Economic development in the long run is seen as a process of structural change that is affected by economic growth. Malaysia is one of the middle-income economies that are going through rapid structural change. Since the mid 1980s it has changed to an industrially based economy with large-scale export of electrical and electronic components. However, thirty years after Malaysia's re-distributive policies have been exercised, regional inequality still exists. This book examines the nature and impact of regional policies in relation to the patterns of demographic and economic structural change and in relation to growth, distribution and income disparities across regions in Peninsular Malaysia. The book also explores the degree to which differences in regional manufacturing distribution and concentration have contributed to regional inequality. It concludes with a number of recommendations for regional policies that will reduce this inequality.

This thorough analysis of Malaysia's economic expansion evaluates the success of the government's New Economic Policy (NEP), which was designed to promote national unity by reducing poverty as well as by loosening the link between ethnicity and economic function. The first comprehensive analysis of income distribution trends after the inauguration of the NEP, the study also considers interethnic, urban-rural, and regional variations over time. Although there have been significant reductions in poverty and income inequality, Hashim uses previously unpublished data to show that both are still rampant.

Monograph on relations between ethnic group-related economic disparity (racial discrimination) and economic development in Malaysia - examines the historical and theoretical background, nature, causes, extent and trends, compares economic policies before and after 1970, and evaluates possible solutions to reconcile inequality and growth (rural development and urban development policies, industrial policies, agricultural policies, educational policies, etc.). Bibliography pp. 291 to 315, glossary, references and statistical tables.

A sophisticated account of income equalities and poverty in Malaysia which will be of particular interest to policy makers. A range of issues is covered -- from data problems to conceptural questions arising with respect to measurement.

Malaysia has grown and changed a great deal since it was formed on 16 September 1963. It was then seen as an unlikely nation hastily put together as a federation of British controlled territories in the region. Brunei's refusal to join at the eleventh hour and Singapore's secession before its second birthday only seemed to confirm such doubts.Yet, it has not only survived, but even thrived, often cited as a developing country worthy of emulation. Ruled by the same ruling coalition since the mid-1950s, it has been tempting to emphasize continuities, and there certainly have been many.Looking back at its last half century, this volume first considers changes in development policy in response to national as well as international developments. The remaining three parts consider how public policy has been influenced by and has, in turn, influenced economic distribution, public finance and economic federalism.Besides the familiar focus on ethnic disparities, regional and other distribution issues are considered. The discussion of government taxation as well as spending also focuses on distribution implications. Although constitutionally a federation, Malaysia has been more centralized than most federal states.The way forward requires greater sensitivity to the complex political economy of Malaysia's unlikely, but nonetheless resilient federation and ruling coalition.This book is published and distributed worldwide by World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd except Malaysia.

'The greatest advantage of this book is that the analyses are undertaken from the viewpoint of standard economics, not that of political economy. . . this book is valuable for readers who wish to analyze the Malaysian economy from the viewpoint of standard economics. The book provides full data concerning every field of the Malysian economy, from macroeconomic indices to those of labor, education, and so on, the analyses using standard techniques in econometrics and concise reviews of related policies. In particular, the analyses identifying the factors of the past high growth of the Malaysian economy in the first half of the book are very informative and are outstanding among the literature in this field. . . the book contains valuable analyses of Malaysia which accurately reflect the title. This book is suitable for economists who are newcomers to the Malaysian economy, and is also recommended for specialists on the Malaysian economy, who may be bogged down in the depths of the Malaysian political economy and wish to refresh their brains by seeing this "unique" country analyzed in the same manner as other "ordinary" countries.' - Satoru Kumagai, The Developing Economies