Industrial leaders, technology experts and voices shaping transformation

Jacob Lee Chor Kok is a veteran leader in Malaysia’s manufacturing and HVAC industries, with over three decades of experience spanning heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, architectural sunshades, and industrial product innovation. As the Founder of ASLI Mechanical Sdn Bhd, he built one of Malaysia’s leading manufacturers of HVAC components, supplying major developments nationwide and expanding into regional markets through ASLI Pte Ltd, Tiger IoT Pte Ltd, Aslimy Sdn Bhd, and Vertex Control Sdn Bhd. His technical expertise and industry insight also earned him an academic appointment as Adjunct Professor at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), where he contributes to strengthening industry–academia collaboration. Jacob has been a central figure in the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) for more than a decade. Beginning as Vice President in 2014, he rose to Deputy President in May 2025 and was elected President on December 5, 2025, representing over 13,000 manufacturers nationwide. He has played a key role in shaping national industrial policies, advancing Malaysia’s digitalisation and Industry 4.0 agenda, and strengthening the competitiveness of the manufacturing ecosystem. His leadership extends across various FMM committees, the Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Branch, and national councils, including the Malaysia Productivity Corporation, the Malaysia Standards and Accreditation Council, NCCIM, and the Malaysia–China Business Council. Beyond his corporate and policy contributions, Jacob is deeply involved in humanitarian and philanthropic work. As a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of World Vision Malaysia and Founder of Methodist Crisis Relief & Development (MCRD), he has led disaster relief and poverty alleviation missions across Malaysia and Asia, including in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Pakistan. His long-standing commitment to public service, industry development, and community upliftment continues to define his leadership and impact across sectors.

Cheah Kok Hoong is a visionary executive and ESG champion with over 30 years of leadership in digital transformation, venture capital, sustainability strategy, and cross-sector collaboration. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of SteerQuest, CEO of Cognitive Digital, and Chairman of SQV International, leading digital and ESG initiatives across ASEAN. A prominent figure in Malaysia's ESG transformation, Cheah is the President of the ESG Association of Malaysia and Chairman of the ESG Board for the Malaysia Chapter. He is frequently sought after for national policy input and cross-border ESG initiatives. His leadership roles span public, private, and academic sectors, demonstrating a unique ability to integrate digital strategy with sustainable value creation. Cheah is also a seasoned venture capitalist and advisor, having helped scale high-growth businesses and advised multinational companies on strategic investments. A passionate advocate of education-industry partnerships, he serves as an Adjunct Practice Professor at Sunway University and sits on multiple advisory boards shaping future-ready education. His past achievements include induction into PLC Hall of Fame for leadership and stewardship in promoting the PLC Leadership programme and conferment of PIKOM’s CIO Excellence Award for his outstanding leadership in ICT adoption."

Adj. Prof. Dr. Behrang ""Hani"" Parhizkar is a digital marketing and AI strategy expert based in Malaysia, recognized among the country's top-ranked GenAI and agentic AI consultants. He holds certifications across multiple generative AI and agentic AI disciplines and has built a career helping organizations translate emerging technology into measurable business outcomes.

His keynote work spans innovation strategy, AI-driven automation, and digital customer experience, delivered at platforms including the National Innovation & Digital Leadership Forum, the AI & Automation for Business Excellence Conference, and the MDEC AI Summit. He has trained government leaders through Malaysia's Public Service Department (JPA) on AI governance, prompt engineering, and digital transformation, and delivers corporate programs on generative AI adoption for C-level executives, HR, IT, marketing, and product teams.

His client and partner list includes major names such as Unilever, Bursa Malaysia, Alibaba, Telekom Malaysia, and MMC, alongside academic and government bodies.

Internationally, he was named Best Speaker and Outstanding AI Solution Provider at the World AI Tech Summit Dubai 2025, and has received additional honors including the Leading AI Solution Provider Award (Knights Award, 2024) and Best Digital Solution (Malaysia Technology Expo, 2022).

Circular Economy Asia (CEA) was founded by Ms Adrienna Zsakay in 2016. Her journey began when she became interested in infrastructure design for recyclable resource recovery collection systems. From there, it was an easy transition to the circular economy and the founding of CEA in Australia. In early 2020, Ms Zsakay launched Circular Skills, an online education platform dedicated to skills development for the circular economy. CEA’s other activities include establishing a secondary raw materials industry and circular, sustainable supply chains. Between 2024 ~ 2026, Ms Zsakay has volunteered with Cirpass2 and the UN Transparency Protocol to develop digital product passports. Ms Zsakay has lived in several countries across the Asian region and has a BA(Asian Studies & Politics) from the University of Western Australia and studied International and Asian food law at Michigan State University. She also completed an online course on Systems Engineering from the University of NSW in Australia and Life-Cycle Assessment training from One-Click LCA.

