International

by Wan Saiful Wan Jan

1 June 2009: I think the British royal family is far more transparent that the British parliamentarians. Their accounts are published annually and can be easily accessed on their official website. Perhaps one of the many Malaysian royal families can show leadership in this area, and publish their royal accounts first like what their British counterparts are doing.

My generation is often, with good reason, accused of not understanding the implications of history. It is not just an ignorance of the facts, but also an ignorance of the strong emotions that continue to be felt. While the government reminds us about 13 May on a regular basis, the much wider impact of the Malayan Communist Party’s campaign of terror is relegated. Yet the proposal to allow Chin Peng’s return has triggered a flood of angry responses from letters from descendants of victims and servicemen. One particularly moving letter asks: “Chin Peng, where is my father’s grave?”. My generation has no right to ignore their pain.

18 May 2009

by Philip Stevens

Economic growth is an absolute pre-requisite for improved health. One study has shown that if economic growth in the developing world had been a mere 1.5% higher in the 1980s, at least 500,000 child deaths could have been prevented.

America is one of Indonesia’s biggest trading partners, and America’s trade policies will have impact on Indonesia’s economy and employment. Will the G20 agreements improve situations? How will President Obama’s trade policies affect developing countries, especially Indonesia? How can Indonesian companies and Indonesian policy-makers prepare for the challenges? What can be done to stem the rising tide of protectionism?

London - 1 April 2009. The Freedom to Trade Coalition – comprising over 60 civil society organisations from 44 countries including the Malaysia Think Tank – launched an open letter calling on all governments to eliminate trade barriers. The open letter is available at a new website supported by the Malaysia Think Tank – www.freedomtotrade.org – which will feature news stories, exclusive webcasts, statements by signatories of the open letter, and many other items.

by Daniel Ikenson

12 March 09: The global economic meltdown has prompted fears of resurgent protectionism and some governments have already raised tariffs and other trade barriers. But, despite the occasional dalliance with protectionism, treaties and good sense prevent a more serious romance.

24 Februari 2009, Kuala Lumpur: In a study released today by the Malaysia Think Tank, data shows that countries that protect the physical and intellectual property of their people enjoy nearly nine times higher GDP per capita than countries ranking lowest in property rights protections. The study, the 2009 International Property Rights Index (IPRI), compared the protections of physical and intellectual property to economic stability in 115 countries representing 96 per cent of the world's GDP.

By Keith Leong
20 February 2009

In the paper 'The Fall of the Liberal Party of Australia: Lessons for Malaysian liberals' published today by the Malaysia Think Tank, I argued that Malaysians who subscribe to liberal ideology need to take cognizance of the defeat suffered by the Liberal Party of Australia in 2007. This case study of the Australian Liberal Party holds lessons for both social and economic liberals in Malaysia, especially if they want to become a potent political force, be it by working from within the various existing political parties or by setting up a new Malaysian Liberal Party.

Cheah Kah Seng

16 Feb 2009: Two months after election, still very few pundits are looking at President Obama and the Democratic Party's protectionist policies, the campaign debt he owes to the left and labor unions, and the substantial loss of political checks and balances in the superpower we call the US. Even fewer see the linkage between Obama's protectionist bend and the endless financial tsunami sweeping the world. Is it coincidental that the tsunami started upon Obama's ascent in late 2007, and accelerated just as World Trade Organisation negotiation failed in July 2008?

by Julian Harris & Philip Stevens
20 January 2009

The World Health Organization met in Geneva on Monday 19 January 2009 to decide new measures against the exploding global trade in counterfeit medicines--up to a third of all medicines in Africa and a quarter in developing countries overall. While the WHO wrangled over an international treaty and how to define the term “counterfeit,” it is not addressing the real causes, including the failures of dysfunctional governments which prevent genuine manufacturers from protecting their brands.