Business Foresight Forum (BFF) 2019: New Business Directions 2025 – Catalysts for Change

Dr. Ong Kian Ming is the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) for Malaysia. He is also the Member of Parliament for Bangi (since May 2018) and Assistant National Director for Political Education for the Democratic Action Party (DAP). He was formerly the Member of Parliament for Serdang (from May 2013 to April 2018). He was a former Fulbright Scholar and holds a PhD in Political Science from Duke University, an MPhil in Economics from the University of Cambridge and a BSc in Economics from the London School of Economics. Prior to his political life, he was formerly a lecturer at UCSI University, a researcher at the Socio-Economic Development and Research (SEDAR) Institute and the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Studies (INSAP) and a consultant with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in the Kuala Lumpur office. He was also an ASEAN Scholar in Singapore and completed his “O” and “A” levels in Raffles Institution and Raffles Junior College respectively. He attended primary and secondary school in La Salle Petaling Jaya, Selangor until Form 3. He enjoys jogging and watching movies in his spare time.

His Excellency Charles Hay MVO started as the British High Commissioner to Malaysia in March 2019 in succession to Vicki Treadell CMG MVO. Prior to Malaysia, Mr Hay was the British Ambassador to South Korea from 2015 to 2018. During his time in the British diplomatic services, he has been posted to the Czech Republic, Spain and the UK Representation to the EU in Brussels. Charles was also the Director of Consular Services in London, responsible for assisting British nationals and in crisis management worldwide. Before joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1993, he was a Captain in the British Army. Mr Hay is married to Pascale Sutherland and they have two daughters. He has a Master in Business Administration as well as a BA in Philosophy and Politics. His hobbies include golf, diving and archery.

Richard Record is the Lead Economist for Malaysia in the World Bank Group’s Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice. Based in Kuala Lumpur, he manages the Bank’s engagement on economic policy issues in Malaysia, including publication of the flagship Malaysia Economic Monitor and the report on Malaysia’s Digital Economy – A New Driver of Development. Richard has previously worked across a number of countries in the East Asia and Africa regions, managing programs on macroeconomics, trade and private sector development, including assignments based in Lilongwe, Vientiane and Hanoi. He holds bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in economics respectively from the London School of Economics, the School of Oriental and African Studies and the University of Manchester.

Melisa is a journalist with 15 years experience on various media platforms – newswire, print, online, radio and television. She is currently Assistant Vice President and Editor at Astro Awani, Malaysia’s Premier 24-hour news and current affairs channel. Prior to her foray into television, she honed her broadcast skills in radio as the Executive Producer and Anchor of the morning drive-time show for BFM89.9, Malaysia’s only independent radio station. In her broadcast career, she interviewed senior policymakers, corporate leaders and international newsmakers, including Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, Theoretical physicist Professor Michio Kaku, Environmental activist Dr David Suzuki, and Malaysia’s first woman Deputy Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. She holds a Master in Journalism from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, and an Economics, Public Administration & Politics graduate from University Malaya. In 2017, she was chosen to participate in one of the most prestigious fellowships in journalism, the Wolfson Press Fellowship at the University of Cambridge in the UK. There she spent an academic term as a Press Fellow, researching Post-Truth and the spread of ‘fake news’ and disinformation. 

Edmund Terence Gomez is Professor of Political Economy at the Faculty of Economics & Administration, University of Malaya. He specializes in state-market relations and the linkages between politics, policies and capital development. He has also held appointments at the University of Leeds (England) and Murdoch University (Australia) and served as Visiting Professor at Kobe University (Japan) and at the Universities of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and California (San Diego) (United States). Between 2005 and 2008, he served as Research Coordinator at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), in Geneva, Switzerland. Other academic appointments include Visiting Fellowships at the Australian National University, Canberra and at the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, Denmark. His international book publications include Malaysia’s Political Economy: Politics, Patronage and Profits (Cambridge University Press, 1997), Chinese Business in Malaysia: Accumulation, Ascendance, Accommodation (University of Hawaii Press, 1999), Ethnic Futures: The State and Identity Politics in Asia (Sage, 2000), Political Business in East Asia (Routledge, 2002), Chinese Enterprise, Transnationalism and Identity (Routledge, 2003), The State of Malaysia: Ethnicity, Equity and Reform (Routledge, 2004), Politics in Malaysia: The Malay Dimension (Routledge, 2007), The State, Development and Identity in Multi-ethnic Countries: Ethnicity, Equity and the Nation (Routledge, 2008), The Chinese in Britain, 1800-Present: Economy, Transnationalism and Identity (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2008), The Politics of Resource Extraction: Indigenous Peoples, Multinational Corporations and the State (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2012), The New Economic Policy in Malaysia: Affirmative Action, Horizontal Inequalities and Social Justice (National University of Singapore Press, 2013), Affirmative Action, Ethnicity and Conflict (Routledge, 2013), Government-Linked Companies and Sustainable, Equitable Development (Routledge, 2014) and Minister of Finance Incorporated: Ownership and Control of Corporate Malaysia (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2017).

