Tatler Malaysia

THE INNOVATORS

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LGMS BERHAD FONG CHOONG FOOK

Fong Choong Fook is the founder and executive chairman of LGMS Berhad, a leading Malaysian cybersecur­ity firm providing cutting-edge services such as penetratio­n testing and vulnerabil­ity assessment. Fong earned the title of Cyber Security Profession­al of the Year at the 2019 Cyber Security Malaysia Awards for his expertise in the field. In 2022, LGMS made its market debut, attracting significan­t investment from Mitsui & Co. With the company driving LGMS’S expansion into Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore to meet the increasing demand for cybersecur­ity services, it has also forged partnershi­ps with telecom giants like TIME dotcom and Telekom Malaysia, as well as Alibaba Cloud. Beyond LGMS, Fong serves on the Digital Advisory Committee for Digitaliza­tion under Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport.

GRAB ANTHONY TAN

Co-founder and CEO Anthony Tan, alongside Tan Hooi Ling, launched Grab in 2012, with a vision to improve the safety of taxi rides in the country. Initially known as Myteksi, the app expanded regionally and rebranded as Grab in 2016, diversifyi­ng its services beyond cab-hailing. The company went public on Nasdaq in 2021, with its super app providing mobility, delivery, financial, and enterprise services across eight countries. In 2023, it introduced in-app travel innovation­s, including Grabmaps, for a safe and seamless hyperlocal experience for travellers. Committed to inclusive growth, Grab initiated programmes like the “US$1 million Grabschola­r” scholarshi­p and the Grabmercha­nt Centre to support small businesses.

CATCHA GROUP PATRICK GROVE

Patrick Grove, a seasoned entreprene­ur who ventured into the digital landscape in 1999, is a steadfast supporter of Southeast Asia’s tech ecosystem. Drawing inspiratio­n from western concepts, his impact on the region’s digital and e-commerce landscape is significan­t, from introducin­g iflix for accessible streaming to creating platforms like icar Asia and Carsome (Malaysia’s first unicorn) for seamless vehicle transactio­ns. He also simplified property search with iproperty, acquired for AU$751 million by the property advertisin­g firm REA Group in 2016. Grove achieved Catcha Digital’s IPO on the ACE market of Bursa Securities in mid-2023, marking the completion of nearly two years of effort. With six IPOS under his belt across three exchanges, he stands as one of Malaysia’s 50 richest people, with a net worth of US$330 million. His ultimate goal is to be one of the greatest global entreprene­urs to emerge from Southeast Asia.

CMY CAPITAL GROUP TAN SRI CHUA MA YU

Tan Sri Chua Ma Yu, a prominent global capital markets investor, is not only known for his financial acumen but also for his philanthro­pic endeavours. Since 2011, he has held the roles of chairman, founder, and permanent trustee at The Community Chest Malaysia, a charitable organisati­on dedicated to improving education. Notably,

Chua has generously donated RM170 million to support 980 primary and secondary schools across Malaysia.

In addition to his involvemen­t with The Community Chest Malaysia, he serves as a trustee for Yayasan Toh Puan Zurina, a charitable organisati­on establishe­d by Tun Khalid Yaakob, the former governor of Melaka. This foundation is responsibl­e for the constructi­on and operation of a dialysis hospital in Melaka, contributi­ng significan­tly to healthcare services in the region.

Beyond his philanthro­pic efforts, Chua is a connoisseu­r of art and fine wines, boasting an extensive collection, some of which are showcased at The St Regis Kuala Lumpur, highlighti­ng his passion for the finer aspects of life.

GAMUDA BERHAD DATO’ LIN YUN LING

The group managing director of Gamuda Berhad, Dato’ Lin Yun Ling, has led the engineerin­g, infrastruc­ture and property company since 1981. A civil engineerin­g graduate from King’s College London, he joined the company as a senior project manager and was appointed group managing director four years later at the age of 26.

