Vol 1 2010: January - June PP8307/12/2010(026280)
www.asli.com.my
The Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib at an ASLI Luncheon with ASLI Chairman Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah
and President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir.
Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Prime Minister, Madam Ho Ching wife of the Singapore
Prime Minister and Mrs. Lim Hwee Hua Minister in the Prime Minister’s office and 2nd Finance Minister,
Singapore at ASLI’s ASEAN Women Leaders Forum.
Minister of Home Affairs Dato Sri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein being welcomed by ASLI Directors Dato
Razman Hashim and Dato Michael Yeoh. Behind are ASLI Senior Vice President Ms. Jean Wong and
Vice President Mr. Max Say.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin arriving at an ASLI Conference with CEO Dato Michael
Yeoh and Director Puan Sri Susan Cheah.
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon witnessing a cheque presentation from Tan Sri
Lee Kim Yew to Dato Michael Yeoh at the World Chinese Economic Forum.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Wong Kan Seng at ASLI’s 5th Asia Economic Summit
with ASLI President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, Penang Chief Minister Mr. Lim Guan Eng on his right and
Ambassador Wu Jian Min from China and Prof Wang Gung Wu, Chairman of The East Asia Institute,
Singapore on his left.
...more inside
 WIFE OF PRIME MINISTER AT
ASEAN WOMEN LEADERS FORUM

ASLI CEO Dato Michael Yeoh greeting Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor wife of the Prime Minister at the Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor and Madam Ho Ching and Women Ministers from Malaysia and
ASEAN Women Leaders Forum dinner whilst Women Minister Dato Shahrizat Abdul Jalil looks on. Singapore at the ASEAN Women Leaders Forum.

ASLI CEO Dato Michael Yeoh, Singapore 2nd Finance Minister Mrs. Lim Hwee Hua, Datin Paduka Seri Dato Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Mrs. Yu-Foo Yeen Shoon, Puan Sri Susan Cheah and participants at the
Rosmah Mansor and Dato Dr. Jannie Tay at the welcome dinner for the Prime Minister’s wife. Forum.

The ASEAN Women Leaders Forum is the third in a series organised by
ASLI and the ASEAN Business Forum with the objective of highlighting
and celebrating the accomplishments of women in ASEAN, be they in the
field of government, business, community organisations or academia. The
Forum was supported by Hans Siedei Foundation and Women Business
Connection, Singapore.
This year, the Forum was convened with the theme “Expanding
Possibilities, Scaling New Heights” on 15 December 2009 at the Fullerton
Hotel Singapore and was graced by the presence of Datin Paduka Seri
Rosmah Mansor, Wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia and Madam Ho
Ching, wife of the Prime Minister of Singapore. The Forum drew a crowd
of about 200 delegates from ASEAN countries.
Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, during the keynote address at the
Forum’s official opening, shared on the Malaysian women experience
in leadership roles. She said Malaysian women had always played a
critical role in both the political movement which brought the country’s
independence and subsequently, growth and development of the nation.
The Malaysian Government constantly endeavoured to provide an enabling
environment through reforming its mechanisms and reviewing its laws,
policies and regulations to address any gender disparity and inequality.
Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah also stressed on the importance of solidarity
amongst women and called for a global summit of First Ladies to be held
in Kuala Lumpur in the middle of 2010. Datin Seri Rosmah said “I am sure
we can accomplish great things if we work together in the common cause
of overcoming the challenges of women in a new age of human progress.
This new era may well become the era of women, but it will only be so, if
women really and truly work for it. So ladies, the future is actually in our
own hands. Change must begin with us, and it must begin, now.”
Delegates also had the opportunity to hear from prominent women leaders
from the government and political arenas such as Mrs. Lim Hwee Hua
- Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance
&Transport, Singapore who also delivered a Special Address at the opening
ceremony; as well as Dato’ Sri Senator Shahrizat Abdul Jalil - Minister of
Women, Family and Community Development, Malaysia and Mrs. Yu-Foo
Yee Shoon - Minister of State, Ministry of Community Development, Youth
and Sports, Singapore who both were speakers at the Luncheon Forum.
The distinguished panel of speakers and moderators was made up
of successful leaders in business, senior corporate management and
tourism. They included Ms. Chew Lee Ching - Managing Director, Mandate
Advertising International, Singapore / Winner of the 2009 ASME-Rotary
Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Mrs. Jasleen Kaur - Executive Director,
Euro Moda Sdn Bhd, Malaysia, Ms Low Sin Leng, Executive Chairman,
Sembcorp Industrial Parks Ltd, Singapore, Ms Tan Su Shan - Managing
Director, Morgan Stanley Singapore, Ms Chong Phit Lian - Chief Executive
Officer, Jetstar Airways, Singapore, Dato’ Nancy Yeoh - President & CEO,
Stylo International Pte Ltd, Singapore, Dr Dewi Motik Pramono - President,
National Council of Women’s Organizations Indonesia (KOWANI), Ms
Penny Low -President, Social Innovation Park and Member of Parliament,
Singapore, Mrs. Perlita Tiro -Managing Director, Tiro Consulting Services
Pte Ltd, Singapore.
They spoke and shared their wealth of knowledge and experience at
sessions entitled Women Entrepreneurs -Succeeding in Business, Women
in Management -Climbing the Corporate Ladder, Women in Government
-Challenges Faced, Women in Tourism -New Growth Sector for Women,
and Mentoring Young Women -Building Tomorrow’s Future Leaders.