Alex Capri has worked extensively in Asia for two decades, where he was a partner and the regional leader of KPMG's Asia Trade & Customs Practice, based in both Hong Kong and Singapore. Prior to his consulting career, he was a trade specialist in the U.S. Treasury Department, and the U.S. Customs Service. He teaches in the Business School at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and in the NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Alex’s writing has appeared in Forbes Asia and Nikkei Asia, and he is quoted frequently in The Economist, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, CNN Business, the South China Morning Post and other mainstream global news establishments. Alex is a regular panellist for the World Economic Forum (WEF). He is a frequent guest on global television and radio networks including Bloomberg, BBC, CNBC, CNN, Channel News Asia, Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle News and others. Known for his expertise in supply chains, global trade, technology and geopolitics, he is the author of the best-selling book, Techno-Nationalism: How it’s Reshaping Trade, Geopolitics and Society (Wiley). Alex is the Managing Director of CAPA INT’L, a Singapore-based firm that conducts training and research and advises multinational companies and governments on geo-economics and trade. He provides guidance to clients on cross-border projects throughout Asia and the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. Alex holds an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics, in International Political Economy and a B.Sc. in International Relations, from the University of Southern California.

Andrew Chan Yik Hong is an External Expert on Semiconductors with McKinsey & Company (as of October 2026). Andrew is the Former Executive Director of the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association.

Apoorba Banerjee is an industrial strategist, writer and doctoral researcher specialising in manufacturing competitiveness, industrial policy, supply-chain resilience and geoeconomics. She serves as the Operating Task Force Advisor for ASEAN at the Helsinki Geoeconomics Society, where she works on strategic industry, productive capacity and regional supply-chain resilience. She is also pursuing a PhD in International Economics at the University of Malaya, examining ASEAN and EU de-risking strategies under US-China competition. Previously, Apoorba served as ASEAN Strategy Lead at Osborne Engineering Malaysia, overseeing industrial operations, commercial development and regional manufacturing engagement. She was also a speaker at MILOPS Kuala Lumpur 2026, contributing to discussions on industrial capability and strategic supply chains. Her writing has been published by Lowy Institute’s The Interpreter, East Asia Forum, Geopolitical Monitor, Asia Times, The Hindu and Modern Diplomacy, covering industrial policy, maritime infrastructure, defence-adjacent supply chains and the geopolitical dimensions of manufacturing in Southeast Asia.

Loo Chuan Boon is the COO of Sidec, where he leads Selangor’s digital transformation and positions the state as a premier digital hub in ASEAN. Since Sidec’s transition into a government-linked company in 2021, he has been instrumental in driving strategic growth and interdepartmental coordination. Under his leadership, Sidec has launched impactful initiatives in digital talent development, startup acceleration, SME digitalisation, and tech investment attraction. Programmes such as the Selangor Accelerator Programme (SAP), E-Commerce Masterclasses, and Jelajah Usahawan Digital have nurtured over 300 startups and generated more than RM500 million in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV). He also oversees strategic projects like the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park and international innovation partnerships. Previously, Chuan Boon was General Manager of the Selangor Information Technology and E-commerce Council (SITEC) from 2015 to 2020, where he helped build Selangor’s tech ecosystem by mentoring startups, fostering SME digitalisation, and leading global missions on smart city development. From 2008 to 2014, he served in the Selangor State Government as a Special Officer to Executive Councillor YB Elizabeth Wong, coordinating infrastructure and community programmes. He also has private sector experience, including a role as General Manager at OSO Cane Sdn Bhd. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management with a minor in Psychology from Universiti Sains Malaysia, and completed the Belt and Road Fintech Advanced Programme at Tsinghua University. A strong advocate for youth and entrepreneurship, Chuan Boon has served as a Committee Member of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce Youth Entrepreneur Council and as a mentor in the TEGAS Youth Founder Mentoring Programme.

Datuk Ts. Mahadhir Aziz is a strategic leader at the forefront of Southeast Asia's digital and infrastructure development, currently serving as the Director of the Patient Capital Division at Johor Corporation and Group Managing Director of Johor Capital Group. With close to 30 years of experience across both private and public sector, his expertise spans IT, strategy consulting and verticals such as financial services, real estate and energy (oil & gas). He is a prominent advocate for digital transformation and social digital inclusion. As the former CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), he drove the launch of the strategic national initiative, Malaysia Digital (MD), to attract new digital investments into Malaysia amounting to around RM170 billion over three years while generating more than RM4 billion of annualised digital services export. He previously co-founded Futurise and developed the National Regulatory Sandbox (NRS) initiative under the Ministry of Finance. Datuk Ts. Mahadhir is presently the Chairman of the Data Centre Industry Association of Malaysia (DCIA), which includes all major digital infrastructure investors and industry players in key areas like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

