Tips from Malaysia’s federalism

COMMENTARY

Much discussed these days is the Philippines’ proposed shift to a federal structure of government. This proposal, which is at the core of the Duterte Administration’s reform program, would transfer significant portions of powers from the present centralized unitary government based in Metro Manila to the planned 11 Federal States throughout the country. The aim is to empower the regions to craft policies and programs best suited to their localities and hasten the overall development of the nation.