Ethos & Company

Justice Without Finality

Malaysia has crossed a line that many countries speak of, but few ever do. A former Prime Minister has been investigated, charged, tried, convicted, sentenced, imprisoned, and now sentenced again. Whatever one’s political sympathies, it would be disingenuous not to acknowledge that this alone places Malaysia in a small and serious category of constitutional democracies willing to test their own commitments to the rule of law at the highest level....

Justice Without Finality Malaysia has crossed a line that many countries speak of, but few ever do. A former Prime Minister has been investigated, charged, tried, convicted, sentenced, imprisoned, and now sentenced again. …

Malaysia’s Bargain with America

Malaysia’s Bargain with America A trade agreement that preserved survival, constrained sovereignty, and quietly reshaped the foundations of our political economy Malaysia’s new trade agreement with the United States was signed to…

What PETRONAS risked, Moët gained

What PETRONAS risked, Moët gained The global stage: the 2025 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix podium, choreographed to the second. Every brand, every gesture, every second of screen-time carries weight. The recent Singapore Grand Pri…

“You tell the world where he is. You show the passport. You name the mansion. And yet, not one demand from Washington to bring him to justice.” That was the question I posed not in anger, nor in defence, but as a call for moral consistency. It was neither partisan in origin nor rhetorical in tone. It asked only this: if one claims to expose injustice, must one not confront it in every direction?...

When the Storyteller Becomes the Story “You tell the world where he is. You show the passport. You name the mansion. And yet, not one demand from Washington to bring him to justice.” That was the question I posed not in anger, nor in de…

Malaysia today faces an unusual contradiction. On the surface, we are told the economy is recovering. Investment is flowing. Subsidies are being rationalised. The GST debate is over. A medium-term revenue strategy is in motion. And inflation, we are assured, remains contained. But underneath this well-rehearsed narrative, a deeper anxiety simmers. Business leaders are cautious. Civil servants are frustrated. Investors are confused....

THE PIED PIPER OF PUTRAJAYA Malaysia today faces an unusual contradiction. On the surface, we are told the economy is recovering. Investment is flowing. Subsidies are being rationalised. The GST debate is over. A medium-term …

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad turns 100 today. In most nations, this would be cause for national reflection. Not because of unanimous admiration, but because of historical magnitude. A centenary invites us to pause, to reconcile, and to ask not just what he was, but what we have become. Instead, we have seen something else: muted institutional response, cautious political triangulation, and silence from state-linked bodies that ought to be record-keepers of national memory, not just instruments of political convenience....

Turning 100 Should Transcend Politics Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad turns 100 today. In most nations, this would be cause for national reflection. Not because of unanimous admiration, but because of historical magnitude. A centenary invites …

Over the past few months, Malaysia has been confronted with two converging constitutional flashpoints: A Royal Decree for Najib Razak’s house arrest that was issued but ignored by the executive, and An attempt by the Attorney General to shield Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim from a civil sexual harassment suit on the grounds that litigation would impair his ability to govern....

Between Mercy and Immunity: The Constitution Cannot Be Selective Over the past few months, Malaysia has been confronted with two converging constitutional flashpoints: A Royal Decree for Najib Razak’s house arrest that was issued but ignored by the executive, an…

Executive authority and royal prerogative now face the test of constitutional fidelity. Over the past few months, Malaysia has been confronted with two converging constitutional flashpoints: A Royal Decree for Najib Razak’s house arrest that was issued but ignored, and an attempt by the Attorney General to shield the Prime Minister from a personal civil suit on the grounds of “functional immunity.”...

Between Mercy and Immunity: The Constitution Cannot Be Selective Executive authority and royal prerogative now face the test of constitutional fidelity. Over the past few months, Malaysia has been confronted with two converging constitutional flashpoints: A Roya…

You have enemies? Good … That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. Earlier today, Tun Daim Zainuddin, 86, passed away after a long illness. There will be much ink spilled about the man in the coming days. Most if not all of the English business media and blogs will be unflattering. Daim will be eulogised (or alternatively, demonised) as a fabulously wealthy former Finance Minister and long time Treasurer of UMNO....

The Tun Daim I Knew. You have enemies? Good … That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life. [Winston Churchill] Earlier today, Tun Daim Zainuddin, 86, passed away after a long illness. There wi…

Podcast: My Career Mosaic

Podcast: My Career Mosaic Visit the post for more.

“Speak well of the dead or not at all.” So let me speak well of the late Tun Taib Mahmud whom I met only once 25 years ago. Taib (Datuk Patinggi then) together with his late wife Datuk Patinggi Laila were Guests of Honour at my wedding and he was that day - as is customary - seated next to the groom inside the PJ Hilton Ballroom....

Nil nisi bonum “Speak well of the dead or not at all.” So let me speak well of the late Tun Taib Mahmud whom I met only once 25 years ago. Taib (Datuk Patinggi then) together with his late wife Datuk Patinggi Lai…

Stronger Together: South Africa leads the way

Stronger Together: South Africa leads the way Visit the post for more.