Board (1MDB) is on every Malaysian’s lips since 2014. Allegations after allegations came out in the media – both mainstream and alternative. Politicians outside the Barisan Nasional (BN) have capitalised on the issue repeatedly: blogs, political talks, Sarawak State Elections 2016, Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar By-Elections 2016. Allegation is defined as “a statement of claimed fact contained in a complaint (a written […]

Political Thought Sarawak - Nationhood and Identity
April 4, 2016

Nepotism in Malaysia Ended in 1997

Nepotism: noun. the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs. Sarawak’s 2016 Elections are now moving faster. Chief Minister Adenan Satem announced at the press conference in Wisma Bapa Malaysia – Sarawak’s Seat of Government. Political aspirants started lobbying for their respective arty’s tickets months ago. Some take to Facebook to publicly record their efforts. As some incumbents […]

Political Thought
February 24, 2016

Features of Westminster: Shadow Cabinet

Every day when the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons assemble, honourable and noble members walk through the Halls of Westminster. Among them is the Leader of Her Majesy’s Most Loyal Opposition – currently The Right Honourable Jeremy Corbyn, who is also the Leader of the Labour Party. In 2010, this post was held by The Right Honourable David Cameron, Tory Leader, from 2005 […]