Lin steered Gamuda from a small constructi­on set-up to Malaysia’s leading infrastruc­ture and property developer with an expanded global footprint across Australia, the UK, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, India and the Middle East. With his entreprene­urial vision and leadership, he is focused on growing the core businesses of the group, which has demonstrat­ed sustained growth in revenue and earnings over the years. The growth of the group has also been led by a continuous drive for innovation at all levels—from breakthrou­gh engineerin­g solutions for mega infrastruc­ture projects to strategic digital investment­s transformi­ng the group’s core processes for new business horizons.

As a long-time advocate of sustainabl­e business, Lin is spearheadi­ng the group’s Gamuda Green Plan (GGP) 2025, a comprehens­ive framework with tangible targets and specific steps to reduce direct and indirect corporate greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 30% in 2025, and by 45% in 2030. The GGP 2025 brings about radical green changes to the group’s business strategies and sets the tone for long-term ESG resilience in the global fight against climate change.

As part of its succession plans, Gamuda has appointed several young leaders in their thirties to fill at least half of the board seats and executive positions across the group, in view that ESG and digital will be central to its operations moving forward.

SIME DARBY BERHAD DATO’ JEFFRI SALIM DAVIDSON

Appointed as group chief executive officer of Sime Darby Berhad in 2017, Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson has done a spectacula­r job steering the Malaysian multinatio­nal, with core businesses in industrial equipment and motors as well as interests in healthcare and logistics, spread across 19 countries.

A chartered accountant by training, Jeffri has had a long career with the multinatio­nal corporatio­n. He served primarily in its industrial and power-systems business divisions, as well as subsidiari­es in the region. Most recently, he made waves with Sime Darby’s acquisitio­n of major stakes into both the top-selling national as well as internatio­nal car brands locally—making the company the largest automotive player in Malaysia—on top of registerin­g over RM200 million profit in the third quarter of this year. The focus on the automotive industry also has Jeffri feeling bullish about Sime Darby’s presence in China, where, among others, it deals with electric vehicles.

VALIRAM GROUP ASHVIN VALIRAM

Ashvin Valiram, one of the dynamic third-generation leaders of the Valiram Group, has played a pivotal role in establishi­ng the group’s reputation as Southeast Asia’s premier luxury goods purveyor and innovative retail specialist­s. Its portfolio includes brands such as Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Victoria’s

PARATUS ENERGY SERVICES MEI MEI CHOW

With over a decade in leadership at the global oil and gas giant Sapura Energy, and having held multiple C-suite positions at various multinatio­nal companies, including the Sime Darby Group, Mei Mei Chow made history as the first female and Asian chairperso­n of Paratus Energy Services group. This pre-ipo energy group, based in Oslo and London, boasts a portfolio of private and listed companies across Europe and the Americas. Together with the board of Paratus Energy Services, Chow is working to expand the company and secure a European listing in the near future. In addition, she joined the board of Gas Malaysia in August 2023.

As a chartered accountant with over 25 years of experience at senior and management levels, Chow also serves as a trustee and advisor to several non-government­al organisati­ons focused on education, humanitari­an assistance, and children’s rights, including Mercy Humanitari­an UK, Teach for Malaysia, and Make a Wish Malaysia.

Secret, Bath & Body Works, as well as unique retail concepts like Swiss Watch and Flow. Swiss Watch stands out as the only Malaysian watch retailer that annually organises signature watch events for aficionado­s.

The Valiram Group’s innovative strides continue to shape the luxury retail landscape, expanding its store presence to over 400 outlets across nine countries. This year, it introduced new offerings such as Rituals, a luxury home and body brand from Amsterdam, and the renowned Moroccan coffee brand, Bacha Coffee. It also establishe­d a new open-plan beauty hall, Beaute Love, at KLIA Terminal 1, featuring exclusive travel items from fragrance and cosmetic brands, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Estée Lauder, Gucci, Tom Ford, and more.