ASLI Director Puan Sri Susan Cheah thanking Datin Paduka Seri ASLI Senior Vice President Ms. Jean Wong welcoming Madam Ho Ching Dato Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Dato Dr. Jannie Tay and Mrs. Yu
Rosmah Mansor for delivering the Keynote Address. CEO of Temasek and wife of the Singapore Prime Minister and Mrs. Foo Yee Shoon.
Yu Foo Yee Shoon Singapore Senior Minister of State for Community
Development.


5th ASIA ECONOMIC SUMMIT
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Wong Kan Seng with Penang Chief Minister Mr. Lim Guan Eng and
ASLI President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir at the Asia Economic Summit.
Former Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Mr. Wei Jianguo (extreme right), Mr. Joseph Tan of Credit
Suisse, Mr. Manu Bhaskaran of Centennial Group and Mr. P.K. Basu of Daiwa Securities.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Wong Kan Seng delivered the Keynote
Address at the 5th Asia Economic Summit which was held at the Sheraton Towers
in Singapore on 7th December 2009. This edition of the Summit was co-organised
with the East Asia Institute of the National University of Singapore and supported
by the Asia Society and the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The Co-Chairs of the
Summit are Prof Wang Gung Wu Chairman of the East Asia Institute and the Lee
Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Asia Society Hong Kong Centre Chairman and
Chairman of Hang Lung Group and ASLI CEO Dato’ Michael Yeoh.
Other distinguished speakers who addressed the Summit included the Former
Vice Minister of Commerce of China Mr. Wei Jianguo who is Secretary-General of
the China Centre for International Economic Exchanges, Prof. Kishore Mahbubani
Director of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Mr. Lim Guan Eng Chief
Minister of Penang, Ambassador Wu Jianmin, Former President of China’s Foreign
Affairs University and member of the Foreign Policy Advisory Committee of China,
Mr. Stuart Dean President GE Southeast Asia, Mr. Tanri Abeng former Minister of
State Owned Enterprises Indonesia and Chairman of Telekomsel Indonesia and
Mr. Girija Pande Chairman of CII-India Business Forum.
The forum focussed on a number of key issues facing Asia-Asia’s economic
recovery and its sustainability. Will the 21st Century be Asia’s century and the
role of China. Building sustainable business in Asia post crisis and strengthening
economic and trade ties with Europe and USA are among the topics discussed.
In his welcoming remarks ASLI CEO Dato’ Michael Yeah spoke about the 4C’s,
4I’s and 4E’s challenges facing Asia-inclusive growth, infrastructure development,
investment and innovation, as well as competititiveness, corruption, costs of
business, capacity building, environmental sustainablity, education, energy
security and employment creation. Mr. Ronnie Chan emphasised that we are truly
lucky to be in Asia as we are recovering faster than the West but he stressed we
need to depend on each other more. He also reiterated two key points-that Asia
needs good governance and leadership and Asia cannot write off America.
Mr. Ronnie Chan and Prof. Kishore Mahbubani. YAM Tunku Abidin Tuanku Muhriz, President Malaysia Think Tank
and ASLI President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir.

Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Wong Kan Seng, East Asia Institute Chairman
Prof. Wang Gung Wu and Asia Society Vice Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan.
Prof Zheng Director East Asia Institute, Mr. Thai of Hans Seidel Foundation, Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, Mr.
Wong Kan Seng, Dr. Jannie Tay and Mr. Tanri Abeng.
Deputy Premier Wong in his Keynote Address stressed that leadership is
important and that leaders must do what is right and not what is popular. “Strong
leadership is critical in this period to drive reforms. Good, clean Government is
vital to regain the trust of the people. Integrity and Meritocracy are vital conditions
for good governance.” The Deputy Prime Minister also stressed the importance of
leaders being able to articulate long term vision and anticipate change. He went
on to describe Singapore’s success formula.
Former Vice Minister Wei spoke about the need for Asia to speak with one
voice. He said Asia should reduce the dependence on exports on focus more on
expanding domestic demand. He stressed the timeliness of Asia developing its
Green Economy by focusing more on clean technology and renewable energy.
He also mentioned that half of the world’s urban population lives in Asia and that
the rise in demand from Asia’s growing urban population will keep growth growing
in Asia.
The three prominent economists who participated Mr. Joseph Tan of Credit Suisse,
Mr. Manu Bhaskaran of Centennial Group and Mr. PK Basu of Daiwa Securities
were optimistic about Asia’s future economic prospects. They stressed the need
for better policy coordination, need to create stronger consumption growth, how to
be more resilient and better manager of capital inflows.
Ambassador Wu felt there is no reason to fear the peaceful rise of China. He
said Asia is rising in solidarity with China. He however cautioned that the notion
of China’s rise will make others nervous. He stressed that China will not seek
hegemony. Prof. Kishore believes in the Asia Century but cautions against
over triumphalism. He argued that Asians need to better understand the new
responsibilities they have to shoulder in the 21st Century.
In his Concluding Remarks Asia Society Vice Chairman Ronnie Chan said the
world will be a different place and Asia, if we get it right will play a more important
role in the world.
Mr. Wei Jianguo former Vice Minister of Commerce, China with Mr.
Mirzan Mahathir.

CAPITAL MARKET SUMMIT 2009
The Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin having a light moment with ASLI CEO Dato Michael
Yeoh.
The Deputy Prime Minister presenting a plague to Mr. Mohammed Rashdan Mohd Yusof, CEO of Maybank
Investment Bank for having sponsored the event.
ASLI organised its 14th Malaysian Capital Market Summit with the theme
“Bouncing Back After The Global Financial Crisis” on 3rd and 4th December
2009 at the Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The summit focused on the
challenges and prospects faced by the Malaysian market after the Global
Financial Crisis.
The Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin delivered the Opening
Keynote Address on “Leadership and Governance - Key Challenges for
Malaysia”. In his speech, the Deputy Prime Minister urged the private sector
to take full advantage of the liberalized business environment in Malaysia.
“While the Government can provide the broad macro-economic environment
and a more liberalized regime to facilitate business and investments, it is up
to the private sector to act.” he said in his Opening Keynote Address. Tan Sri
Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister of Malaysia said he wanted to
see more investments in the real economy and capital market by Malaysian
investors. “Now that IPOs (initial public offerings) have been freed from the 30%
bumiputra requirement, there is no reason why local companies and SMEs
(small and medium-scale enterprises) should shy away from investing in our
country, where they best know and understand the business challenges. The
liberalization measures undertaken by the Government so far were intended to
develop national economic competitiveness, adding that it was committed to the
transformation of the Malaysian economy. We are embarking on a new growth
model which will identify new opportunities and economic activities. The new
growth model and Budget 2010 provide the framework for Malaysia to make the
transition to a high-income country. This is a challenging time for Malaysia. We
need to steer the economy out of the global recession and ensure we are on the
The Deputy Prime Minister with VIP guests at the Forum.

