Government and Corporate Social Responsibility in Saving Livelihoods: Retrospective Lessons from Past COVID-19 Initiatives and Prospective Ways for Combating Future Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented disruptions in socioeconomic functioning. One of the most prominent impacts of this global pandemic is the deterioration of livelihoods (plural; different types/aspects of livelihood). The Malaysian government and corporations have responded with a myriad of initiatives to alleviate the negative impact of the pandemic on Malaysians’ livelihoods. This policy brief derives from a research project, in which findings offer retrospective insights on the government and corporate initiatives in saving Malaysians’ livelihoods during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the process of recovering from the pandemic. The retrospective insights herein are essential to better prepare Malaysia for future nationwide crisis management (e.g. future pandemics), if any. The policy brief also aims to provide valuable inputs in shaping prospective ways forward for socioeconomic recovery, which includes preparing the nation for future pandemics, i.e. building a pandemic-ready nation.