Malaysia boasts one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant economies, the result of decades of industrial growth and political stability.  Its multi-ethnic, multi-religious society encompasses a majority Muslim population in most of its states and an economically powerful Chinese community.  Malaysia is also an important regional player in the Asia-Pacific being a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  Not only has Malaysia experienced a period of rapid modernisation and economic growth in the last 20 years but has also provided an example of a mixed political system in which the basis for political participation is divided into ethnic and religious affiliations.  However since the financial crisis of 2008, Malaysia has faced growing political and economic challenges that seek to test the future of industrial growth and political stability.  What is the future for Malaysia’s political economy?  How will Malaysia’s unique multi-ethnic and multi-religious political system rise to the challenges that will present themselves in the 21st century?

Join Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Chief Executive of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), for an interesting discussion on the challenges Malaysia faces in terms of its political economy and ethno-religious relations and what lies ahead for this major regional player.

Wan Saiful Wan Jan is the founding Chief Executive of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (www.ideas.org.my), which was ranked as the 2012 best new think tank in Asia and fifth best new think tank in the world by University of Pennsylvania’s global think tank ranking.  Currently he is also Chairman of the Istanbul Network for Liberty, Director of CfBT Education Malaysia, member of the Advisory Board at Laureate Education Malaysia and Governor at Rafflesia International & Private Schools Malaysia.  Mr Wan Jan lived in the United Kingdom for 16 years where he worked for the Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit, the British Conservative Party’s Research Department and ran as a Conservative Party candidate in the 2007 local elections.  He holds a BA (Hons) in Management (Northumbria, UK) and MSc in Research Methodologies (Middlesex, UK).