THE 14th MALAYSIAN
Director of ASLI Puan Sri Susan Cheah presenting a memento to Minister of Finance II Dato Seri Ahmad
Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah. Looking on is ASLI’s CEO Dato Michael Yeoh.
ASLI’s Director Puan Sri Susan Cheah with Minister of Finance II Dato Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad
Hanadzlah.
path to sustainable growth again. We need to make tough decisions and even
sacrifices as we make this transition,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Dato’ Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, Second Minister of Finance
said that the Malaysian capital market has had a relatively good year, raising a
total of RM57.45 billion in debt and RM18.22 billion through the equity market.
He argues that the vibrancy of capital markets can be construed as a good
lead indicator of the level of economic activities contributing to GDP growth
and the government is confident that the 5.0% GDP growth target set for the
year 2010 will be achieved. This confidence is based on the argument that
the Malaysian regulatory authorities has not only provided an environment that
is conducive and facilitative for the expansion of capital markets, but external
linkages have also been built to encourage market participation. He argues
that these conditions are further strengthened by the stable macroeconomic
environment with strong fundamentals.
He cautions against the assumption of creative economy being solely
rooted to intangible assets and ambiguous non-physical products as it
also includes the creation and production of new technology in multimedia
and telecommunications. This indicates that new forms of expression and
applications of economic activities are being and will continue to be produced.
He argues that the traditional maxim of demand creating supply may no
longer apply as we are now able to generate demand by creating said supply;
therefore, new paradigm indicates the need of adopting multi-disciplinary policy
and decision-making processes to ensure that everyone will have a role to play
in the New Economy.
Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Group Director, K&N Kenanga Holdings, Mr. Denny Wong, CEO/Executive Director,
Areca Capital and Ms. Nancy Chow, Director of Marketing & President Development, AmInvestment
Management.
THE 14th MALAYSIAN
CAPITAL MARKET SUMMIT 2009

ASLI’s Director Dato Razman Hashim presenting a memento to Dato’ Sri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. Looking Mr. Steven Wong, Assistant Director-General, ISIS Chairing a session with panel speaker Mr. Robert Rior-
on is ASLI’s CEO Dato Michael Yeoh. Wandesforde (on his right), Senior Asian Economist, The HongKong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Singapore
and Mr. David Carbon, Managing Director Economic & Currency Research, DBS Bank Singapore.

Dato Mokhzani Mahathir, Group CEO, Kencana Petroleum, Dr. Amin Khan, Senior General Manager, Dato Michael Yeoh, CEO of ASLI presenting a memento to Datuk Ranjit Ajit Singh, Managing Director of
Malaysia Airlines and Mr. Azwan Khan Osman Khan, Group Chief Strategy Officer, Axiata Group. Securities Commission.

