IDEAS Malaysia
208 subscribers
51 photos
28 files
73 links
IDEAS is policy research organisation dedicated to finding solutions to public policy challenges
Download Telegram
to view and join the conversation
The livestream will be available at https://www.facebook.com/IDEASMalaysia/live/
For media enquiry, please contact Ewanina Effandie at ewanina@ideas.org.my 
Media Statement
For Immediate Release 
IDEAS extremely concerned by potential suspension of Parliament
 
For immediate release
• Suspending Parliament and imposing a state of emergency will hamper business sentiment and worsen economic conditions. 
• This would also greatly reduce government accountability, and put to question Budget 2021’s legitimacy.
• Alternative measures can be taken to address concerns over COVID-19. 
• Malaysia’s system of parliamentary democracy and the rule of law must be respected and upheld.
 
Kuala Lumpur, 24 October 2020: The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) is troubled by several reports that a state of emergency is expected to be announced within the next few days. A state of emergency of the kind we have seen before is of great concern at this time for several reasons. 

First, it will hamper business sentiment, further worsening the already negative economic outlook following events of the year. The Malaysian economy has contracted for the first time since the Global Financial Crisis as a result of COVID-19, affecting businesses and the B40 most critically. A national emergency will only further exacerbate the hardship faced by small business owners, increase unemployment and threaten economic growth.

Second, a suspension of Parliament reduces accountability in government decision-making, diverts enormous powers to the Executive and further undermines the government’s legitimacy. In times of crisis, Malaysians need to be reassured that the institutions empowered by the Constitution and the representatives that Malaysians elect work in their best interests. A usurpation of this trust between citizens and government will have dire consequences on Malaysian democracy as a whole.

Third, the upcoming Budget 2021 expected to be tabled and passed will not go through parliamentary scrutiny if parliament is suspended. The annual Budget is a significant document that determines public expenditure for the following financial year and elected representatives must be given the opportunity to view, debate and pass it into being on the grounds of transparency, rule of law, and accountability.

It is true that the public health crisis has worsened as new COVID-19 infections continue to rise every day and our healthcare facilities continue to be stretched. However, even a crisis such as this does not warrant a suspension of democratic institutions. Malaysia already has the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) for situations such as this.

Furthermore, if businesses are allowed to operate as usual and no curfews will be imposed, the speculated reason for the Emergency is that it is being imposed for political reasons, which erodes public trust in the government of the day. Absolute power vested in the Executive is a slippery slope that can lead to further suspension of civil liberties and good governance practices.

Instead of an Emergency, efforts and resources can be better diverted to managing the public health crisis. Federal-state government coordination should improve, inter-agency and inter-Ministry cooperation should be enhanced, more resources should be dedicated to public health, and data should be used to identify high-risk areas.

Commenting on these developments, IDEAS CEO Tricia Yeoh says, “It is important now more than ever that parliamentary democracy and the rule of law are upheld, to ensure that the necessary checks and balances remain. It is hoped that our country’s leaders will respect our system of parliamentary democracy and seek an alternative solution instead of invoking Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, which could lead to unnecessary panic.”
 
-END-
 
For media enquiries- E: tricia@ideas.org.my
Kenyataan Media
Untuk Sebaran Segera
 
IDEAS menyuarakan kebimbangan atas kemungkinan penggantungan parlimen
• Menggantung Parlimen serta mengenakan perintah darurat akan menggugat sentimen perniagaan dan memburukkan lagi situasi ekonomi.
• Hal ini juga dengan ketara akan menjejaskan kebertanggungjawaban pihak kerajaan, dan menimbulkan persoalan mengenai keabsahan Belanjawan 2021.
• Langkah-langkah alternatif boleh diambil untuk menangani kerisauan mengenai COVID-19.
• Sistem demokrasi berparlimen Malaysia dan kedaulatan undang-undang harus didokong dan dihormati.
 
Kuala Lumpur, 24 Oktober 2020
– Institut Demokrasi dan Hal Ehwal Ekonomi (IDEAS) bimbang dengan beberapa laporan akhbar yang mengatakan perintah darurat dijangka akan diumumkan dalam masa beberapa hari akan datang. Perintah darurat yang pernah disaksikan sebelum ini amat membimbangkan jika dilaksanakan  pada masa ini di atas beberapa sebab berikut.
Pertama, sentimen perniagaan akan tergugat, memburukkan lagi tinjauan ekonomi negatif disebabkan oleh pelbagai perkara yang berlaku tahun ini. Ekonomi Malaysia telah menguncup buat kali pertama semenjak Krisis Kewangan Dunia kerana COVID-19, paling kritikal menjejaskan perniagaan serta golongan B40. Perintah darurat di seluruh negara akan hanya memburukkan lagi kesukaran yang dihadapi oleh para pemilik perniagaan kecil, meningkatkan pengangguran dan mengancam pertumbuhan ekonomi.

