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News

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  Asia — Global Trade Analysis
  01.12.2025 Stewart Nixon

  The View from Asia on U.S. Tariffs and Trade

  Amid rising global tensions and shifting U.S. trade strategies, what does America’s tariff-driven diplomacy look like from an Asian vantage point? This article draws on insights from a global trade study tour across Washington D.C. and New York City, attended by our partner Dr. Stewart Nixon from IDEAS Malaysia. In this analysis, Dr. Nixon also went deeper on how pressure-based deals, weakening institutions, and a retreat from international leadership are reshaping America’s economic relationships, particularly with the Asia region.

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  IAF, Liberalism
  26.11.2025 Halmie Azrie

  Rejuvenating Liberalism Amidst Populist Dominance

  As alumni and facilitators from across the world gathered for a three-day online festival between 18th–20th November 2025 to commemorate 30 years of the International Academy for Freedom (IAF), we find ourselves standing at a pivotal point.
  
  The closure of Gummersbach’s IAF facility marks more than the end of a venue. Yes, IAF is no more but the global community it forged is not. If anything, that community’s distributed energy is the resource we now need to revive liberalism in an era where populist rhetoric and geopolitical turbulence tempt quick fixes.

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  Publication, Human Rights
  15.09.2025 Vera Jasini Putri

  Telenisa Statistics and Findings 2024: A Call to Action for Women and Children’s Rights

  Sisters in Islam (SIS) has unveiled the Telenisa Statistics and Findings 2024, shedding light on the urgent realities faced by women and children navigating the complexities of Shariah Islamic Family Law. The launch brought together Members of Parliament, funders, supporters, and SIS’ partners in a united effort to push for legal and policy reforms that can no longer be delayed.

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  Liberalism, Democracy
  12.09.2025 Vera Jasini Putri

  Liberalism Under Siege: Navigating a New Global Disorder

  What happened to Liberal Democracy? Why are the threats posed by aggressive authoritarian regimes becoming more tangible today? At this year’s Liberalism Conference hosted by IDEAS and FNF Malaysia, Katrin Bannach (Project Director, FNF Malaysia) explored how the growing trend of right-wing populism has reshaped the democratic landscape across the globe, including Germany.

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  IAF
  11.09.2025 Seenhau Tham

  Lessons from 12 Days of Unpacking Press Freedom with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation

  Seenhau Tham, a media executive from our partner, Malaysiakini, shared a glimpse of what she learned and experienced from attending the IAF Seminar, "Freedom of the Press". From addressing challenges posed by rising populism for freedom and the press to reinforcing commitments to defending the survivability of independent media, Seenhau discovered the keys to what makes press freedom thrives.

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  PUBLICATION
  03.09.2025

  Building Back Stronger?

  This policy paper highlights the vulnerabilities of migrant workers in Malaysia’s electronics industry, where flawed immigration policies and harmful labour practices, such as unfair wages, unsafe conditions, excessive hours, and unethical recruitment, expose them to forced labour. It calls for industry- and society-wide action to address systemic causes through stronger regulations.

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  Partners
  25.06.2025 Vera Jasini Putri

  Malaysiakini Triumphs at Malaysia Journalism Awards 2024: A Win for Progressive Reporting

  Our longstanding media partner, Malaysiakini, has once again demonstrated exceptional journalistic excellence by winning four gold awards at the MPI-Petronas Malaysia Journalism Awards 2024 last week.