EConversations

In this episode of Econversation, we speak with Professor Dr Geoffrey Alan Williams, economist, policy analyst and sustainability specialist, to explore one of Malaysia’s biggest challenges: how to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability and the rising cost of living.

Drawing on his extensive experience in economics, public policy, ESG and sustainable development, Professor Williams shares his perspective on Malaysia’s sustainability journey, from his work on the Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Blueprint to the role of ESG in business and the challenges of Malaysia’s energy transition.

We discuss subsidy rationalisation, household affordability, green growth, corporate greenwashing, ESG, and whether Malaysia’s 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) can turn ambitious sustainability goals into meaningful outcomes.

We also explore the future of Malaysia’s economy and what young Malaysians and universities need to do to prepare for a changing world of work.

Topics discussed:• Malaysia’s economic growth and household welfare• Sustainable Consumption and Production• Subsidy reform and the cost of living• Malaysia’s energy transition• ESG and greenwashing• RMK13 and sustainable development• Universities and the future economy• Opportunities for young Malaysians

In this episode of EConversation, we got to experience first-hand, a trial look into the groundbreaking Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) programme at Taylor’s University, the first of its kind in Malaysia.

Designed by Professor Dr. Ong Kian Ming, former Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and a seasoned economist and policymaker, the programme equips students with a multidisciplinary toolkit to navigate the complexities of modern societies.

Join team AMEU to understand how the framework of PPE equips us with a unique interdisciplinary lens to solve real-life problems! Alongside Dr. Ong, we will have a dialogue on how PPE integrates social sciences, analytical thinking, and real-world applications as potential preparations for students entering high-impact roles in multinational corporations, policymaking and beyond.

With lamentable starting pay and gaping skills mismatch issues, Malaysia still has some ways to go in fostering a robust, inclusive labour market ecosystem. Host Yi Rong asks Wan Amirah and Shazrul Ariff Suhaimi from Khazanah Research Institute what insights their recent report on graduate employment outcomes have to offer in guiding future policy.

To read the full report, follow the link below:https://www.krinstitute.org/Publications-@-Shifting_Tides-;_Charting_Career_Progression_of_Malaysia%E2%80%99s_Skilled_Talents.aspx

How can digitalising healthcare sidestep hurdles such as inclusivity amid the digital divide, cybersecurity and cost? Join our host Yi Rong as she speaks to Dr. Rachel Gong, Deputy Director of Research and Ilyana Mukhriz, Research Associate, of the Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) on Malaysia's progress towards an electronic healthcare records system and pitfalls to avoid in its creation.

Read more on Dr. Gong and Ilyana's research regarding healthcare digitalisation here:

https://www.krinstitute.org/assets/contentMS/img/template/editor/20231201%20Principles%20for%20EHR%20in%20Malaysia.pdf

https://www.krinstitute.org/assets/contentMS/img/template/editor/231226%20Digital%20systems%20in%20Malaysian%20Hospitals.pdf

Today's episode is called Brain Drain ! Have you heard of this term before? join our host Umar as he dives deeper into this topic with our guest Mr Thalhah, who is an economic advisor for the UK Government, currently a member of the science, innovation and technology department.

As Malaysia is facing the current rise in cost of living, we discussed the current approaches that the government is taking to address the issue. Ms. Shakira Teh also shared with us about a report that she has contributed to on cost of living challenges.

Shakira Teh Sharifuddin is a Senior Economist with the Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice at the World Bank Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Finance Hub in Kuala Lumpur. She leads the publication for one of the Bank’s flagship reports, the bi-annual Malaysian Economic Monitor and participates in the Bank’s advisory and analytical engagements with the government. Shakira obtained her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University, New York and is currently a part-time PhD student at the Institute of Education at the University College London (UCL).

In this episode, we discussed the challenges faced by the youth to get employed and the consequences of youth unemployment. Additionally, we talked about approaches to continue supporting women in the battle of gender inequality in the workplace.

Ms. Shakira Teh Sharifuddin

Shakira Teh Sharifuddin is a Senior Economist with the Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice at the World Bank Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Finance Hub in Kuala Lumpur. She leads the publication for one of the Bank’s flagship reports, the bi-annual Malaysian Economic Monitor and participates in the Bank’s advisory and analytical engagements with the government. Shakira obtained her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University, New York and is currently a part-time PhD student at the Institute of Education at the University College London (UCL).

Sustainable Development Goals have been a hot topic these days, especially when we begin to reopen our economies and look towards Malaysia’s long term development plans. The SDGs remind us that it is not just economic development that’s crucial, but environmental and social aspects too. In this episode of EConversation, we speak to Mr Danesh Prakash Chacko from Jeffrey Sachs Centre about SDGs progress in Malaysia, and his initiative on helping track our development.

Team: Wong Yit Xiang, Brien Foo, Au Jun Wei, Dinessh Kumar Thanasegeren

Blockchain, Bitcoin, NFTs, what do all these mean? The world has seen a growing trend and hype for the use of digital assets, and Malaysia has also hopped on the same bandwagon. The everyday consumer is now considering investment decisions that they otherwise would not have, hoping to earn a profit by the side. With all these unknown variables, we seek to debunk some myths and explore some concepts of digital assets with our country's money expert - Bank Negara. Today, we speak to Mr Yip Kah Kit and Ms Norasyikin about it.

Host: Yaann Tan 

Team: Wong Yit Xiang, Quek Chia Seng, Lim Ee Vi, Audrey Tan, Alya Shahrina

Links mentioned in the podcast:

BNM Box Article: https://www.bnm.gov.my/documents/20124/6458991/ar2021_en_box1.pdf

Project Dunbar Report: https://www.bis.org/publ/othp47.pdf

With the Undi18 and the emergence of Mudah, the Malaysian Political environment perceived growing influence and participation from the youth.  However, this increasing engagement arrives at this time of unstable political landscape, namingly, the pandemic, and the Sheraton Move that brought 2 prime minister’s resignation.  How can us, the Generation Z, whether as voters, or as activists, continue to immerse in political debate, amidst the spiralling confusion and distrust?  We spoke to one of the founders of Malaysian think tank IDEAS (Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs), as well as one of our Internal Advisory Council Members, Tunku Zain, for insightful advice.

Host: Sarah Binti Azri Wong

Team: Yvonne Tan Yu Yan, Joel Cheung Yi Lin, Connor Neo Xue Ern, Sarah Binti Azri Wong, Khoo Weng Lum, Lim Ee Vi