TOPIC 7

- SCOPE: PUBLIC POLICY

- POLICY IMPACT
- POLICY MONITORING
LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this topic, students are expected to be able to:

1. Define the scope of public policy
2. Discuss about policy impact
3. Discuss about policy monitoring

The proposed Student Learning Time (SLT): 11 hours

INTRODUCTION
In this module, we'll explore the extensive world of public policy, focusing
on three essential elements: Scope, Policy impact, and Policy monitoring.
Now, have you ever wondered about the extensive reach of public policy,
how policies create an impact, and why keeping an eye on them is crucial?
Get ready for an insightful journey that unpacks these key areas, providing
you with a solid understanding of their significance.

• The SCOPE of public policy deals with its wide-ranging influence on

different aspects of society. Through discussions and analysis, we'll
delve into the breadth and depth of policy considerations.
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• Next up, POLICY IMPACT will explore the tangible and intangible
effects policies can have on individuals, communities, and society as
a whole. This section aims to demystify complexities, offering a
nuanced understanding of how policies shape our world.

• Finally, we'll highlight the importance of POLICY MONITORING.

Understanding the ongoing effects of policies is crucial for effective
governance. This module equips you with the tools to assess and
comprehend the importance of monitoring policies in real-time.

Are you ready to dive into the world of public policy? Let's explore these
dimensions together!

1 SCOPE OF PUBLIC POLICY

The scope of public policy is expansive, ranging from straightforward to

intricate policies that address diverse issues. It encompasses a broad
spectrum, and certain government policies even extend to international
dimensions, such as the COVID-19-related border closure policy.

On the domestic front, policies can touch upon individual lifestyle matters,
as evidenced by the LGBTQ+ policy, involving amendments to the Syariah
Court Acts (Act 355). The reach of public policy extends from the individual
level to families, societal concerns, national matters, and even global issues,
highlighting the comprehensive nature of public policy. At its core, the main
point revolves around the areas covered or the extent of influence that a
particular public policy holds.

In other words, public policy isn't just about big, fancy words and
international treaties. It's about everything from helping someone get the
healthcare they need to keeping our borders safe during a pandemic. It
touches your life, your family, your community, your country, and even the
whole world. So, when we talk about the scope of public policy, we're talking
about a giant umbrella that covers just about everything!

Here are some key approaches:

• Lasswell & Kaplan (1950): Defined policy by asking "Who gets

what, when, how, and why?" This framework encompasses all issues
that governments address, from economics and security to education
and healthcare.

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• Easton (1965): Viewed policy as the authoritative allocation of

values in society, covering everything from tangible resources to
symbolic benefits.

Additionally:

• Some scholars emphasize the subjective and contested nature of the

scope, arguing that it is constantly evolving and shaped by political
contestation and social change.

• Others focus on the ethical dimensions of the scope, questioning

whether certain issues should be addressed by public policy at all.

Understanding the diverse perspectives on the scope of public policy is

crucial for navigating its complexities and engaging in meaningful policy
analysis and practice.

A) FACTORS INFLUENCING SCOPE OF PUBLIC POLICY

1. Complexity:

• High complexity: Issues with intricate cause-and-effect

relationships, numerous stakeholders, and unpredictable outcomes
require a narrower scope. Policymakers focus on specific aspects to
navigate complexities and avoid unintended consequences. For
example, managing a pandemic might entail targeted vaccination
policies focused on high-risk groups rather than attempting a wide-
ranging social change intervention.

• Low complexity: Issues with clearer cause-and-effect and fewer

stakeholders allow for a wider policy scope. Policymakers can
address more aspects without encountering overwhelming
complexities. For example, traffic regulations can encompass various
aspects like parking, speed limits, and pedestrian crossings due to
their relatively straightforward mechanisms.

2. Decision Environment:

• Stable environment: Predictable environments enable a broader

scope. Policymakers can address long-term goals and consider
diverse aspects of an issue. For example, investing in sustainable
energy infrastructure requires a wider scope encompassing research,

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infrastructure development, and social transition, confident in a

relatively stable long-term vision.

• Volatile environment: Rapidly changing environments

necessitate a narrower scope. Policymakers focus on immediate,
short-term solutions to manage unpredictable situations. For
example, responding to a natural disaster might involve specific
disaster relief measures rather than tackling long-term climate
change initiatives due to the urgency and uncertainty of the situation.

