FAIZAL Bin Yahya

Dr Faizal Bin Yahya is Senior Research Fellow in the Governance and Economy department at the Institute of Policy Studies. 

Prior to joining IPS, he was an Assistant Professor in the South Asian Studies Programme, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, National University of Singapore. Concurrently, he was a Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies from 2008 to 2009 (ISEAS). He has also served in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (International Policy) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) as a Foreign Service Officer. He was a member of the Singapore Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1998 and was also involved in multilateral meetings dealing with environmental issues such as climate change and transboundary hazardous wastes. He was appointed as a Board Member to the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) in 2019.

Faizal received his PhD in Economics in 2000 from the University of Sydney, Australia and was an Australian Overseas Postgraduate Research Scholar from 1994 to 1998.

Research Interests

Human capital; social capital; multicultural and societal issues; globalisation; regional synergies across Asia

Publications

• Yahya, F. (2024). Digital Platforms in Southeast Asia: Governance and Innovation, Asia Democracy Research Network. ADRN Issue Briefings.
• Yahya, F. (2019). Preparing the Future Workforce – Reskilling, Retraining and Redeploying and the Transformation of the Education System. In Transformation of Work in Asia-Pacific in the 21st Century Report (pp. 211 - 242). Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST); Asia Pacific Rim Universities (APRU).
• Yahya, F. (2015). INTRACO: Blazing a trail overseas. Singapore: World Scientific Press.
• Yahya, F. (2015). Inequality in Singapore. Singapore: World Scientific Press.
• Chong, A., & Yahya, F. (2014). State, society and information technology in Asia: Alterity between online and offline politics. London, UK: Ashgate Publishers.
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Yahya, F. (2014). Foreign human capital and integration. In A. Tavidze (Ed.),  A city-state, progress in economics research (Vol.29) (pp.209-228). New York: Nova Publishers.
Yahya, F. (2013). Transmigrant identities and human capital flows in Singapore.  European Journal of East Asian Studies, 12(2), 243-267.
Yahya, F. & Sitheek, S. O. (2013). How significant are service sector wages in attracting and retaining recent graduates: A comparison between Singapore and Hong Kong. In A. Mukherjee (Ed.), Wages and employment: Economics, structure and gender differences, (pp. 211–246). New York: Nova Science.
Yahya, F. (2012). India and its maturing BPO sector.  Journal of Asian and African Studies,  47(6), 620–633.
Yahya, F. (2012). Divesting state owned enterprises.  International Review of Business Research Papers,  8(4), 195–206.
Yahya, F. (2012). Quest for talent in a plural society. In S. Z. S. Hassan & P. L. Ong (Eds.),  Pluralism in Malaysia and Singapore: Essays on issues and challenges. Institute of Ethnic Studies: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Yahya, F. (2011). ASEAN and human capital. In Y. Y. Lee (Ed.),  ASEAN matters! Reflecting on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (pp. 191–201). Singapore: World Scientific.
Yahya, F. (2011). Singapore in 2010: Rebounding from economic slump, managing tensions between a global city and a fledgling nation state. In D. Singh (Ed.),  Southeast Asian affairs 2011 (pp. 257–270). Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Yahya, F. and Kaur, A. (2010). Competition for foreign talent in Southeast Asia.  Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy,  15(1), 20–32. 
Yahya, F., & Kaur, A. (2010). The migration of Indian human capital. London: Routledge. 
Yahya, F. (2009). The rise of India as an information technology (IT) hub and challenges to governance. Journal of South Asian Studies, 32(3) 374–389.
Yahya, F. (2009). Linking and legitimising knowledge-based economic development: India-Singapore collaboration and the information technology sector. In M. Pokrant & G. Michael (Eds.), Trade, labour, and transformation of community in Asia (pp. 211–233). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Yahya, F. & Kaur, A. (2009). Indian media and the lure of uniquely Singapore. In D. Heng, & M.K. Syed (Eds.), Reframing Singapore (pp. 213–228). Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. 
Yahya, F. (2008). Brand India and East Asia. In K. Kesavanpany, A. Mani, & P. Ramasamy (Eds.), Rising India and Indian communities in East Asia ( 130–145). Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Yahya, F. & Kaur, A. (2008). Indian skilled workers and professional talent in Southeast Asia. Migration and Security: Political, Social and Economic Contexts of Migration, 23, 19–32.
Yahya, F. (2008). New “temples” of India: Singapore and India collaboration in information technology parks. Boston: Social Sciences in Asia, Brill, Leiden.
Yahya, F. (2008). Economic cooperation between Singapore and India: An alliance in the making?. United Kingdom: Routledge. 
Yahya, F. (2007). India and Southeast Asia: Prospects for greater trade and economic security. In V. R. Raghavan (Ed.), India and ASEAN: Non-traditional security threats (pp. 2-39). Madras, India: EastWest Books Pvt Ltd.
Sebastian, R., Parameswara, A., & Yahya, F. (2006). Doing business in India. New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies, 8(1), 1–26.
Yahya, F. (2005). Challenges of globalisation: Malaysia and India engagement.  Contemporary Southeast Asia, 27(3), 469–494.
Yahya, F., Parameswara, A., & Sebastian, R. (2005). Tourism and the South Asia littoral: Voices from the Maldives. South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies,  28(3), 457–480. 
Yahya, F., Parameswara, A., Sebastian, R. & Ahmed, I. (2005). Economic costs of tourism in Maldives. Journal Tourism, 53(2), 33–44. 
Yahya, F. (2005). BIMSTEC and emerging patterns of Asian regional and inter-regional cooperation. Australian Journal of Political Science, 40(3), 391–410.
Yahya, F. (2005). State capitalism and government linked companies. Journal of Asia Pacific Business, 6(1), 3–31. 
Yahya, F. (2005). India-Singapore synergy in telecommunications. In A. Brown, M. Hussain & D-T. Nguyen (Eds.), Telecommunications reform in the Asia-Pacific region (pp. 233–252). London: Edward Elgar. 
Yahya, F. (2005). Information technology and aspirations of leap frogging into the first world. In V. R. Savage & M. Mullins (Eds.), The naga challenged (pp. 347–372). Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International.
Yahya, F. (2004). Pakistan, SAARC and ASEAN Relations. Contemporary Southeast Asia,  26(2), 346–371. 
Yahya, F. (2003). Tourism flows between India and Singapore. International Journal of Tourism Research,  5(5), 347–367. 
Yahya, F. (2003). India and Southeast Asia: Revisited. Contemporary Southeast Asia,  25(1), 79–101. 
Yahya, F. (2003). "A passage to India": India-Singapore collaboration in ports development. Asian Studies Review, 27(1), 55–80.
Yahya, F. (2002). The dragon arises: China’s challenge to India in software development. India Review, 1(4), 91–122. 
Yahya, F. (2003). India-Singapore trade relations: Beyond IT. In N. N. Vohra (Ed.),  Emerging Asia: Challenges for India and Singapore (pp. 73–90). New Delhi: Manohar.