Magda Lilia Chelly is a Managing Director and a Chief Information Security Officer On Demand. Magda performs her cyber security duties during the day and hacks during the night. She has a PhD in Telecommunication Engineering and a specialization in cyber security with a CISSP. Magda is also the founder of Woman in Cyber and promotes cyberfeminism or encouraging women in joining the cyber security industry. She has been nominated as TOP 50 International cyber security influencer, internationally.

Dalbir is an Entrepreneurial Technologist with years of proven strength in consultancy, strategy, innovation and technology for digital transformation in Government, Real Estate, Education and Service Provider verticals. Dalbir started off with a strong engineering background in Network and Security and with his continuous drive for growth and excellence, he evolved into being a trusted advisor to many organisations when it comes to digital transformation. His unique gift in understanding both business and technology and bridging the gap between the two has benefited many. Dalbir is also often called to speak in conferences and to conduct trainings on Digital Transformation, Smart Cities, Big Data, Cyber Security and Leadership. You can count on Dalbir to blaze new trails in assisting organisations with digital transformation or in the wilderness trails that he pursues during the weekend. Dalbir is also passionate about giving back to society and he has a soft spot for the underprivileged and children with special needs. Driven by that passion, Dalbir played multiple roles within the Commonwealth Secretariat as Chair of ASIA Region for the Commonwealth Youth Programme, Chair for the Human Rights and Democracy thematic and most recently, as a key member of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to monitor the Presidential Elections in Tanzania in 2016. In country, Dalbir was a former Minister Appointed Member to the National Youth Consultative Council.

Dr. Dzaharudin Mansor is the National Technology Officer (“NTO”) for Microsoft Malaysia. As the NTO, Dzahar drives the engagement with key national technology stakeholders, which include academics, policy makers & advisors, and interest groups with the intention to builds trust while contribute to national development. Dr Dzahar joined Microsoft in 2005 and has more than 34 years of professional experience in ICT and telecommunications. He started his career as a lecturer at the department of Computer Science, La Trobe University, and moved on to as a R&D engineer at Telecom Australia Research Laboratories in Melbourne. On returning to Malaysia, he joined Celcom as a R&D manager, and left the company as the Vice President for R&D, Intelligent Network and IT divisions. He subsequently worked at HP in Singapore and other technology companies in R&D, operations, business, as well as leadership positions. He also presently holds, and has held, several associate positions including as an Adjunct Professor at IIUM, a councillor at PIKOM and academic advisor at several public and private universities. In 2010, he had the honour of leading the Business Services Economic Transformation Program (ETP) Labs, and in 2018 appointed a committee member of the National Education Policy Review Council. He is a senior member of IEEE. Dr. Dzahar received an Honours Degree in Computer Systems Engineering from Monash University, Australia in 1985, and subsequently awarded Australian University Graduate scholarships to complete his PhD in Computer Science in 1988. In 1985, he was awarded the Digital Award for Computer Engineering, the University Tasmania award for achieving top 10 position in HSC. He is passionate about technology, where he works closely with academia and has research publications as well as professional certifications in Software Engineering, Computer Architectures, Cyber Security, Telecommunications, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. He aspires to contribute towards the nation’s Digital Economy initiative.

A technophile at heart, Nizam is focused on changing lives through innovative fintech that brings meaningful value for the people, industry, and nation. As the CEO of Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd & TNG Digital Sdn Bhd, Nizam leads a passionate, collaborative, and forward-looking team that is roaring to keep Malaysia moving.