3. Ranges of Choices:

• Limited choices: Fewer feasible options necessitate a narrower

scope. Policymakers are constrained by available resources,
technologies, and public support. For example, tackling poverty in a
resource-limited setting might involve focusing on immediate welfare
programs instead of ambitious long-term economic reforms.

• Broad range of choices: A wider range of options allows for a

broader scope. Policymakers can explore diverse approaches and
experiment with different interventions. For example, addressing
public health issues in a developed country might encompass
preventative measures, treatment options, and research investments
due to the availability of resources and potential solutions.

4. Decision Criteria:

• Short-term focus: Prioritizing immediate results leads to a

narrower scope. Policymakers focus on tangible, measurable
outcomes within a specific timeframe. For example, tackling
unemployment might involve short-term job training programs
rather than long-term education reforms focused on future skills
development.

• Long-term vision: Prioritizing long-term benefits encourages a

broader scope. Policymakers consider diverse aspects and potential
consequences beyond immediate results. For example,
environmental policies might encompass emissions reduction,
renewable energy initiatives, and societal adaptation alongside
immediate pollution control measures.

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SELF-LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Share your thoughts on how factors like complexity and decision criteria
impact policy scope. Engage in discussions with peers to broaden your
perspective.

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Based on eMADANI initiative of RM100 eWallet credit. Examine how the

complexity, decision environment, ranges of choices, and decision criteria
influenced the scope of the policy. Discuss the implications and
outcomes.

2 POLICY IMPACT

People always confuse between policy impact and policy output. Here's a
simple analogy to remember the difference:

• Think of policy output as the ingredients in a recipe. They're the

tangible elements like flour, eggs, and sugar that go into the cake.
You can easily measure them and see them directly.
• Policy impact, on the other hand, is the final product, the delicious
cake itself. It represents the actual outcome of combining those
ingredients and baking them. You can taste it, enjoy it, and hopefully,
it meets your expectations.

Policy Output:
• Refers to the tangible products or services directly delivered by
a policy.
• Examples include:
✓ Provision of subsidies (e.g., agricultural subsidies)

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✓ Number of captured criminals (crime prevention policy)

✓ School children enrolment (education policy)
• Outputs are easily measurable and quantifiable.
• However, outputs alone do not tell the whole story. They don't tell us
whether the policy is actually achieving its intended goals or having
any meaningful impact on society.

Policy Impact:
• Represents the broader and long-term consequences of a
policy on individuals, groups, society, and the environment.
• It encompasses:
✓ Changes in standard of living: Are people wealthier, healthier,
and more secure due to the policy?
✓ Effectiveness and efficiency: Is the policy achieving its goals in
a cost-effective manner?
✓ Unintended consequences: Did the policy have unexpected
negative effects?
• Measuring impact is often more complex and challenging than
measuring outputs. It requires qualitative and quantitative data
analysis, and consideration of external factors influencing the
observed changes.

Target group / situation

The target group is a group of people or organizations that a policy is aimed
at. This group can be defined based on certain characteristics, such as
location, demographics, or interests.

In the context of tourism, the target group can be divided into two, namely:
• Tourists: The main target group of tourism policy, which are
individuals or groups who travel to a place for recreational, business,
or cultural purposes.
• Stakeholders: The secondary target group of tourism policy, which
are individuals or organisations involved in the tourism industry,
such as entrepreneurs, workers, or the government.

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Spillover effects (Unintended effects)

Spillover effects are the side effects of a policy that are not intended for a
specific target group. These effects can be positive or negative and can affect
individuals or groups of society at large.

In the context of tourism, spillover effects can be:

• Improved well-being of the community: Tourism can improve
the well-being of the community in various ways, such as creating
jobs, increasing income, and promoting culture.

• Environmental change: Tourism can have a negative impact on

the environment, such as habitat destruction, pollution, and
biodiversity loss.

Present & future situation

Tourism policy can have an impact on the current and future situation of a
place. The current situation refers to the situation that occurs at the time the
policy is implemented, while the future situation refers to the situation that
will occur in the future.

