Sumathy Permal
Senior Research Fellow
Putrajaya,16
Summary
Experienced in leading impactful international projects such as Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Maritime Governance in Malaysia, and Regional Maritime Resilience Initiatives. Brings valuable expertise in research and management to the professional setting. Has a proven track record of successfully executing complex tasks through strategic planning, resulting in notable achievements in particular with institutionalized international research collaborations environments.
Professional with strong background in field, equipped to excel in demanding role. Skilled in strategic planning, project management, and problem-solving. Known for adaptability, reliability, and results-focused mindset.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Fellow /Head Centre
Centre for Maritime Security & Diplomacy
Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
04.2004 - Current
- Policy Planning, policy analysis over 21 years maritime security affairs.
- Providing advisory opinion to the Malaysian government with the primary focus are on maritime security governance, sustainable maritime economic, security and safety at sea. Increased steady annual revenue for the Centre's activities.
- Providing consultancy and expert opinion on maritime strategy, geo-politics, and defense issues to assist in national maritime policy formulation. This includes briefing to Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Defense, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and Armed Forces of Malaysia and Ministry of Investments and International Trade.
- Coordinating and monitoring the research activities of the institutes to ensure they are in alignment with national priorities, budget, and timeline.
Centre Head for Coastal & Marine Environment
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
07.2022 - 02.2023
Monitoring Research activities for the Centre for Coastal and Marine Environment.
Implemented 100% funded research projects on climate change and its impacts for coastal communities, trends analysis on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) and forging international collaboration for research on Marine Spatial Planning and Blue Economy with the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, the Embassies of France and Australian High Commission.
Acting Director of Research
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
11.2020 - 11.2022
- Prepared Research Outline & Budget for the Maritime Institute of Malaysia. Secured Research Projects and Budget from the Board Research Committee. Presented Proposal for Grants from government entities such as Economic Planning Unit, Ministry of Finance Ministry of Transport.
- Specific task undertaken as follows:
- 1. Planned and strategised Research Projects, Budget, matters pertaining to the Board of Directors and MIMA’s Management
- 2. Provided input at the High-Level Meetings , Ministry of Transport, Malaysia
- 3. Chaired meetings and presented work plan for MIMA as Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Maritime, Ministry of Transport
- 4. Coordinated National Transport Policy for MIMA to supplement activities for the Ministry of Transport (DPN 2019-2030)
- 5. Attended High-Level Meetings with Head of Missions in
- Malaysia/Visit/Ministerial Level Courtesy Calls
- 6. Coordinating and accompanying High Level Courtesy Call with MIMA’s Chairman & Director General
- 7. Chaired and Implemented Research Planning and Progress for all Centres in MIMA
- 8. Prepared Keynote Speeches for Ministers, Chairman and Director General of MIMA
- 9.Prepared Information Paper for “Bajet 2023” under the "Madani" Government.
Fellow/Head Centre
Centre for Straits of Malacca (SOM)
01.2016 - 12.2021
- Planned, coordinated and monitored research activities of the center.
- Solicited approximately RM 1.8 million of research funds and grants for MIMA projects from various sources, including ministries, government agencies, and diplomatic missions in Malaysia in 2022.
- Undertook policy research analysis on maritime affairs with a primary focus on safety and security of the Straits of Malacca.
- Analyzed shipping trends in the SOM and advisory opinion on addressing piracy and armed robbery in the Straits of Malacca.
- Project Manager for MIMA Book on Malaysia As A Maritime Nation & 25th Anniversary of MIMA.
- Networked and built strong presence with peers to facilitate professional relationships.
Researcher/Senior Researcher
Centre for Maritime Security and Diplomacy
04.2004 - 10.2016
- Prepared Research Budget for Centre Project
- Gathered and organized information for research purposes.
- Conducted thorough literature reviews to identify gaps in knowledge and inform future research directions.