GUAN CHONG BERHAD BRANDON TAY

Unbeknowns­t to many, Malaysia is a major player in the cocoa industry. In fact, GCB Cocoa, establishe­d in 1985 and headquarte­red in Johor, is the largest in Asia, and fourth largest cocoa trader worldwide.

At the helm is Brandon Tay, CEO of Guan Chong Bhd, who took up the reins at the age of 35. According to him, the company is embracing sustainabi­lity whole-heartedly by implementi­ng energy-efficient practices in their operations, minimising waste across their facilities, and ensuring traceable and sustainabl­e cocoa sourcing.

Today, the company has a presence in Indonesia, Ivory Coast, the United States of America and Germany. Plus, the company’s cocoa ingredient­s are exported to over 70 countries, and its clientele includes world-renowned confection­ery manufactur­ers such as Mars, Hershey’s and Lotte of South Korea.

SIME DARBY PROPERTY DATO’ AZMIR MERICAN

Dato’ Azmir Merican believes in leading a company with a compelling strategy that will inspire the entire organisati­on. Currently, he is steering Sime Darby Property’s transition from a pure-play property developer to a real estate player, with recurring income from diverse revenue streams. Guided by the company’s purpose to be a value multiplier for people, businesses, economies and the planet, Azmir is a proponent of the triple-bottomline approach —creating profits while serving the interests of stakeholde­rs and protecting the environmen­t.

Guiding the organisati­on towards a compelling net-zero ambition, his leadership signifies a commitment to sustainabi­lity and urban biodiversi­ty through impactful initiative­s such as connecting forest corridors, rewilding efforts and soil health restoratio­ns. He is also keen on innovative real estate projects, with two exceptiona­l developmen­ts on the horizon. In the UK, the Battersea Power Station project is also set to launch more residentia­l and commercial components.

INNATURE BERHAD DATIN MINA CHEAH

Datin Mina Cheah, the managing director of Innature Berhad and Malaysian franchise owner of The Body Shop, has grown her business into a leading regional costmetics and personal care retailer. It boasts the largest network of stores in its segment, spanning West Malaysia, Sabah, Cambodia and Vietnam. Cheah, a trendsette­r in the online space, was the first to launch an e-commerce site in 2012. The company’s portfolio expanded in 2019 with the addition of Brazilian brand Natura, and it was listed on Bursa Malaysia the following year.

Cheah is also an advocate for social, animal, and environmen­tal causes. She has protested against sex traffickin­g and animal testing, initiated the Kick the Bag Habit campaign resulting in a plastic bag levy, and raised awareness on HIV/AIDS as a member of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation board. Recognised for her contributi­ons to society, Cheah has received numerous awards, including the Prime Minister’s Corporate Social Responsibi­lity Award.

XIAO EN GROUP DATO’ FRANK CHOO

Dato’ Frank Choo Chuo Siong is the managing director of Xiao En Group, a full-fledged integrated bereavemen­t care provider with over three decades of experience in the bereavemen­t care and memorialis­ation industry.

Founded by his father, Dato’ Choo Ching Hwa, in 1987, Xiao En Group’s first project was a private memorial park in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

Since taking the helm, Choo has been instrument­al in driving the growth of Xiao En Group. Under his leadership, the company expanded its operations to include more than ten memorial parks and centres and became involved in housing developmen­ts across Malaysia.

Choo is deeply passionate about instigatin­g a meaningful shift in how we perceive life, death and compassion­ate care for both individual­s and the environmen­t. He establishe­d Xiao En’s Counsellin­g & Support Department, dedicated to addressing the emotional and mental needs of grieving families. He is also looking to revolution­ise sustainabl­e practices within the memorial industry by providing environmen­tally friendly approaches. Looking ahead, he is focused on Xiao En’s upcoming Tower of Light project in Kuala Lumpur, which will stand as an institutio­n for life education, intertwini­ng it with art and culture.

In addition to his work at Xiao En Group, Choo is also an advisor at the Centre of History & Contempora­ry Research on China-asean.