Major Patricia Yapp Syau Yin RMAF was born and raised in Sandakan, Sabah. In 1996 she moved to Kuala Lumpur to study law, but not long after that she applied for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) cadet program. Major Yapp then graduated from the Malaysian University of Technology with a Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering. After completing her flight training in 2002, she chose to be a fighter pilot and later joined the Smokey Bandits Squadron in Kuantan, being the first Asian woman to ever pilot the MiG-29N Fulcrum air superiority jet and perform in International Air Show. She was also the first female RMAF pilot to lead a formation of 21 aircrafts during the 60th Merdeka celebrations. Major Yapp then went on to qualify to become a Royal Malaysian Air Force Qualified Flying Instructor, serving in the position till 2017. She later continued her studies at the Australian National University to graduate with a Master of Military and Defence Studies. She is now a Command Safety Officer at the Air Education and Training Headquarters of the RMAF over seeing the flight training safety and standards. Regarded as an ‘Icon of Malaysia’, Major Yapp was awarded the Sabah Woman of Excellence Award during the state level Women’s Day celebration in 2017. She was also given the Malaysian Chinese Women Excellence Award 2017. Outside of work, Major Yapp enjoys cycling and outdoor activities with her family. Speaking on “Special Session: Catalyst of Change”

May has worked closely with senior leaders to formulate and implement business strategies for innovation, growth, M&A, turnaround and transformation across Asia Pacific. She is experienced in deploying operating strategies and structures which include developing business models and delivery blueprints, re-structuring leadership teams and establishing compensation structures to support the realisation of business strategies. May was a lead partner on a multi-billion dollar acquisition deal executed by an Asia-based private investment group and a number of other M&A transactions in Asia. She has successfully led a number of M&A deals, organisation design and business transformation programs for numerous MNCs. May is overall responsible for Korn Ferry Advisory business for Asia Pacific across all sectors, solutions and markets. She brings in-depth knowledge and experience in business across Asia and Europe. She has worked for over 27 years across many aspects including strategy development and execution, organisation design, distribution and marketing effectiveness and digital transformation. Previously, May was the Managing Director for Financial Services (Asia Pacific) in Accenture, providing leadership to the business and advised clients related to strategy, target operating model design and business transformation. Prior to this, she was the Partner for Financial Services (Asia Pacific) and led EY’s Strategy, Customer and Growth, Digital practices. She has been advising many Financial Services companies across different aspects of their businesses including organisation, effectiveness, M&A, performance improvement, culture change and business transformation. Speaking on “How Businesses Can Stay Future-relevant”

Aiza is currently the Director of Strategic Development, Boost eWallet and a bona fide technophile who believes pivoting Malaysia on digital and innovation can only be achieved through collaborations and partnerships. Her recent success was in creating cashless eco system in the sectors of education, government agencies, SMEs and Smart Cities that made Boost the country’s preferred eWallet. Her other achievements included the launch of a lifestyle app, TouchStyle, the first in an ultra-conservative Islamic banking industry, leading medium to large scale transformation of largest integrated media group and also, in banks. Aiza has worked in multiple industries which included Islamic Banking, multi-business conglomerate, integrated media, M&A and management consulting, across two countries, Malaysia and Australia, where she called home for many years. Aiza graduated from Macquarie University with Merits in Economics. In her free time, Aiza does pro bono work with mentoring start-ups and participating in causes in support of women empowerment initiatives.

Kugan is the Foundee (Founder-Employee) and Technical Lead at Chowbotics, a pioneer in the food robotics industry. He joined the Silicon Valley startup as its first employee and is currently based in Shenzhen, China. Chowbotics, which builds fresh food robots, has won praise from prestigious publications such as the New York Times and Bloomberg and has been named one of the most innovative companies in the world. In addition to that, its creation, Sally the Salad Robot had been adjudged the Most Innovative Product of the Year for 2018 by the Best in Biz Awards (the only business awards program judged by independent panels of prominent writers and editors from top-tier publications.) After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA, he moved to Silicon Valley and has been involved in the startup scene ever since.

Ashwad is a senior assistant vice president and executive editor in Astro Awani Malaysia with 12 years’ experience on various media platforms — content, editorial strategy and newsroom leadership as well as uncover key revenue driven initiatives. Ashwad is the primary driving force behind 2018’s 'The Most Trusted News Brand' in Malaysia, Astro AWANI. Being the front line of news and current affairs since its launch in the mid 2007, he improved its branding positioning & sphere of influence as the home of breaking news and current affairs analysis in Malaysia. Some of his achievements in Astro Awani are: • Astro Awani rank highest as the most trusted news source in Malaysia by The Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2018. • Increase 30 percent in revenue (ADEX). • Project champion for Malaysia's 14th General Election coverage - the highest rated coverage with a total of 10 million viewers on TV and 12 million unique visitors on digital; #MalaysiaMemilih is the most popular hashtag. • Managing new digital internal team experience - shifting from 'digital first' to 'mobile-first' culture and operation.