- Execute a minimum 2 major research projects per year
Presented expert opinion at national, regional and international conferences
Published Research outcomes on maritime affairs in Journal, Books and Newspapers
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) -
National University of Malaysia (UKM)
Malaysia 09.2024 - 11.2024
Master of Arts - Strategic And International Studies
University of Malaya
Malaysia 07.2025 - 07.2015
MBA - Human Resource Management
Irish International University
Malaysia 01.2001 - 06.2003
B.A. - International Relations
University of Malaya
Malaysia 06.1999 - 07.1999
Skills
Strategic thinking
Decision-making
Research design
Research protocols
Research procedures
Project management
Policy analysis
Qualitative research
Documentation requirements
Interpretation of findings
Teamwork and collaboration
Time management abilities
Affiliations
- Permanent Representative, MIMA at the National Transport Policy Malaysia, NTP, Ministry of Transport, Malaysia, 2021-2024
- Editorial Board Member, Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs, Taylor & Francis Group, 2008-Present
- Member, Curriculum Committee, Faculty of Arts and Social Science, University Malaya, 07/2022-07/2024
- Honorary Auditor, East Asian International Relations (EAIR) Caucus, 2023
- Member, Board of Studies, Asia-Europe Institute, University of Malaya (JKP AEI), 2020-2022
- Member, Great Group of World Class Experts in the Conversion Six Club, 2021
- International Expert Panel Member, National Bureau of Asian Research and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA on Maritime Awareness Program, 2016
- Professional Fellow, On-Demand Exchange Program by the U.S. Department of State for Think-Tank in Asia
- Protem Committee Member, Women in Maritime Malaysia (MyWIMA), 2019-2020
- Columnist, New Straits Times, Malaysia
Highimpactprojects
- Risk Reduction and Promoting Rule of Law and Enhancing Connectivity for Maritime Trade in the South China Sea
- ASEAN-Republic of Korea Maritime Cooperation
- China Malaysia 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties: The International Forum on Blue Economy Prospects and Opportunities
- Energy Security in Southeast Asia
- Comprehensive Study on Light Dues Rate in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan, 2022-2023, Consultancy work for Marine Department Malaysia
- LIMA’2023 Langkawi International Maritime Conference, 2023, Maritime Segment for Ministry of Transport, Malaysia
- Indo-Pacific Ocean Governance, 2022-2023, With Japan Embassy and Australian High Commission
- Korea-Malaysia Maritime Cooperation, 2023, With Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur
- China - Malaysia Collaboration in the Maritime Domain, 2023, With the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur
- Strengthening Malaysia and China’s Maritime Cooperation through the BRI & Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), 2022
- Multilateral & Inclusive Indo-Pacific Region: European Strategy and Opportunities for Malaysia & Southeast Asia, 2022
- Malaysia A Maritime Nation Book Project, 2020-2021, Project Coordinator and Author of Chapter Two
- Indo-Pacific with Japan and Australian High Commission on Balancing Priorities on Maritime Connectivity and Prosperity, 10/2020
- LIMA’19, 2019, Project Coordinator for LIMA 19’ (Maritime Segment)
- China-Malaysia Cooperation on BRI, 2017-2019, Coordinated and briefed BRI Issues and Challenges
- MIMA 25th Anniversary, 2018, Coffee Table Book in Advancing 25 Years Knowledge on Maritime Frontiers Publication and Launching
- ASEAN China Cooperation in the South China Sea, 2017-2019
- Japan -MIMA Maritime Cooperation projects, 2017-2020, Including on law of the Sea and Indo-Pacific
- United States –ASEAN Crisis Management, 2018
- ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Cooperative Mechanism, Exploring Cooperation with ADMM-Plus for a Shared and Unified Approach Towards Regional Peace and Stability
- International Conference: Belt and Road Initiatives, 05/2017, Jointly organised by MIMA and CIISS
- Workshop on Japan-Malaysia Maritime Cooperation, 07/2017, Co-hosted by MIMA and Japan Institute for International Affairs
- Workshop on Peaceful Management and Settlement of Maritime Disputes in the Asia-Pacific Region, 09/2017, In collaboration with KMI and EAIR Caucus
- MIMA-CIISS Second Joint Conference, 2017 Beijing
Accomplishments
1. Great Group of World Class Experts in the Conversion Six Club focusing on Southeast Asia Issues 2021
2. International Expert Panel for National Bureau of Asian Research and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA on Maritime Awareness Program, 2016
3. Profession Fellow On- Demand Exchange Program by the U.S.
Department of State for Think-Tank in Asia.
4. Protem Committee, Women in Maritime Malaysia (MyWIMA)
Malaysia, 2019-2020
5. Supervised team of 25 Senior and entry level researchers and administrative members in the organsiation
Publications
1. Sumathy Permal & Ravichandran Moorthy (2024), Nuancing Maritime Security Governance in The Straits of Malacca: A Comparative Analysis on Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, Vol. 50(3). http://doi.org.1017576/jebat.2024.5103.02
2. Sumathy Permal (2023), Maritime Security Governance: Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore’s Approach Towards the Proliferation Security Initiatives, International Law Studies, U.S. Naval War College.
3. Sumathy Permal & James Kraska (2023),45thAnnual Conference on Ocean Law & Policy, UNCLOS at 40, Maritime Institute of Malaysia.
4. Sumathy Permal (2021) Cascading Effect of Covid-19: DeGlobalisation and Its Impact on Global Governance, Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs, Routledge Taylor & Francis.
5. Sumathy Permal etl (2017) Post SCS Arbitration Development and Issues Relating to Freedom of Navigation, Rights of Coastal States and Environmental Protection in the “Area”, Asian Politics & Policy, Thomson & Reuters.
6. Sumathy Permal (2016), The Straits of Malacca: A Critical Sea Lane in the Indian Ocean, in Pentagon’s Yearbook: South Asia Defence & Strategic Perspectives, ISBN 9788182748880, Pentagon Press.
7. Sumathy Permal (2016) Malaysia’s Diplomatic and Security Responses in Fu-Kuo Liu and Jonathan Spangler (eds.), South China Sea Lawfare: Legal Perspectives and International Responses to the Philippines v. China Arbitration Case, Taipei: South China Sea Think Tank / Taiwan Center for Security Studies, January 29, 2016
8. Vivian Forbes & Sumathy Permal (2015)Geopolitics Trends in South China Sea 2013-2015, The Journal of Diplomacy and Foreign
Relation.