The Minister of Home Affairs Dato’ Sri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein delivered
the Closing Keynote Address on “Political Stability and Leadership in Malaysia
in a Changing Environment”. The Minister began his Address by rehashing the
events of the past 21 months in the political landscape and how he argues
that bouncing back is not a concept entirely alien to Malaysians. This is due to
the built in resilience in picking up the pieces from the dreaded social collapse
of racial riots to a series of global recessions and the Asian Financial Crisis.
He argued that Malaysians have shown vigour in recovery and increase in
performance post-crisis and this will be further strengthened with reforms and
leadership by the Government. He understands the concerns of business
community on political stability and social dynamics in light of the recent political
environment post March 8. However, he reiterated that the Government is on
the right track in its commitment to ensure political stability and leadership in
a changing Malaysian environment, with recent articulation on the notions of
nation building, performance assessments and proposed measures to improve
safety and security, and eliminate crime and unsafe environment.
Datuk Ranjit Ajit Singh, Managing Director of Securities Commission delivered
the Luncheon Address on “Reinvigorating the Capital Market - The Way
Forward”. Datuk Ranjit recapped what has transpired in the recent weeks, in light
of the worst financial crisis and events surrounding Dubai, eluded that capital
markets in Asia have demonstrated greater degree of resilience in comparison
to others. He argues that as a developing nation, we are to strike a balance
between developing the markets and yet at the same time, avoid building up
excesses that we have seen happening at some developed markets. Capital
markets play a critical role in financing economic activity, in forming capital and
play a key role in facilitating risk transfers, therefore, many strategic initiatives in
place are focused on achieving the objective of developing a broad based and
deep capital market underpinned by a sound and robust regulatory and market
infrastructure. He insists on the need to be careful of assessing capital market;
by not viewing it purely from a stock market angle as the traditional tendency
among some commentators. The challenges that lie ahead include intensified
competitive landscape, the need to further deepen liquidity in some segments of
the capital market, developing the buy side (developing the fund management
industry is highlighted as being something critical), enhancing the quality of
listed companies on the exchange, among others. He highlights the importance
of strengthening the domestic market, with strong regulatory framework and
proper oversight of the market place, to ensure strong foundations are provided
in order to explore new growth opportunities through internationalisation.
Topics discussed were on global, regional, national economic outlook - will
the green shoots last? Malaysia’s debt capital markets - new directions in
bonds and sukuks, making Malaysia more attractive for foreign investments,
equity market outlook - what to expect and look out for in 2010? wealth
management and unit trusts - growing asset management industry in Malaysia,
the governance of growth - revisiting corporate governance and shareholder
activism, and conversation with industry leaders - expectations & perceptions
of 2010 outlook.
About 200 participants attended this 2-day summit which is sponsored by
Maybank Investment Bank, Amlnvestment Bank and Inter-Pacific Securities.

Dato Iqbal, Executive Director, Farlim Group with Mr. Stephen Hagger, From left to right: Mr. Badlisyah Abdul Ghani, CEO, CIMB Islamic Bank, Datuk Nicholas Zefferys, President, American Malaysian Chamber of
Managing Director, Credit Suisse Securities, Mr. Piers Willis, Managing Mr. Mohammed Rashdan Mohd Yusof, CEO, Maybank Investment Bank, Commerce / Member, National Economic Advisory Council and Datuk
Director / CEO, Rothschild Malaysia and Mr. Gerald Ambrose, Managing Mr. Lee Kok Kwan, Deputy CEO, Group Treasury and Investments, CIMB Eddy Chen, Patron REHDA / Managing Director, Metro Kajang Group.
Director, Aberdern Asset Management. Group and Mr. Chong Kwee Siong, Deputy CEO, RAM Rating Services.