Sue Wan Wong is a partner in the Corporate & Commercial Practice Group of Wong & Partners, the member firm of Baker & McKenzie International in Malaysia. Sue Wan’s practice includes advising on a suite of financial services regulatory matters, including on establishment of financial service providers, regulatory enquiries, marketing of financial products and financial services compliance. She has also complemented her practice through her experience as an M&A practitioner. In addition to her practice with the Firm, Sue Wan is a member of the US-ASEAN Business Council (Financial Services Committee), which aims to engage ASEAN public and private to advance regional financial sector development and integration, contribute to ASEAN’s development as a global asset class as regional governments implement the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and shape regional financial integration in line with committee members’ business objectives and global best practices. Sue Wan was recognised in 2015 by Asian Legal Business in their inaugural ‘The ALB 40 Under 40’, a list which showcases the brightest young legal minds in Asia. She was accredited as a Leading Lawyer in Corporate/M&A by Asialaw in 2013 and Leading Lawyer in Insurance & Reinsurance, and Mergers & Acquisitions since 2010 to 2013. In the past, she was also named Leading Lawyer in Labour & Employment, Insurance & Reinsurance, and Mergers & Acquisitions in 2008 and 2009. Sue Wan’s practice covers a wide spectrum of the financial services industry, including the offering of interests in private equity and venture capital funds, insurance and reinsurance, capital market intermediaries, and custodianship, and also the risk management and compliance requirements for these industry participants. She complements her practice through her transactional practice as an M&A lawyer by advising financial services clients in the transfers of banking and insurance businesses, representing clients in take-overs and mergers and corporate reorganization. She has also advised clients in the equity capital markets space.

Datuk Yasmin binti Mahmood was appointed to the Board of Pos Malaysia Berhad on 1 April 2019 as an Independent Non-Executive Chairman. Datuk Yasmin holds a Bachelor of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Datuk Yasmin, currently the Managing Director of FutureReady Consulting Sdn Bhd, is a much sought after global thought leader in Digital Economy Transformation, Consultancy and Implementation. Throughout her illustrious career spanning three decades, Datuk Yasmin had served both the public and private sectors, which places her in a credible position on overseeing public-private partnerships to realise “Win-Win” situations and sustainable growth. Datuk Yasmin had served various technology giants in the past, starting with being General Manager of Hewlett Packard Malaysia’s Commercial Channels Organisation (1995 to 1999) and taking on a dual-role of General Manager and Regional Corporate Director of Dell Malaysia (1999 to 2006), before moving on to become Microsoft Malaysia’s Managing Director (2006 to 2009). In September 2014, due to her strong credibility and expertise, she was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Sdn Bhd to make a difference and to utilise her expertise and experience for the betterment of the nation as part of her national calling. Under her watch, MDEC soared to unprecedented heights and made the Digital Economy an engine of growth for Malaysia. Datuk Yasmin had also represented Malaysia and ASEAN at major international events, which include the World Economic Forum (WEF), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIFE). In 2018, Datuk Yasmin was recognised as one of the world’s 100 most influential people in Digital Government by Apolitical, an independent UK-based global network for government that focuses on helping public servants find solutions to issues. Datuk Yasmin was appointed as Adjunct Professor to the Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in April 2016, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and CEO @ Faculty Programme (CFP) of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Since leaving MDEC in mid-January 2019, Datuk Yasmin has invested in a few technology ventures in Indonesia, and assumes an advisory role in these companies. Various governments and international companies throughout the world have also sought Datuk Yasmin for her insights into digital transformation and implementation, as well as latest technology trends. These engagements include an invitation to be a permanent member of the Digital Kazakhstan Advisory Board, which is chaired by the country’s Prime Minister. In February 2019, she had also shared her ideas with the Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia at the Eurasian Economic Union forum; together with other thought leaders from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and France. Datuk Yasmin was awarded the Woman Icon of the Year Award at the 11th Global Leadership Award 2019.

Afzal is a technology entrepreneur who currently serves as Commander-In-Chief of TIME dotCom Berhad, an ASEAN based telecoms operator encompassing Fixed Line, Data Centres and Global Submarine Cable Systems. He joined TIME in 2008 after establishing The AIMS Asia Group and Global Transit International in 2006. Afzal founded the non-profit Malaysian Internet Exchange (MyIX) in 2006 and also serves as a Board Member of Endeavor Malaysia, an organisation that is devoted to nurturing high-impact entrepreneurs. He began his career in the automotive sector, initially as a Chassis Development Engineer and thereafter managing clients on the engineering consultancy side of the business at Group Lotus PLC. He holds a Degree in Mechanical Engineering with Electronics from the University of Sussex. Afzal is also a Licensed Commercial Pilot.

