As Malaysia's government responded to the 1997-98 financial crisis, the global financial community criticised its measures as bail outs for politically-influential corporate interests. This book examines the Asian crisis and government policy responses, with emphasis on capital controls as well as corporate, bank and debt restructuring exercises.

Summary: "Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is often seen as the sole author of the country's foreign policy. Malaysian Foreign Policy in the Mahathir Era shows that while Mahathir's personality, leadership style, political ideology and brand of nationalism unquestionably had a deep impact, so too did domestic issues and external forces associated with globalization. The book examines seven major foreign policy initiatives of the Mahathir period: Buy British Last, Anti-Commonwealth, Look East, Third World Spokesmanship, Regional Engagement, Islamic Posturing and Commercial and Developmental Diplomacy. In discussing these topics, the author explains the significance for foreign policy of communal concerns, the regime's need to maintain its own authority in the face of political and social initiatives (some rooted in Islam), and its desire to achieve national development. He also discusses external pressures, including Japan's regional designs, Singapore's defense posture and the growing importance of China for the region. The approach breaks away from the elitist decision making styles and single factor models usually employed to explain the foreign policy of developing nations, and establishes a direct link between domestic politics and foreign policy during the period studied, suggesting that the latter was truly an extension of the former."--Publisher description.

The study calls for a two-track strategy: first, deep multilateral liberalization involving phased but complete elimination of industrial-county protection and deep reduction of protection by at least the middle-income developing countries, albeit on a more gradual schedule; and second, immediate free entry for imports from high risk low-income countries (heavily indebted poor countries, least developed countries, and sub-Saharan Africa), coupled with a 10-year tax holiday for direct investment in these countries.

This book provides an overview of the current state of Malaysia, looking at political developments and at governance, and discussing the impact of ethnicity, patronage and the reform movement.

"Provide[s] an in-depth and multifaceted study of the processes of ethnicization and identity construction in Malaysia, from the colonial period until the present"--Publisher's description.

This pioneering volume develops an institutionalist analysis of Malaysias post-colonial economy by exploring the political economy of development and particularly the interface between economics and law. The various authors show that economic policy initiatives in Malaysia have often been accompanied by corresponding legislative and regulatory reforms intended to create an appropriate legal environment, and that economic problems or crises arising from earlier policies have led to major legislative innovations.

The book provides students and academics in finance and banking with the most recent updates and changes in the Malaysian banking sector post-AFC period. The book explores the evolution of banking policies and practices after the "Tomyam Goong Crisis" and investigates the health of Malaysian banks via efficiency measurement. In addition, it also presents the evolution of bank risk management regulations and practices in Malaysia. The book also discusses the effectiveness of the Malaysian bank bailout strategy with comparison to the banks’ bailout in developed countries such as the US. This book is important and timely since there are very limited books in the market that cover the recent developments on Malaysian banking sectors post-AFC period. Hence, this book serves as the valuable resource for all finance and banking students, academic researchers, and practitioners not limited to the Asian region that require in-depth insights on the latest policies and practices in the Malaysian banking sector.

This book uses the concepts of rent and rent-seeking to study Malaysian political economy.

Current inquiries into the political economy of financial policymaking in Malaysia tend to focus on the high-level drama of crisis politics or simply point to the limited impact of post-crisis financial reforms, given that politico-business relations have remained close. In so doing, pundits ignore a number of intriguing questions: what is the relationship between financial development and financialisation and how has it played out in the Malaysian context? And more generally: how can a country like Malaysia become significantly more financially developed, yet fail to emancipate the financial system from political control; a core element of the financial development discourse? To unravel the complexities of this puzzle, this book subjects the history and contemporary practices of financial policymaking in Malaysia to scrutiny. It argues that to understand financial development in Malaysia, its progress and reversals, it is important to conceptualise it as a political, rather than a merely technical process. In so doing, the book echoes a more profound concern in the political economy literature, namely the evolving relationship between states and markets, and the supposed retreat or reassertion of the state at a time of increasing (financial) globalisation. The book can generate further insights into the evolving role of the state with regard to broader processes of development and marketisation, as they relate specifically to finance.

The A to Z of Malaysia encapsulates the development of Malaysia from prehistory to the early years of the 21st century. It covers not only Malaysia's history but also its politics, economy, multiethnic society, multiculturalism, scientific and technological developments, and the state of its environment. A host of contemporary issues and challenges are featured, including ethnic polarization, economic equity, and polygamy; concepts like Ketuanan Melayu (Malay Dominance), "Malaysian Malaysia," "Malay," and Islam Hadhari (Civilizational Islam); and terms like "Ali Baba" business, kiasi, bejalai, and "Twenty Points." Over 500 cross-referenced dictionary entries are contained in this reference, covering everything from ethno-historical entries to those on culinary favorites and personalities. A chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and a bibliography complement the dictionary entries, enhancing the authoritative and up-to-date information provided.