Malay Leadership in Pakatan Harapan
MALAYSIA STUDIES PROGRAMME WEBINAR
About the Webinar
Still reeling from the shockwaves caused by the Sheraton Move, Malaysian politics was cast into further turmoil earlier this year when Parliament was suspended on the back of a State of Emergency. Ostensibly declared as a measure to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, many believe the Emergency to be a desperate attempt by the government of the day to ward off challenges to its legitimacy.
Yet as the Perikatan Nasional coalition hangs by a thread, its most popular and outspoken critic appears to be embattled former Prime Minister Najib Razak – rather than Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim or even former premier Mahathir Mohamad. As much as there is a credibility deficit with the current leadership, there also appears to be little love lost with leaders from the other side of the divide.
With this as a backdrop, this webinar will analyze the challenges facing Pakatan Harapan’s Malay leadership. From there it will explore whether there are any alternative leaders, should the current crop of Malay leaders remain unable to convince voters. Last, it will ask whether Malaysian politics can finally move beyond personalities.
About the Speaker
YB Zairil Khir Johari helms the Infrastructure and Transport portfolio in the Penang State Executive Council, in addition to his role as the state assemblyman for Tanjong Bunga. Prior to the 2018 General election, he was the Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera. Zairil is the Assistant National Publicity Secretary for the Democratic Action Party (DAP), and has served as the Vice-Chairman of the DAP Penang since 2013. In addition to his active involvements in politics, Zairil is the former Executive Director of Penang Institute, one of Malaysia’s leading think tanks. A graduate of the School of Oriental and African Studies with a Master of Arts, Zairil is an avid writer and in 2017 published Finding Malaysia: Making Sense of an Eccentric Nation.
Registration
This webinar will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinar at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.
Please register here to receive your unique link for joining the webinar.
Limited spaces only, register early to avoid disappointment.
To join the webinar,
1. Install the Zoom client onto your computer or download the app on your mobile device.
2. Click on the unique link in your email.
If you have questions for the speaker and discussants, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speaker and the discussants during the Q&A session.