Articles by Nicholas Chan

In Malaysia, the ‘deep state’ is a shorthand for the perceived institutional inertia exerted by the 1.6 million strong civil service. But is it real?

Reform-minded Malaysians are fatigued after two missed opportunities since 2008, with today's centrifugal politics generating even more social tensions. Not even Dr Mahathir’s surprise (re)emergence can mend those fractures, as Malaysians dream of the First World but still struggle in the Third as inequality worsens.

An authoritarian system set up to let unpopular and weak leaders rule -- no matter what.

In the face of corruption claims, the Malaysian Prime Minister's survival hinges on economics.

It is dangerous for Malay Muslims to look to 'immigrants' or the past to define themselves