Kedua, penggantungan Parlimen akan mengurangkan kebertanggungjawaban kerajaan dalam membuat keputusan, mengalihkan kuasa yang amat besar kepada Eksekutif dan melemahkan lagi keabsahan kerajaan. Ketika krisis, rakyat Malaysia perlu diberi keyakinan bahawa institusi-institusi yang telah diberi kuasa oleh Perlembagaan dan wakil-wakil rakyat yang dipilih berkhidmat untuk kepentingan terbaik rakyat. Pelucutan rasa percaya antara rakyat dan kerajaan ini akan menghasilkan kesan yang dahsyat ke atas demokrasi di Malaysia secara keseluruhannya.

Ketiga, Belanjawan 2021 yang dijangka akan dibentangkan dan diluluskan tidak akan melalui penelitian berparlimen jika Parlimen digantung. Belanjawan tahunan merupakan satu dokumen penting yang menentukan perbelanjaan awam untuk tahun kewangan yang akan datang dan wakil-wakil rakyat harus diberi peluang untuk meneliti, berbahas dan meluluskannya atas dasar ketelusan, kedaulatan undang-undang, dan kebertanggungjawaban.

Memang benar krisis kesihatan awam semakin teruk dikala jangkitan baharu COVID-19 terus meningkat saban hari dan kemudahan penjagaan kesihatan kita terus dipaksa berfungsi ke kapasiti maksimum. Namun, krisis sebegini tidak memerlukan penggantungan institusi demokrasi. Malaysia sudah mempunyai Akta Pencegahan dan Pengawalan Penyakit Berjangkit 1988 (Akta 342) untuk situasi seperti yang sedang kita hadapi ini. 

Tambahan pula, jika perniagaan dibenarkan untuk beroperasi seperti biasa dan tiada perintah berkurung dilaksanakan, alasan pelaksanaan perintah darurat yang menjadi spekulasi ialah kerana isu politik, akan menghakis kepercayaan masyarakat awam terhadap kerajaan yang memerintah hari ini. Kuasa mutlak yang diberikan kepada Eksekutif merupakan satu cerun yang licin, sesuatu yang amat berbahaya yang boleh membawa kepada penggantungn susulan terhadap kebebasan awam dan amalan urus tadbir yang baik.

Sebaliknya, segala usaha dan sumber boleh disalurkan dengan lebih baik ke arah menguruskan krisis kesihatan awam. Koordinasi kerajaan Persekutuan dan negeri harus ditingkatkan, kerjasama antara agensi dan antara kementerian perlu ditambahbaik, lebih banyak sumber dikhususkan kepada kesihatan awam, dan data digunakan untuk mengenalpasti kawasan berisiko tinggi.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif IDEAS, Tricia Yeoh ketika mengulas perkembangan ini berkata, “Pada ketika ini, amat penting untuk kita mendokong demokrasi berparlimen dan kedaulatan undang-undang, supaya dapat memastikan semak dan imbang yang amat diperlukan dapat dikekalkan.
Semoga para pemimpin negara akan menghormati sistem demokrasi berparlimen negara kita dan mencari satu penyelesaian alternatif berbanding menggunapakai Artikel 150 Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang boleh menimbulkan panik dalam kalangan rakyat.”  

- - - -

Bagi sebarang pertanyaan media - E: tricia@ideas.org.my
Regional_Conference_RD_in_Malaysia_and_Asia_Pacific_27_28_Oct_Programme.pdf
8 MB
IDEAS Regional Conference on Rare Diseases in Malaysia & the Asia Pacific, 27th & 28th October 2020


The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) will be hosting a regional conference on rare diseases in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific. IDEAS is a non-profit research institute dedicated to improving understanding and promoting solutions to public policy challenges in Malaysia. Our work is focused on three themes: advancing a competitive economy, ensuring trust in institutions, and promoting an inclusive Malaysia.

