About PRAXIS
PRAXIS is ISIS Malaysia’s flagship public policy conference, designed to bridge ideas and to translate theory into practice. Since 2011, PRAXIS has convened policymakers, private sector, civil society and academia to engage in topics of national interests.
Our theme this year, Policies for a better tomorrow, encapsulates the precarious position Malaysia finds itself in today: rapid technological advancement, shifting global trade dynamics, a climate crisis and increasing demand for care amid an aging population, which necessitate forward-looking public policy solutions. PRAXIS 2024 aims to take stock of existing challenges, highlight solutions and chart a course forward.
PRAXIS is unique – distinguishing itself by embedding and integrating a research process to deliver impact. From pre-conference roundtables to solution-oriented panels at the conference, we ensure that every session is informed by research and stakeholder input. Through the publication of policy briefs, we provide insights and recommendations that continue to influence policy and practice long after PRAXIS, fostering ongoing dialogue and implementation of innovative solutions.
PRAXIS offers two types of sessions:
- Research: multistakeholder roundtables in the lead up to the conference help to identify key issues, which are then addressed in a solution-oriented panels at the conference. After the conference, a policy brief is produced, which is delivered to the desks of policymakers and relevant stakeholders.
- Spotlight: focusing on emerging issues and evolving policy areas, igniting public engagement and setting the stage for future discussions.
Join us and be a part of the policymaking process.
Speakers
Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah
Chairman, Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) MalaysiaDatuk Prof Faiz leads the institute’s policy development and Track-Two diplomacy, including through the ASEAN Institutes of Strategic and International Studies (ASEAN-ISIS) and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC). He is also the Malaysian representative to the ASEAN Regional Forum Experts and Eminent Persons (ARF EEP) meeting and Co-Chair of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP). His diverse career spans media, law enforcement, education, corporate law and public interest litigation, as well as strategic and international affairs advisory to federal and state governments. He is the founding dean of Selangor Business School (UNISEL) and the author of books on jurisprudence, public policy and strategic management.
YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz
Minister of Investment, Trade and IndustryTengku Zafrul Aziz is responsible for growing the country’s manufacturing industry and trade, as well as attracting investments. Since his appointment in December 2022, he has consistently pledged to make Malaysia more pro-business, pro-investment and pro-trade. He served as Malaysia's finance minister between March 2020 and October 2022 where he led the curation and implementation of eight stimulus and aid packages in response to Covid-19. Prior to his ministerial appointments, Tengku Zafrul was in the banking and financial sector for more than 22 years, specialising in investment banking, sustainable finance, change management and regional policy execution. Just before joining the government, he was the Group CEO and executive director of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd.
YB Tuan Steven Sim Chee Keong
Minister of Human ResourcesYB Sim is the Bukit Mertajam MP and was appointed to his current post in December 2023. He is a former deputy finance minister and deputy youth and sports minister. Prior to his election as member of parliament, Sim served as councillor in Majlis Bandaraya Seberang Perai, one of the largest municipal councils in the country. He also sits on the governing board of the Penang Institute, a leading public policy think-tank. He is the author of four books: The Audacity to Think: An Invitation to Rethink Politics; Being Malaysia; an anthology of Malay poems, Dalam Salju Ada Bunga (2018); and a contemporary sociopolitical critique of the Malay classic Hikayat Hang Tuah, Hang Tuah: Adiwira Bangsa. In 201, he was named a Young Global Leader of the Geneva-based World Economic Forum.
Arividya Arimuthu
Senior Fellow, Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) MalaysiaArividya specialises in WTO and EU laws and has more than 20 years’ experience in trade negotiations. She is a former senior director for strategic negotiations at MITI and chief negotiator for numerous high-stakes free trade agreement negotiations, including the CPTPP, for which she led the ratification and implementation for Malaysia.
Dr Lili Yan Ing
Lead Adviser, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)Dr Ing is Secretary-General of the International Economic Association (IEA). She is a former lead adviser to the Indonesian trade minister and senior adviser on trade and investment at the President’s Office. During her tenure, Indonesia concluded the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Indonesia-Australia CEPA, Indonesia-Korea CEPA and reactivated the Indonesia-EU CEPA. Among the books she co-edited are G20 Indonesia: New Normal, New Technologies, New Financing, Robots and AI: A New Economic Era, The Indonesian Economy and Regional Integration and Non-Tariff Measures in ASEAN.
Aedreena Reeza Alwi
Director and Head of NIMP Delivery, Management Unit, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI)Aedreena has more than 20 years’ experience in industrial policy development, bilateral, regional and multilateral trade negotiations as well as economic cooperation. In her present post, she oversees policy work for resource-based sectors, including iron and steel, oil and gas, chemical and petrochemicals, commodities, minerals, and pharmaceutical and medical devices. As head of the New Industrial Master Plan Delivery Management Unit (DMU), she monitors and tracks the NIMP implementation. She headed the team responsible for developing the NIMP 2030.
