OVER THE PAST NINE YEARS @ KITA-UKM, SOME REFLECTIONS


I started working in the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA-UKM) from Sept 15, 2008. It’s now nine years since then. I am now moving into Jan 2018, to my tenth year with Prof Shamsul. It has been a very enriching experience.

In terms of publications over the past 9 years, I have written and edited a total of 31 publications and 15 articles published locally and overseas. A majority of these are policy documents as well as publications arising from Round table discussions or field studies.

Over the past nine years I have completed 8 research projects funded from sources outside the UKM and valued at RM439,500.00. Of these only one more is pending completion by the middle of 2018.

Some High points while at KITA-UKM

Five events can be noted:-

First, the preparation and delivery of my public lecture entitled Public Advocacy: Of ideas & practice in Malaysia. This was delivered on April 21, 2017 at the UKM Senate Room.

Second, is the launch of the publication “Contemporary Malaysian Indians” on Jan 15, 2016, also at the UKM Senate Room. This publication was based on a two year study and after a series of research workshops which provides an updated analysis of the Malaysian Indian situation.
Third, one of the most fruitful action research projects was funded by the Department of National Unity & Integration. This is a study of the B40 urban neighborhoods on the issues they face. It is about empowering the local communities to find solutions with the cooperation of all relevant agencies. The ideas have now been institutionalized within the department through the “Program Sayangi Kommuniti”. Budget and resources have been allocated for implementation in 200 such neighborhoods by 2020.

Fourth, in the context of policy advocacy and consultancy the role played by KITA-UKM in the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC). We devoted almost two years to work of NUCC and prepared the final report which was submitted to the Federal government for this consideration and action. Ongoing work is still be taken up by the KITA-UKM team with Prof Shamsul playing a lead role in this context.

Fifth, is the work undertaken in the area of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the formation of the Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance and the participation in UN related meetings at the global, regional and national levels. I was appointed as a member of the National SDG Steering Committee by the Economic Planning Committee and continue to serve in this capacity. In recognition of the work done in the promotion of SDGs the United National Country Team in Malaysia awarded me with the 2017 UN Day Award which was confirmed on Oct 24, 2017 in Kuala Lumpur by the UN Resident Coordinator in Malaysia.

Towards 2018


I am looking forward to 2018 as this is the year that KITA-UKM will consolidate its work as it has been declared as a National Institute. This will mean it now has national goals for policy review and input.

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