IDEAS acting CEO Ali Salman said that the mission of the organisation remains the same.
“We were founded as a think tank to improve the level of understanding and acceptance of public policies based on the principles of rule of law, limited government, free markets and individual liberty.
“And this continues to be our mission. Hence, IDEAS must continue to hold and strengthen its position as an independent public policy research organisation, without fear or favour” he said in the statement today.
Ali added that IDEAS is inspired by the principles of Malaysia’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and the spirit of Merdeka that he embodied.
On March 1, Wan Saiful, who headed IDEAS since its founding in 2009, joined PPBM after 21 years of being a life member of PAS.
At the press conference announcing his move to PPBM last week, Wan Saiful had suggested that some of his efforts while being CEO of the think tank may have been in vain.
“I thought no matter how loud I shout, or how many proposal papers I write, as long as the present regime continues to rule the country, the complete change that we seek will not happen because there is no political will in Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN),” he had said.
At the same press conference, PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin named Wan Saiful as the PPBM policy and strategy deputy director, a division headed by Rais Hussin.
Further to Wan Saiful’s resignation, Ali, who is also IDEAS economist and research director, announced the formation of a new executive committee of the board.
“The board will comprise IDEAS chairman Rebecca Sta Maria, and board members R Thillainathan and Wan Mohd Firdaus Wan Mohd Fuaad.”
During this period of transition, Ali said that IDEAS will focus on three key areas.
“The three areas are on engagement with policy makers, sustainability for long term health, and capacity building by investing in training of young researchers as well as increasing the size of the research team,” he said.
Ali also lamented the dearth of similar independent think tanks in the country, saying it is a cause which deserves support from all stakeholders including the private sector, policy makers, media and academia.
According to the statement, IDEAS research is structured under three broad thematic units and clusters: advancing a competitive economy (Economics & Business Unit), restoring trust in institutions (Democracy & Governance Unit) and inclusive development (Social Policy Unit).
Wan Saiful ready to face critics for making U-turn and joining PPBM