Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs - IDEAS

16/10/2026

📢 WE ARE HIRING!

The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) is looking for passionate and driven individuals to join our research team and contribute to policy research that helps build a better Malaysia.

We are currently hiring for two positions:

𝟏. 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫, 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡
Provide intellectual, strategic and project leadership for IDEAS’ work under the Advancing Sustainability & Climate and Resilient Democracy pillars.

🔗 Learn more about the role: https://www.ideas.org.my/work-with-us/senior-manager-research/

𝟐. 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 / 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫, 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡
Experience in managing or publishing research on economic policy issues, including fiscal policy, public financial management, economic development, trade and industrial policy, and socioeconomic inclusion, would be a strong advantage.

🔗 Learn more about the role: https://www.ideas.org.my/work-with-us/assistant-manager_manager-research/

How to apply?

Please email the following documents to [email protected]:
• An updated CV and cover letter
• An official academic transcript
• Writing samples (in English)
Please use the subject line: “Position Applied – Application”.

15/10/2026

IDEAS hosted a special session, From Waste to Wealth: Navigating Circularity in the ASEAN Orange Economy on 9 October in Bangkok. Our Assistant Manager, Jazreen Harith, presented an overview of the ASEAN circular economy landscape, highlighting case studies on reforming cleanup contracts and decentralising frameworks across the region, actionable policy recommendations and opportunities for regional collaboration.

The session was followed by a panel discussion with representatives from the creative industries and social enterprises on making cultural events more sustainable. We sincerely thank Prawmanee Interalib and Anujtha Jaovisidha for the insightful sharing. Our heartfelt thanks also goes to The Rockefeller Foundation for the amazing venue!

15/10/2026

“While these measures address immediate needs, the budget falls short of the deeper reforms needed to strengthen Malaysia’s long-term fiscal resilience and economic competitiveness,” Aira Azhari, chief executive officer of think tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, said in a statement.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s latest budget offers more relief to households, though analysts see limited progress on deeper reforms and potential challenges in reducing the fiscal deficit.

13/10/2026

IDEAS was delighted to collaborate with Bangkok University to host the Just Energy Transition Workshop on 6 October in conjunction with Bangkok Climate Action Week (BKKCAW). Our Executive, Research, Nimitraa Youganesparan delivered a presentation on case studies from Malaysia and Thailand on the Just Transition and Grid Integration, followed by a breakout session where participants discuss how different countries can increase renewable energy in their electricity mix while keeping energy affordable and reliable.

We thank all the students who participated actively throughout the session. You guys were awesome! ขอบคุณมาก!

10/10/2026

𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

IDEAS: Budget 2027 Maintains Fiscal Discipline but Falls Short on Structural Reform

Read the full statement on our website
🔗 ideas.org.my

𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

IDEAS: Budget 2027 Maintains Fiscal Discipline but Falls Short on Structural Reform

Read the full statement on our website
🔗 ideas.org.my

𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

IDEAS: Budget 2027 Maintains Fiscal Discipline but Falls Short on Structural Reform

Read the full statement on our website
🔗 ideas.org.my

𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

IDEAS: Budget 2027 Maintains Fiscal Discipline but Falls Short on Structural Reform

Read the full statement on our website
🔗 ideas.org.my

𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

IDEAS: Budget 2027 Maintains Fiscal Discipline but Falls Short on Structural Reform

Read the full statement on our website
🔗 ideas.org.my

𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗬𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔

IDEAS: Belanjawan 2027 Kekalkan Disiplin Fiskal Tetapi Kurang Reformasi Struktur

Baca kenyataan penuh di laman web kami
🔗 ideas.org.my

𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗬𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔

IDEAS: Belanjawan 2027 Kekalkan Disiplin Fiskal Tetapi Kurang Reformasi Struktur

Baca kenyataan penuh di laman web kami
🔗 ideas.org.my

𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗬𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔

IDEAS: Belanjawan 2027 Kekalkan Disiplin Fiskal Tetapi Kurang Reformasi Struktur

Baca kenyataan penuh di laman web kami
🔗 ideas.org.my

𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗬𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔

IDEAS: Belanjawan 2027 Kekalkan Disiplin Fiskal Tetapi Kurang Reformasi Struktur

Baca kenyataan penuh di laman web kami
🔗 ideas.org.my

𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗬𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔

IDEAS: Belanjawan 2027 Kekalkan Disiplin Fiskal Tetapi Kurang Reformasi Struktur

Baca kenyataan penuh di laman web kami
🔗 ideas.org.my

𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗬𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔

IDEAS: Belanjawan 2027 Kekalkan Disiplin Fiskal Tetapi Kurang Reformasi Struktur

Baca kenyataan penuh di laman web kami
🔗 ideas.org.my

09/10/2026

Paddy fields, under the scorching sun, and muddy boots…

If those are the images that come to mind when talking about agriculture, you might want to watch this video until the end.

Today, agriculture is powered by technology, innovation and new ideas. Portraying it correctly can help showcase the many possibilities within the sector and inspire more youths to see agriculture as a career of the future.

This was one of the points highlighted by Mr Chor Chee Hoe, CEO of Qarbotech who was one of our speakers for the panel discussion at the launch of our report, 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴: 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘈𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘢.

Read the full report on our website to learn more.
🔗ideas.org.my

08/10/2026

Our CEO, Aira Azhari, and Director of Research, Dr Stewart Nixon, shared their thoughts in this CNA article on the upcoming Budget 2027 and the government’s balancing act between cost-of-living support, fiscal discipline and longer-term reforms as GE16 approaches.

Middle-income households are expected to get greater attention, even as economists warn that electoral pressures could slow politically difficult fiscal reforms.

07/10/2026

Ulasan terkini daripada Presiden Pengasas IDEAS, YAM Tunku Panglima Besar, Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz merenung pemergian Allahyarham Tun Dr Hasmah Mohd Ali.

Allahyarham bukan sekadar seorang tokoh yang disanjung tinggi atas sifat belas kasihannya serta ketajaman pemikirannya, tetapi insan yang ditemui melalui muzik—hasil perkongsian minat terhadap karya Chopin. Di sebalik kenangan tersebut, terselit renungan tentang bagaimana seorang figura mampu menyatukan mereka yang berbeza pandangan, mengingatkan kita bahawa masih ada ruang untuk hidup bersama dalam keharmonian.

Baca coretan penuh di laman web kami.
🔗 ideas.org.my

07/10/2026

We are thrilled to announce the line up of speakers for IDEAS’ 11th Liberalism Conference Closing Conversation, “Democracy in An Age of Uncertainty.”

Democratic governments globally are facing growing pressure to respond to economic challenges, geopolitical tensions and declining public trust. This session will explore how democratic institutions can remain effective, accountable and responsive while navigating increasingly complex policy challenges.

Join us for a timely discussion on the future of democratic governance and the resilience of democratic institutions.

📅 17 October 2026
⏰ 9.30 AM – 3.00 PM
📍 Kuala Lumpur (Venue TBC)

RSVP now! Link in our bio :)