Venturing into her own consultancy, training and sustainable ecosystem building practice, Diyana Amin is passionate about providing solutions to any gap in resources efficiency. Previously as SVP (Head) of Sustainability & ESG, Diyana is primarily responsible for developing and implementing Group Sustainability & ESG strategies. Mandated to influence change, make necessary paradigm shift and propelling sustainability transition for the organization. Pair that with her multi-disciplinary experience including Project Management, Urban Design, Building Performance and Built Environment, what comes next will brings positive impacts to us all. Passionate in contributing towards sustainable transformation-destinations-operations, and generation development, energy transition, smart resilient society, innovation, sustainable engineering, DE&I, Net Zero and commitment to SDG 2030. With recognition from Cambridge ISL Business Sustainability Management, Swedish Institute Global Exec Programme 24, GRI, GreenRE AP certification among other qualifications, Diyana is currently an EXCO of Malaysia Carbon Market Association (MCMA), Co-lead of CEO Action Network (CAN), External Advisor for Raffles University and spearheading Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB)’s Sustainability missions. Diyana was part of Malaysian Delegates to COP28 in UAE in December 2023, and played a role in IIB's collaboration for 2023's Asia Pacific Climate Week (APCW), Youth Sustainability Forum 23/24 and more. Experienced working in Dubai for Hotels/Hospitality, on skyscrapers such as TRX (Tun Razak Exchange) and Merdeka 118. 1st Author for published journals. Lead IIB’s win of PropertyGuru’s Low Carbon Champ, Best Mega Township Masterplan (ASIA) & Social Impact Champ 2024. Among the project she spearheaded participated in RIDA Awards 2017 - Siemens Malaysia Office (new paradigm shift) with 6 pages magazine feature. A member of IPMA, CIDB Green Card holder, MSID (MIID) member and WIN (Women In Network). Speaker of ESG Summit Thailand, Industrial Estates Asia 2023, Mentor for Talent Corp's G4G, panel for academic assessments and 1st Author for published journals. One of journal author for Planning Malaysia 2023. Diyana has deep interest in giving back to society, next generation and saving mother earth whilst providing long-term sustainable business models/resources solutions. Neat portfolio in vast urban planning and design, project management and architecture range from Commercial / Corporate Office, Retails, Hospitality, Healthcare, Education, Broadcast Station, Automotive, F&B, Airport to High End Residential both locally and internationally.

Dr Caroline Ang is an AI Growth Architect, licensed Chartered Secretary and strategic advisor with more than three decades of experience across governance, corporate strategy, communications, education and innovation. She helps leaders, organisations and ecosystems navigate complexity through AI-enabled workflows, decision systems and responsible innovation. Her work spans corporate governance, public-sector transformation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, digital innovation and human capital development. She specialises in translating emerging technologies into practical strategies that strengthen productivity, accountability and organisational capability. Caroline’s cross-sector leadership spans Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei, including senior government, private-sector and academic roles. She has held senior leadership roles in corporate planning, marketing and strategic communications, and has contributed to national initiatives in technology, tourism and talent development. Her multidisciplinary perspective bridges boardroom governance, operational execution and future-focused innovation. Her signature philosophy, C³, integrates human intelligence, artificial intelligence and collective co-creation to multiply meaningful impact. Caroline advocates the responsible use of technology as a catalyst for better decisions, stronger institutions and inclusive progress. Her mission is to activate one billion conscious co-creators to shape an intelligent, ethical and sustainable future.

Dr. Yeong Che Fai is the CEO and Co-founder of DF Automation & Robotics. He earned his Ph.D. from Imperial College London and spent nearly two decades as a lecturer at UTM, specializing in innovation, technology, AI, and robotics. Under his leadership, DF has expanded its footprint into 10 countries across the semiconductor, automotive, and manufacturing sectors. Beyond the boardroom, Dr. Yeong has participated in prestigious global initiatives, including the Austrian Leadership Program in Vienna and the Newton Fund Leaders in Innovation Fellowship in London. His affiliation with MaGIC’s e@Stanford program further highlights his commitment to driving global innovation. Additionally, Dr. Yeong is a four-time TEDx speaker.

Dr. Hema Surendranathan is a sustainability and ESG professional with more than ten years of experience leading transformative sustainability initiatives across higher education, TMT, shipping, and professional services. Her career spans a diverse range of organisations, including startups, research institutions, government agencies, publicly listed companies, and multinational professional services firms, giving her a unique ability to bridge strategic vision with practical implementation. She has extensive experience advising and leading organisations on sustainability strategy, ESG integration, reporting and disclosures, supply chain sustainability, sustainable finance, energy management, and capability development. Recognised for her ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and engage diverse stakeholders, Dr. Hema has consistently helped organisations enhance ESG performance while creating sustainable business value. At Grant Thornton Malaysia, Dr. Hema plays a key role in ESG advisory and assurance engagements, drawing on her broad industry experience to support clients across sectors. Her exposure to regional and international projects has strengthened her global outlook, enabling her to provide insightful, practical solutions that help organisations navigate evolving sustainability expectations and succeed in a rapidly changing business environment.

