16.3 – Working with government

16.3.1 – Provide expert advice to government

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) plays a pivotal role as a national thought leader and strategic partner to government agencies at the local, regional and national levels, contributing evidence-based research, policy guidance and technical expertise to support informed decision-making. Through its diverse pool of academic experts and research centers, UKM actively advises the government on disaster risk reduction, Islamic jurisprudence in modern science, and community development policies, aligning with Malaysia’s national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UKM’s expert advice to the government

No.	Name of expertise	Level
1.	Professor Dr. Joy Jacqueline Pereira – Lead Member: Professor Dr. Goh Choo Ta Prof. Dr. Sharifah Zarina Syed Zakaria	National
2.	Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohd Izhar Ariff bin Mohd Kashim – Lead Member: Prof Dr Sahilah Abd Mutalib – Faculty Science and Technology, UKM Prof Madya Datin Dr Nurina Annuar – Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment UKM Prof Madya Dr Ahmad Sunawari Long – Faculty of Islamic Studies, UKM Dr Nadiatur Akmar Zulkifli – Faculty Science and Technology, UKM Ts Dr Farah Ayuni – Institute of Islamic Civilization, UKM Dr Hafiz bin Safiai – Faculty of Islamic Studies, UKM Dr Nur Asmadayana Hasim – School of Liberal Studies, UKM	Regional
3.	Professor Datuk Dr Rokiah Omar – Lead Dr. Kamarul Afizi bin Kosman – Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment UKM Dr. Roslan bin Ja’afar – UKM Graduate School of Business, UKM Dr. Idris bin Zulkifle – Faculty of Science and Technology, UKM	Local

At the national level, UKM experts from SEADPRI-LESTARI collaborated with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) in drafting the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030, ensuring that the framework is grounded in scientific evidence and community participation. At the regional level, experts from the Faculty of Islamic Studies provided crucial input to the Sarawak State Fatwa Council on halal rulings related to biotechnology and genetically modified food, integrating Fiqh Fatwa and scientific perspectives. At the local level, UKM’s leadership in developing the Yayasan Undang Johol (YUJ) Strategic and Education Policy 2024–2030 demonstrated its commitment to community empowerment and educational transformation.

Through these multi-level engagements, UKM continues to strengthen its position as a trusted advisor to government and society, advancing knowledge-based governance and sustainable policy development in Malaysia.

1. National Level

Professor Dr. Joy Jacqueline Pereira is a Principal Research Fellow at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (SEADPRI), Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), UKM. Under her leadership, Prof. Dr. Sharifah Zarina Syed Zakaria, and Assoc. Prof. ChM. Dr. Goh Choo Ta, UKM served as a strategic partner to the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) in drafting the policy and the proposed National Disaster Management Agency. UKM contributed through research, technical expertise, and facilitation of seven stakeholder workshops held across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak, as well as a nationwide public survey involving nearly 1,000 participants. Their involvement ensured that the policy was grounded in scientific evidence, multidisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement, reinforcing UKM’s leadership in disaster risk reduction research and  national policy development.

2. Regional Level

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohd Izhar Ariff bin Mohd Kashim is a lecturer at the Sharia Studies Centre, Faculty of Islamic Studies, UKM. His expertise is Food Fatwa Fiqh & Current Consumption Products. He is involved in the determination of the ruling of genetically modified food (GMF) based on animals according to Islam and science, the ruling of blood plasma in food/cosmetic products, the ruling of halal vaccines in Malaysia, and the Prophet Muhammad PBUH`s Diet according to Fiqh and Science. Experts from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) played a vital role in developing the ruling on the production and consumption of Neo Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) by integrating Islamic jurisprudence and scientific research. The interdisciplinary research team, led by Assoc. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohd Izhar Ariff (Fiqh Fatwa Makanan, Faculty of Islamic Studies), collaborated with experts in food science, biotechnology, and engineering from various UKM faculties. Their study examined the biological and biotechnological processes involved in producing the “Neo prawn” and assessed them from an Islamic law perspective. This collaborative effort provided the scientific and fiqh-based justification that guided the Sarawak State Fatwa Council’s 2023 decision, which concluded that the production and consumption of Neo prawns are permissible (halal), provided they are developed using lawful materials and mediums.

3. Local Level

Yayasan Undang Johol (YUJ) Strategic and Education Policy 2024–2030

Professor Datuk Dr Rokiah Omar is a leading optometrist and academician at Optometry and Visual Science Programme, Faculty of Health Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). She is currently Director at the University Community Transformation Centre, UKM. Her research interests include low vision rehabilitation, special population needs, quality of life, Public Health Optometry and Sports Vision. She received many research and innovation grants and awards at national and international levels.

Yayasan Undang Johol (YUJ) Strategic and Education Policy 2024–2030 was led by Professor Datuk Rokiah Omar from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), who played a key role in developing a comprehensive framework that aligns with national education goals and local community needs. Under her leadership, UKM experts contributed to drafting the strategic roadmap, policy framework, and governance mechanisms to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of YUJ’s education initiatives. This collaboration highlights UKM’s commitment to community empowerment through evidence-based policy development and academic expertise.