9. Sumathy Permal, (2014) China’s Military Capability and Anti Access Area Denial Operations, Maritime Affairs: Journal of the National Maritime Foundation of India, Taylor & Francis
10. Sumathy Permal (2014), Maritime Cooperation with United States and China: Examination on the Contemporary Issues and
Challenges for Malaysia, MIDAS International Journal.
11. Nizam Basiron, Sumathy Permal and Melda Malek (2013) Philippines arbitral proceedings against China, Australian Journal of Maritime and Ocean Affairs, Vol. 5(1).
12. Sumathy Permal (2012), Preventive Diplomacy in the South China Sea, Journal of Malaysian Defence and Security (MIDAS) Vol.3, No. 1/2012
13. Sumathy Permal (2012). The 2nd ASEAN Maritime Forum,17-18 August
2011, Pattaya, Thailand, Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean
Affairs, Vol.3, No.4.
14. Sumathy Permal (2009). Safety and Security in the Straits of Malacca & Singapore, ICFAI University Journal of International Relations, Vol.3, No.2, April.
15. Sumathy Permal (2007). Malaysia and Indonesia’s Security Priorities: Similarities and Differences, Indian Ocean Survey, A Journal of Indian Ocean Research Group, Vol.2 Nu.2, July-Dec.
16. Sumathy Permal (2007). Trafficking in the Straits of Malacca, Maritime Studies Journal, Vol 156, Sept – Oct.
17. Sumathy Permal (2005). US-Indonesia Military & Naval Ties, Maritime Studies, the Australian Association for Maritime Affairs, November/December, 145.
18. Sumathy Permal (2005). Indonesian Maritime Security Issues, Journal of Australian Naval Institute, Autumn 2005, Number 116.
B. Book Chapters
1. Sumathy Permal (2021) Malaysia’s Maritime Realm: The Geostrategic Imperatives, Malaysia A Maritime Nation, Maritime Institute of Malaysia.
2. Sumathy Permal, Huda Mahmoud (2021) The Impact of COVID 19 Pandemic on Malaysia Maritime Sector and Way Forward, SBN: 978983-9275-65-0, MIMA.
3. Sumathy Permal (2021) Contentions, Competition and Cooperation in The South China Sea, Security Interests and Strategies in the South China Sea: Transnational Perspectives, Bristol University Press.
4. MIMA Bulletin Special Issues (2020), Viability of The Proposed Canal in Kra Isthmus. 0127-9785 Volume 27(1)2020. MIMA.
5. Sumathy Permal (2016) Diplomatic and Security Responses to the Award: Malaysia’s Perspective, in Fu-Kuo Liu and Jonathan Spangler
(eds.), South China Sea Lawfare: Legal Perspectives and
International Responses to the Philippines v. China Arbitration Case, Taipei: South China Sea Think Tank / Taiwan Center for Security Studies, January 29, 2016.
6. Sumathy Permal (2015) The Strait of Malacca: A Critical Sea Lane in The Indian Ocean, Pentagon Press, pg.
7. Sumathy Permal (2015) Indian Ocean: Strategic Imperative for Malaysia, IONSPHERE, Edition V, Sea Power Centre Australia, pg. 130-137
8. Sumathy Permal (2014), “Indo-Pacific Region: Political and Strategic ProspectsPerspectives’ International Council for World Affairs. ISBN :9789382652-63-2, pg. 51-60
9. Sumathy Permal (2013) Safe Waters, Malaysia’s Response, Towards Enhancing Security in Southeast Asia’s Maritime Domain, in Maritime Security and Piracy, EU Asia Dialogue, shaping a Common Future Europe and Asia, Sharing Policy Innovation and Best Practices in Addressing Common Challenges, Kondrad Adenauer Foundation, pg. 143-164
10. Sumathy Permal (2012). India’s Look East Policy and Maritime Cooperation in Southeast Asia, in India and Southeast Asia, Strategic Convergence in the Twenty-first Century, Manohar Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi, pg. 284-296
11. Nizam Basiron and Sumathy Permal (2010). Regional Maritime Security Environment: The Malaysian Perspective, Southeast Asia and the Rise of Chinese and Indian Naval Power. Between Rising Naval Powers, Rutledge Security in Asia Series, pg 87.
Timeline
Master of Arts - Strategic And International Studies
University of Malaya
07.2025 - 07.2015
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) -
National University of Malaysia (UKM)
09.2024 - 11.2024
Centre Head for Coastal & Marine Environment
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
07.2022 - 02.2023
Acting Director of Research
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
11.2020 - 11.2022
Fellow/Head Centre
Centre for Straits of Malacca (SOM)
01.2016 - 12.2021
Senior Fellow /Head Centre
Centre for Maritime Security & Diplomacy
04.2004 - Current
Researcher/Senior Researcher
Centre for Maritime Security and Diplomacy
04.2004 - 10.2016
MBA - Human Resource Management
Irish International University
01.2001 - 06.2003
B.A. - International Relations
University of Malaya
06.1999 - 07.1999
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