Sustainability

ECONOMICS, REFSA BRIEF, RESEARCH PAPER

RCEP: one small step, not a giant leap, for trade and growth in Malaysia

REFSA researcher Jaideep Singh unpacks the agreement to show that RCEP is a small step forward that mostly consolidates regional rules rather than a giant leap for trade and growth. Read the full report to find out more.

February 10, 2022

COMMENTARY

RCEP falls short of being transformational

Rather than a game changer, it would be more useful to think of RCEP as the first step in the path towards more transparent and integrated trade in Asia-Pacific.

February 8, 2022

EVENT, PODCAST

The South China Sea: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Collaboration

The South China Sea is one of Malaysia’s most strategic but vulnerable maritime domains, with long-standing territorial disputes and rising tensions. In an ISIS webinar, REFSA Research Director Ivy Kwek address the socio-economic challenges and impact facing SCS today.

July 7, 2021

infographics, QUICK FACTS

Pemerkasa + – A Drop in the Ocean?

PEMERKASA Plus stimulus package is like extending a rope that is too short to reach the drowning victim. Here's our infographics to provide a summary, breakdown and review of the proposed initiatives and the overall package.

June 7, 2021

ECONOMICS, REFSA BRIEF, The Great Reset

The impact of COVID-19 on the Youth in Malaysia – a survey report

Based on a survey carried out at the height of the COVID-19 crisis in May 2020, this report highlights the impact of COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdowns on Malaysian youth. It is found that the youth are more vulnerable, with different age groups of youth experiencing different difficulties. Read the full report to find out more.

January 4, 2021

infographics, QUICK FACTS

Build Back Better Explained

As Malaysia ponders upon Budget 2021, we should think about “build back better” as the ultimate objective for the nation. Here's the "What, Why and How" explainer of this term.

November 8, 2020

ECONOMICS, REFSA BRIEF, The Great Reset

Budget 2021: Ushering in the New Economic Paradigm

Budget 2021 will need to incorporate measures to ensure the survival of the economy in the short term, while balancing this with the creation of good jobs and a stronger social safety net, to lay the foundations for a dynamic economy in the future.

October 20, 2020

COMMENTARY, COVID-19, ECONOMICS

For Low-Income Malaysia, a lifeline amidst a crisis?

The COVID-19 crisis firmly brought into mainstream thought the benefits of robust systems of social protection.

June 8, 2020

COMMENTARY

Malaysia’s Rationale and Response to South China Sea Tensions

Malaysia’s low key attitude towards recent incidents and recommendations on how to balance between defending Malaysia’s national interests vs diffusing tensions..

May 30, 2020

ECONOMICS

Uncovering the Plight of Lower-Income Malaysia

Contrasting living wage requirements against median household income and wages, this paper issues a strong argument for the need for the provision of a stronger system of social protection and government’s role in putting forward policies that stimulate job and wage growth in forward-looking sectors.

May 30, 2020