Dr Michael Lucas is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Australia with three decades of leadership in applying process design, robotics and automation to manufacturing and intralogistics optimisation across four continents and a diverse array of industries. Michael is the Founder and CEO of Manufacturing Catalyst, helping Australian manufacturing businesses scale to make the right amount of the right product at the right place and time in the most efficient way possible. Prior to founding Manufacturing Catalyst, Michael headed up the Industrialisation team at maverick solar startup 5B; he lead teams in manufacturing engineering, material flow and supply chain optimisation at Tesla through the roll out of their Gigafactories; at CHEP he led the team responsible for developing the world’s first automated pallet inspection and repair system; and as design manager for Woolworths landmark MSRDC automated distribution centre he contributed to ensuring the right products went from supplier to each store shelf through algorithmic automation. With several patents arising from his work, Michael has been at the forefront of advancing sustainable manufacturing and material flow technologies with robotics, AI, and automation. Michael started Manufacturing Catalyst with one goal: to help people who make things, make things better.

Dr Kalai is a Project Manager at the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA), where she leads talent development, industry engagement, and strategic communications initiatives. With over 14 years of experience, she has built strong expertise in coordinating multi-stakeholder programmes involving government agencies, multinational corporations, and academia, with a focus on identifying critical skills needs and strengthening workforce development across Malaysia’s key industries. A major highlight of her career is her leadership of the Industrial Skills Framework (IndSF) initiative under HRD Corp from 2019 to 2025. In this role, she helped develop skills frameworks for 18 industries, working with over 2,000 subject matter experts and 600 organisations to align competencies with the Malaysian Occupational Skills Qualification Framework (MOSQF). Under her leadership, the initiative achieved national recognition in the Malaysian Book of Records for the largest student participation in IndSF training modules, engaging over 124,000 students in collaboration with training providers and universities. She also led 26 sector-based committees to address industry-specific skills gaps. In her current role, she drives high-impact industry initiatives and represents MSIA in national platforms such as the MyMahir Future Skills Talent Council under TalentCorp. An active speaker at conferences and forums, she contributes insights on workforce development, skills frameworks, and industry collaboration, with a strong commitment to building sustainable talent pipelines and aligning education with evolving industry demands.

Dr. Menaka is the Country Manager for Malaysia at the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), leading stakeholder engagement and programme delivery across regulators, business associations, corporates and SMEs. With a PhD background in bioscience, she combines technical research expertise with experience in sustainability policy analysis, capacity building, and the development of high-impact multi-stakeholder programmes and strategic convenings. Her regional and global experience includes sustainability reporting advocacy initiatives, learning content and training development, grant and donor management. She also supports fundraising and commercial initiatives to develop and scale sustainable programmes across Malaysia and ASEAN.

Eddie Tang Kook Leong is the Founder of Advanced Semiconductor Nexus Advisory and Consulting and an independent Executive Semiconductor Advisor and Consultant with more than four decades of hands-on industry experience across semiconductor manufacturing, operations, technology, supply chain and capital investment.
His executive career spans leading semiconductor, electronics and substrates organisations including Infineon Technologies, onsemi–Motorola, Celestica, and NGK-Sumitomo, with senior leadership experience across wafer fabrication, assembly and test, process and equipment engineering, burn-in reliability testing, productivity, operational excellence, procurement and strategic investment. His last executive role at Infineon Technologies concluded on 31 December 2021, after which he established his independent advisory practice.
Today, Eddie works with institutional clients, semiconductor companies, industry stakeholders and researchers, through expert networks, direct advisory engagements and industry forums. He also participates actively in advanced manufacturing conferences, executive fireside chats, roundtables and panel discussions as a chairperson, moderator and panelist.
His advisory work spans the semiconductor value chain, including IDMs, foundries, OSATs, OEMs, ODMs, equipment manufacturers, materials suppliers and other ecosystem partners. His current areas of focus include semiconductor supply-chain resilience, strategic sourcing, fab expansion, advanced packaging and OSAT, wafer-level processing, SiC/GaN, AI and data-center infrastructure, power delivery, and the commercialization and scaling of emerging semiconductor technologies.
With a strong techno-economic perspective, Eddie brings together practical manufacturing experience, semiconductor economic moats, supply-chain intelligence, technology differentiation and strategy to assess how companies can build resilient operations, strengthen competitiveness and move into higher-value activities. His work increasingly focuses on the evolution of the semiconductor ecosystem in Malaysia and ASEAN, including regional manufacturing collaboration, investment and capacity expansion, localization, supplier development, advanced packaging, and the strategic opportunities created by AI-driven semiconductor and electronics demand.
For the Selangor TechSphere Summit 2026, Eddie brings a practical industry perspective to the discussion on ASEAN semiconductor supply-chain resilience and Malaysia’s role as a regional manufacturing hub, as well as the evolution of OSAT from conventional assembly and test toward advanced packaging, wafer-level processing and chiplet-based manufacturing.
ASEAN resilience is not a map of factories; it is a network of measurable process excellence. Malaysia’s comparative advantage is the depth of that excellence; sharing it (without diluting standards) strengthens the whole region and secures higher-value jobs at home.
Moving “beyond” is not a single technology leap; it is the systematic application of measurement, process discipline, and continuous improvement to every new packaging and test step.
His guiding principle is simple: “If it can be measured, it can be improved.

