My Hero

Salam economic,

I just could not imagine, this time around I will get the golden chance to meet my hero: Dr.Jomo Kwame Sunderam or better known as Dr.Jomo. Perhaps many of us are not familiar with him. Well, he is one of the most celebrated and highly vocal scholar of economics in our country. I admire him a lot due to his ethics in delivering his arguments to the government and of course in representing the credibility of Malaysian scholars.

It is hard to see now days whereby our scholars could stand up with integrity to help performing 'check and balance' towards our government policy making process. It is really essential for the likes of Dr.Jomo and his colleagues to raise the ante on advising critically what is best for the Malaysian people. Sadly though, new generation of scholars today are no match for Dr.Jomo's generation.

Dr. Jomo himself has authored many highly critical books ranging from Malaysian political economy to globalization issues that currently being faced by fellow Malaysians. His point of views especially on Malaysian economics are highly respected by academia as well people who champions justice and order in this country. I think, we missed him dearly after his departure to United Nation because currently I could not see any figures who could replace him in engaging with important issues of our nation.

Honestly, I would want to be like him. Perhaps, after completing my degree in near future, I will embark on my next journey to become a great economist. I do think it is my social obligation to undertake this job to ensure our nation survival is well taken care off because I do believe, by looking at the current condition, Malaysian people desperately need a revolution in academics realm in order to contribute more towards check and balance process as well generating good ideas to improve and sustain the prosperity we currently enjoy with.

With that, I would be the first to volunteer myself to take the mantle from Dr.Jomo to continue his quest of sustainable development in near future.

P/S: Anybody who would like to attend the lecture please contact me so that we can arrange our trip together. It would be a wonderful experience meeting intellectual such as Dr.Jomo. I can guarantee you that.

Malaysia Economic Development Since Merdeka:
Lessons for the Present and Future

Date: 30 JULY 2007 (Monday)
Time: 8.00PM – 10.00PM
Venue: Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall No. 1, Jalan Maharajarela, 50150 Kuala Lumpur (Near Maharajarela Monorail Station)

Guest Speaker: Prof. KS Jomo

Jomo K. S. has been Assistant Secretary General for Economic Development in the United Nations' Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) since January 2005. He was Professor in the Applied Economics Department, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya until November 2004, and was on the Board of the United Nations Research Institute on Social Development (UNRISD), Geneva (2002-4). He is Founder Chair of IDEAs, International Development Economics Associates (www.ideaswebsite.org)

Born in Penang, Malaysia, in 1952, Jomo studied at the Penang Free School (PFS, 1964-6), Royal Military College (RMC, 1967-70), Yale (1970-3) and Harvard (1973-7). He has taught at Science University of Malaysia (USM, 1974), Harvard (1974-5), Yale (1977), National University of Malaysia (UKM, 1977-82), University of Malaya (since 1982), and Cornell (1993). He has also been a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge University (1987-8; 1991-2) and was Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore (2004).

He has authored over 35 monographs, edited over 50 books and translated 11 volumes besides writing many academic papers and articles for the media. He is on the editorial boards of several learned journals. Some of his most recent book publications include Malaysia's Political Economy (with E. T. Gomez), Tigers in Trouble, Rents, Rent-Seeking and Economic Development: Theory and the Asian Evidence (with Mushtaq Khan).

Abstract of the talk.

Malaysia as a nation turns into 50 this year. In commemoration of 50 years of nationhood, there has never a better time for Malaysians to reflect on the present, its origins in the past and what the future holds. The economic crisis that began in 1997 has reduced growth rates since.

Ten years after the crisis, how far has Malaysia recovered? What is the present situation of the Malaysian economic? Is FDI the solution for Malaysia’s economic stagnation? All these questions and many more will be addressed by Prof. Jomo. This discussion should open a debate on our shared future as a nation.
Language: English

ALL ARE WELCOME!

FOR ENQUIRIES: Should you require further clarification or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our
Project Coordinator at SIRD, Lee Khai Loon (kllee78@gmail.com) at DL: 77831164 or mobile: 013-3970519.
Project Assistant, Chua Yee Ling (yling1983@gmail.com) or mobile: 012-7355025.