Page 15 - 03/2022 PULSE@FASS e-Bulletin

R E S E A R C H @ F A S S Issue no. 3 | 2022

Singapore Institute of International Affairs

AP Dr Helena Dr Helena has been following developments of
Varkkey has been transboundary haze diplomacy and action in Southeast
appointed as head Asia for more than 15 years. This report came out of several
consultant for a years of engagement with SIIA on haze issues, and more
UPUM consultancy specifically from an interview with SIIA for her recent article
project for the in Volume 32, Issue 4 of Environmental Policy and
Singapore Institute of Governance, on “Emergent geographies of chronic air
International Affairs pollution governance in Southeast Asia: Transboundary
(SIIA), which will run publics in Singapore”. The report is scheduled to be
from June to October released for public consumption by the end of 2022.
2022. The project will involve research and development
of a written report on “25 Years of ASEAN Haze Action
(1999-2022)”. The SIIA is a non-profit and independent
think tank committed to producing policy analysis,
fostering in-depth dialogues and bridging gaps between
policymakers, private sector decision-makers and experts
to shape public policy and social responses. It aims to
deliver policy analysis in international affairs and on issues
driving environmental sustainability in ASEAN. It has been
actively involved in track-two diplomacy and engagement
on transboundary haze since the major 1997-1998 fires
and haze. A hazy day in Singapore. Source: Shutterstock

National Book Data
Profile 2023

Initial meeting with Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia
to conduct interviews and compile relevant data among
Dr Yanti Idaya Aspura Mohd Khalid has been appointed national book industry players, which includes
as head consultant for a UPUM consultancy project for the government agencies, statutory bodies, and associations.
National Library of Malaysia or Perpustakaan Negara The lack of an up-to-date national book profile data makes
Malaysia (PNM), which will run from September 2022 to it difficult for stakeholders to make informed decisions
September 2023. when developing statistics for the country's book industry.
This is due to a lack of adequate and verifiable data insight
The project, which also comprises Associate Professor Dr. to determine whether the industry is growing or shrinking
Noorhidawati Abdullah, Dr. Samsul Farid Samsudin and Ali and how the information can benefit the industry.
Fauzi as co-consultants from the Department of Library Ultimately, the goal of this project is to assess the current
and Information Science (LIS), will involve the research state of the country's book industry from the perspective of
and development of a national book data profile. The industry players identified by PNM. The results of this
profile will be the first of its kind for Malaysia. The National project will be used to create the 2023 National Book Data
Library of Malaysia (PNM) has appointed the team from LIS Profile.

15 | Pulse @ FASS