Research Platforms' Performance Reports SEACO 2015-2017 | Page 3

MANAGEMENT
Professor Tikki Pang (Pangestu)
Visiting Professor
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy,
National University of Singapore
SINGAPORE
In the three years that I have had the honour and privilege of
chairing the SEACO Board, I have seen it evolve from a promising
and innovative research platform into a truly world class initiative
poised to contribute significantly to knowledge generation for
health improvement. I believe the success of SEACO has been
due to four main pillars. relevant, priority questions related to population health and
wellbeing. Ultimately, such insights will contribute to the
development of evidence-informed health policies and their
implementation in the country. The continued engagement and
involvement of the MOH is central for SEACO’s future success
and its impact on the health of Malaysians.
First, the strong vision and scientific leadership and commitment
provided by the senior team of the Director, Associate Director
and Platform Manager. This leadership team, guided by the
Scientific Advisory Group, has provided both the solid anchor and
strong sense of direction and purpose which has guided SEACO’s
development on a firm path. At the same time, success is best measured by recognition from
others, which represents a vote of confidence in SEACO’s value to
the scientific community.
Second, the commitment, engagement, interest and passionate
involvement of the SEACO staff at all levels. This includes data
collectors, field officers, supervisors, coordinators and managers,
and other key support staff, who have provided the robust
operational foundation for the success of SEACO. The successful
conduct of census, census updates, health rounds and data
collection for various research projects clearly demonstrates the
strong teamwork spirit which has been forged among the SEACO
staff.
Third, the close engagement of the community and the trust
earned by SEACO within the communities which are part of the
platform. SEACO has invested considerable time, energy and
effort into this critical building block for its work, which is, arguably
its most important resource. Through the efforts of dedicated
community engagement advisors and the Community Advisory
Group (CAG), and regular dialogue and engagement with the
community, this trust has been built and strengthened since
SEACO’s launch in 2012.
In its relatively short existence, SEACO has produced an enviable
and highly impressive track record of publications in leading
scientific journals. An independent external Review Panel of
prominent scientists convened in 2015 strongly endorsed
SEACO’s achievements and progress to date, and called for its
partners to provide even stronger support for its activities in the
future.
SEACO has also succeeded in attracting collaborations and
research funding from leading international research institutions
and funders in Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and
the USA. This is poised to grow even more in the coming years.
Importantly, in 2015 SEACO was given ISO-9001-2008
certification, earning the distinction of being the only health and
demographic surveillance site (DHSS) which has been accorded
this recognition. This is an achievement it should be truly proud of
and strive to maintain in the future.
I firmly believe that the value and contributions of SEACO will
continue to be amply demonstrated in the coming years and will
represent an invaluable contribution not just to the country but to
the region and to the whole world.
SEACO has also responded to requests from local government,
community groups and the District Health Services for support in
the provision of health promotion activities during local community
wide events.
Fourth, the close involvement and interest shown by the Ministry
of Health (MOH) of Malaysia in the work of SEACO. The Ministry
has clearly seen the great value of SEACO in providing high quality
infrastructure for conducting community based, participatory,
‘whole of life’ research that will provide insights into locally
Tikki Pang
Chair, Governing Board
Monash South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO)
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