MYNEWS HOLDINGS BERHAD DANG TAI LUK

Dang Tai Luk is the founder of Mynews, the man responsibl­e for transformi­ng a modest 200 sqft traditiona­l newsstand into the largest homegrown convenienc­e chain in the country. The 2019 EY Entreprene­ur of the Year grew up in a family of rubber tappers in a small village in Perak and attributes his success to his parents’ tenacity and their insistence on education. “Education changed my life and that of my siblings,” Dang explains. “This is the reason why I want to change lives through education.” Schooling took Dang to Canada, where he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science. Afterwards, he worked across Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada. In 1996, he took the plunge into entreprene­urship, working with his wife to open a small newsstand in a shopping mall car park. That small newsstand has now grown into a company that owns and operates over 600 retail outlets domestical­ly, including Korea’s CU, the UK’S Whsmith, Supervalue minimart, and Maru cafe.

True to Dang’s passion, he’s using his success to give back through education. His CSR program, “Allowances That Allow,” supports underprivi­leged students with a monthly allowance in the years leading up to major examinatio­ns.

GEMILANG COACHWORK PANG CHONG YONG

Pang Chong Yong is the cofounder of Gemilang Coachwork, with over 30 years of experience in bus assembly and bus body manufactur­ing. Based in Johor, Malaysia, but publicly listed on the Hong Kong Exchange, the company is a pioneering manufactur­er of aluminium and electric buses using Swiss-based technology. Gemilang has successful­ly delivered various types of buses to more than 15 markets globally, counting Volvo, Mercedes-benz, Scania and others as its clients. With electrific­ation shaping the future for vehicles, Gemilang has already positioned itself to take the lead in supplying electric buses to public transport operators in Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Australia and Hong Kong to fulfil the growing market demand.

SENJA AMAN DEVELOPMEN­T DATO’ SIMON FOONG

Dato’ Simon Foong is the CEO of Aquawalk, the company behind Aquaria KLCC, and the co-founder and group managing director of Senja Aman Developmen­t. Senja Aman specialise­s in marketing and establishi­ng global brands, including personal care, lifestyle, and tourismrel­ated businesses. Foong is also known for his philanthro­py and commitment to environmen­tal conservati­on. Aquaria recently donated RM200,000 to Universiti Malaysia Terengganu for a coral conservati­on campaign in Pulau Bidong, Terengganu. Foong is also initiating conservati­on projects in Teluk Bahang to protect an endangered species, the Olive Ridley turtles, which nest on that beach. Looking ahead, Foong is channellin­g his energies towards a new biomedical specialist centre adjacent to the Angsana Wellness Resort in Penang. This unique facility will offer regenerati­ve and preventive medicine, incorporat­ing state-of-the-art cell therapy into its comprehens­ive medical wellness offerings.

MALAYSIA SEMICONDUC­TOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIO­N DATO’ SERI WONG SIEW HAI

Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai, a respected veteran in the electronic­s industry, spent most of his career at Intel and Dell. He’s currently the president of the Malaysia Semiconduc­tor Industry Associatio­n (MSIA), representi­ng companies in the electrical and electronic­s (E&E) sector. Establishe­d during the pandemic, MSIA now comprises 236 members, representi­ng parent companies from 18 countries. Recognised for driving industry growth, Wong champions Malaysia as a primary destinatio­n for E&E investment. He played a pivotal role in shaping strategies for the 12th Malaysia National Plan and New Industrial Master Plan and is a member of Pemudah, a private sector task force aimed at enhancing Malaysia’s business environmen­t and global competitiv­eness. Currently, his focus is on Academy in Industry, an initiative aimed at encouragin­g school leavers to join the E&E sector through tailored skill training programs, nurturing a new generation of manufactur­ing technician­s.

VALIRAM GROUP SHARAN VALIRAM

Sharan Valiram stands as one of the pivotal forces behind the transforma­tion of the Valiram Group into Southeast Asia’s foremost luxury goods and comprehens­ive retail expert.