Ken is a member of the Firm's IPTech, International Commercial & Trade and Competition Practice Groups. He is regularly ranked as a leading ITC and competition lawyer by top legal directories, including Chambers and Asia Pacific Legal 500. Ken is a regular speaker on data protection laws and is an IAPP Certified International Privacy Professional (FIP, CIPP(A), CIPT, CIPM).

Melvin Poh is the founder of The Asian Entrepreneur, a global knowledge-crowdsourcing platform and publishing house that produces educational content on global Asian entrepreneurship. The Asian Entrepreneur is dedicated to facilitating greater access to knowledge and insights on business in Asia. The Asian Entrepreneur currently reaches 20 countries and has an aggregate network of 650 writers globally. Recognised as a leading knowledge house, his organisation has actively worked with various governments, private equity investors and stakeholders around the region on facilitating the growth of the start-up ecosystem through education, community building and various other initiatives such as investment sourcing. Melvin is a recognised thought leader in this field occupying the advisory boards of several notable organisations such as the World Marketing Congress and Artemis Fund. He was listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in global recognition of his work with The Asian Entrepreneur.

Jin Xi is currently the CEO of Poladrone, a leading UAS (drones) solutions company in Malaysia. He was awarded as a Forbes Asia 30 under 30 recipient in 2019 for Poladrone’s work in the agriculture sector. He is a certified remote pilot under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Australia and holds a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering degree from Monash University Australia. To date, Poladrone has mapped and analysed over 200,000 hectares of agriculture land within South East Asia with deep understanding on how drones can increase productivity in plantations. They are also manufacturing their own agriculture spraying drone customised to fit local requirements and believe automation is key to sustainability in the agriculture sector.

Aaron Patel is the founder and CEO of iHandal. What started off as an engineering project in high school has since developed into a fast growing regional thermal engineering solutions provider. Leading a vision of creating a better environment for future generations, Aaron is currently focused on growing the global reach of iHandal and the development of new technologies in the green tech field.

A veteran media and broadcaster at Astro from inception (1996), Jake made the bold move to venture into the digital world by joining Fave Malaysia as MD in July 2019. After spending over 23 years helming Malaysia #1 broadcaster, (where he started off as an announcer in 1996), he progressed to helm it as CEO in 2013. He was also the Chief Content Officer and Group GM prior to that. Always ready for a challenge, he was also seconded in 2012 - 2013 as CEO of IM4U which was initiated by the government to spearhead voluntarism in the country. Upon his return as CEO of Astro radio, he led the team to ensure they consolidated their position in radio broadcast with achieving an 80% share of revenue and ensuring that the 11 radio stations were no 1 across all demographic and vernaculars. Jake also was instrumental in setting up several stations for the Mahaka Group in Indonesia, Aamar, Power and Red FM across India and served for a year as Chairman of The Board for Adrep in China. He still continues to consult the Mahaka group and is also a very sought after keynote speaker for leadership, motivation and leading for millennials. A self confessed health freak and Liverpool Football Club fan, he believes in continuous learning and studying and lives life to the fullest. Jake hold an MBA from the University of Liverpool and has attended the Advanced Senior Management Program from Harvard.

Ehon has passion for creating opportunities through connecting people, capital, and ideas to solve our world’s most pressing social and environmental issues. Formerly the Executive Director of the Malaysian Global Creativity & Innovation Centre (MaGIC), he’s the brainchild behind the Malaysian Social Enterprise Blueprint launched by the Prime Minister of Malaysia in 2015, and has been instrumental in the incubation and growth of at least 70 social enterprises in Malaysia. Prior to MaGIC, Ehon was the cofounder of Hub Australia, one of Asia Pacific’s largest network of coworking communities driving innovation through collaboration, and Spur Projects, a not-for-profit making it easier for men to take preventative action rather than to suicide. He is currently a Member of Authority at Sarawak Multimedia Authority, and an Advisory Board Member for the Picha Project. Previously, he was a Board Member for Montessori International College, Movember Foundation, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank’s PlanBig and StartSomeGood, and the Chairman of the World Happiness Forum. Although far from his mind, his effort and contribution to social change has won him numerous awards and accolades, amongst them Suicide Prevention Australia's "LIFE Award", The Age's "Top 100 Most Influential People in Melbourne", Australia Trade Commission's "Top 30 Digital Influencer", GOOD Magazine's "GOOD 100 People Moving the World Forward" which includes the likes of Kirsten Bell, Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton, Prestige Magazine’s “30 under 30”, and Tatler’s “Generation T: Malaysia’s brightest connectors, creative visionaries, innovative influencers and entrepreneurial talents”.