US-ASEAN Summit 2015: Will Obama call Malaysia to Task on Environment?

US-ASEAN Summit 2015: Will Obama call Malaysia to Task on Environment?

– Originally published on International Policy Digest by Clean Malaysia’s Editor in Chief Brandon Taylor – President Barack Obama has just packed his bags and embarked on a trip to Kuala Lumpur.  The reason for the trip is the third US-ASEAN Summit, and the meeting will have important implications for the environment…

Malaysia Dropping the Ball as ASEAN Chair

Malaysia Dropping the Ball as ASEAN Chair

For the first time in 10 years, Malaysia is official chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).  This honor rotates each year between member nations, and carries with it expectations of high achievement.  As one of ASEAN’s five founding members, Malaysia especially has been expected to lead…

Sharing a Ride to Sustainability

Sharing a Ride to Sustainability

Kuala Lumpur loses an estimated RM5.5billion ($1.3billion) in productivity every year due to traffic.  In fact, every one of Malaysia’s major cities has a nasty traffic problem, and together they create a big, ugly obstacle to sustainable development.  With bus lines backed up, public transportation expansions years away from completion and…

Is an ASEAN Car Really the Solution to Malaysia’s Traffic Problem?

Is an ASEAN Car Really the Solution to Malaysia’s Traffic Problem?

Malaysia and China have entered discussion about partnering to produce a car especially for Southeast Asia.  Referred to as the ASEAN car, it would be produced within the region and lower the currently prohibitive cost of automobile purchase for nearby countries. Being the second most expensive place in the world to…