Arief Hamizan

Regional Representative, Asia

Arief Hamizan is a policymaker, researcher, and arts practitioner whose work explores the intersection of cultural policy, governance, and creative practice in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

He is part of ERTI Research Collective, where he works on creative economy and arts policy issues, bridging grassroots arts practice with regulatory and policy analysis. His work engages federal and state governments on issues such as censorship, performance licensing, and entertainment taxation. He recently co-authored a legal guidebook on staging performances in Kuala Lumpur.

As a playwright and performer, Arief has presented work across Malaysia and Singapore. He is a co-founder of Panas Panas Theatre and an active member of several arts and literary networks.

Alongside his cultural policy work, he serves as Head of Research and Policy Advocacy at a national anti-corruption organisation, leading research on whistleblower protection, political financing, environmental governance, and institutional reform.