Jan Noether
Executive Director, Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC)Noether worked for the German-based MNC Deutsche Bank in corporate banking and corporate finance in Stuttgart, Berlin, Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City for 16 years before taking over a project to restructure a sizeable American furniture production in Vietnam. In 2006, he joined the global network of German Chambers Abroad and oversaw activities in Vietnam, China, Türkiye and Egypt. He assumed the present post in May. He is also the global spokesperson for the German Chambers Abroad (AHK) network, which spans more than 90 countries.
Prof Dr VGR Chandran Govindaraju
Professor of Industrial Development, Universiti MalayaProf Chandran is a former principal analyst at the Malaysian Industry – Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), Prime Minister’s Department. His research interests are mainly in innovation, technology development, trade and globalisation that relate to industrial development. His field research covers sectors, such as electrical and electronics, automotive, food, chemical, oil palm, machinery, iron and steel, ICT and renewable energy. In recent years, his research interest has expanded into investigating newly emerging enterprises and non-tariff measures, mainly regulatory and procedural requirements that serve as a barrier for firms to integrate into the global value chain.
Alyssa Farha Jasmin
Economist, World Bank MalaysiaAlyssa is part of the World Bank’s Social Protection and Jobs Global Practice, where she works on areas, such as informal employment, skills and labour market implications of ageing in Malaysia. She is a former research associate at the Khazanah Research Institute.
Dr Jasmine Begum
Regional Director, Corporate, External & Legal Affairs, Microsoft ASEANDr Jasmine’s role includes addressing issues at the intersection of technology, policy and society in the Global South. She has more than 30 years’ expertise in legal, policy, regulatory, geostrategy and communications. Prior to Microsoft, Jasmine held leadership positions at Dell, UNDP and United Nations Executive Office of the Secretary-General in New York. She was the first Malaysian appointed to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) by the UN secretary-general in December 2021.
Mohd Khairi Man
Deputy Secretary-General, Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC)Mohd Khairi has been a unionist for 25 years and is an innovation technician at Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia. He has 33 years’ experience in the manufacturing sector and has been involved in union committees at the factory level up to the national level. He was involved in policymaking for the International Labour Organisation convention in Bali and has been sitting on the PERKESO panel as a workers’ representative since 2017.
Thomas Mathew
Group CEO, TalentCorp Group of CompaniesThomas has more than 30 years’ experience in corporate management, business strategy and risk management. He began his career as a banker at several local commercial banks, from where he joined Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Bhd. He later joined MBf Holdings, initially as COO before being appointed president. He has also worked in Sri Lanka as group finance director at Ben Holdings.
Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Assistant Professor, School of Media, Languages and Cultures, University of Nottingham MalaysiaGayathry has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist, editor, media activist, researcher and media educator, working in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. She is the former executive director of the Bangkok-based Southeast Asian Press Alliance. Prior to that, she headed the Malaysian Centre for Independent Journalism. Her area of expertise and research includes freedom of expression, media freedom and right to information, media in Southeast Asia, media and politics, media reforms, digital rights, journalism as a profession, organising and mobilising for media rights and civic space.
Mediha Mahmood
CEO, Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (CMCF)Mediha is a legal and regulatory professional with more than 20 years’ experience in top legal firms and public-listed companies. She joined CMCF in February 2021 as executive director. Since taking up the leadership role, she has spearheaded its rebranding and led the revamp of the content code, drafted with the involvement of industry players, policymakers and the public. She recently led efforts with international online-curated content (OCC) service providers to publish the OCC Guidelines, designed as a supportive tool for all OCC service providers in Malaysia.
YM Raja Dato’ Dr Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan
Lead Adviser, MyPOWER CorporationRaja Dato’ Dr Abdul Aziz has more than 30 years’ experience in the nuclear industry and his expertise includes nuclear security, safety, radioactive waste management and non-proliferation. As a former board member and director-general of the Atomic Energy Licensing Board, he ensured safe nuclear operations in Malaysia. He has held significant roles at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, including director for nuclear security and special assistant to the director-general. He has frequently advised the Malaysian government on nuclear issues.
