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Position Papers aim to highlight and recommend specific problems that are currently the main focus of current affairs. AMEU Position Papers articulate a well-researched stance on key issues relevant to fields such as policy, economics, and public-private sector discourse, aiming to provide specific recommendations for advancing research and practice.
Are Malaysia’s Domestic Policies Inadvertently Fueling Its Human Trafficking Epidemic?
Author: Damia Nourrys binti Faris
Supervisor: Malcolm Wong
Published: November 2025
This position paper provides a structured exploration of Malaysia’s economic landscape and how it contributes to human trafficking vulnerabilities. It reviews current national responses, policy frameworks shaping the country’s anti-trafficking efforts and demographic risk factors. The paper also outlines areas where reforms and targeted initiatives can further strengthen the prevention and protection.
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Maximizing Efficiency of Petrol Subsidies in Malaysia: Balancing Fiscal Responsibility With Social Sustainability
Co-authors: Tharisini Sundarajan (Team Lead), Clemence Lim, Dayang Alisa Hapipah binti Abang Ismawi, Lee Jun Yuan, Tey Ruo Xuan
Supervisor: Malcolm Wong
Published: December 2024
Malaysia’s long-standing petrol subsidy system has been crucial to its domestic energy policy. However, the fiscal burden of these subsidies has been increasing in recent years, exerting a significant strain on the national budget. This paper provides recommendations for a sustainable reform, focusing on targeted subsidies in conjunction with social protection programs and a transition to renewable energy.
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What Do Malaysian Youths Want?
Co-authors: Professor Geoffrey Williams (Economist), Dr. Chong Su Li (Senior Lecturer at University Technology Petronas), Sugitha Kanniaseelan (Programme Lead at Education for Sustainable Development at WWF Malaysia), Zero Ong Yong Xun (Founder of JomStudy), Lee Hwok Aun (Senior Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute)
Published: July 2024
This paper serves to highlight the productive discussions of the various multi-dimensional matters of five selected topics during AMEU’s 2024 Flagship- Dolla Dreams: GenZ’s Economic Hopes and Struggles. Numerous participants have contributed great input to serve as consultants to provide a comprehensive overview of current Malaysian problems and the exciting prospects for involvement in devising and partaking in solutions.
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Implications of De-dollarisation and Chinese Foreign Direct Investment for Malaysia
Author: Yeoh Jia Xin
Published: July 2024
As China is increasingly being viewed as a challenger to the universal laws, Chinese narratives and investments are also becoming politically charged. The Global South, including Malaysia, is carefully walking the tightrope between the Eastern and Western superpowers, which requires a nuanced approach to policymaking. This paper, in collaboration with FLY Malaysia, looks at the claims of de-dollarisation and the proposed alternative to the dollar. We argue that de-dollarisation, considering economic principles and laws, is not a high probability.
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Exploring the Introduction of a Plastic Credits Market
Co-authors: Wong En Thong, Tey Ruo Xuan, Clemence Lim
Supervisor: Malcolm Wong
Published: July 2024
This paper provides an analysis of the current challenges faced in the road to implementing plastic credits in Malaysia, with corresponding feasible solutions to prepare for solving those problems. The benefits of a Plastic Credit Market in supplementing zero waste recycling solutions in economic development and environmental sustainability, as well as acting as a pathway to realize and enhance Malaysia’s Existing policies, incentives, and regulations aimed at reducing plastic waste, are compiled.
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Addressing the Gap of Women's Pay and Maternity Leave in Malaysia
Co-authors: Tharisini Sundarajan, Dayang Alisa Hapipah binti Abang Ismawi, Lee Jun Yuan
Supervisor: Malcolm Wong
Published: July 2024
Malaysia’s labour market exhibits a persistent gender gap characterised by unequal pay, limited access to quality childcare, and imbalanced caregiving responsibilities. This paper aims to examine these issues, highlighting the phenomenon of women receiving lower wages than men despite possessing comparable qualifications and experience. This paper proposes a multi-pronged approach to address these disparities and create a more equitable work environment for women.
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Decarbonising the City: A Regenerative Ecological Approach for Klang Valley Area
Co-authors: Malcolm Wong Jun Xiang, Tee Kai Marn, Jason Leong, Tey Ruo Xuan
Supervisor: Malcolm Wong
Published: July 2024
This paper is divided into two parts: The first consists an analysis of Klang Valley’s Urban Structures in its continuous sprawl for economic growth and the environmental and health consequences coming with congested road infrastructure. The Second Part proposes a framework of green policies to rejuvenate Klang Valley, based around case studies of other cities in the Developed World as examples to be modelled after.
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Establishing Stable and Secure Data Management Systems for Governance: Lessons for Padu
Co-authors: Amir Abdullah Najmi Bin Amir Hussein, Quah Ern Jie, Tan Yun Wei, Quincy Jules Tan Yi Liing, Anieq Luqman Shah bin Affrie Shah
Supervisor: Malcolm Wong
Published: July 2024
The PADU system, launched on the 2nd of January 2024, acts as a central repository for national household income and socioeconomic data, storing details including address, household members, employment, wages, expenditure, and government assistance received. Since its launch, the public have had some concerns over privacy, security, government regulations, etc. This paper is a set of recommendations to improve PADU in its security and data collection aspects, exploring further usages for PADU as a Social Security Management System.
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