By: Shaza Al Muzayen
Photo by: ISIS Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, August 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is at a critical juncture as it faces growing challenges from the rise of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), shifting global trade dynamics, the intensifying climate crisis, and the demands of a rapidly ageing population.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in a recent statement at PRAXIS 2024, underscored the urgency of addressing these issues as the country approaches high-income status.
“Innovative public policy solutions resulting from multi-stakeholder collaboration are needed to embody the MADANI values of sustainability, equity and inclusivity,” he said in a virtual address at the event.
These themes are the focus of PRAXIS 2024, the flagship public policy conference organised by the Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia.
As Malaysia prepares to assume the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, it becomes ever more important for the country to deal with these issues that will shape the country’s strategic priorities.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz highlighted the importance of regional action in his keynote address. He pointed out that while the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 sets a clear path for building Malaysia’s industrial resilience, regional integration also plays an important role in addressing global mega-trends and strategise on key issues such as ASEAN’s energy security, digitalisation, and trade, industrial, and economic resilience.
“Malaysia intends to focus on all these and more during its chairmanship of ASEAN to ensure a bold ASEAN 2045 Vision towards an inclusive and sustainable regional economic community,” he said.
In a follow-up keynote, Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim Chee Keong emphasised the need for Malaysia to lead in the digital age.
“To meet this aspiration, we must continuously identify skills of the future and focus on reskilling and upskilling our workforce to meet the demands of the digital economy, thus ensuring our talent pool remains relevant and competitive,” he said.
ISIS Malaysia’s chairman, Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, drew attention to ISIS Malaysia’s role as the Prime Minister’s think tank, with an autonomous mandate allowing it to provide critical and constructive viewpoints on matters of strategic relevance.
“While the vagaries of the future are unpredictable, the only certainty we can rely on is our ability to plan for it. As such, we hope PRAXIS 2024 ignites critical thinking towards these pressing policy priorities,” he said.
Held annually since 2011, this year’s conference takes place in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 13 and 14.
Themed Policies for a Better Tomorrow, brings together policymakers, the private sector, civil society and academic stakeholders to explore solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing issues.
Key topics include adapting Malaysia’s future of work to GenAI; balancing social media platform regulation with free speech considerations; exploring emerging decarbonisation technologies to achieve net zero; and integrating health and social care for an ageing population.
-- BERNAMA