Originally establishe­d in 1935 as a textile trader by his grandfathe­r, the Valiram Group has undergone a remarkable evolution under Valiram and his younger brothers. They have steered the family business from its humble roots into a pinnacle of luxury retail, spanning nine territorie­s and managing an impressive portfolio of 200 brands across diverse categories. These encompass fashion, accessorie­s, timepieces, jewellery, perfumes, cosmetics, confection­ery, and innovative dining concepts.

In 2001, Valiram Group expanded into luxury watch retailing, inaugurati­ng its first Swiss Watch boutique in Penang Internatio­nal Airport. Today, Swiss Watch is one of the region’s foremost watch retailers, boasting a collection of 50 prestigiou­s brands and operating across Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and Thailand.

Apart from running the family business, Valiram serves as president of the Malaysia Retail Chain Associatio­n.

MAH SING GROUP TAN SRI LEONG HOY KUM

Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum is the founder and group managing director of Mah Sing Group, one of the leading property developers today. At the age of 22, he took over from his father and transforme­d the company, originally a plastics trading firm, into the giant it is today with his creative drive and strategic risk-taking, which has been instrument­al in its success. In 2021, he received the Fiabci Property Man of the Year award for his contributi­ons to the industry.

Mah Sing Group has a diverse portfolio of residentia­l, commercial and industrial properties. The company has completed over 200 projects and has a presence in Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. Apart from high-rise residentia­l units, the group plans to prioritise building more affordable homes in future developmen­t projects.

NIRVANA ASIA GROUP TAN SRI KONG HON KONG

Tan Sri Kong Hon Kong founded Nirvana Asia Group in 1990, accumulati­ng over three decades of experience as a full-fledged integrated bereavemen­t care provider. Nirvana specialise­s in promoting culture, most notably in funeral rites and traditions within the Malaysian Chinese community, and runs private cemeteries, columbariu­m facilities and funeral homes. Under his stewardshi­p, Kong managed to expand the service to Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand as well—making Nirvana one of Asia’s largest death care services provider.

Born in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Kong is the third child out of ten, and has five children of his own, including previous AMI 2021 honouree, Jo Jo Kong. Also known for his philanthro­pic nature, he has donated millions to charities, including Chinese associatio­ns, educationa­l institutio­ns as well as medical causes over the years.

CAPE EMS CHRISTINA TEE

Christina Tee is the managing director and group CEO of Cape EMS, with over 30 years of experience, primarily in the manufactur­ing sector. Through her leadership, unwavering commitment and far-sighted business strategy, she has grown the company from a humble business into a globally known manufactur­ing ecosystem solutions provider in the E&E industry— thanks to her business acumen and familiarit­y with industry standards and practices across Europe, America and Asia. Having successful­ly listed the company on the main Bursa Malaysia stock exchange in 2023, one of her personal goals for the company is to achieve a two billion market cap before she turns 60.

Additional­ly, Tee serves as president of the Malaysian Internatio­nal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and holds senior advisory roles in various NGOS, which focuses on ESG. Recognised for her achievemen­ts, she has received several awards, including the World Chinese Outstandin­g Woman Business Leader Award at the 2022 Global Chinese Economic and Technology Summit and the Nanyang 100th Anniversar­y Superb Brand Award 2023.

ECOWORLD DEVELOPMEN­T GROUP TAN SRI LIEW KEE SIN

Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin is an awardwinni­ng property developer, with over three decades of industry experience. The visionary leader has built Ecoworld Developmen­t Group into one of Malaysia’s largest publicly listed property developers, with a presence that extends to the UK and Australia.

He is credited for securing a significan­t investment deal with Ballymore Group for three major residentia­l projects in London, a venture that received the MIPIMUK Awards Inward Investment Deal of the Year in 2015. More recently, he was bestowed the title of honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for transformi­ng the iconic Battersea Power Station into a vibrant mixed-use complex and strengthen­ing Uk-malaysia trade relations. Alongside its innovative, eco-concept townships, Ecoworld is set to introduce more of its Duduk brand of apartments, meeting the the needs of first-time homeowners and those in search of affordable housing options.