Dr Afiza Idris
Director, Energy Division, Ministry of EconomyDr Afiza’s portfolios include leading formulation of national policies on energy, including the oil and gas sector, devising strategies and initiatives in the five-year Malaysia Plan for sustainable development of the energy sector, and promoting development of the national O&G industry. She is the former deputy director of the environment and natural resources economic division, Economic Planning Unit, where she assisted in formulation of policies and strategies, and allocation of development expenditure for the environment sector and coordinated the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ikmal Hisham Maharon
Assistant Director, Sectoral Planning Division, Economic Planning Unit SarawakIkmal is a chemical engineer with more than 25 years’ experience in industry, strategy, regulatory management and policymaking. In his current role, he oversees energy, energy transition, new economy, the oil and gas industry and related areas. His focus now is to accelerate Sarawak’s energy transition in line with Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, increase the state’s GDP, create new high-paying employment and safeguard environmental sustainability in the energy sector.
Datin Ir Ts Nor Ziha Zainol Abidin
Head Corporate Ventures & Development, Strategy & Venture Division, Tenaga Nasional BhdDatin Nor Ziha is a corporate development professional with a passion for driving growth and innovation. She is focused on expanding TNB’s business portfolio and enhancing its technological capabilities. Her responsibilities include identifying and pursuing strategic partnerships and collaborations leading to new markets and value-creation opportunities. She is also actively promoting a culture of innovation within TNB, encouraging the exploration of cutting-edge technologies and business models that will position the company for sustainable growth in the evolving energy landscape.
Dato’ Sri Darwis Abdul Razak
Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL)Dato’ Sri Darwis has been overseeing the development of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project since 2016. He has more than 25 years’ experience in infrastructure project management, finance and banking. Prior to the current role, Darwis was CFO for an infrastructure project with a budget of RM5 billion.
Dr Khairul Naim Adham
Deputy Undersecretary, Biodiversity Management Section, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental SustainabilityDr Khairul assumed the current post in 2018. He also took on the position of national project director for the GEF-funded ‘Global wildlife programme Malaysia: building institutional and local capacities to reduce wildlife crime and enhance protection of iconic wildlife’ in 2023. He has more than 20 years’ experience as an administrative and diplomatic officer, having served the Ministry of Housing and Local Government; Ministry of Internal Security; Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources; Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources; and Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Climate Change. He is a professional technologist in the field of green technology.
Dr Mark Rayan Darmaraj
Country Director, Wildlife Conservation Society Malaysia ProgrammeDr Mark joined WCS in January 2021 and has more than 20 years’ experience in wildlife conservation. He was the first and thus far, the only Malaysian with a PhD on tiger ecology and is a member of the IUCN’s SSC – Cat Specialist Group for Malaysia. He has published articles and journals on different species from large mammals to small carnivores and has garnered media attention as part of advocacy efforts to prioritise Malaysian wildlife conservation.
Zara Phang
Sustainable Economy Lead, WWF-MalaysiaZara has been with WWF-Malaysia for 10 years, providing content, research, analyses and insights into relevant issues to effectively communicate and support advocacy work on sustainable economy. Her current focus is on mainstreaming the economic value of the natural environment and the concept of Beyond GDP. She was the lead author on the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) regional assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services for Asia-Pacific. She was a freelance consultant on environmental policy and sustainable consumption and production projects in Malaysia with ISIS Malaysia and Economic Planning Unit.
Assoc Prof Angelique Chan
Executive Director, Centre for Ageing Research & Education, Duke-NUS Medical School National University of SingaporeAssoc Prof Chan’s portfolio in ageing research contains projects that are multidisciplinary and focused on the following themes: social determinants of health, caregiving, long-term care, dementia and evaluation of programmes providing health and community social services to the older adult community. She has led several major projects on ageing in Singapore, including large-scale longitudinal national surveys, which have led to recommendations in policy research and public policymaking. Her work spans more than 150 publications and she has co-edited three books related to low fertility (internationally) and population ageing in Singapore. She is currently chair of the International Alliance of Research Universities Ageing, Longevity and Health Hub.
Dr Khoo Chow Huat
Managing Director, Hospital & Healthcare Operations, Sunway Healthcare GroupDr Khoo has 28 years of strategic, operational and investment management experience, including 19 years in healthcare across Singapore, Malaysia and China. He oversees the development and coordination of hospitals and healthcare facilities, ensuring integrated health services. Prior to his current role, he was CEO, Healthcare at Perennial Holdings, managing the group’s hospitals and eldercare services, and before that, general manager of Raffles Hospital Chongqing in China. He was previously deputy managing director of Sunway Group Healthcare Services and CEO of Sunway Medical Centre.
Dr Matthew Dornan
Senior Economist, World BankDornan’s work focuses on migration and labour mobility. He has both researched and supported projects that facilitate the movement of temporary migrant workers from Papua New Guinea and Pacific Island countries to Australia and New Zealand. He was previously an academic researcher at the Australian National University and had worked for the Australian aid programme.