In the context of tourism, tourism policy can have an impact on:

• Increased number of tourist visits: Effective tourism policy can
increase the number of tourist visits to a place, which can increase
income and well-being of the community.
• Infrastructure development: Tourism policy can encourage
infrastructure development, such as roads, airports, and hotels.
• Environmental conservation: Sustainable tourism policy can
help conserve the environment, so as to guarantee the future of
tourism.

Direct cost
Direct costs are costs that are incurred directly to implement a policy. These
costs can be labour costs, material costs, or operational costs.

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In the context of tourism, direct costs can be:

• Promotion costs: Costs to promote tourist destinations through
various media, such as advertising, social media, and events.
• Infrastructure development costs: Costs to build or improve
tourism infrastructure, such as roads, airports, and hotels.
• Training costs for tourism workers: Costs to train tourism
workers to provide quality service.

Indirect cost
Indirect costs are costs that are incurred indirectly to implement a policy.
These costs can be economic costs, social costs, or environmental costs.

In the context of tourism, indirect costs can be:

• Social costs: Costs incurred to address social problems arising from
tourism, such as crime, prostitution, and drug abuse.
• Environmental costs: Costs incurred to repair environmental
damage caused by tourism, such as air, water, and land pollution.
• Economic costs: Costs incurred to address negative economic
impacts of tourism, such as inflation, traffic congestion, and rising
rents.

2.1 POLICY IMPACT ANALYSIS

Policy Impact Analysis for Tourism Policy in Malaysia

1. Target Group:
• Domestic and international tourists
• Tourism industry stakeholders (businesses, workers, communities)
• Government agencies

2. Present Situation:
• Malaysia's tourism industry is a significant contributor to the
economy, generating RM86.1 billion in revenue in 2019 (pre-
pandemic).

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• The industry faces challenges like overreliance on traditional

markets, environmental concerns, and uneven distribution of
benefits.

3. Policy: National Tourism Policy 2020-2030, aiming to transform

the industry into a "Sustainable, Competitive, and Inclusive" sector.

Key strategies include:

• Diversifying tourist markets and developing niche segments like
ecotourism.
• Embracing smart tourism and digital technologies.
• Empowering local communities and ensuring equitable distribution
of benefits.
• Promoting sustainable practices and environmental conservation.

4. Spillover Effects:
• Potential positive effects:
✓ Increased economic growth and job creation.
✓ Improved infrastructure and facilities.
✓ Cultural exchange and understanding.
✓ Conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage.

• Potential negative effects:

✓ Gentrification and displacement of local communities.
✓ Environmental degradation (pollution, resource depletion).
✓ Social and cultural clashes.

5. Direct Costs:
• Public funds for infrastructure development, promotion, and
capacity building.
• Investments from private sector players in hotels, resorts, and other
tourism infrastructure.

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6. Indirect Costs:
• Potential environmental costs of increased tourism activity (waste
management, carbon emissions).
• Social costs like cultural commodification and loss of traditional
values.
• Economic costs associated with dependence on tourism revenue and
vulnerability to external shocks.

7. Future Situation:
• The success of the policy depends on effective implementation,
monitoring, and evaluation.
• Achieving balanced sustainable tourism requires collaboration
between government, businesses, communities, and tourists.

8. Policy Impact Analysis:

The National Tourism Policy has the potential to transform Malaysia's

tourism industry and bring positive benefits. However, careful
consideration of potential negative impacts and thorough implementation
are necessary. Key questions to address include:
• How can local communities be empowered and ensure they benefit
from tourism development?
• How can environmental sustainability be balanced with economic
growth?
• How can technology be used to promote responsible tourism
practices?
• By addressing these questions and actively engaging stakeholders,
Malaysia can harness the power of tourism for sustainable
development and a brighter future.

Example of tourism policy impact analysis:

• Policy: Increase the number of tourist visits to national tourist
destinations
• Target group: Domestic and international tourists

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• Spillover effects: Improved well-being of the community,

increased government revenue, and infrastructure development
• Present & future situation: Increased number of tourist visits
and tourism revenue
• Direct cost: Promotion costs, infrastructure development costs, and
training costs for tourism workers
• Indirect cost: Social costs, environmental costs, and economic
costs

SELF-LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Choose one policymaker or a politician (ADUN, Ministry, etc) handling a

policy. Evaluate how a policy impact is beneficial to the people of his/her
area. Submit your answers in the Forum section.

