EMIR Research’s Economy and Finance Directorate will conduct research on Malaysia’s economy and financial ecosystem. We believe that research based, data driven economic polices must be at the core of a sustained effort to create a prosperous Malaysia. Our work will centre on roadmaps to becoming a high income nation that leverages all our comparative advantages and distributes the country’s wealth in a just and equitable way.
Economy and Finance
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The Cost of Growing Old: Rising Medical Costs and the Insurance Dilemma
Healthcare insurance premiums, intended as “safety nets” to ensure access to medical services and reduce financial burdens in emergencies, are increasingly becoming inaccessible.
By Jachintha Joyce Devasagayam Jayakumar -
Building More Highways Won’t Solve Traffic Congestion— Reducing Demand Will
It is clear that adding more lanes and highways doesn’t work, because we are still attempting the same approach to solve the issue.
By Chia Chu Hang -
Vaping: Behind The Smokescreen of Smoking Cessation and Healthier Alternative
The existence of e-cigarettes seems to have merely shifted users from one addiction to another—from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes.
By Chia Chu Hang -
Housing: A Necessity That Not Many Can Afford in Malaysia
Housing, while viewed by some as an investment, has become increasingly unaffordable for others.
By Chia Chu Hang -
Budget 2025 – powering data centres
A “radical” tax allowance scheme could help to position Malaysia to be a leading regional hub for data centres.
By Jason Loh -
Malaysia’s 5G in Limbo: Progress Delayed, Frustrations Amplified
Interestingly, none of the criteria revealed by the MCMC are of substantial or technical nature—everything ‘can be enforced,’ ‘can be monitored,’ or ‘can be adjusted,’ clearly suggesting a retrofitting approach...
By Rais Hussin -
Breaking the Chains of Economic Violence: Policy Recommendations for Empowering Women
Women empowerment aims not just for equality with men, but for equity, recognising the different needs and challenges of both genders in terms of well-being, finances, and education.
By Jachintha Joyce Devasagayam Jayakumar -
Malaysia’s 5G Dreams: Lessons from Rwanda
We could have earlier benefited from the experience of countries that wisely avoided SWN—comprising a significant majority—or those that initially struggled with its implementation but eventually pivoted away, like Rwanda.
By Rais Hussin -
Economic violence: A barrier to women empowerment
Economic violence, though more common in poorer households, can impact families of any social or economic status, including the wealthy.
By Jachintha Joyce Devasagayam Jayakumar -
Global Innovation Index 2024: Linking Education to the Persistent Innovation Input-Output Gap
If anything, our result in GII 2024 is the prime example of how investment does not necessarily lead to successful output.
By Chia Chu Hang -
Ringgit’s Resurgence: Beyond the Dollar’s Decline
Malaysia’s trade performance has also been steady into the H1 2024. This trend will likely continue, bolstered by robust global demand and a potential increase in commodity prices driven by...
By Rais Hussin -
Gegenpressing Stalled Pathway: The Urgency of Malaysia’s 5G Transition
Malaysia must expedite its 5G Dual Wholesale Network transition to break the monopoly and align with global trends.
By Rais Hussin -
BRICS’ Currency Dilemma: A Necessary Quality Leap Beyond the Dollar
Economic asymmetries between BRICS countries, although natural, can hinder the deepening of economic trade within the bloc when it is conducted in national currencies.
By Rais Hussin -
Solving the Malaysia Airlines Conundrum Credibly
Up until 2020, the government had injected RM28 billion into MAB. With this much being spent without results to show, it is crystal clear that MAB has massive management and...
By Chia Chu Hang -
The hidden costs of climate change: impacts on rural communities
While climate change impacts all regions and demographics, rural populations, feel its effects most acutely due to being least equipped to adapt.
By Jachintha Joyce Devasagayam Jayakumar
