Kevin Zhang

Mr Kevin Zhang is an Associate Senior Research Officer with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. He has conducted fieldwork in Malaysia and Thailand to gather ground insights, through interviews with politicians and residents. He was the lead author for a monograph on Malaysia’s Democratic Action Party and collected data through interviews and archival Chinese newspapers. His other research examines the structural limitations in Southeast Asia’s railway projects and proposes solutions for rail networks to deliver greater economic and social benefits. Mr Zhang graduated from NUS and LSE.

Current Research

• Selangor State Election, Progressive Wage Model in Malaysia
• Reforming public transport agencies and rail transport

Selected Publications

• Lee, Hwok Aun and Kevin Zhang (2023) “Decent Work, Wage Growth as National Objective.” In Where Do We Go Work-Wise? Malaysia’s Labour Landscape, edited by Alizan Mahadi and Lee Min Hui, 1–21. Petaling Jaya: Talentcorp
• Kevin Zhang and James Chin (2023) “Negeri Sembilan Emerges as PH-BN’s Steadiest Stronghold” ISEAS Perspective 2023 No. 90. Singapore: ISEAS.
• Kevin Zhang and Tham Siew Yean (2022) “Who gains from the minimum wage hike in Malaysia?” East Asia Forum
• Kevin Zhang, John Choo and Fong Sok Eng (2021) “The Democratic Action Party in Johor: Assailing the Barisan Nasional Fortress” Trends in Southeast Asia 2021 No. 17.
• Kevin Zhang and Francis Hutchinson (2022) “The Johor Vote – The Impact of Ethnicity, Turnout and Age on Voter Preferences” ISEAS Perspective 2022 No. 114. Singapore: ISEAS.
• Tham Siew Yean and Kevin Zhang (2021) “Assessing Challenges Facing the ECRL’s Economic Accelerator Projects (EAPs)” ISEAS Perspective 2021 No. 90. Singapore: ISEAS.
• Francis Hutchinson and Kevin Zhang (2020) “The Gemas-Johor Bahru Railway Electrified Double-Tracking Project: Steady Progress towards Completion” ISEAS Perspective 2020 No. 72.