Emily Chow is Vice President, Technology & Operations Delivery at Standard Chartered Bank, bringing over two decades of leadership experience in technology transformation, portfolio governance and business strategy across global financial services. She has successfully led large-scale change programmes spanning multiple markets, delivering measurable outcomes in investment optimisation, operational excellence and value realisation. Passionate about responsible AI adoption, Emily combines deep expertise in governance and financial discipline with a practical approach to innovation, helping organisations harness emerging technologies while maintaining resilience, trust and sustainable business growth.

Since 2006 Heinz Lux has been responsible for KNX Association concerning the standard KNX: The worldwide STANDARD for Home and Building Control. Before that he advised industry on their strategic projects concerning Home and Building Management & Control networks as an independent consultant. From 1990 to 2000 he was employed by Siemens in various positions related to home and building automation.

Ir. Ts. Sukhairul Nizam bin Abdul Razak is a distinguished engineer, academic, and industry leader with nearly 30 years of experience spanning automotive engineering, sales operations, quality management, and engineering education. He is an ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE), a Professional Engineer with Practising Certificate (PEPC), and a Professional Technologist (Ts). Currently a Council Member of The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), he also serves as an accredited auditor for ETAC, EAC, and TTAC, shaping engineering and technology education standards nationwide. His industry career at Proton Edar includes senior roles in warranty operations, sales standards, and equipment management, where he drove national-level quality improvements and led successful product recall programs. As a former Senior Lecturer for City University and Programme Coordinator at First City University College, he has taught subjects ranging from Engineering Economics to Project Management and Artificial Intelligence. A sought-after speaker for STEM, IEM, and professional development programs, he is passionate about bridging industry and academia to prepare future-ready engineers. His talk draws on this unique blend of industrial leadership and educational expertise to address the human-centred challenges of Industry 5.0.

Jayasilen Sivapragasam works at the point where manufacturers' sustainability disclosures meet the operational reality of their end-of-life assets. MM Century does not manufacture. The company serves manufacturers, data centre operators, and listed corporations as the licensed partner that processes their retired IT and operational assets and returns the primary emissions data they need for Scope 3 reporting. Jayasilen designed the methodology behind that data product: TRACE, MM Century's End-of-Life Asset Environmental Impact Calculator, which routes each asset to Scope 3 Category 5 or 12, applies localised Malaysian grid factors, and produces output structured for ISO 14064-3 verification and direct upload to the Bursa CSI platform. He believes Scope 3 reporting fails manufacturers not because the standard is unreasonable, but because most of the value chain still issues certificates instead of data. He is a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional with an MBA and a BSc in Biotechnology from Universiti Putra Malaysia. He has spoken at the DCCI Summit for three consecutive years and joins the Asia ESG Summit 2026 as a Circular Economy panellist. He also serves as an International Umpire with the International Taekwon-Do Federation.

Jeff is the Head of Frost & Sullivan's APAC Supply Chain & Logistics (SC&L) Advisory Practice, responsible for developing, managing client relationships and overseeing advisory engagements. He maintains a deep understanding of emerging trends, technologies, and market behaviour across Transportation, Freight Infrastructure, and high-tech supply chains, including the semiconductor ecosystem across Asia Pacific.
Jeff has an impressive track record, having led multiple research studies and consulting projects for Frost & Sullivan, including Transport & Logistics Market Analysis, Warehousing Market Opportunities, and semiconductor supply chain and logistics assessments. His recent work has examined APAC semiconductor value chains, production hubs, supply chain resilience, SME participation, cross-border logistics requirements, and the role of digital visibility and trade management in supporting high-value, time-sensitive semiconductor flows.
Before joining Frost & Sullivan, Jeff worked with TNT Express and FedEx Express, where he developed technical knowledge and skills in supply chain efficiency, cost management, and time-critical logistics. He has worked with over 20 multinational companies across Southeast Asia, specializing in express shipments, customized air cargo, cross-border land trucking, service logistics, and complex logistics solutions supporting technology and semiconductor-related supply chains.

Dr. Jesmond Hong is an accomplished executive known for his operational excellence and strategic leadership. As Chief Operating Officer, Jesmond leads INCIT’s day-to-day operations, driving strategic initiatives to enhance efficiency, productivity, and innovation. He plays a key role in executing INCIT’s mission to advance global manufacturing transformation through data-driven tools and frameworks. Prior to joining INCIT, Jesmond served as manager for business development and operations at the Technical University of Munich Asia (TUM Asia) and the Competence Centre for Digitalisation, Technology and Innovation, playing a pivotal role in the development of Industry 4.0 training taxonomy for the purpose of upskilling and reskilling the workforce in Singapore.

