HOW WE WORK

How We Work to Advance Policy Through Research

Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) is an independent, non-profit policy research organisation dedicated to advancing Malaysia’s public good. Our work is guided by a commitment to analytical rigour and impartiality, never by political or financial interests. Each study we undertake is driven by a single purpose: to help shape policies that improve outcomes for all Malaysians. Through robust analysis and grounded local insights, we produce research that is practical, relevant, and useful to policymakers.

Contact

Our Approach

Why You Can Trust KRI Research

We pursue KRI's mission to improve the well-being of the general population through research excellence guided by our core principles of rigour, relevance, and responsibility to the rakyat. Every aspect of our work is designed to ensure that our research and analysis meet the highest standards of quality and integrity.

Research Standards for National Impact

Our research undergoes rigorous quality assurance processes designed to ensure that every output is data-backed, methodologically sound, and policy-relevant. We maintain strict protocols to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure that our research serves the public interest above all else.

Transparency and Accessibility

KRI research is conducted with full transparency. We openly share our methodologies, data sources, and limitations. Our findings are made accessible to policymakers, academics, civil society, and the rakyat through multiple channels and formats, ensuring that knowledge serves those who need it most.

Malaysian Context, Global Standards

While our research methods meet international standards of excellence, our work is deeply rooted in Malaysian realities. We understand local contexts, cultural nuances, and the lived experiences of diverse Malaysian communities, ensuring our recommendations are both evidence-based and practically implementable,.

Our Research Principles

We pursue KRI's mission to improve the well-being of the general population through research

Rigour

We ground every analysis in sound methodologies, employ the most appropriate research methods for each question, and ensure our findings are reproducible and defensible. All research undergoes multiple levels of review to maintain the highest standards of scientific excellence.

Relevance

Our research agenda focuses on issues that matter most to the rakyat's well-being. We ensure our work is timely, actionable, and addresses real policy needs with practical recommendations that can be implemented within Malaysian institutional contexts.

Responsibility to the Rakyat

We conduct research for the Malaysian people, not special interests or partisan agendas. We maintain independence from political and commercial pressures while engaging with diverse communities to ensure our research reflects varied Malaysian perspectives and experiences.

Transparency

We document and report our research processes, limitations, and data sources clearly. Our methodologies, potential conflicts of interest, and findings are disclosed openly, and we make our research accessible through multiple formats to diverse audiences.

Integrity

We conduct research according to established ethical principles, avoid conflicts of interest, and maintain independence in our analysis. We acknowledge limitations honestly and stand by our findings regardless of their popularity or political implications.

Our Research Process

Step 01

Engage & Design: Defining What Truly Matters

Our process begins with deep engagement. We connect with stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and civil society to understand the forces shaping Malaysia’s economic and social trajectory. Through structured dialogues, roundtables, focus groups, and targeted consultations, we identify priority issues grounded in lived realities. This ensures our research agenda is not driven by assumptions but by the needs and aspirations of the communities and institutions we serve.

What happens:

Stakeholder Engagement: Conduct roundtables, focus groups, and consultations with policymakers, industry leaders, and communities.
Issue Identification: Surface priority challenges and opportunities based on real-world needs, not assumptions.
Research Question Development: Translate insights into focused, relevant research questions aligned with Malaysia’s socio-economic context.

Step 02

Collect & Analyze - Gathering Truth and Finding Patterns

Collect & Analyse: Building an Evidence Base

Once the right questions are defined, we employ robust, multi-method data collection strategies across diverse sectors and regions. Our research teams rigorously interrogate the data, uncovering trends, systemic patterns, and structural dynamics that often remain hidden beneath surface narratives. This analytical depth provides a foundation for insights that are both credible and actionable.

What happens:

Data Acquisition: Gather primary and secondary data through surveys, interviews, and official sources.
Methodological Rigor: Apply robust quantitative and qualitative techniques to ensure validity and reliability.
Pattern Recognition: Identify trends, correlations, and structural dynamics hidden beneath surface narratives.
Insight Synthesis: Convert raw data into meaningful findings that inform decision-making.

Step 03

Create Solutions - Designing Policies That Actually Work

Innovate & Design Solutions: Policies That Work in Practice

Evidence alone is not enough. We translate findings into policy options and strategic interventions that are context-sensitive and grounded in Malaysia’s socio-economic realities. Each recommendation undergoes stress-testing against political, institutional, and cultural complexities to ensure feasibility, sustainability, and impact.

What happens:

Policy Development: Craft policy options and strategic interventions grounded in research evidence.
Contextual Adaptation: Align recommendations with Malaysia’s socio-economic, cultural, and institutional realities.
Stress Testing: Evaluate feasibility, sustainability, and potential risks before implementation.
Implementation Roadmap: Define clear steps, timelines, and resource requirements for adoption.

Step 04

Drive Impact - Turning Research Into Real Change

Drive Impact: From Insight to Implementation

Research only matters when it leads to outcomes. We work with policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to embed recommendations into action. This final step closes the loop-ensuring insights become improvements that shape lives and strengthen institutions.

What happens:

Strategic Partnerships: Work with policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to champion adoption.
Advocacy & Communication: Translate technical findings into accessible narratives for decision-makers.
Capacity Building: Equip institutions with tools and knowledge to implement recommendations effectively.
Monitoring & Evaluation: Track progress, measure impact, and refine strategies for long-term success.

How We Achieve Impact

Research Publications and Commentaries Insights

Khazanah Research Institute’s publications and commentaries offer evidence-based perspectives on Malaysia’s economic and social development. Through rigorous research and timely insights, we analyse structural trends, policy challenges, and emerging opportunities to inform decision-making. Our commentaries translate complex findings into accessible narratives, fostering informed dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders, and the public. Together, these outputs aim to bridge research and action, shaping policies that drive inclusive and sustainable progress.

View All our Publication

Policy Engagement and Stakeholder Collaboration

Stakeholder engagement is at the heart of our research approach. We actively collaborate with policymakers, industry leaders, civil society, and communities to ensure our work reflects real-world priorities. Through consultations, roundtables, and strategic dialogues, we gather diverse perspectives that shape our research agenda. This engagement builds trust, fosters shared ownership of solutions, and ensures that our recommendations are practical, inclusive, and aligned with Malaysia’s socio-economic realities.

View All Our Engagements

Public Education and Awareness

Advocacy and media engagement amplify our research impact beyond the policy sphere. We actively participate in public discourse through interviews, opinion pieces, and media appearances to share evidence-based perspectives on Malaysia’s socio-economic issues. By translating complex research into clear, accessible narratives, we foster informed debate and encourage data-driven decision-making. Our advocacy ensures that research insights reach the right audiences, policymakers, industry leaders, and the public, driving conversations that lead to meaningful change.

View All Media Appearances