Matriculation year: 2024
Degree: PhD in Law
Background
"My research interest lies in comparative constitutional law, particularly in interrogating the causality link between ‘the restoration of judicial power and judicial independence’ and ‘democratic resurgence’ and vice versa in the Global South.
"Academically, my research interest in this area of law stems from my passion for constitutional law and human rights law. I have always been intrigued by, on one hand, how the judiciary upheld the rule of law notwithstanding abusive practices carried out by the executive, especially in emerging democracies like Malaysia and Sri Lanka, and on the other hand, the far-reaching effects of the judicial decisions in safeguarding fundamental rights, particularly of minorities and marginalised communities.
"Personally, from a young age, I have always been intrigued by the intricate balance between the government’s power/authority, an individual’s human rights, and the fundamental principles that underpin society. This is particularly so for me growing up in a pluralistic yet divided society like Malaysia, which Professor Andrew Harding described as a nation founded based on a ‘consociational model’. The historic democratic transition of power in Malaysia in 2018 further spurred my interest as it seemed to provide impetus for reforms and I am keen to explore its implications, legally and constitutionally.
"Receiving the Tunku scholarship, thus, resembles the convergence of my intellectual passions and my personal journey. I am inspired by Tunku’s contributions to the constitutional statecraft, from his earlier involvement in devising the constitutional edifice of pre-independence Malaya which culminates in the Federal Constitution to his later steadfastness in defending the constitutional spirit and identity which guarantee the rights of the multiracial, multireligious and multicultural communities as enshrined in the Constitution. Along this vein, I hope to contribute to the understanding of how the judiciary and various independent institutions play a role in the constitutional statecraft of ‘fragile democracies’ like Malaysia and Sri Lanka."
Research interests
"My research will look into and compare how the judiciary in Asian common law democracies such as Malaysia and Sri Lanka reasserts their power, situating them within the structural divergence and contextual particularities of the jurisdictions. I am particularly inspired by Professor Yvonne Tew, who was also a Tunku Scholar. Her book ‘Constitutional Statecraft in Asian Courts’, which describes how the judiciary in ‘fragile democracies’ carefully asserts their power by deploying judicial strategies in constitutional statecraft whilst safeguarding minority rights, is instrumental to my research project. I hope to build on the foundational work of scholars like Professor Tew and further explore the dimensions of inter-institutional collaboration including the role of fourth-branch institutions in facilitating the judiciary in restoring judicial power and independence and preserving certain constitutional norms and principles such as the rule of law and separation of powers."
Advice for Applicants
"I come from a humble background in Penang. Neither of my parents went to university. Me? I’m a law student who speaks English with a thick Hokkien-Mandarin accent. I never imagined I would ever come to the UK for my tertiary studies, let alone studying the Bachelor of Civil Law at Oxford and now doing my PhD at Cambridge. I am really glad that I took the leap of faith to apply. I am also eternally grateful to the Tunku Fund for entrusting me with this invaluable opportunity to further my academic research at Catz.
"A piece of advice to aspiring applicants: always seize the opportunity to break out of your comfort zone and do your best to improve yourselves. Don’t miss this lifetime chance. Just apply. The sky is the limit! If I could do it, so can you."
