Kuala Lumpur:Malaysia must carefully adapt its economic strategies to align with policy shifts from major global powers while safeguarding its own economic interests and development.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) Research Advisor Prof Emeritus Dr. Jomo Kwame Sundaram emphasized that increased competition among global powers is impacting trade, investment, technology, and the broader global economic environment.
He highlighted that geopolitical conflicts, economic sanctions, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures present challenges for Malaysia, which relies heavily on international trade, investment, and finance. These factors affect the nation in terms of inflation, foreign investment flows, the stability of the ringgit, and economic competitiveness.
Dr. Jomo delivered these insights during the Executive Talk Programme, titled 'World Powers: Current Economic and Political Implications for Malaysia', held at the National Library of Malaysia Auditorium. Organized by the National Unity Ministry through PNM, the programme explored the evolving global economic and geopolitical landscape and its impact on Malaysia.
Key topics included trade tensions among major powers, supply chain security, commodity market volatility, and the emergence of new economic blocs reshaping trade patterns and international economic relations.
Dr. Jomo, also a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and Professor Emeritus of Universiti Malaya, formerly held positions as the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development and Assistant Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.
The National Unity Ministry reported that the programme attracted 389 in-person participants and 483 online attendees, including public sector officers, university and school students, and the general public. The Executive Talk 2026 also aimed to reinforce PNM's role as a national reference institution and platform for intellectual discourse, connecting experts with the community to discuss strategic national and international issues.