Keat Yap is a Senior Partner at Kearney, one of the world’s leading global management consulting firms, where he serves as Malaysia Country Head and Co-Founder and APAC Lead of the Product Excellence and Renewal Lab (PERLab). Based in Kuala Lumpur, Keat has over two decades of experience advising corporations and governments across Asia-Pacific on strategy, operations, and large-scale manufacturing and technology transformation. His expertise is anchored in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing space. Keat advises on the full value chain, from chip design and front-end fabrication strategy to advanced packaging, supply chain resilience, and industry-linked talent development. He has worked with national governments on semiconductor ecosystem roadmaps, supported FDI attraction initiatives, and guided multinationals and regional champions on positioning for competitive advantage in a post-China+1, geopolitically fragmented supply chain environment. Keat is one of the region’s most credible voices on what it takes for Malaysia and ASEAN to move up the semiconductor value curve, beyond assembly and testing, toward design ownership, advanced packaging leadership, and R&D capability. His perspective consistently bridges the macro and the practical: grounding strategic ambition in real-world execution and commercial outcomes. He is a frequent contributor to regional and international business media, with published commentary on Malaysia’s semiconductor industry moment, ASEAN’s supply chain realignment, and the geopolitical forces reshaping global technology manufacturing. His work has been featured in The Edge Malaysia, The Straits Times, Vietnam Investment Review, Consultancy.asia, and Fortune India, among others. A trusted advisor to C-suite leaders and government ministers alike, Keat brings intellectual rigour, regional depth, and practitioner credibility to every stage, translating complex global trends into clear, actionable guidance for the leaders shaping Asia’s technology future.

Kenneth Tan is the Managing Director of C3 Media Pte Ltd, publisher of Industrial Automation Asia and Asia Pacific Food Industry. He has more than 30 years of experience spanning media, exhibitions, marketing, and business development across Asia. Prior to founding C3 Media, Kenneth served as Executive Director of a publicly listed company from 1995 to 2015, where he was responsible for the development and management of various consumer exhibitions and property development projects. Throughout his career, he has worked extensively with industry associations, exhibition organizers, and technology providers to connect businesses and promote industrial growth across ASEAN. Today, Kenneth focuses on helping manufacturers and solution providers leverage content marketing, industry events, and market intelligence to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen their presence in Southeast Asia. He is a frequent moderator and speaker on manufacturing trends, industrial automation, and emerging opportunities in the region"

Kevin is currently the Head of Strategic Engagement in APAC for GSMA. He has over 23 years of experience in the telecommunications sector working with various mobile operators regionally in APAC, like Maxis, Celcom, Indosat Ooredoo (Indonesia), Robi (Bangladesh) as well as smaller startups like UMobile, P1 and Seatel (Cambodia). Kevin has held various senior positions with the last being the Chief Operations Officer of Tune Talk. He has both commercial and technical experience in the various roles he has held during his tenure.

Kumaran Nair Shanmugam heads Vocational Education & Training Services at the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC), where he works at the intersection of industry, education, and policy to strengthen Malaysia's TVET ecosystem. His work centres on operationalising dual vocational training models, particularly the German Dual Vocational Training (GDVT) framework, through structured partnerships between employers, training institutions, and government agencies. With a focus on outcome-based approaches and school-to-work pathways, Kumaran brings practical experience in building the collaborative mechanisms that make apprenticeship and workforce development programmes work on the ground.

Business Development Leader | Speaker | Technology Enthusiast, Lai-Lyn Fong is a dynamic business development professional and passionate technology advocate, known for her ability to bridge innovation with purpose. With a strong focus on AI-driven solutions, sustainable business practices, and human-centric technology adoption, Lai-Lyn brings deep insight into the evolving landscape of Industry 4.0, renewable energy, and electric vehicles. As Founder and Business Development Chieftain at Pathway (2020–2025), she has spearheaded partnerships for two major German trade fair organisers, connecting Malaysian AI and technology companies to international markets and exhibitions. Her work has been instrumental in advancing cross-border collaboration and showcasing Malaysia’s innovation capabilities on the global stage.
In her ongoing role as Sales Director at Messe Worldwide (since 2012), Lai-Lyn continues to drive technology adoption initiatives, engaging with emerging industries and supporting businesses in navigating the opportunities of digital transformation. Beyond her professional roles, Lai-Lyn serves as a Council Member of MyAIRA (AI and Robotics), contributing to the advancement of Malaysia’s AI and robotics ecosystem."

Loo Chuan Boon is the COO of Sidec, where he leads Selangor’s digital transformation and positions the state as a premier digital hub in ASEAN. Since Sidec’s transition into a government-linked company in 2021, he has been instrumental in driving strategic growth and interdepartmental coordination. Under his leadership, Sidec has launched impactful initiatives in digital talent development, startup acceleration, SME digitalisation, and tech investment attraction. Programmes such as the Selangor Accelerator Programme (SAP), E-Commerce Masterclasses, and Jelajah Usahawan Digital have nurtured over 300 startups and generated more than RM500 million in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV). He also oversees strategic projects like the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park and international innovation partnerships. Previously, Chuan Boon was General Manager of the Selangor Information Technology and E-commerce Council (SITEC) from 2015 to 2020, where he helped build Selangor’s tech ecosystem by mentoring startups, fostering SME digitalisation, and leading global missions on smart city development. From 2008 to 2014, he served in the Selangor State Government as a Special Officer to Executive Councillor YB Elizabeth Wong, coordinating infrastructure and community programmes. He also has private sector experience, including a role as General Manager at OSO Cane Sdn Bhd. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management with a minor in Psychology from Universiti Sains Malaysia, and completed the Belt and Road Fintech Advanced Programme at Tsinghua University. A strong advocate for youth and entrepreneurship, Chuan Boon has served as a Committee Member of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce Youth Entrepreneur Council and as a mentor in the TEGAS Youth Founder Mentoring Programme.

