MALAYSIA STUDIES PROGRAMME
About the Webinar
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim launched his Madani Economy Framework in July 2023. Themed “empowering the people”, the Madani framework aspires to make Malaysia a leading Asian economy and to improve the country’s global standing in economic size, competitiveness, human development, and corruption perception. Under the Madani banner, Anwar’s Unity government also seeks to generate new investment and good jobs, distribute economic benefits fairly, reduce government deficits, and promote green growth.
This webinar reviews the Madani Economy at the one-year mark. Our speakers will evaluate the state of workers and households amid new opportunities and uncertainties, and the track record of sustainable development. We will also examine the prospects for energy transition and industrial transformation, and whether SMEs are truly being empowered to drive the economy forward.
About the Speakers
Charles Santiago is the current Chairperson of the National Water Services Commission Malaysia and Co-chair of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights. He served as Member of Parliament for the Klang constituency in Selangor from March 2008 to November 2022.
Datuk William Ng is National President of the Small and Medium Enterprises Association. He has been a champion of SMEs for over 20 years in various roles as publisher, editor, committee chair, council member and a voice for the SMEs when there were none.
Registration
This webinar will be delivered online entirely. To join us, please register here to receive your unique link.
Please note that each registration is good for only one login at any one time during the event.
MALAYSIA STUDIES PROGRAMME & CLIMATE CHANGE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA PROGRAMME
About the Hybrid Seminar
Malaysia is seeking to escape the upper middle-income trap. The challenge of undertaking structural reforms that address economic development concerns and are aligned with climate action is considerable. Last year, the Anwar Ibrahim administration unveiled the Madani Economy framework, the National Energy Transition Roadmap, the Mid-Term Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, and the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap – all in quick succession. These new strategies aim to tap green growth opportunities to achieve rapid greenhouse gas emissions reduction while delivering tangible economic benefits to the rakyat. In addition, the government must seek the financial resources needed for the forthcoming National Adaptation Plan that seeks to strengthen Malaysia’s climate resilience in various sectors including health, agriculture and food security, forestry, biodiversity, water security, infrastructure and cities.
In this seminar, Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, H.E. Nik Nazmi Bin Nik Ahmad, will unpack these plans and set out Malaysia’s priorities and strategies that will be critical in meeting its climate ambition.
About the Speaker
H.E. Nik Nazmi Bin Nik Ahmad is the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and Member of Parliament for Setiawangsa. He is also the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President. Nik Nazmi has served on several Parliamentary Special Select Committees, including Budget, Defence and Home Affairs (as Chair), before being appointed NRES Minister in 2022. He has authored several books including Malaysian Son: A Progressive’s Political Journey in the Heart of Southeast Asia.
Attending the Event In-person at ISEAS
To join the event in-person at ISEAS, please register via the ISEAS mobile app, available on iOS and Android via the Apple or Play store. Search “ISEAS” to find or scan this QR code.
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Seating capacity is limited. Do register early to avoid disappointment.
Attending the Event Virtually via Webinar
To join the event virtually at the specified date and time using your internet devices, please register here to receive your unique login link for the webinar via the zoom platform.
If you have questions for the speaker, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.
MALAYSIA STUDIES PROGRAMME WEBINAR
About the Webinar
Outsiders have always characterised Malaysia’s People Justice Party (PKR) to be a party mired with infighting, defections, and as the “weakest link” in its coalitions. However, party insiders would describe their tireless contributions to the party as true sacrifice and attribute their success today—a governing party with its president Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister, after 23 years—to its perseverance, openness, and courage.
Every party will have its core identity, that is shaped less by its constitution and proclaimed idealism, but its collective actions and responses during crises. PKR has been ridden with crises from the start, perhaps more than any other mainstream party. For PKR, its most lasting identity has revolved around its big-tent approach, ideological synthesis to find a middle ground, and its loose organisation led by personality at the top and self-organisation at the grassroots.
Based on archival research and informant interviews, this webinar will analyse the evolution of the party over four periods: formation (1999-2004); golden era (2005-2013); consolidation and pursuit of power (2014-2018); and victory within constraints (2019-2022).
About the Speaker
Mr James Chai is a former Visiting Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. His work as a fellow and columnist has appeared in The Guardian, Bloomberg, TIME, Washington Post, Channel News Asia, The Straits Times and others. He is also the author of the bestselling book “Sang Kancil: A Tale About How Ordinary Malaysians Defied the Odds” by Penguin Random House SEA.
Registration
This webinar will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinar at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.
Please register here to receive your unique link for joining the webinar.
If you have questions for the speaker, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.