PUTRAJAYA: The Forum Serantau YAPEIM 2024 (FSY2024) brought together over 60 distinguished speakers and moderators from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and beyond for a two-day event recently.
Officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, the forum attracted more than 600 participants from various sectors.
With the theme ‘Empowering the MADANI Economy through Regional Synergy,’ the discussions covered pressing issues such as poverty, economic disparities, Islamic finance, and the digital economy.
Participants also explored sustainability, youth employment and the halal sector.
A key highlight was chief executive officer (CEO) of Oxford Intellect Dr Imran Alvi, who shared insights on nudge theory and its potential for public policy.
He demonstrated how this approach, which gently guided behaviour while preserving personal choice, could address challenges like education and financial literacy.
Additionally, he also emphasised the ethical considerations of nudge theory, calling for collaboration between policymakers and communities.
“The essence of nudging was to guide behaviour through subtle cues, preserving personal choice.
“This approach offers a unique opportunity to leverage cultural contexts to tackle pressing issues, from education to graduate employment, all at minimal cost.
“By employing nudges, governments can encourage positive behaviours without resorting to heavy-handed legislation, and by subtly steering citizens towards better decisions, governments can achieve their policy goals without infringing on personal freedoms,” he said.
He also discussed the application of nudge theory in Malaysia and other developing nations to address pressing challenges such as financial literacy, education and sustainable development.
Dr Alvi’s presentation sparked considerable interest among YAPEIM attendees, who recognised the potential of this approach in contributing to Malaysia’s Madani Economy.