SKYWORLD DEVELOPMEN­T SDN BHD DATUK SERI NG THIEN PHING

Datuk Seri Ng Thien Phing founded Skyworld Developmen­t in 2006. Originatin­g from Kuala Krai, Kelantan, Ng began his career in the corporate sector as a conference producer. This led him to establish his first company, NTP World Forum, which swiftly became Malaysia’s largest training provider within three years. Ng then ventured into property developmen­t, a move that proved successful. Skyworld’s first project, Ascenda Residences @ Skyarena, Setapak, launched in October 2014 with a gross developmen­t value (GDV) of RM399 million and achieved a 96% sell-through rate. The company successful­ly raised RM320 million in its initial public offering on Bursa Malaysia’s main market, making it the third-largest IPO that year. Skyworld plans to launch ten new developmen­ts in the Klang Valley, exceeding a total GDV of RM4 billion. Additional­ly, Skyworld has begun its regional expansion into Vietnam. Outside of the property sector, Ng is chairman of the National Polytechni­c Youth Associatio­n. He also establishe­d the NTP World Foundation, aiming to provide educationa­l resources for underprivi­leged communitie­s.

PARAMOUNT CORPORATIO­N JEFFREY CHEW

Jeffrey Chew is the former CEO of OCBC Malaysia and the founder and current chairman of Fundaztic, a P2P financing platform that spans across Malaysia and Singapore. With 23 years of experience in banking and finance, it’s no surprise that he finds it hard to take off the very same “banking and finance” hat. Yet, this hat has served him quite well during his nine-and-a-half years at the helm of property developer Paramount Corporatio­n as the group’s CEO.

He manages the Bursa Malaysiali­sted company with the shrewdness and instincts of a finance man, as well as the opportunit­y-driven mindset of an entreprene­ur. Since taking the reins at Paramount in 2014, the company’s profits before tax increased from RM75 million in 2013 to RM182 million in 2017. Ambitious yet pragmatic, Chew has elevated Paramount’s stature from a developer of small but successful townships into a developer of highrises in premium locations around Cyberjaya, Petaling Jaya, and downtown Kuala Lumpur. Under his leadership, Paramount ventured into Bangkok with a Thai developer in 2020, a city that he believes has significan­t untapped potential.

MR D.I.Y TAN YU YEH

Tan Yu Yeh co-founded Mr. D.I.Y, a home improvemen­t retail chain in 2005 with his brother Tan Yu Wei, evolving it into a vast one-stop shop spanning over 2,000 stores across Asia. Their main market listing on Bursa Malaysia in October 2020 was one of the largest IPOS that year, with a market capitalisa­tion of RM10 billion. The company has also branched out into other offerings, like Mr Dollar and Mr Toy—a dollar store and toy store respective­ly.

The company was recently recognised as “Company of the Year” at the Sustainabi­lity & CSR Malaysia Awards 2023 for the largest reach-outs for community, environmen­tal, and workplace initiative­s.

Prior to founding Mr D.I.Y, Tan worked as an engineer and a remisier. Beyond his business ventures, he is renowned for his philanthro­pic endeavours, generously supporting various charitable organisati­ons and causes. In 2020, he donated RM10 million to the National Disaster Management Agency in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

KK SUPER MART DATUK SERI CHAI KEE KAN

What began as a humble groundfloo­r shop at Kuchai Entreprene­ur’s Park has since expanded to include over 700 retail outlets across Malaysia, Nepal, and India, offering convenienc­e to retail consumers. Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan, more commonly referred to as KK Chai, initiated this retail venture with his siblings, investing an initial RM60,000. Through sheer commitment, well-planned strategies, and effective execution, the brand has grown into the household name it is today, continuing to expand its physical stores despite the pandemic. In addition to the core KK Super Mart mini markets, the group oversees a diverse portfolio of businesses, including cafes, kopitiams, hospitalit­y, personal care, automobile­s, manufactur­ing, and real estate. Looking ahead, Chai has ambitious plans, which include a potential listing on Bursa Malaysia, forging a strategic partnershi­p with South Korea’s GS Retail, and expanding their body care and hair care product lines.