Michael is a Principal Engineer and Technical Director at Intel, specializing in the implementation of real-world, practical automation for semiconductor manufacturing. With over 24 years of experience in Sort, Assembly, and Test, he leads the transformation of factory operations into intelligent, data-driven, and highly automated ecosystems. As the leader of Intel’s AI for Youth Program in Malaysia and a keynote speaker at high-impact industry events, Michael is a champion for AI literacy and a recognized expert in industrial AI applications and the future of smart manufacturing.

In a broadcast career spanning two decades, Audrey Raj has built a reputation as one of Malaysia's most versatile and trusted voices, having interviewed thousands of distinguished guests – from premiers, politicians, and CEOs, to world-class athletes, thought leaders, and celebrities. As a conference chair, moderator, and emcee, Audrey has partnered with some of the world's most prominent brands on stage and online, including Google, Volvo, Maxis, Adobe, and Bursa Malaysia. She has also worked with the governments of the United States, Brazil, New Zealand, and Japan, and has had the honour of hosting the Prime Minister of Malaysia and other key ministers at high-profile events. Today, Audrey is a Producer and Presenter with BFM 89.9, an independent podcast host, and a communications consultant helping C-suite leaders turn complex business narratives into stories that connect with people and inspire action.

Nancy Fortner, Managing Director of Fortner Consulting, has more than twenty-five years of Global Organizational Development and Human Resources experience. Prior to Fortner Consulting, Nancy held the position of Director of Human Resources at Bridge Information Systems, Toronto, responsible for Canada and Latin America and served on the Board of Directors. Previous to Bridge, Nancy held senior management positions with Dow Jones and Reuters. Nancy has consulted and trained globally on Organizational Development and Human Resources in the areas of Strategy, Transformation, Performance Management, Change Management, Organizational Restructuring, Mergers & Acquisitions, Succession Planning and Leadership Assessment and Development across a wide spectrum of industries. She is also an invited speaker at various global conferences and professional events. Nancy obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Western University, Ontario, Canada and her CHRL (Certified Human Resources Leader) designation in Canada. Nancy is a member of Human Resources Professionals Association (Canada), Society for Human Resource Management and The Human Capital Institute (USA). Nancy is also an Associate Consultant for the Melbourne Business School and President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia. In 2014, Nancy received the Strategic Leadership Award from the World HRD Congress at the Global HR Excellence Awards in Mumbai.
Nancy resides in Malaysia and consults globally for clients.

Phoenix Ho is a marketing and business leader with nearly two decades of experience spanning FMCG and technology. Having built and grown brands in the FMCG sector, she now leads Marketing for Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia, the country's leading employment platform. In her role, she brings together consumer insight, data, and technology to connect people with better career opportunities. Her experience spans brand building, business transformation, regional strategy, and purpose-led growth across Southeast Asia. Phoenix is passionate about the intersection of technology, people, and progress, particularly how businesses can harness innovation to create meaningful impact while building sustainable, future-ready growth.

Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Sharifah Rafidah Wan Alwi is a Professor at the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and Research Fellow of UTM-PROSPECT, where she served as Director from 2011 to 2021. She is a leading expert in energy and resource efficiency, process integration, sustainable engineering and industrial decarbonisation, with extensive experience translating research into deployable industrial solutions. She is the co-founder and Director of Optimal Systems Engineering Sdn Bhd (OPTIMISE), a UTM spin-off company providing energy and resource optimisation solutions, training, and consultancy. Prof. Sharifah has led major initiatives including the ASEAN-Japan R-TUNE Consortium on real-time utility network energy efficiency optimisation and the Planning of a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy for Sarawak State. She has also contributed to the National Building Energy Intensity Benchmarking Project, ASEAN Energy Management Standard, and Malaysia’s Domestic Emission Trading Scheme readiness study. She has trained engineers from over 500 companies and received major recognitions including the ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women 2016 in Energy Sustainability, Green Talents Award, IChemE Sir Frederick Warner Prize, Malaysia Research Star Awards, and recognition among the World’s Top 2% Scientists. She is a Registered Energy Manager, Registered Energy Auditor, ASEAN Energy Management Professional, ISO 50001 practitioner, Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, and UTM Sustainable Energy Management System Advisor.