Op-eds/Commentaries

• Yahya, F. (2024, April 4). Regulating Digital Platforms in Southeast Asia. East Asia Forum.
• Yahya, F. (2024, January 26). Fine-tuning FDI screening can propel Singapore and ASEAN forward. East Asia Forum.
• Yahya, F. (2024, January 5). Can Singapore keep cheating recession in 2024?. Asia Times.
• Yahya, F. (2024, January 5). Singapore’s economy weathered the storm in 2023. East Asia Forum.
• Yahya, F. (2023, September 22). Spare a thought for outdoor workers as temperatures rise. The Straits Times.
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Yahya, F. (2023, May 13). Singapore’s digital banking oversight lags demand. East Asia Forum.
Yahya, F. &  Juhari, M. (2023, April 22). Commentary: Capturing the community spirit of the Ramadan bazaar. Channel NewsAsia.
Yahya, F. (2023, January 13). Southeast Asia’s tech take-off and layoffs. East Asia Forum.
Yahya, F. (2023, January 11). Commentary: By now, Singapore has plenty of experience in ensuring COVID-safe travel. Channel NewsAsia.
Yahya, F. (2022, December 18). Why Singapore is giving some firms a higher foreign manpower quota. The Straits Times.
Yahya, F. (2022, December 2). Has Singapore’s tech industry got talent?. East Asia Forum.
Yahya, F. (2022, August 18). Updating the digital economy rulebook. East Asia Forum.
Yahya, F. (2022, August 25). Commentary: Building Changi Airport Terminal 5 now gives Singapore first-mover advantage. Channel NewsAsia.
Yahya, F. (2022, July 15). Mitigating the Impact of Rising Inflation Rates in Singapore. The Karyawan.
Yahya, F. (2022, May 10). Slow take-off for Asia Pacific aviation during COVID-19 recovery. East Asia Forum.
Yahya, F. (2022, February 28). Budget 2022: Venturing overseas and supply chain challenges. The Business Times.
Yahya, F. (2021, September 2). Commentary: Techies essential for Singapore to stay relevant as regional business hub. Channel NewsAsia.
Yahya, F. (2021, August 22). Commentary: Singapore should focus on economic growth rather than redistributing a smaller pie as it reopens. Channel NewsAsia.
Yahya, F. (2021, April 9). Commentary: Targeted travel restrictions needed but careful not to undermine Changi Airport's connectivity. Channel NewsAsia.
Yahya, F. (2021, April 4). Commentary: Airlines have little choice but to not be airlines for a few years. Channel NewsAsia.
Yahya, F. (2021, February 18). Commentary: This is why Singapore needs to save its airlines and aviation sector. Channel NewsAsia.
Yahya, F. (2020, October 15). More than S$600 for first class meals? SIA isn't for everyone but that's just fine. Channel NewsAsia.
Yahya, F. (2020, October 4). Comment: Yes, we actually need SIA to survive as our national airline. Mothership.
Yahya, F. (2020, September 25). Singapore’s road to recovery. East Asia Forum.
Yahya, F., & Zain, S. (2020, April 9). What small businesses need now. SGSME.
Yahya, F., & Zain, S. (2020, April 1). Here’s how two key Singapore industries (and workers) can transform in times of crisis. TODAY.
Yahya, F., & Zain, S. (2020, March 7). Budget 2020: Enhancing SMEs’ survivability in times of crisis. The Straits Times.
Yahya, F., & Zain, S. (2019, August 14). A practical approach to Industry 4.0. The Business Times.

