The Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia (JCI) was established in March 2014 as an independent public policy think tank, based in Sunway University on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
JCI experts engage with the public through its regular events, serving as a bridge between academia, policymakers and stakeholders for finding common paths and for breaking new ground.
Our mission is to develop efficient and equitable solutions to the region’s most pressing development problems. We are grouped into three sections: economic studies, governance studies, and social progress & education.
More than ever, there is a pressing need for policy specialists with theoretical knowledge, technical knowledge and implementation abilities. JCI intends to raise the next generation of leaders through our postgraduate programmes.
JCI administers the Jeffrey Cheah Travel Grants to allow Sunway-affiliated researchers and Harvard scholars to travel between both institutions for research, knowledge-sharing and cross-cultural communication.
Using their expertise, JCI fellows contribute to the public discourse through their own media appearances, columns and citations in the news.
Prof. Agamuthu, a solid and hazardous waste management specialist, speaks on Malaysia's effective management of healthcare waste. He elaborates on key improvements for household waste management in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof. James Chin weighs in on the current Malaysian political transition.
Prof James Chin comments on the Sabah governor's decision to call for snap elections.
Prof Yeah said the high-technology, digital and healthcare sectors would be key sectors to promote in the post-Covid-19 landscape
Prof Yeah is of the view that moratorium extension will result in banks' Net Income Margin likely to be compressed but will not affect bank's future prospects so long they can sustain operations
Prof. James Chin predicts the Najib Razak graft trial outcome will likely be overturned in the appeals court.
Prof Yeah provides inputs on the risks posed to economic and social factors should the Malaysian government reinstate a Movement Control Order (MCO).
Prof Yeah comments on Vietnam's coordination efforts in playing a role to promote economic growth and stability in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which convenes its 36th Summit in 2020.
Prof James Chin opines with regards to a call for the amendment of laws to allow MPs to contest under political parties instead of individual names in order to put a stop to the practice of party-hopping.
Prof Yeah evaluates the impact of domestic seasonal flooding, natural disasters in China, and the possible surge of COVID-19 cases on the Malaysian economy.