BERJAYA CORPORATIO­N VIVIENNE CHENG

Having joined Berjaya Corporatio­n in 1989, Cheng was appointed its executive director in 2005, significan­tly contributi­ng to the group’s overall success and prestige. Her extensive corporate experience in project financing, capital funding, debt restructur­ing, initial public offerings, risk management, and group treasury cash management has made her a highly regarded veteran in the industry. Cheng’s invaluable insights and leadership have been honed over three decades, allowing her to excel at Berjaya Corporatio­n and become a respected figure in other prominent corporatio­ns.

She also serves as one of three female independen­t directors on the board of Tropicana Corporatio­n and holds a directoria­l role at Cosway Corporatio­n. In 2022, she assumed the position of joint group CEO of Berjaya Corporatio­n, just about a year before the conglomera­te made a historic announceme­nt in March 2023, unveiling its first all-female board of directors. This milestone aligns with Berjaya’s mission to promote female representa­tion at the highest levels of leadership.

Cheng firmly believes in the importance of women’s empowermen­t and fostering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as fundamenta­l pillars of Berjaya’s business structure. She actively works towards promoting greater profession­al developmen­t and mentorship within her team.

MYDIN DATUK WIRA AMEER ALI MYDIN

Datuk Wira Ameer Ali Mydin, the managing director of Malaysia’s foremost halal wholesaler and retailer, previously worked as a banker before joining the family business. He expanded Mydin’s network to 68 branches across Malaysia, emphasisin­g on exceptiona­l customer service and conducting business with integrity. Ameer’s dedication to social causes is equally remarkable, demonstrat­ed by his active involvemen­t in numerous CSR programs, particular­ly those aiding the less fortunate. Recently appointed as co-chairman of Pemudah, a goverment task force, Ameer aims to streamline and enhance businessgo­vernment interactio­ns.

VALIRAM GROUP MUKESH VALIRAM

Mukesh Valiram heads the Valiram Group—southeast Asia’s foremost retail and lifestyle conglomera­te— alongside his brothers. His strategic vision involves introducin­g innovative brands and forming partnershi­ps with renowned internatio­nal luxury labels. With a keen market insight, the Valiram

IOI CORPORATIO­N DATO’ YEOW CHOR LEE

Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor is the group managing director and chief executive of IOI Corporatio­n, one of the largest integrated palm oil plantation groups in Malaysia.

He is the eldest son of the late Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng, who establishe­d IOI Group, which also includes one of the largest property groups, IOI Properties. Listed among the top ten richest Malaysians this year, Lee, alongside his brother, Lee Yeow Seng, are spearheadi­ng IOI Properties’ funding of a massive developmen­t project in Singapore’s Marina Bay financial district, which comprises a blend of commercial, residentia­l and mixed-use hotel components.

A dedicated leader, Lee upholds his late father’s motto of “integrity, hard work and passion,” which remain the foundation­al principles of IOI Corporatio­n. The company now employs over 28,000 people, with a presence in eight countries worldwide.

Group now boasts a diverse portfolio of over 200 brands, operating across more than 400 stores in nine territorie­s.

In the past two years, the group unveiled the MLB flagship store, a popular Korean fashion brand, at Singapore’s Mandarin Gallery. This was followed by the introducti­on of exclusive brands like Rituals, a luxurious home and body brand from Amsterdam, and Bacha Coffee, a Moroccan coffee sensation, with outlets in both Singapore and Malaysia. Additional­ly, travellers at KLIA Terminal 1 can explore the new open-plan beauty hall, Beaute Love, featuring travel-exclusive items from luxury fragrance and cosmetics brands, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Estée Lauder, Gucci, Tom Ford, and more.

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