PNB Research Institute

Latest Publication - When Does the Gender Gap Begin? An Exploration of Early Career Disparities

About PNBRI

In pursuit of fostering a research and development culture, enhancing capacity-building, and finding solutions to the nation’s complex social and economic challenges, PNB established PNB Research Institute Sdn. Berhad (PNBRI) on 19 January 2012 as its wholly owned private limited company.

Building on this founding vision, PNBRI now focuses on undertaking research programmes and conducts policy studies aimed at understanding and addressing issues relevant to Malaysia’s development, as well as PNB’s mandate and strategic interest.

PNBRI also organises knowledge-sharing events, such as forums and workshops that bring together policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and best practices.

Vision

To be a thought leader that champions inclusive economic growth and equitable distribution of wealth by creating an innovative economy & society.

Mission

To generate and promote data-driven analysis and pragmatic recommendations to structural challenges affecting business, markets and society.

Our People

Leadership

PNBRI Team

PNBRI Researchers

Dr Sarena Che Omar

Chief Executive Officer,
PNB Research Institute

Dr Sarena has ten years of policy research experience within the think tank arena. She was previously a Deputy Director at Khazanah Research Institute leading the food and agriculture policy research pillar, with a DPhil in Plant Science from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. She graduated with a First Class Honours in Bachelor of Science from Lincoln University, New Zealand.

Dato’ Rick Ramli

Board Member

Deputy President & Group Chief Executive, PNB

Oversees the Group’s management and operations across key areas, including Strategy, Investments, Sales, Operations, Corporate Affairs, and Human Capital. Focuses on advancing the Group’s key strategic business priorities and providing oversight on critical topics such as sustainability and innovation.

Hanizan Hood

Board Member

Group Chief Investment Officer, PNB

Spearheads the overall strategy and investment management across asset classes including Public Equity, Fixed Income, Real Estate, Private and Strategic Investments within the Proprietary and Unit Trust fund portfolios, to ensure alignment with their respective mandates and long-term investment objectives.

Oversees the end-to-end investment activities and functions including economic and investment research,asset allocation and portfolio construction, treasury and liquidity management, global multi-asset trading and execution, stakeholder engagement and investment stewardship, risk management and oversight.

Nimmi Kamal

Board Member

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, PNB

Leads PNB Group’s strategic communications, marketing, sustainability, and social investment initiatives, ensuring alignment with the Purpose and strategic plan. Drives brand transformation for both PNB and ASNB, embedding core values and guiding the Corporate Affairs division and PNB Enterprise in achieving ESG objectives.

Develops and implements strategies to enhance marketing and brand visibility, engage customers, and drive business growth through effective marketing communications. Fosters collaboration as PNB progresses towards becoming a Net Zero Enterprise (NZE). Additionally, she oversees the PNB Research Institute in managing research that addresses key socio-economic issues and supports PNB’s strategic goals while leveraging data-driven insights to address business challenges.

Farhana Roslan

farhana_r@pnb.com.my

Farhana currently heads the Research Team at PNBRI. Her research interests include the political economy, particularly the intersection of business and government, as well as labour market institutions in market economies. Farhana spent seven years in investment research before pivoting into public policy, with stints in the federal government and the United Nations Development Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics and a Master of Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Dr. Ahmad Farhan Roslan

afarhan@pnb.com.my

Dr. Farhan is a Senior Research Associate at PNBRI. He holds a PhD in Built Environment from the University of Salford, where he studied urban resilience, climate change, and disaster risk reduction. His previous work centred on digital transformation in engineering and the built environment, an area in which he is particularly passionate. With experience in academia and industry on local and international research projects, he is highly adept at translating research findings into practical recommendations. He aspires to improve the built environment in ways that benefit society and the country.

Ahmad Fikri Ahmad Fisal

ahmadfikri@pnb.com.my

Fikri is a Senior Research Associate at PNBRI. His major interests include history, political economy, inequality and housing. His past publications focused on the ownership and control of government-linked companies in Malaysia. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Math and History from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Development Studies from Universiti Malaya.

Adibah Amira Nazarudin

adibahamira@pnb.com.my

Adibah is a Senior Research Associate at PNBRI. She graduated from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) with a Bachelor of Economics degree. She began her career at PNB as an investment analyst, then transitioned into a research role. Her interests are in frontier technologies and mental health and well-being. She wishes for a healthy and kind Malaysia.

Anis Farhana Amran

anisfarhana@pnb.com.my

Anis is a Research Associate at PNBRI. Her research interests lie in education equity and gender inequalities, particularly how structural barriers intersect to shape access to opportunity. She is especially interested in how these dynamics influence education-to-labour market transitions and broader questions of inclusive development. She holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Southampton. Anis aspires to contribute towards a Malaysia that nurtures and uplifts diverse talents, paving the way for all to realise their potential.

Research Programmes

Since 2022, PNBRI has embarked on a strategic transformation to reposition itself as PNB’s engine of knowledge generation, aiming to strengthen its role in shaping thought leadership within the organisation and beyond.

This transformation is guided by the PNBRI Strategic Plan 2022–2025, a framework anchored by three core research programmes. Each programme serves as a foundation for key projects, focus areas, and thematic priorities aligned with Malaysia’s development agenda and PNB’s strategic interests.

Innovative Economy & Society

Endowing the market economy and society with augmented knowledge and insights on how to think about the longer horizon future

Inclusive Economic Growth

Understanding and reorganising the Malaysian political economy to create a more inclusive market economy

Equitable Wealth Distribution

Making meaningful improvements in the distribution of savings wealth among Malaysians

Our Latest Research

Our Knowledge Events

PNB Knowledge Forum

A flagship programme and interactive platform for robust discussions on key issues relevant to board members, leadership, and stakeholders across PNB Group, its investee companies, and Corporate Malaysia

PNBRI Research Events

Research-related events from workshops, to networking sessions, and report launches