PUTRAJAYA, July 31 (Bernama) -- As the agency entrusted to institutionalise Behavioural Insights (BI) initiatives in Malaysia since 2020, Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) is dedicated to leading Behavioural Insights adoption among government ministries, agencies, departments, and policymakers.
 
To this end, the National Conference on Behavioural Insights 2024 was recently held, with the theme for this year, Enhancing Productivity Through Navigating Together: Behavioural Public Policy for Malaysia officiated by YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
 
The conference is an amalgamation of ideas brought forward to discover, discuss and come up with the relevant action plans, highlighting the hard work and efforts of various ministries and agency partners who have been working tirelessly to implement better policy-making through the use of Behavioural Insights. Speakers, including representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, shared their experiences and insights on leveraging Behavioural Insights to enhance policy outcomes.
 
The conference aims to promote using behavioural insight in public policy and emphasise the significance of collaborative efforts in utilising behavioural insights to design and implement effective public policies, including to achieve the key targets under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) and main missions of the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.
 
The National Conference on Behavioural Insights 2024 also strives to showcase successful BI projects in Malaysia, share key learnings in applying BI in public policy and regulation and most importantly foster consensus on the necessity and advantages of utilising Behavioural Insights in public policy and regulation.
 
YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul said, “ Malaysia started integrating Behavioural Insights into public policy in 2020, and we have seen many improvements that benefit the business community, investors and Malaysians. But we can do more.  BI-based improvements demonstrate our commitment to not only ease the investor’s journey, but also significantly enhance efficiency, productivity, and regulatory compliance. This ultimately makes our nation more competitive to be a manufacturing and services hub, so our investors can share with the world that Malaysia is where global starts.”
 
Different levels of the government, leaders, talent and practitioners are equipped with the necessary expertise to facilitate the application of BI in enhancing policy effectiveness in the various ministries and agencies.
 
Armed with the PRIME Framework (purpose, review, intervention, measure and expand) as a guidance to practitioners in applying and implementing BI in public policy, MPC brought together both local and international BI experts to work with selected government entities in applying the framework to solve long outstanding problems and issues using BI. Datuk Kamaruzzaman Johari, Chairman of MPC, highlighted in his welcome address that these collaborative projects have been documented as valuable case studies and published annually since 2021.
 
MPC has also launched the Capacity Building Program on Behavioural Insights (2023) to improve the expertise and knowledge of policymakers, regulators, and public officials in applying BI in their daily activities. The program has successfully trained 15 leaders, 125 talent, and 25 practitioners from various ministries and agencies.
 
On another note, Director General MPC, Zahid Ismail said in his closing remarks of the conference, "Throughout these sessions, we have seen how BI can catalyse positive change, driving efficiency, equity, and sustainable development. The contributions from each stakeholder have been invaluable in charting Malaysia's path forward in Behavioural Insights."
 
MPC is actively expanding these BI initiatives to encompass a broader range of areas and aspects, aiming to foster greater adoption and positive outcomes across the whole public policy landscape of Malaysia and lead towards the national productivity growth target of 3.7% as stated in the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP).
 
About Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)
MPC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). It drives national productivity holistically at the national, sectoral, and enterprise levels through three main thrusts: developing future talent, driving digitization and innovation, and building a robust ecosystem. It collaborates strategically with the private and public sectors by emphasising productivity as a key agenda to boost productivity growth and national competitiveness, ultimately leading to shared well-being and prosperity.
 

SOURCE : Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name : Izzul Ikhwan Ishak
Tel : 011-14387240
Email : izzul@mpc.gov.my
 
Name : Noor Izzati Kamis
Tel : 012-286 7346
Email : noorizzati@mpc.gov.my 

--BERNAMA