We would like to invite you to join the event. The details of the event are as follows:

Date: 27 and 28 October 2020
Time: 9.30 - 11.30 am (MYT/ GMT+8)
Venue: Virtual Conference via Zoom

The purpose of this conference is to facilitate a regional discussion on the management of rare diseases in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific by sharing best practices from across the region. This two-day conference will consist of 100-minute virtual sessions each day, exploring the discussion on innovati
MEDIA STATEMENT

For immediate release

IDEAS urges any dealmaking between Members of Parliament to be done with full transparency and the people’s interests in mind


1.) IDEAS welcomes the decision not to enter a state of Emergency.

2.) IDEAS supports a Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) conditional upon three terms.

3.) Politicians on all sides must reach a fully transparent democratic compromise in the interests of the people.

4.) Any compromise reached between Members of Parliament must be oriented towards policy, and not patronage interests.

5.) The CSA must not involve any compromise on the criminal charges currently faced by some MPs.


Kuala Lumpur, 26 October 2020: The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) lauds the decision of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, after a special meeting with the Malay Rulers, to not grant the Prime Minister’s request to invoke Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, which declares a state of Emergency for Malaysia. His Majesty's decision comes at a time when Malaysia is at a critical juncture of battling against the continued rise of COVID-19 cases and an upcoming Parliamentary sitting where Budget 2021 will be tabled.


Commenting on these developments, IDEAS CEO Tricia Yeoh says, “Malaysia’s democratic institutions must always be upheld, and any attempt to usurp Parliamentary democracy must be avoided. Now that it is certain an Emergency will not be proclaimed, Members of Parliament from both sides of the House must put aside their differences and prioritise the health and wellbeing of all Malaysians. In order for this to happen, a compromise must be struck between both Government and Opposition MPs in order for Budget 2021 to be passed on 6 November next Friday, which will undoubtedly involve some form of dealmaking. Several reputable CSOs and MPs have suggested that a Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) is needed to seal this compromise. IDEAS welcomes a CSA but conditional upon and only if the terms spelt out below are fulfilled. If executed well, the CSA can potentially be a tool for institutional reforms."


First, IDEAS urges that any negotiations towards achieving this compromise must first and foremost be transparent, as the public deserves to know the intentions of their elected representatives. Second, these negotiations must be policy-oriented in nature, and not involve the promise of patronage-oriented distribution of positions or other lucrative arrangements. Third, they must not involve any compromise on the criminal charges currently faced by some MPs.


The current surge in COVID-19 infections means that all MPs and government officials must remain focused on the health and economic recovery of the nation. This warrants political and institutional stability, which requires a setting aside of differences until the situation eases.


However, if a general election becomes necessary at a time of COVID-19 as a last resort, then the Election Commission should prepare accordingly to pursue it as the only democratic solution to the current political impasse. We must learn the lessons from the Sabah State Elections, and the Election Commission should be provided with all necessary resources to prepare for that eventuality. Other countries have shown good examples in which general elections can be carried out safely during a pandemic. A complete ban on physical campaigning may have to be considered, which all political parties would need to comply with equally. This would also significantly reduce the costs of a general election.


Until then, all MPs must ensure transparency and accountability in their cooperation and prioritise the passing of Budget 2021. Malaysia desperately needs all of its resources to be concentrated towards rebuilding the country’s economic and social wellbeing. Yeoh said, "The country is truly at a crossroads and the country's leaders have this one opportunity to choose the right path to do the right thing. We hope that they will demonstrate leadership in a time of crisis, today."



-END-
KENYATAAN MEDIA

Untuk sebaran segera

IDEAS menggesa sebarang persetujuan antara Ahli Parlimen dilakukan dengan penuh ketelusan dan mengambil kira kepentingan rakyat


1.) IDEAS mengalu-alukan keputusan untuk tidak melaksanakan perintah darurat.

2.) IDEAS menyokong Persetujuan Keyakinan dan Pembekalan (Confidence and Supply Agreement, CSA) bersyarat dengan tiga syarat yang harus dipatuhi.

3.) Ahli-ahli Parlimen dari kedua-dua belah pihak harus mencapai kompromi yang telus dan demokratik demi kepentingan rakyat.

4.) Sebarang kompromi yang dicapai antara Ahli-ahli Parlimen harus berorientasikan polisi, bukannya melindungi kepentingan peribadi.

5.) CSA tidak boleh melibatkan sebarang kompromi berkenaan tuduhan jenayah yang sedang dihadapi oleh beberapa orang Ahli Parlimen.


