Dialogue Among Stakeholders on Transformative Economies Report

Inequalities between the top 10 percent and the bottom 10 percent among all the ethnic communities is on the rise. There are also evident signs of growing poverty despite claims from official reports. The actions of the global elites and the global super wealthy are impacting local economies, calling for stronger global action to facilitate local economic development. Here, the role the cooperative movement in Malaysia and globally provide alternative economic models. The Kingsley Strategic Institute (KSI) and the Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance hosted a dialogue to discussed these issues and examine how cooperatives can bring about viable transformative economies to improve standards of living and wellbeing.

2019 Sarawak Investment and Business Summit

Sarawak has for a long time being associated with the 3P’s – Progress, Peace and Prosperity. Sarawak can be the fulcrum of the East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP - EAGA) and tap into regional connectivity and partnership to accelerate growth. Tourism, the Digital Economy, Energy will be future drivers of growth
in Sarawak. Sarawak is also will positioned to tap into the growth potential of the Greater Bay Area comprising Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau – the World’s largest Bay Area.

Better Connectivity within Sarawak resulting from the Pan Borneo Highway and improved regional connectivity and other parts of East ASEAN will open up new business and investment opportunities. The Fourth Industrial Association with the impact of artificial intelligence, robotics and the internet of things
that Sarawak Digital Economy will promote can shape the future of the State. At the same time this must be stronger emphasis on sustainable and inclusive development.

How the GPS State Government and the Pakatan Harapan Federal Government navigates the Federal State Relations will shape the future of Sarawak.

This Summit will enable participants to feel the pulse of the Sarawak economy and the tempo of development in the State. It will provide timely updates on the State’s plans and obtain feedback from the business communities and civil society. It will also provide a forum for exchange of expert views, information and discuss critical issues facing the State.

ASEAN Smart Civil Infrastructure Forum

The governments of ASEAN countries are committed to make their nations a world class place to stay and live.

With investments soaring in civil infrastructure projects it is a high time for private players to form a synergy with government in order to develop a smart nation. By 2030 a population of 90 million is expected to move into the cities. These cities will drive 40% of economic growth in the region. With Singapore and Malaysia leading as the driving force the ASEAN community is gaining momentum to achieve smart urban infrastructure by 2025.

There is still a long way to go. Congested roads, pollution, new construction of high-rise buildings, strained infrastructure, disperse connectivity etc. are
major challenges to be overcome. There is a rapid increase in the count of urban dwellers and industrial development in rural areas are pressing government to sustain civil infrastructure. At one end of the spectrum, urbanization is attracting foreign investments and on the other end of the spectrum, it is also posing concerns and implications regarding straining infrastructure and public safety.

This conference addresses issues that government and private players are facing. It will examine in-depth issues related to designs and development. The discussion on cost control and resource optimization will help stakeholders to cope up with the challenges.

Digital HR & Talent Management Conference 2019

In any knowledge-driven economy, employees at all levels are as much an integral part of the organization’s DNA as its key services or products; they are its
connective tissue. It is therefore imperative that in this competitive candidates’ market, organizations are doing all they can to attract, recruit, and retain talent.

Coupled with the certainty of accelerating change in business, technology, society, and the environment require that organizations be future-ready in order to survive. Balancing long-term vision and short-term performance is the number one hallmark for future organizational success in the years ahead. The danger in a slowing economy is succumbing to the temptation to skimp on both time and resource investment in the digital future to boost short-term results, jeopardizing future competitiveness.

From engaging passive candidates to blind hiring, the gamification of HR to making the most out of feedback tools, providing an exemplary candidate
experience to building a learning & development platform for effective and resilience teams – this conference will dive into how executive level people leaders can bring the future of work into their organizations. it will also explore strategies and innovations you should consider and implement now in order to stay ahead of your competitors in the next few years.

2019 Third Age & Longevity Economy Forum

KSI is proud the announce that it will be organising the 2019 Third Age & Longevity Economy Forum – a forum focused on addressing the needs of the elderly.

The United Nations predicts the number of people over 60 will increase to two billion by 2050, and the proportion of those over 80 will rise even faster. According to Deloitte’s estimates, Asia will account for 62.3% of the world’s aging population by 2050. Malaysia will be no exception. By 2050, there will be more Malaysians aged 65 and above than 15 and below. By 2070, the country’s population will decline for the first time, according to UN estimated. The concern is not only about the size of the ageing population, but also their health, welfare, care and living arrangements.

The burden of managing ageing societies should not rest solely on the shoulders of governments. The private sector has much to contribute, and could stand to benefit considerably. Longevity presents a massive opportunity for health-care providers, insurers, technology firms and other companies that can bring innovative products and services to market, and help societies adapt to living longer, better-quality lives. How can the public and private sectors work together to help the ageing populations thrive?

This forum hopes to provide solutions to these questions.

People-centred Asean the way forward

The recent 34th Asean Summit emphasised the importance of advancing partnership for sustainability to achieve a people-centred, people-oriented and forward-looking Asean Community that leaves no one behind in the rapidly changing regional and global environment.

In preparing for the 35th Asean Summit in Bangkok and related summits, like the Asean Plus Summits and the East Asia Summit, Malaysia must punch above its weight with the region’s most experienced and longest serving leader, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, leading the way. Malaysia must aim to be a middle power in international diplomacy and a regional leader in championing regional cooperation and closer integration.

The Asean Summit should review the 4Cs of Asean that have been the bedrock of its strength over the past decades: community, connectivity, charter and centrality.

While the master plans have been formulated for Asean connectivity, Asean still faces gaps in implementing the infrastructure, information technology and seamless connectivity as enunciated in the first and seecond Asean master plans for connectivity.

Connectivity is more important than ever to bridge the development divide and to better connect Asean with the world. A digital Asean requires better connectivity. Asean also needs more highways, railways and ports to accelerate regional connectivity.

A Need for An Industry-led TVET

The Kingsley Strategic Institute organised its first Malaysian TVET Forum on 24th January 2019 to discuss issues faced by Technical and Vocational Education and Training. Experts on the subject matter and stakeholders from the industry spoke extensively of the matter and recommended ways to bring Malaysian TVET forward.

A common theme emerging throughout the forum was that TVET needs to become industry-driven. There are gaps in practicality and relevancy between what is taught within TVET institution and what is needed by employers. The main factor is due the fact that TVET trainers themselves lack the practical skills and experience from industry. To correct this, industries should partner with TVET institutions and allow classes as well as practical training to take place at their premises. This will allow practitioners from the industry with the hands-on experience to mentor and teach TVET students directly. Not only will this reduce the cost of TVET training (which industries should take the initiative to bear, as they will otherwise need to invest in retraining graduates anyway), it will also increase the employment chances of TVET students due to the direct links forged with these industry partners.

The 2019 World Chinese Business and Economic Summit

The World Chinese Business & Economic Summit (WCBES) is an annual international forum. It’s purpose is to improve business linkages and connectivity between China and the world, providing a platform for high level discussions on global and regional events in relation to China’s rise as a world leading economy.

This year the Forum is re-branded as the World Chinese Business and Economic Summit (WCBES) to refocus on the importance of business as a driver of sustainable economic growth and as builders of bridges across communities, nations and cultures. The partnership between Government, Business, Think Tanks and Scholars is a key priority for the WCBES which provides a meeting of minds for Entrepreneurs, Strategists and Government Officials.

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