The research notes of both ISIS staffers as well
as ISIS-related individuals. It offers more detailed analyses of
issues which have a significant bearing on the national and
international scenes.
PRIVATISATION:
The process so far
Ismail Muhd Salleh and Lee Tin Hui
1990 15pp RM5.00/US$2.50 ISBN 967-947-137-3
Privatisation was officially initiated in Malaysia in 1983.
In this paper the authors examine privatisation in the
1980s, its implementation mechanism and process, major
efforts in privatisation and the approaches adopted, as well
as the positive and negative effects of privatisation on the
Malaysian economy. The Malaysian privatisation Masterplan
which has been drawn up and is awaiting Cabinet approval is
also discussed.
SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE INDUSTRIALISATION:
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
Ismail Md Salleh
1990 28pp RM5.50/US$3.00 ISBN 967-947-121-7
In the current attempt to accelerate the growth of the
modern industrialised sector, greater emphasis is being
placed on the development of SMIs. This paper examines the
structure of Malaysian small and medium scale industries and
their relative significance in the economy, compares the
contribution of Malaysian SMIs with those in the
Philippines, South Korea and Japan, and discusses the roles
SMIs could play in the development of the economy in terms
of employment creation, savings mobilisation, income
distribution and fostering linkages between SMIs and large
scale industries.
THE POLITICS OF JAPAN-VIETNAM RELATIONS
Khong Kim Hoong
1991 30pp RM5.50/US$3.00 ISBN 967-947-129-2
Nixon's announcement of US rapprochement with China in 1971
set in motion the wheels of change in Japan's foreign policy
in Asia. This paper looks at the dominant factors and
significant events in Japanese foreign policy regarding
Vietnam in the context of the security situation in the
region. The author also examines the use of economic aid as
a lever in Japan-Vietnam relations.
LIVESTOCK POLICY AND PRODUCTION IN
MALAYSIA
Tan Siew Hoey
1991 26pp RM5.00/US$2.50 ISBN 967-947-125-X
This paper looks at the livestock sector in Malaysia, where
the performance of the non-ruminant sector far outstrips
that of the ruminant sector. The author, a senior analyst at
the ISIS Malaysia analyses the trends in the remarkable
performance of the pig and poultry subsector and the
struggling performance of the cattle and the sheep subsector,
and then examines the reasons for this disparity, The
analysis done against the backdrop of policy intervention in
the livestock sector, also highlights current issues related
to livestock production.
STRATEGIES FOR SMALL-STATE SURVIVAL
Hans H Indorf
1985 54pp RM7.00/US$3.50 ISBN 967-99974-0-5
For small states at the circumference of superpower
activity, the chief concern is survival. This paper suggests
strategies in equity, co-operation, defence, leverage and
trans~nationalism to help reduce conflict situations in
small states and thus help ensure their survival.
LESSONS FROM THE CARIBBEAN BASIN
INITIATIVE
Dilip Mukerjee
1985 36pp RM4.50/US$2.50 ISBN 967-99974-6-4
This paper examines the background behind President Reagan's
Caribbean Basin Initiative and its impact on trade,
investment and tourist flows from the US before proposing
conclusions to be drawn from the new US readiness to create
special economic relationships in pursuit of geopolitical
objectives.
A CASE FOR A MALAYSIAN TRAVEL TAX
Steven C M Wong
1986 26pp PM5.50/US$3.00 ISBN 967-947-036-9
Growing foreign payment imbalances on the travel account
have fanned widespread speculation in recent years about the
possibility of a travel tax being imposed for Malaysia. This
paper looks at the basic rationale for a travel tax and
considers what it could achieve, before proposing some ways
to impose this tax and target it towards selected groups of
travellers.
EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS FOR MALAYSIA:
A survey of terrain
Steven C M Wong and Mustafa Mohamed
Najimudin
1986 26pp RM5.50/US$3.00 ISBN 967-947-034-2
While looking at the factors that will determine whether the
growing numbers of working age Malaysians can be
productively employed in the years to come, the writers
pinpoint key influences on the present situation and
identify probable directions and outcomes of labour market
adjustments.
SELF-EVALUATION IN ENHANCING
ORGANISATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY
Chew Tow Yow
1986 25pp PM5.50/US$3.00 ISBN 967-947-035~0
Proposing that the way to enhance organisational
productivity is through self-evaluation, the writer looks at
the task of instituting this from the perspective of the
head of a public organisation. Planning and operational
decisions that must be considered are highlighted.
US TRADE PREFERENCES FOR LDCS:
An Asean perspective
Dilip Mukerjee
1986 32pp RM6.00/US$3.00 ISBN 967-947-033-4 (no stock)
This paper examines the GSP scheme by looking at its history
and comparing it with other schemes. Objections raised by
affected US interests, the changes made to the original
scheme and the justifications given by the US administration
are tackled before approaches that LDCs can adopt in
negotiating with the US on the GSP scheme are suggested.
CONSUMPTION AND TRADE-RELATED TAXES IN
MALAYSIA
Ismail Md Salleh
1988 36pp RM6.00/US$3.00 ISBN 967-947-062-8
Besides discussing consumption and trade~related taxes in
Malaysia, this paper also traces, in brief, the trend of
taxation from 1960-87. The changing pattern of direct and
indirect taxes are analysed in terms of their 'effort and
reliance ratios' and the economic effects of taxes are
evaluated in terms of the standard criteria of revenue
productivity, equity and efficient resource allocation. Also
included is an appendix detailing the justifications and
administrative aspects of a value added tax for Malaysia in
relation to the weaknesses and limitations of the existing
tax structure, specifically the general sales tax.
KAMPUCHEA:
One way forward
Mohamed Noordin Sopiee
1988 10pp RM2.50/US$1.50 ISBN 967-947-080-6
This paper presented just before the Jakarta Informal
Meeting in July 1988 discusses 10 solutions to the Kampuchea
problem and proposes a framework for 'a viable political
settlement involving the establishment of a sovereign and
reasonably independent, neutral, non-aligned, peaceful,
stable and unthreatening Kampuchea'. The writer also sets
out the necessary components of political settlement which
could secure the conditions of viability, and a political
critical path.
ALLIANCE OF THE PROXIES:
USSR-Vietnam relations and the implications
Abdul Razak A Baginda and Rohana Mahmood
1988 40pp RM6.50/US$3.50 ISBN 967-947-056-3
Despite various strains underlying the Soviet-Vietnamese
relationship, the Soviet Union and Vietnam have been
important proxies for each other in the last decade. This
paper traces the development of the relations between the
two proxies, examines how and why the relationship has
flowered and then looks at why this relationship matters to
Southeast Asia.
THE CAMBODIAN CONFLICT: 1978-1989
Mohamed Noordin Sopiee
1989 27pp RM5.50/US$3.00 ISBN 967-947-094-6
This wide-ranging analysis of the Cambodia conflict by ISIS
Director General Dr Noordin Sopiee was first presented at
the Third Asia-Pacific Roundtable. It has been revised to
take into account the rapid developments taking place that
have substantially improved the prospects for a solution to
this longstanding dispute. Issues discussed include: the
positive factors affecting the prospects for a resolution;
negative factors working against national reconciliation;
and the possible endgame scenarios that are likely to
emerge.
