# Lutfi Hakim Ariff > Lutfi Hakim Ariff is a policy and communications strategist, producer and columnist. He is currently in New York City and works across New York, Chicago and Kuala Lumpur. He started in crisis PR, handled communications at Malaysia's national securities regulator, worked with IMAN Research and Amnesty International's regional office in Bangkok, and served as press secretary to Malaysia's Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng. He co-founded the studio Gunung Cherita (2020-2024), executive produced the feature film Maryam Pagi ke Malam, co-authored the book Parliament, Unexpected, and led social impact at Zak Capital. He holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago, an MA in International Political Communication from the University of Sheffield and a BComm from RMIT University, and has been a Malaysiakini columnist since 2021. Lutfitek is his software studio. Areas: policy and social impact; communications and crisis; stories and production (films, books, podcasts). LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lutfi-hakim Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lutfinous/ Full text of the public pages and writing: https://lutfihakimariff.com/llms-full.txt ## About - [About](https://lutfihakimariff.com/about/): his story, what he does and where he is - [Contact](https://lutfihakimariff.com/contact/): how to get in touch about media, projects or jobs - [CV](https://lutfihakimariff.com/cv/): roles, experience, education, awards and skills - [CV as a one-page PDF](https://lutfihakimariff.com/cv/download/) ## Start here - [Clear career paths are so 20th century: part one](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/clear-career-paths-are-so-20th-century-part-one/): 29 September 2026. Written for this site. Musings; topics: Civil society, Politics. Clear career paths are so 20th century. Not that I knew when I started out. Fresh out of school, I landed right in the all-consuming world of crisis PR. - [A nation of the highly educated, deeply frustrated](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/a-nation-of-the-highly-educated-deeply-frustrated/): 12 September 2026. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/884806-comment-a-nation-of-the-highly-educated-deeply-frustrated). Columns; topics: Economy, Education. Here we are again at that time in the political cycle when intrigues, plots, and stratagems are ramped up. - [In Closing: an excerpt from Parliament, Unexpected](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/in-closing-an-excerpt-from-parliament-unexpected/): 5 October 2022. Excerpt from the book Parliament, Unexpected (Matahari Books, 2022), by Tan Sri Ariff Yusof with Lutfi Hakim Ariff. Book excerpts; topics: Democracy, Politics. I began this book by saying that it was never my ambition to be a Speaker of Parliament, nor should it be the aim of anyone in their right mind. - [Hardening inequality is our biggest scandal](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/hardening-inequality-is-our-biggest-scandal/): 19 October 2022. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/640181). Columns; topics: Economy. Is it any wonder that we’re becoming increasingly frustrated and filled with animosity as a society, when we can’t seem to get unstuck no matter how hard we try? - [Working with time to cultivate local films](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/working-with-time-to-cultivate-local-films/): 19 September 2024. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/719704). Columns; topics: Film. In times of intense political debate, local filmmaking might not be the most urgent thing to discuss. - [A moment for civic movement](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/a-moment-for-civic-movement/): 15 August 2023. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/675690). Columns; topics: Civil society, Media. If we’re waiting for other people to start doing things to fix things, there’s a high probability that nothing’s going to happen. ## Words - [Words](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/): 34 pieces: columns, musings and book excerpts. Columns first published elsewhere link to the original. - [Clear career paths are so 20th century: part two](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/clear-career-paths-are-so-20th-century-part-two/): 30 September 2026. Written for this site. Musings; topics: Economy, Politics. We were a government in a hurry to see things through, and every day felt like the longest day. - [Clear career paths are so 20th century: part one](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/clear-career-paths-are-so-20th-century-part-one/): 29 September 2026. Written for this site. Musings; topics: Civil society, Politics. Clear career paths are so 20th century. Not that I knew when I started out. Fresh out of school, I landed right in the all-consuming world of crisis PR. - [A nation of the highly educated, deeply frustrated](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/a-nation-of-the-highly-educated-deeply-frustrated/): 12 September 2026. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/884806-comment-a-nation-of-the-highly-educated-deeply-frustrated). Columns; topics: Economy, Education. Here we are again at that time in the political cycle when intrigues, plots, and stratagems are ramped up. - [Rural Cardiovascular Disease: Reducing the Distance Tax on Heart Care](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/rural-cardiovascular-disease-reducing-the-distance-tax-on-heart-care/): 14 July 2026. First published in What About Rural Health (https://whataboutruralhealth.com/rural-cardiovascular-disease/). Articles; topics: Health. Adults living in rural areas are 1.5 times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than those in urban centers, and this mortality gap is actively widening. - [Conflict driving up energy prices, can green policies cushion the blow?](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/conflict-driving-up-energy-prices-can-green-policies-cushion-the-blow/): 18 March 2026. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/770564). Columns; topics: Foreign affairs, Sustainability. The war between the United States and Iran is in its third week and there's no sign the daily barrage of missiles and drones are reducing. - [Budi95: Steps towards sustainability](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/budi95-steps-towards-sustainability/): 1 October 2025. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/756667). Columns; topics: Economy, Sustainability. Rightfully so, public attention is on the new RON95 petrol subsidy scheme with a lot of discussion on the introduction of limits to the amount of subsidised petrol a person can buy. - [Collaborate and innovate for economic resilience](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/collaborate-and-innovate-for-economic-resilience/): 28 February 2025. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/735882). Columns; topics: Economy, Foreign affairs. As the global rules-based order wobbles, Malaysia cannot afford to be caught short. Every day, we read new announcements and executive orders that make our jaws drop and scramble business as usual. - [No delight in Bersih’s midterm grade for coalition govt](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/no-delight-in-bersihs-midterm-grade-for-coalition-govt/): 21 November 2024. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/726578). Columns; topics: Democracy, Politics. Observers of PM Anwar’s government would hardly be surprised to learn that Bersih gave their performance a D. - [Working with time to cultivate local films](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/working-with-time-to-cultivate-local-films/): 19 September 2024. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/719704). Columns; topics: Film. In times of intense political debate, local filmmaking might not be the most urgent thing to discuss. - [Democracy should not be taken for granted](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/democracy-should-not-be-taken-for-granted/): 3 May 2024. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/704342). Columns; topics: Democracy, Politics. The events of February 2020 were no doubt a paradigm shift for Malaysian politicians. - [Drifting apart in convenience](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/drifting-apart-in-convenience/): 12 January 2024. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/692900). Columns; topics: Civil society, Media. In just a short span of slightly more than a hundred years, we have progressed from a simple letter taking weeks to travel between Kuantan and Kuala Lumpur, to instant reacts from people across the globe to photos on social media. - [War sparks reactions, peace needs organisation](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/war-sparks-reactions-peace-needs-organisation/): 21 November 2023. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/687265). Columns; topics: Foreign affairs. We shake our heads in disbelief, we are traumatised. - [Right time to invest on sustainability](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/right-time-to-invest-on-sustainability/): 26 October 2023. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/684228). Columns; topics: Economy, Sustainability. The current administration is stuck between a rock and a hard place; there are countless legacy issues that constrain government spending, at the same time, there is growing pressure for intervention to stabilise prices in the market. - [Fighting misinformation: Know when to not take things literally](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/fighting-misinformation-know-when-to-not-take-things-literally/): 11 October 2023. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/682343). Columns; topics: Media. The temptation to overreact to viral issues is understandable, especially when there appears to be wide public support. - [A moment for civic movement](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/a-moment-for-civic-movement/): 15 August 2023. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/675690). Columns; topics: Civil society, Media. If we’re waiting for other people to start doing things to fix things, there’s a high probability that nothing’s going to happen. - [Push back against political polarisation](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/push-back-against-political-polarisation/): 26 July 2023. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/673263). Columns; topics: Politics. When it comes to threats, Malaysia has plenty. Every group has its own bogeyman and fears, and with the increasingly polarised state of our society, it may be a common feature moving forward. - [Anwar movie: Tell the people’s story too](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/anwar-movie-tell-the-peoples-story-too/): 26 May 2023. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/666483). Columns; topics: Civil society, Film. The new political film, “Anwar: The Untold Story”, is obviously about the leader, with the people firmly in the background. - [Bring down barriers to meaningful exchanges](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/bring-down-barriers-to-meaningful-exchanges/): 21 April 2023. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/662900). Columns; topics: Civil society, Democracy. “If you’re so unhappy, don’t just complain. Give solutions instead!” - [Let us have our challenging conversations](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/let-us-have-our-challenging-conversations/): 14 March 2023. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/658523). Columns; topics: Media. Text without context is a pretext, goes the saying. - [Beating intolerance needs a society for humans, not profit](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/beating-intolerance-needs-a-society-for-humans-not-profit/): 7 December 2022. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/647266). Columns; topics: Civil society, Media. A quick digital fix may remove expressions of hate and intolerance from public view, but it will survive and continue to spread stealthily as long as it resonates with the audience. - [Vote decency and decently in GE15](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/vote-decency-and-decently-in-ge15/): 10 November 2022. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/643439). Columns; topics: Democracy, Politics. Our interaction with the government doesn’t start and end with general elections but at the same time we must make full use of them. - [Hardening inequality is our biggest scandal](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/hardening-inequality-is-our-biggest-scandal/): 19 October 2022. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/640181). Columns; topics: Economy. Is it any wonder that we’re becoming increasingly frustrated and filled with animosity as a society, when we can’t seem to get unstuck no matter how hard we try? - [An Unnecessary Show of Partisan Politics: an excerpt from Parliament, Unexpected](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/an-unnecessary-show-of-partisan-politics-an-excerpt-from-parliament-unexpected/): 7 October 2022. Excerpt from the book Parliament, Unexpected (Matahari Books, 2022), by Tan Sri Ariff Yusof with Lutfi Hakim Ariff. Book excerpts; topics: Democracy, Politics. On the morning of 16 July, I arrived early at the Speaker’s Office located in the middle of the ground floor of the main building of Parliament. - [The Constitutional Amendments of Undi 18 and Malaysia Act 1963: an excerpt from Parliament, Unexpected](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/the-constitutional-amendments-of-undi-18-and-malaysia-act-1963-an-excerpt-from-parliament-unexpected/): 6 October 2022. Excerpt from the book Parliament, Unexpected (Matahari Books, 2022), by Tan Sri Ariff Yusof with Lutfi Hakim Ariff. Book excerpts; topics: Democracy, Politics. Two major proposals by The PH Government were introduced during the 2019 Session in April and July. In their separate contexts, both produced surprising legislative results. - [In Closing: an excerpt from Parliament, Unexpected](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/in-closing-an-excerpt-from-parliament-unexpected/): 5 October 2022. Excerpt from the book Parliament, Unexpected (Matahari Books, 2022), by Tan Sri Ariff Yusof with Lutfi Hakim Ariff. Book excerpts; topics: Democracy, Politics. I began this book by saying that it was never my ambition to be a Speaker of Parliament, nor should it be the aim of anyone in their right mind. - [Marching on in the next decade](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/marching-on-in-the-next-decade/): 4 October 2022. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/638070). Columns; topics: Democracy, Education. Who wouldn’t like a little bit of nostalgia? Of when things were simpler, when we knew who the good guys were, and who were the bad guys (or so we thought). - [Beware the TikTok ceramah circuit](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/beware-the-tiktok-ceramah-circuit/): 23 August 2022. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/633047). Columns; topics: Media, Politics. Everyone wants to be a TikTok star these days. Nothing surprising about that, as a phenomenon it re-emerges each time there is a fast-growing social media application that appears to be overtaking more mature ones. - [What’s beyond the Ballot Box](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/whats-beyond-the-ballot-box/): 11 May 2022. Written for this site. Columns; topics: Democracy, Politics. We are obviously (or obliviously to some) sliding towards an early general election. - [2022: Picking up where we left off](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/2022-picking-up-where-we-left-off/): 11 January 2022. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/606427). Columns; topics: Politics, Youth. 2021 was another year of disruption, uncertainty, and tragedy. Naturally, we are hoping that 2022 will be the year that things start to turn around on many fronts. - [Can broad-based reset councils bring us out of this loop?](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/can-broad-based-reset-councils-bring-us-out-of-this-loop/): 13 September 2021. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/591080). Columns; topics: Democracy, Youth. Young people are often reminded of the great promise of tomorrow, where they will be leaders of the nation. - [Toxic Competition in Civil Society will not Inspire Public Confidence](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/toxic-competition-in-civil-society-will-not-inspire-public-confidence/): 31 August 2021. Written for this site. Columns; topics: Civil society. Comfort, in these trying times, is in short supply. Only the most lucky and immensely privileged will find themselves unaffected, perhaps even benefited, from the incidents of this year and last. - [Great movements trump great men](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/great-movements-trump-great-men/): 15 June 2021. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/578975). Columns; topics: Civil society, Politics. When we think about heroes we see personalities, not organisations. The titans, the legends, the tigers, lions, eagles, and whatnot. - [Gig workers need fair deal in our ‘convenience’ economy](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/gig-workers-need-fair-deal-in-our-convenience-economy/): 2 March 2021. First published in Malaysiakini (https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/564884). Columns; topics: Economy, Labour. In a simpler age, there was only one number to remember for food deliveries. Helpfully, there was a jingle that was repeated often on the few radio stations that operated back then. - [Where are the second-liners?](https://lutfihakimariff.com/lutfi/words/where-are-the-second-liners/): 4 July 2018. First published in Malay Mail (https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2018/07/04/where-are-the-second-liners-lutfi-hakim/1648664). Articles; topics: Politics. We are in the fortunate position of having many qualified and experienced people in positions of power today. ## Sitemap - [Sitemap](https://lutfihakimariff.com/wp-sitemap.xml)