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Provide a policy impact analysis on Education policy in Malaysia.

3 POLICY MONITORING

Policy monitoring, according to scholars in public policy, is a crucial

mechanism for ensuring that policies are implemented effectively and
achieving their intended goals. It involves the systematic collection,
analysis, and interpretation of data to track the progress and impact of a
policy over time.

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Here are some key perspectives on policy monitoring from prominent

scholars:

• Richard W. Waterman: Emphasizes the role of monitoring in

understanding how policies actually work rather than relying solely
on theoretical models. He suggests using monitoring to identify
unintended consequences and adjust policies accordingly.
• B. Dan Wood: Considers policy monitoring as a political process,
highlighting the potential for different stakeholders to use
monitoring data to advance their own agendas. He urges for
transparency and accountability in monitoring processes.
• Paul Sabatier: Advocates for a "learning-oriented" approach to
policy monitoring, where ongoing data collection and analysis inform
revisions and adaptations to improve policy effectiveness.
• Carol Weiss: Proposes the concept of "follow-through," which
views monitoring as an essential component of policy
implementation, ensuring that resources are allocated and activities
are carried out as intended.
• Martin Rein: Underscores the importance of understanding the
context in which policies are implemented and the need for flexible
monitoring approaches that adjust to changing circumstances.

Through these diverse perspectives, it becomes clear that policy monitoring

is not simply a technical exercise of data collection. It is a complex political
and social process with far-reaching implications for the success of policies
and the well-being of citizens.

A) Scholars highlight several KEY OBJECTIVES of policy monitoring:

• Track progress and measure outcomes: Quantifying the

impact of policies using relevant metrics and indicators.
• Identify implementation challenges: Pinpointing bottlenecks
and gaps in the implementation process to facilitate necessary
adjustments.

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• Assess unintended consequences: Uncovering both positive and

negative side effects of policies that were not anticipated during
design.
• Inform policy improvement: Providing data and insights to
refine policies, allocate resources, and enhance effectiveness.
• Promote accountability and transparency: Enabling oversight
and ensuring that policymakers are held responsible for the
outcomes of their decisions.

B) Effective policy monitoring requires a comprehensive APPROACH that

considers:

• Data selection and analysis: Choosing suitable data sources and

employing appropriate methods of analysis to gain accurate and
meaningful insights.
• Stakeholder engagement: Involving all relevant stakeholders in
the monitoring process to ensure diverse perspectives and ownership
of the data.
• Communication and reporting: Effectively communicating
monitoring findings to policymakers, the public, and other
stakeholders to drive informed decision-making.
• Flexibility and adaptability: Adjusting monitoring approaches to
fit the specific needs and dynamics of different policies and contexts.

In conclusion, scholars in public policy view policy monitoring as an

indispensable tool for ensuring the effectiveness and accountability of
government policies. By understanding the diverse perspectives on its
objectives and practices, we can work towards designing and implementing
robust monitoring systems that contribute to better policy outcomes for all
stakeholders.

Policy monitoring is a crucial procedure aimed at generating knowledge

about the cause-effect relationships of an ongoing or active policy. This
process is particularly relevant in describing the intricate relations between
the policy-making process and its eventual outcomes. The primary objective

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of policy monitoring is to produce comprehensive reports that serve as

guides, indicating whether a policy is on the right track.

Policy monitoring involves continuous checks, with a focus on the short

term and conducted periodically. This allows for effective monitoring of
policy developments and impact throughout its implementation period.

C) FUNCTIONS of policy monitoring

1. Compliance: Ensures adherence to established policies,

regulations, and guidelines, preventing deviations or violations.
2. Audit: Involves systematic examination and verification of policy
implementation processes, identifying areas of success and
improvement.
3. Description: Provides a detailed account of how the policy is being
implemented, highlighting key activities, achievements, and
challenges.
4. Explanation: Offers insights into the reasons behind policy
outcomes, helping stakeholders understand the factors influencing
success or failure.

Examples:

• Cash Contribution Monitoring (Every Five Years):

Periodic evaluations of cash contribution policies provide insights into their

effectiveness over specific intervals, ensuring relevance and alignment with
evolving needs.

• Reforms in Welfare System and Social Protection:

Ongoing monitoring of welfare and social protection reforms allows

policymakers to gauge the real-world impact of these changes, making
adjustments as needed.

