I hope that we can move towards being a normal democracy where one party or coalition can be thrown out of power by the electorate if it does not perform adequately.

The new government must ensure a parliament that is more consultative and bi-partisan, honouring the “real manifesto” that is coming from the ballot box.

There is much room for improvement in Malaysia's electoral system.

ASEAN’s ability to resolve disputes in the region has increasingly been questioned – ever more so, its claim to ‘centrality’.

The most important issue for the new government to address is how to transition Malaysia from a soft authoritarian state to a liberal democracy,

Our middle class mentality is not helping our country. Everyone is a stakeholder and must act as such.

National unity. The prolonged campaign for GE13 has created an ugly environment and this must be mended immediately.

I think either coalition will need to make a concerted effort to restore popular trust in government.

Jonathan London analyses recent political developments in Viet Nam, and suggests that many people are looking for more serious reform.

To see my country turn into a developed nation with equal opportunities for all Malaysians especially in education, civil service job opportunities, business and industrial sectors.

These economic reforms will require the government to confront entrenched special interests as well as the broader social and political status quo.

That reason will prevail and emotionalism (sectarianism, racism, intolerance) will be removed from politics, and from ALL parties.

New Mandala co-founder and Myanmar Update co-convenor Nicholas Farrelly provides a quick overview of how to follow proceedings.

My hope is for the country to be governed by trustworthy, principled and hard working leaders.

The future security of Sabah depends on how the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines deal with the aftermath of the Sabah incursion.

The 2013 Myanmar/Burma Update Conference is just around the corner. This post has all the key details.

A new dawn in ecological politics in Malaysia as green activism makes a comeback and gains significant ground.

This micro-post uses an image from the Sittwe fish market to illustrate some of the town's food security concerns.

Nicholas Farrelly observes that while construction fever has taken hold, complaints about Yangon hotels must be at an all time high.

Join members of the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific to mark the anniversary of Somchai Neelaphaijit’s disappearance through a discussion of forced disappearance in Southeast Asia.

In another micro-post, Nicholas Farrelly briefly considers the Myanmar bus network and its peculiar charms.

Murray Hunter examines the prospects for peace in the far south of Thailand following the February 28 agreement.

This micro-post offers a few quick reflections on the prospects for tourism in Karen State.

In this micro-post, part of a series by Nicholas Farrelly, the New Mandala co-founder nibbles at the issue of quick eats in Myanmar.