Advocacy in a time of change : business associations and the Pakatan Harapan government in Malaysia, 2018-20 / Michael T. Schaper.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Schaper, Michael (Professor), author.

Series:

Trends in Southeast Asia ; 2020, issue 9.

Trends in Southeast Asia ; 2020, issue9

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Trade associations--Political aspects--Malaysia.

Trade associations.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (39 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Singapore : ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, 2020.

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

There are at least 80-100 business associations (such as chambers of commerce or industry-specific bodies) in Malaysia today, representing over 600,000 firms. In February-April 2020, a range of chamber leaders and officers were interviewed to record their experiences of the recent Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration, and any future lessons for business associations in post GE-14 Malaysia. Few Malaysian chambers have had experience in dealing with changes of government, creating challenges when PH took office. Most associations were able to build effective working relationships with the new administration. Compared to Barisan Nasional (BN) ministers, PH ministers emphasized greater policy rigour, more evidence-based arguments, lower tolerance for corruption, and enhanced public accountability. Criticisms of PH include an early focus by some ministers on seemingly trivial issues, an initial distrust of some parts of the public service, and an inability to have all parts of the federal government work cohesively. Some future lessons that business associations have adopted are: avoid taking a partisan stance in policy debates; be prepared for some confusion and lack of clarity in the early days of any new government; expect many existing policies to remain; build relationships with both new ministers and with senior public servants; and ensure that policy positions are well researched and evidence-based. Most associations feel comfortable in adapting to the March 2020 installation of the new Perikatan Nasional administration. Changes in government have also prompted associations to review their own internal policy capacity. Interviewees suggest that chambers may need to enhance their advocacy skills, move away from racially based structures, improve their level of public transparency, become more strategic, and improve their own internal governance and management.

Contents:

Frontmatter

FOREWORD

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS

AN OVERVIEW OF THE MALAYSIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS SECTOR

BUSINESS-GOVERNMENT RELATIONS IN MALAYSIA

METHODOLOGY

SETTLING IN: THE EARLY DAYS

A MATURING RELATIONSHIP

MEDIA RELATIONS

STATE GOVERNMENTS STILL RELEVANT

SOME SELF-REFLECTION

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 08 Oct 2021).

ISBN:

9789814881838

981488183X

OCLC:

1164503489