As the Managing Director of ROSERGY Consulting, Rosman Hamzah brings over 30 years of robust experience in the energy sector, encompassing the entire life cycle of energy projects, from policy formulation and business development to engineering, project management, and service delivery, He previously served as the Secretary General of the Malaysian Gas Association (MGA) where he proactively advocated natural gas and contributed towards the advancement of the industry. He participated in several national committees on drafting various policies concerning the energy sector. Rosman's significant impact to the gas industry was acknowledged with the ASEAN Energy Award for Individual Excellence in 2023. Rosman’s extensive background includes over two decades with leading multinational technology companies, providing him with a deep understanding of power generation technologies, spanning both conventional fossil fuel and renewable resources. He has actively participated as both speaker and moderator at numerous conferences, contributing to the discourse on energy matters in Malaysia and abroad.
Rosman holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Nottingham and BEng from University of Bath. He is a member of the Industrial Advisory Panel at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) and a past ELITE@UM Fellow at Universiti Malaya (UM).

CS Tan graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 1991 with a First Class Honours degree in Applied Physics and was awarded the Faculty Gold Medal. He also holds an MBA from USM. He began his career at National Semiconductor Penang and has since built an illustrious 35-year career across Semiconductor, Hard Disk Storage, and Electronics Manufacturing Services industries. Over the past 20 years, he has served as Vice President and General Manager of major multinational manufacturing operations, including Flextronics, ONSemi, and STMicroelectronics Muar, where he retired in October 2025. He now serves as an industry consultant and advisor, actively promoting Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, and responsible business practices in alignment with RBA principles. CS Tan has led key initiatives such as Lean Manufacturing, Total Quality Management, and Industry 4.0 transformation. He is an Adjunct Professor at UTEM, an Honorary Doctor of Engineering recipient, and continues contributing through advisory roles.

Ooi Teng Chow is the Co-Founder and CEO of FusionAP, a pioneering OSAT hub based in Malaysia with a strategic vision for geopolitically neutral advanced packaging innovation. Teng Chow and FusionAP is also a founding member of Malaysia Advanced Packaging Consortium. With 23 years of experience at Altera and Intel, Teng Chow has held leadership roles across IC Design, Product Test Engineering, and Advanced Packaging organizations. Known for bridging technical excellence with strategic foresight, he now leads FusionAP to enable next-gen semiconductor solutions through collaborative ecosystems, sustainability, and cutting-edge packaging technologies.

Tindaro Danze is the President and CEO of Siemens Malaysia. He is concurrently the Head of Digital Industries (DI) in Malaysia. Prior to these appointments in January 2023, Tindaro was the Head of Global Sales for DI’s Digital Enterprise and Vertical Management, where he managed the company’s regional industrial digitalization units, enabled global digitalization projects, and managed Siemens’ industrial teams in 15 key industries. His first assignment in Southeast Asia was with Siemens Indonesia from 2012 - 2016, where he was the Managing Director of the Medium and Low Voltage Drives Business. Under his leadership, Siemens became a leader in the Minerals and Fiber industry. From 2016 to 2020, he served as Head of Digital Industries at Siemens Vietnam, where he successfully positioned Siemens as a thought leader in Industry 4.0 within the Vietnamese market.

Ts Dr Nurul Muiz Murad is an Environment Sustainable Development professional with a background in Engineering, having obtained his Bachelor’s and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Swinburne University in Melbourne, with 24 years of working experience in Australia and Malaysia. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Malaysia Steel Institute (MSI), a government agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), and formerly served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Yayasan Hijau Malaysia, a national foundation under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), Malaysia. He specialises in Environment Sustainable Development, particularly in Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Biodiversity, Climate Change and Decarbonisation. He has been involved in training, strategic advisory and consulting services for various government and corporate bodies in various capacities. He was recognised for his efforts and achievements when The Star newspaper profiled him as one of the STAR Outstanding Malaysians Abroad in 2009. He was also featured by Green Plus Magazine in 2024 for his leadership in innovation, sustainability and environmental stewardship. Dr Muiz is a certified GCPV Solar Professional with the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA), a registered Green Building Facilitator with the Green Building Index (GBI) and REHDA GreenRE, and a Registered Energy Manager (REM) Type 1 and Type 2 with Suruhanjaya Tenaga Malaysia. He is presently active in the ESG sector, providing services to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and corporates in adopting and transitioning ESG into their organisations through training, capacity-building engagements, consulting and advisory services.

Ts. Dr. Choong Li Loh is a Professional Technologist and Project Director whose experience spans hyperscale data centres, industrial developments, aviation facilities and integrated townships. He holds a Doctorate in Technology Governance and brings approximately two decades of experience connecting development strategy, infrastructure execution and investment governance. Currently delivering 3 hyperscale data centres with a combined IT capacity of 400 MW, Dr. Choong oversees multidisciplinary coordination across utilities, statutory approvals, procurement, construction and operational readiness. His career includes leadership roles with local and international property developer, including reporting to joint-venture boards and institutional stakeholders. Dr. Choong combines practical delivery experience with a governance perspective to explain how digital infrastructure investment can translate into stronger local supply chains and lasting industrial capabilities. His insights help manufacturers, developers and investors understand market-entry requirements, assess delivery risks and identify opportunities across the data-centre lifecycle.