Dr Tham Siew Yean is a Visiting Senior Fellow with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, and Professor Emeritus, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
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Tham Siew Yean
Articles by Tham Siew Yean (39)
Fostering Talent Fleet of Foot: The Need for Harmony and Depth
Tham Siew Yean
The pursuit of high-value manufacturing and knowledge-based services has compelled ASEAN countries to develop systems to support the movement of skilled labour. There are challenges in implementing a uniform system.
Malaysia Should Channel US Trade Representative Section 301 Pressure Into Forced Labour Compliance
Tham Siew Yean
Malaysia should take decisive action in response to the US’ tariff threat for failing to prohibit imports made with forced labour. Eliminating such imports is in everyone’s best interest.
Malaysia-US Agreement on Reciprocal Tariffs: Calm Before Another Storm?
Tham Siew Yean
Malaysia has declared the ART null and void while the US is deploying new tariff instruments, creating uncertainty over new agreements. Malaysia should rebalance lopsided terms – and reduce its exposure to the US market.
ASEAN Services Liberalisation: Big Promises, Modest Progress
Tham Siew Yean
ASEAN’s slow growth in services trade stems from persistent reservation and diluted liberalisation. Member states need to consolidate the region’s rules-based framework — and facilitate services trade.
From Promise to Peril? The Hidden Risks in Malaysia’s Mine-to-Magnet Rare Earth Push
Tham Siew Yean
Malaysia’s push to build a full rare earths value chain faces significant technology, trade, investment, and governance hurdles across the mining, processing, and manufacturing stages.