Yahya, F., & Zain, S. (2019, February 7). Budget 2019: Time to boost digitalisation. The Business Times.

Yahya, F., & Zain, S. (2019, February 5). Challenges SMEs face in their digital transformation journey. The Business Times.
Yahya, F., & Tjioe, M. (2018, February 28). Commentary: Budget 2018 responds to SME issues about expanding overseas, but will they work?. Channel NewsAsia. 
Yahya, F., & Tjioe, M. (2018, February 14). Transforming labour for the future economy. The Business Times. 
Yahya, F. (2018, February 14). Commentary: Time to review Government assistance to SMEs. Channel NewsAsia.

Yahya, F. (2017, June 23). Does Singapore still need a national airline?. Channel NewsAsia. 

Yahya, F. (2017, June 9). Improving the role of private education institutions. The Business Times.
Yahya, F. (2017, May 5). Commentary: Say yes to renewing the Singapore F1 Grand Prix. Channel NewsAsia.
Yahya, F. (2017, March 7). Budget 2017: How best to help SMEs go digital. The Business Times.
Yahya, F. (2017, January 5). Regulations needed to keep sharing economy safe, yet business-friendly. The Business Times.
Yahya, F., & Lau, W. (2016, May 20). Amid economic headwinds, new measures to build human capital. IPS Commons.
Yahya, F., & Ng, Y.H. (2016, April 22). Budget 2016: Transforming the economy for future growth. IPS Commons.
Yahya, F., & Chang, Z.Y. (2016, April 4). Budget 2016: Pressing on with economic restructuring. IPS Commons.
Yahya, F. (2015, November 6). Small adjustments, significant impact. IPS Commons.
Yahya, F. (2015, April 28). Lessons from Intraco, Singapore’s original trailblazer. TODAY.
Yahya, F., & Chang, Z.Y. (2015, March 12). How companies can make the most of the SkillsFuture program. IPS Commons.
Yahya, F. (2014, October 28). Shrinking the talent gap in SMEs. The Business Times.
Yahya, F. (2014, July 17). Is the Singapore economy succumbing to “credential inflation”?  IPS Commons.
Yahya, F. (2014, May). Can robots complement the workforce?. IPS Update.
Yahya, F. (2013, December). Developing a Singaporean core in our workforce. IPS  Update.
Yahya, F. (2013, November). Misconceptions about older workers. IPS Update.
Yahya, F. (2011, March). ‘Drive productivity – work smarter’: Roundtable report. IPS Update.
Yahya, F. (2011, January). Rethinking realities, reimagining pluralism. IPS Update.
Yahya, F. (2010, September). Food for thought!. IPS Update.

Conference Participation and Presentations/Speeches

• Chair, “Future economy and employment in Singapore”, at International Conference on Business and Information 2016, Nagoya, Japan, 3-5 July 2016.
• Presenter, “Developing high tech companies in Singapore”, at 11th Asian Academy of Management International Conference, Penang, Malaysia, 2-4 October 2015.
• Chair, “Competitiveness of Singapore’s furniture industry and the entry of global furniture Brand IKEA”, Business at International Conference 2014, Osaka, Japan, 3-5 July 2014.
• Chair, “Bureaucrats in business”, at International Conference on Business and information 2013, Bali, Indonesia, 7-9 July 2013.
• Presenter, “China and India, their influence on regional dynamics and impact on smaller nations: Case study on Singapore”, at China-India Conference, organised by University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 10-11 December 2012.
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Presenter, “Transnationals in Singapore”, organised by University of the Philippines, Manila, 22 September 2012.
Chair, “Global competition for talent and private education industry as talent magnet”, at 2012 International Conference on Business and Information, Sapporo, Japan, 3-5 May 2012.
Presenter, “Divesting government linked companies”, at 15^th International Business Research Convenience, Organised by World Business Institute, Sydney, 23-25 November 2011.
Presenter, “The management of scientific and technical talent in India and Singapore”, at Law-based Development and Management of Sci-Tech Personnel, Beijing, China, 30-31 March 2011.
Presenter, “Quest for talent in a pluralistic society”, at the International Conference on Rethinking Realities, organised by University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 14-15 December 2010.