We are very pleased to announce that the MSC4 held on 3 – 5 August 2004, in UKM Bangi has been a great success. The conference was organised and convened by the Malaysian Social Science Association (PSSM) as the principal convenor, with five co-convenors, viz. the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS, UKM), the Faculty of the Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK, UKM), the Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation (ATMA, UKM), the Faculty of Public Administration and Law, UUM, and the Southeast Asian Association of Gender Studies, Malaysian Branch (SAMA). About 140 papers were presented in 37 concurrent sessions, together with four keynote addresses, and three special plenaries. About 200 participants attended the conference – most are Malaysians, but about one-quarter were Malaysianists who hailed from 11 different countries.

The conference was officiated by the Honourable Minister for Higher Education, YB Datuk Dr. Hj. Shafie Hj. Mohd Salleh. The Minister delivered a keynote address on the theme “Malaysian Studies, Higher Education, and National Development”, in which he emphasised the government's commitment with regard to the importance of the social sciences in carrying out research not only for academic advancement but also for policy formulation. His keynote was proceeded by an address by the UKM Vice Chancellor, Datuk Dr Mohd Salleh Mohd Yassin, and by Prof. Dato' Dr Abdul Rahman Embong, the President of PSSM, who delivered the presidential address. Three other keynote addresses were delivered respectively by Professor Medhi Krongkaew, an economist who is Director of the Centre for Poverty Studies, National Institute for Development Administration (NIDA), Thailand; Professor Anthony Reid, a historian who is Director of the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore; and Prof. Frances Stewart, Director of the Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security, and Ethnicity (CRISE), University of Oxford , UK .

There were two book launch ceremonies at the conference – the first book titled “Globalisation, Culture and Inequalities: In Honour of the Late Ishak Shari” (edited by Abdul Rahman Embong) was the premier book launched by the Minister. The second launch was on the second day to introduce and publicise books based on MSC1, MSC2 and MSC3 written or edited by PSSM's members. A conference dinner and cultural performance was held on the first night of the conference. The function was kindly hosted by the UKM Vice Chancellor.

In general, the conference went on smoothly and we received many thanks messages from participants in and outside Malaysia . We would like to offer our thanks and appreciation to all participants, in particular the Honourable Minister, UKM Vice Chancellor, all keynote speakers, paper presenters and the press.

Michelle Lee

MSC4 Secretariat

Executive Secretary PSSM