Research Seminar Series: Danial Shariat

Dear Academic and Corporate Peers,

We are thrilled to invite you to the upcoming session of the Research Seminar Series at the Asia School of Business, featuring Danial Shariat.

Seminar Title:

The Long-term Impacts of Integration: A Case Study in FeLDA Settlements in Malaysia

Event Details:

📅 Date: 12 August 2026 (Wednesday)

⏰ Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

📍 Venue: CR-W2-04, Asia School of Business

💻 Zoom Details:

https://asb-my.zoom.us/j/99034400268?pwd=QVZOscv0BuhsSggu8rWzSwgwJGKmIY.1

Meeting ID: 990 3440 0268

Passcode: 687540

📝 Register here: https://bit.ly/asb-12aug26

Abstract

This seminar examines the long-run political outlook of FeLDA settlers in Malaysia, focusing on how socio-economic integration with other ethnic communities influences voting behaviour in the post-1MDB political landscape. Using the presence of Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools as a measure of exposure to other communities, alongside geological tin veins and proximity to the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia as instrumental variables, the study investigates the relationship between interethnic exposure and political preferences. The findings suggest that greater exposure to diverse communities significantly increases the likelihood of voting for a pro-multicultural coalition while reducing support for an ethno-nationalist coalition. Despite the predominantly monoethnic nature of FeLDA settlements, the research highlights how proximity to other communities can foster multiculturalism and strengthen social cohesion.

Speaker's Bio

Danial Shariat is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. Born in the United States and raised in Malaysia, he developed an early interest in the country's rapid economic transformation and its impact on society, inspiring his pursuit of Development Economics. After completing his undergraduate and master's degrees at Boston University, he joined UC Berkeley, where his research focuses on Southeast Asia—particularly Malaysia and the broader Nusantara region. His work spans Development Economics, Political Economy, and Historical Economics, combining rigorous quantitative methods with an appreciation for qualitative research. Through his research, he aims to expand economic scholarship on underrepresented countries and regions while deepening understanding of development and social change.