Kuala Lumpur, 26 Oktober 2020: Institut Demokrasi dan Hal Ehwal Ekonomi (IDEAS) memuji keputusan Yang di-Pertuan Agong, selepas satu mesyuarat khas bersama Raja-raja Melayu, untuk tidak memperkenankan cadangan Perdana Menteri menggunapakai Perkara 150 Perlembagaan Persekutuan, iaitu mengisytiharkan satu perintah Darurat di Malaysia. Keputusan Baginda tiba ketika Malaysia sedang berada di satu persimpangan penting untuk melawan peningkatan kes COVID-19 dan juga satu persidangan Parlimen yang Belanjawan 2021 akan dibentangkan.


Mengulas perkembangan ini, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif IDEAS, Tricia Yeoh berkata, “Institusi demokrasi Malaysia harus sentiasa didokong, dan sebarang percubaan untuk meragut demokrasi berparlimen ini mesti dielakkan. Keputusan untuk tidak melaksanakan Darurat bermakna Ahli-ahli Parlimen dari kedua-dua belah pihak di Dewan Rakyat perlu mengenepikan perbezaan mereka dan memberi keutamaan kepada kesihatan dan kesejahteraan semua rakyat Malaysia. Demi menjadikannya satu realiti, satu kompromi mesti dicapai antara Ahli-ahli Parlimen kerajaan dan juga pembangkang supaya Belanjawan 2021 dapat diluluskan pada Jumaat, 6 November akan datang, yang tidak dinafikan akan melibatkan beberapa bentuk persetujuan. Beberapa orang Ahli Parlimen dan organisasi masyarakat sivil (CSO) yang berwibawa telah memberi cadangan bahawa satu Persetujuan Keyakinan dan Pembekalan (CSA) diperlukan untuk memeterai kompromi ini. IDEAS mengalu-alukan CSA ini secara bersyarat, hanya jika terma-terma yang akan dinyatakan ini dipenuhi. Jika dilaksanakan dengan baik, CSA ini berpotensi menjadi alat untuk penambahbaikan institusi.”


Pertama, IDEAS menggesa agar sebarang perundingan ke arah kompromi ini dilakukan dengan telus kerana rakyat Malaysia berhak untuk mengetahui maksud dan tujuan sebarang tindakan wakil rakyat yang mereka pilih. Kedua, perundingan ini harus berorientasikan polisi, dan bukan melibatkan sebarang janji berorientasikan pernaungan politik, pengagihan jawatan dan apa-apa rundingan yang menguntungkan. Ketiga, proses perundingan ini tidak boleh melibatkan apa-apa kompromi terhadap tuduhan-tuduhan jenayah yang sedang dihadapi oleh beberapa orang Ahli Parlimen.


Peningkatan jangkitan COVID-19 buat masa ini mewajibkan semua Ahli Parlimen dan pegawai kerajaan kekal fokus kepada pemulihan kesihatan dan ekonomi negara. Hal ini mewajarkan kestabilan politik dan institusi serta segala perbezaan diketepikan sehingga situasi kembali pulih.


Namun, andai PRU menjadi satu kemestian pada waktu COVID-19 sebagai satu jalan terakhir, maka Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya harus bersedia untuk menjalankannya sebagai satu-satunya penyelesaian demokratik kepada kebuntuan politik semasa. Kita harus mengambil iktibar daripada PRN Sabah, dan SPR perlu dibekalkan dengan segala sumber yang diperlukan untuk bersedia ke arah kebarangkalian tersebut. Beberapa negara lain telah menunjukkan contoh yang baik bagaimana pilihan raya boleh dijalankan dengan selamat ketika wabak melanda. Satu larangan menyeluruh ke atas proses berkempen secara fizikal perlu dipertimbangkan dan semua parti politik perlu mematuhinya secara saksama. Hal ini juga akan mengurangkan kos mengadakan pilihan raya.
Buat masa ini, semua Ahli Parlimen perlu memastikan ketelusan dan kebertanggungjawaban dalam kerjasama mereka dan memberi keutamaan untuk meluluskan Belanjawan 2021. Malaysia amat memerlukan semua sumber yang dimiliki negara disalurkan ke arah membina semula kesejahteraan sosial dan ekonomi negara. Yeoh berkata, “Negara benar-benar sedang berada di persimpangan dan para pemimpin negara mempunyai satu peluang untuk membawa Malaysia kembali ke landasan yang betul. Harapan kami, mereka mampu membuktikan pada rakyat Malaysia yang mereka sebenar-benar pemimpin pada saat mendesak ini.”



