Relevant Policy Research
The Centre will undertake high quality research on issues of public importance and concern. Selected projects will be conducted with leading Malaysian and international research institutions and specialists.

Strategic Communications
One of the Centre’s key functions is to ensure that its research products and policy recommendations reach policy makers, advocates, and the public. Towards this end, the Centre will develop relevant communications tools including: policy briefs that synthesize key research and policy recommendations; issue briefs that offer succinct analysis of issues of policy importance; and host strategically-timed events that will bring current and former policy makers, academics, analysts and members of the media in discussion to advance understanding and knowledge.

Targeted Outreach
To maximize impact on policy-making, the Centre will develop programs, products and an outreach strategy tailored towards key target audiences. These audiences will include local, state and federal level officials; politicians from all parties; development scholars from Malaysia and abroad; print, radio and television media outlets; and the general public. The Centre will also actively seek engagement with non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups, especially those with broad-based public constituencies.

I. Objectives
In response to the growing need for informed analysis and discussion on public policies, the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) has established a Centre for Public Policy Studies. The Centre will uphold an independent, non-partisan and non-racial stance in its research and other policy-oriented activities.

II. Work Programme
Amongst the priority areas that the Centre is working on are the following:

National Unity
Work focuses on a review of policies that have had major impact – both positive and negative - on national unity. Policies reviewed include those arising from the constitutional agreement during the 50’s, education, the New Economic Policy, corporate equity distribution, etc. Arising from the review, appropriate policy interventions will be put forward that can strengthen unity and social cohesion. Special attention will be given to issues related to recent rifts in inter-ethnic relations.

National Competitiveness
To ensure that the country does not lag behind in the global economy, it is necessary to review Malaysia’s international competitiveness, particularly in relation to the rise of China, India and other regional players. Work focuses on constraints and bottlenecks that are standing in the way of more resilient socio-economic growth. Findings were submitted ahead of the Ninth Malaysia Plan submission to ensure that they provided practical guidance to the development planning and implementation machinery.

Education and Human Capital Development:
There is new urgency for educational reform and policy changes that can enable the nation’s youth to stay relevant in a globalised economy and rapidly changing world scene. Policy work focuses on scenario building aimed at producing higher performance in tertiary education as well as the examination of issues of public controversy such as the apportionment of scholarships and university admissions. Special attention will be given to the issue of tackling student under-achievement, as well as how to use education as a means of enhancing integration.

Poverty Stricken and Low Income Communities:
Apart from a core of hardcore poor, there are growing numbers of relative poor and new poor, especially visible in urban centres. Work is especially needed to focus on the condition of low-income families – often, the forgotten lot – who lie in between the poor and the middle-class. Better targeted policy innovations are planned from the Centre’s programme which will be undertaken in partnership with key NGOs active in social work in depressed and marginalized communities.

Environment and Sustainable Development:
Issues of environmental protection and conservation and the need for balanced development to ensure sustainability have moved into the forefront of national and global consciousness. Policy work by the Centre will focus on key areas of sector importance such as the nation’s stock of forests and waters and the role that major players in development, especially corporate actors, can play in a sustainable development policy.

III. Structure
This Centre is headed by an Advisory Panel of distinguished Malaysians, which includes members of the private sector, retired government officials and academicians, meets from time to time to discuss the Centre’s research work. The Centre also has an informal network of researchers and academicians both locally and abroad, who provide assistance on a regular basis.

IV. Recent Work
The Centre for Public Policy Studies completed a proposal report on policy recommendations for the Ninth Malaysia Plan in early 2006. Copies of the report can be obtained from the Centre. Please contact any one of the names below for more information about the report, and to find out more about other work that is currently being undertaken by the Centre.

More Information
For more information about the Centre for Public Policy Studies, please contact the following:

Khairiah Mokhtaruddin
Senior Research Analyst
Tel: 03-20932820
Fax: 03-20933078
E-mail: khairiah@cpps.org.my