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• Subsidies Mechanism: Bank Negara Malaysia (2011):

The example of scrutinizing subsidies, such as the fuel subsidy distribution

in 2009/2010, highlights the importance of monitoring to address
disparities and refine policy implementation for better outcomes.

SELF-LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Gather in your groups and discuss the key factors that influenced the
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program's success or failure.
Consider both the policymakers' perspective and potential factors they
may have overlooked.

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Read the articles attached in this topic portal. Suggest ways to improve
that policy (Malaysia My Second Home - MM2H program).

4 SUMMARY

Congratulations! You have reached the end of Topic 7. At this stage, you
should be able to explain about the scope of public policy, policy impact and
policy monitoring. In brief, you are exposed to the overview of the policy
system and FOUR (4) main factors that influence the scope of public policy.
Last but not least, you are now ready to discuss any Malaysian public policy
using the definitions and explanations from this topic.

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KEY TERMS

Policy Impact
The measures of government activities + changes in society in relation to the
government decisions

Policy Monitoring
Refers to the procedure in evaluating the cause and effect of a policy

REFERENCES

1) Ibrahim@Hai, J. C., & Nawi, N. F. (2007). Public Administration - An

Introduction. Karisma Publications Sd. Bhd.
2) Fischer, F., Miller, G. J., & Sidney, M. S. (2007). Handbook of Public
Policy Analysis. CRC Press - Taylor & Francis Group.
3) Dye, T. R. (2014). Understanding Public Policy. Pearson Education
Limited.

SUGGESTED ANSWERS
(SELF-ASSESSMENT)

1) SCOPE OF PUBLIC POLICY

Complexity:
• The COVID-19 pandemic created a complex situation, impacting
individuals economically.
• The need to address diverse financial challenges among the
population added complexity to the policy.
Decision Environment:
• The decision was made in a crisis environment, requiring swift
and targeted interventions.
• Economic factors and public sentiment played a crucial role in
shaping the decision environment.

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Ranges of Choices:
• The government had various choices to alleviate financial
burdens, such as direct financial aid or other forms of support.
• The decision to provide eWallet credit represented a specific
choice within the available options.
Decision Criteria:
• Criteria included the need for a quick and efficient distribution of
aid to affected individuals.
• Ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for a wide range of citizens
were key decision criteria.
Implications and Outcomes:
• The eMADANI initiative quickly delivered financial relief to
individuals affected by the pandemic.
• Increased adoption of digital transactions and eWallet usage
contributed to the initiative's success.

2) POLICY IMPACT
• Example of education policy impact analysis.
Policy: Implement standardized national testing in primary schools
Target group: Primary school students, Teachers and school
administrators, Parents and guardians, Education policymakers
Present Situation:
• Varying assessment methods and standards across different schools
and regions.
• Concerns about the adequacy of current assessment procedures.
• Pressure to improve educational outcomes and international
rankings.
Spillover effects:
Potential positive effects:
• Improved student learning and academic achievement.
• Increased accountability and focus on core competencies.
• More efficient allocation of educational resources based on data.
• Benchmarking performance against national standards.

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Potential negative effects:

• Increased pressure and stress on students and teachers.
• Narrowing of curriculum and teaching methods neglecting other
important areas.
• Inequalities in educational opportunities, disproportionately
impacting low-performing schools and disadvantaged students.
Present & future situation:
• Present: Immediate impact on testing practices and student and
teacher stress levels.
• Future: Long-term impact on student achievement, educational
equity, and curriculum focus.
Direct cost:
• Development and administration of standardized tests.
• Training teachers and administrators on new assessment methods
and data analysis.
Indirect cost:
• Potential decline in student motivation due to test-focused learning.
• Achievement gaps between high and low-performing students.
• Social and emotional stress for students.
• Public resistance and challenges to the policy's implementation.

3) POLICY MONITORING
• Eligibility:
o Visa options: Different financial levels and spending habits.
o Increase minimum age to discourage temporary residencies.
• Economic impact:
o Encourage cultural exchange and knowledge transfer programs.
o Targeted incentives for specific sectors like healthcare or tourism.
• Social integration:
o Language proficiency requirements or integration workshops.
o Volunteer opportunities and community engagement programs.

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