- - - - -
IDEAS Webinar: Malaysia-Taiwan and the CPTPP: An opportunity for growth?
3 November 2020, 10:00 - 11:30 am (GMT+8)
Malaysia and Taiwan are both open, trade-based economies with a deep economic relationship, despite the lack of a formal trade agreement. Both economies face questions over how they will remain competitive over the coming years. Competition in the region is increasingly fierce, with new technologies further fragmenting value chains. These trends are complicated by a shifting policy environment – where once the Trans-Pacific Partnership was set to provide the framework for trade, it has been downgraded to the CPTPP and the US is taking a unilateralist approach. Whereas Taiwan – linked to its ambitious Southbound Policy – has signalled its intention to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Malaysia has signed the agreement but is unwilling to ratify and implement. How would Taiwan’s membership impact the Malaysian economy? What are the prospects for the CPTPP moving forward as the vehicle for rules-based trade in the Asia Pacific? How can Malaysia and Taiwan achieve continued economic and industrial growth amid the continued pressure to compete and turbulence in the global economy?
This webinar will discuss the economic impact on Malaysia if Taiwan joins the CPTPP. Sign up now!
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VXKoecaNQsyoabQG1Bv7Aw
5th IDEAS Liberalism Conference 2020
"Political and Pandemic Plight: The Future of Liberalism?”
7-8 November 2020 (Saturday & Sunday)

Introduction

2020 has been a year of great change and instability for countries all around the world. The COVID-19 crisis has posed tremendous challenges for all communities, putting immense stress on governments, economies and institutions. The pandemic has also posed an important question for policymakers striking the right balance between public health and civil liberties.

Malaysia has been no exception to these trends and has indeed grappled with weighing these demands, but has been doubly challenged by a political crisis that began in February 2020 and has continued for over 8 months. We are crippled by uncertainty over political leadership and an unstable government, yet needing to manage COVID-19 and its economic fallout. The Budget 2021 will be tabled on 6 November 2020, expected to be the most controversial yet important budget in recent history.

IDEAS will be hosting the 5th Annual Liberalism Conference on 7 November 2020. This Conference is an annual exercise to deliberate on the overall progress towards "A Malaysia that upholds the principles of liberty and justice", according to the vision pronounced by the country’s first Prime Minister, Al-Marhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.

Given the backdrop of Malaysia's unique political, economic and public health conditions, what is the future of liberalism? Are economic stimulus packages anti-competitive, and how will Budget 2021 address the current economic recession? How can the government provide adequate social protection for the most vulnerable communities? Are authoritarian states better at managing pandemics than democratic ones, and what are the lessons for democratic consolidation? What have Malaysia's 2020's political developments taught us about democracy and authoritarian practices?

The conference tracks progress and developments in Malaysia alongside the parameters of the rule of law, competitive markets, limited government and individual liberty and responsibility. We believe that these values are necessary for a liberal and just Malaysia. Drawing on data, expert analysis, statements by the nation's leaders and inputs from the public at large, this Conference provides a snapshot of Malaysia’s socioeconomic and political developments.

To register click on the following link
Day 1, Session 1 7 Nov 2020 (10:00 am - 12:00pm) - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rjEWcT_RRpKyu77dHz4clg

Day 1, Session 2, 7 Nov 2020 (2:00pm - 3:30 pm) - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D36dL26SQAijqZQbwthfrg

Day 2, 8 Nov 2020 (10:00 am - 12:00pm) - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yjDD-lLQSGeiMk62CumqCg
'IDEAS is excited to announce our digital forum "IDEAS API Forum 2020"! As part of IDEAS' ASEAN Prosperity Initiative (API), the forum aims to facilitate discussions to rethink policy direction for the region in order to create a sustainable and equitable ASEAN recovery plan. Hear from subject matter experts such as Dr. Jayant Menon (Senior Fellow, IDEAS & ISEAS), Tan Sri Dr. Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria (Executive Director, APEC Secretariat) and more on.
What do the new COVID-19 trends imply about the future development of ASEAN? How would they affect future business opportunities across ASEAN? How can ASEAN take this opportunity to promote shared prosperity and equality within the region?

Link to register for Session 1, ‘RCEP becomes official: What does it mean to post-pandemic recovery for ASEAN?’:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Pic3WrpfSvGsLQ3bynlyxQ
Link to register for Session 2, ‘Closing borders: What’s the future of ASEAN migration?’:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bDi7Ny4PRcWJ6kWjYvdOsg