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The past few weeks has been very good.

I am marching on with the Malaysia Thinktank London project.

About two weeks ago I met with Julian Morris, Founder and Executive Director of International Policy Network. We spoke about the basic structure a think tank can adopt, and the types of activities that could be run. Based on his own experience of setting up the IPN, he also gave some good advise on how to start a think tank.

Yesterday I met with Dr John Meadowcroft, Deputy Editorial Director at the Institute of Economic Affairs. Apart from discussion on how a think tank is run, and what distinguishes the IEA from the likes of ASI and Policy Exchange, we also briefly talked about political economy and how the misunderstanding of thje concept resulted in its rejection by some. We also discussed about the possibility of transmitting ideas he presented in some of his writings to the Malay speaking audience. I learnt that the IEA focuses more on the long term impact of ideas rather than day-to-day “political combat”.

I have a few more meetings scheduled over the next few weeks. I am also in contact with Dr Imad Ahmad of Minaret of Freedom Institute and others from Atlas and Cato. I think the focus is becoming clearer now that I am getting advice from those “in the know”. (And I am hoping that the Malaysia Thinktank London will soon go into Atlas’ thinktank directory)

There is a conference on Ibn Khaldun in Madrid in November. If everything goes according to plan, I should be going there too. The problem, even IRTI people do not have the full address of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Madrid, where the conference will be held, or the fees to attend. I am holding off booking the flight and accommodation until I have the full information.

Filed under: Freedom & Liberty, Malaysia