Dr Sheleaswani Inche Zainal Abidin
Public Health Medicine Specialist, Ministry of HealthDr Sheleaswani was appointed as a specialist in the elderly health section in 2014. Her area of expertise is in family health. She is actively involved in policy planning and development, monitoring and analyses of healthcare programmes for older people, especially in primary health care service delivery. She is the author of several papers related to primary health care delivery and service assessment and performance for the older people.
Dr Azmizam Abd Rashid
Deputy CEO, Urbanice MalaysiaDr Azmizam is the project coordinator for the EPU’s SDG cities’ road map and voluntary local review (VLR) reports for eight local authorities. His career at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government encompassed roles as director of knowledge management of Urbanice Malaysia, principal assistant director research and development PLANMalaysia and planning officer.
Chai Sen Tyng
Senior Research Officer, Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing, Universiti Putra MalaysiaChai joined the Institute of Gerontology in 2003. A mid-career researcher in social gerontology, he was part of a number of internationally and locally funded research projects or consultancies at the institute, with regular publications in journals, books and print media on ageing. He is a life member of the Gerontological Association of Malaysia (GEM) and is active in studies related to population and household dynamics, aged care and social protection for older people.
Daniel Lim
Director of Urban Solutions, Think CityLim leads the placemaking practice in Think City. He has spent more than a decade pioneering projects to activate spaces through placemaking in Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur and India. Aside from placemaking, he advocates for social inclusion and community participation in culture-based urban-regeneration efforts. He oversees the Urban Solutions team that drives innovative, experimental solutions to complex urban challenges through multi-disciplinary, people-oriented and occasionally unconventional approaches. As an associate member of Malaysia Institute of Planners, he is also the founding committee member of Placemaking Malaysia.
Assoc Prof Dr Sumarni Ismail
Department of Design and Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)Dr Sumarni is the founder of the Architecture programme for Part 1 and Part II at the Faculty of Design and Architecture, UPM. She specialises in History of Islamic Architecture, History of Southeast Asia and Advance Studio. She has supervised postgraduate students in not only architecture but also socio-culture, arts, urban, sustainable design and Industrialised Building System (IBS). She worked as an architect and was responsible for the development of a new township at Jalan Meru, Klang. She has a wide range of experience ranging from designing to project management of high-rise and commercial buildings, housing and institutional building projects. She is a member of Concrete Society of Malaysia.
Ahmad Afandi
Fellow, Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) MalaysiaAfandi’s interest lies in sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and natural resources management. He has worked as an environmental consultant where he led several projects on strategic planning, policy preparation, land use planning and technical studies. He also served as an environmental and sustainability lead for the Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance.
Calvin Cheng
Fellow, Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) MalaysiaCheng is a fellow in the Economics, Trade and Regional Integration programme. His research interests span issues in applied economics, centring on jobs, social protection, economic development and the design of social transfer programmes.
Dhana Raj Markandu
Senior Analyst, Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) MalaysiaDhana’s research focuses on energy and decarbonisation. He has more than 20 years of technical and management experience in the electricity sector with a diverse mix of technologies, including fossil fuels, renewables and nuclear. During a recent sabbatical, he freelanced as a management trainer, STEM educator and independent energy analyst. Dhana is a professional engineer with BEM, HRDC-certified trainer and TEDx speaker.
Harris Zainul
Deputy Director (Research), Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) MalaysiaHarris directs the institute’s research to advance Malaysia’s strategic interests. He works on the interplay between technology, human rights and democracy, with a focus on policy responses to mis- and disinformation and social media platform governance.
Lee Min Hui
Senior Analyst, Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) MalaysiaLee is a senior analyst in the Social Policy and National Integration programme. Her research interests centre around issues of social inclusivity, primarily gender equality, welfare, care economy, ageing, labour protections, urban poverty and planning.
Jaideep Singh
Analyst, Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) MalaysiaJaideep’s research interests lie in industrial and trade policy. His public policy experience runs the gamut from national planning in Zanzibar, Tanzania, as an Overseas Development Institute (ODI) fellow to assisting in the formulation of Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030, as a special officer to the deputy investment, trade and industry (MITI) minister.
Qarrem Kassim
Analyst, Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) MalaysiaQarrem’s primary research interests include international trade, political and institutional economics, wages & productivity growth and the development of local MSMEs. His recent work focused on government strategic plans for MSME development, formalisation of informal entrepreneurs and various sector-specific government development plans. He was a former consultant specialising in public sector economic advisory.
Tuesday, 13 August 2024
Wednesday, 14 August 2024
Partners
Event venue
Date: 13 & 14 August 2024
Time: 0815 – 1700
Location: Renaissance Kuala Lumpur
For queries, please contact us at praxis@isis.org.my