Congratulations to Koay Yun Sheng and Team on Winning 1st Runner-Up at the Malaysian Public Policy Competition 2026
Congratulations to Faculty of Engineering and Technology student, Koay Yun Sheng (Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering (Robotics) with Honours) and team on winning 1st Runner-Up at the Malaysian Public Policy Competition 2026, organised by the International Council of Malaysian Scholars and Associates (ICMS). This year marked the 16th edition of the competition, which attracted participation from more than 220 teams nationwide.
The team comprised Yun Sheng from Sunway University and three students from Universiti Malaya. Over a period of approximately four months, they developed a policy proposal addressing Malaysia's rising cost of living, with a particular focus on enhancing food affordability for the B40 community.
The competition involved multiple stages of assessment. From over 220 participating teams, only 60 teams were shortlisted, followed by 30 teams advancing to the semi-finals. The team successfully navigated several assessment components, including a debate round, elevator pitch, and policy presentation. Their outstanding performance earned them a place among the five Grand Finalists, ultimately securing the position of 1st Runner-Up.
As a result of their achievement, the team will have the opportunity to present their policy proposal to representatives from the Ministry of Finance, including Deputy Minister of Finance, YB Tuan Liew Chin Tong, on 9 September 2026. This provides a valuable platform for their recommendations to be considered by policymakers beyond the competition setting.
The team would also like to express their sincere appreciation to Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr Steven Hoo Choon Lih for his guidance, mentorship, and unwavering support throughout the competition journey.
Reflecting on the experience, the team shared that it was highly meaningful as it enabled them to apply research, policy analysis, problem-solving, and presentation skills to a real socioeconomic challenge affecting communities across Malaysia. It also provided a valuable opportunity to represent Sunway University while collaborating with students from another leading Malaysian university.
Once again, congratulations to the team on this remarkable accomplishment.
Sustainable Development Goals