 WORLD CHINESE ECONOMIC FORUM
Tan Sri David Chiu of Mayland Development, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Dr.
Koh Tsu Koon at the WCEF Breakfast Roundtable.
Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department at the Forum Opening.
The inaugural World Chinese Economic Forum (WCEF 2009) was held on 17th
and 18th November 2009 at the Royal Ballroom, Palace of the Golden Horses,
Malaysia. It was attended by 500 participants from around the world, namely
China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, England and
America.
WCEF 2009, with the theme “Building Business Linkages, Charting New
Frontiers”, served as an international forum focusing on the emergence of
Global Chinese economic power - not only from China but also from the Chinese
Diaspora worldwide. Since the emergence of China and its robust economic
growth has attracted worldwide attention, global business is beating a path to
China’s doors. Various sessions focused on Global Chinese entrepreneurship,
the Rise of China and its implications, China’s and Asia’s Property Market and
new trends in Financing such as Private Equity. Former Prime Minister Tun Dr.
Mahathir Mohamad gave a Breakfast Speech.
The Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak in his Special Message to the
Forum complimented ASLI for organising this forum. Dato Sri Najib said “We are
bearing witness to a remarkable point in history with the resurgence of China as a
Major economic power. Our gathering today affirms the prominent role that China
plays in the future. China’s growth will help to define the new economic paradigm
that each of us will operate in as we emerge from this latest global economic crisis.”
The Prime Minister also conveyed his invitation to the Chinese entrepreneurs and
The Global Chinese diaspora to invest in Malaysia.
The Forum was jointly organised and promoted by ASLI, Country Heights Holdings
Group and INS Bioscience Group/ Easy Pha-max. Held for over the course of two
days, the WCEF 2009 was divided into seven distinctive sessions, with ministerial
speeches in between the sessions. The Forum supported by The China Association
of mayors, the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the
China National Committee for Pacific Economic Conference (PECC).
The Opening Ceremony was officiated by Senator Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon,
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Malaysia, where he also delivered
the Keynote Address. In his speech, Tan Sri Dr Koh referred to President Hu
ASLI Adviser Tan Sri Saleha Mohd Ali and GOLDIS Executive Dato Majid Khan President Malaysia-China Friendship Association
Chairman Ms. Tan Lei Cheng. moderating a session.

Dato Michael Yeoh presenting a memento to Transport Minister Dato Seri Ong Tee Keat whilst Tan Sri
Lee Kim Yew and Datuk David Yeat looks on.
Ambassador Zou Mingrong Secretary-General of China PECC, Mr. Alexander Feldman President US-
ASEAN Business Council and Mr. Ian Buchanan, Senior Adviser, Booz & Co.
from China and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak visits to each
other’s country. He was glad that the leaders between China and Malaysia
had been fostering good relationship. Quoting an ancient Chinese saying, Tan
Sri Koh also mentioned the current good relationship was further enhanced by
“Economic Timing”, “Geographical Advantage” and “Human Synergy”. Tan Sri
Koh mentioned about Tun Dr. Mahathir’s unwavering support to China despite
China being sidelined by many western countries, and China also returned the
courtesy by helping to stabilize ASEAN’s economy during the 1997-1998 financial
crisis. He believed China and India were the key players in Asia’s economy and
reminded Malaysian entrepreneurs to leverage on their language convenience to
do business with China. He was astounded by China’s marvelous growth rate and
hoped that the bilateral relationship will carry on for many years to come.
On the first day of the forum, Dato’ Seri Ong Tee Keat, Minister of Transport
Malaysia, also delivered a Special Luncheon Address entitled “China and ASEAN
- Partnering for an Asian Century”. Dato’ Seri Ong mentioned he would not want
to go into the business aspect of China-ASEAN relationship. But rather, he shared
his experience on inter-cultural understanding between the nations. Diligent study
must be carried out to have a thorough understanding each other’s culture in order
to foster harmonious relationship.
The second day’s Special Luncheon Address on “Opportunities in Penang” was
delivered by Mr. Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister, Penang. In his address, the Chief
Minister welcomed all types of investment into Penang state, especially in the ICT
sector as Penang is equipped with the suitable infrastructures. He also stated that
Penang was the only Malaysian city listed in KPMG professional service report
that could challenge existing outsourcing hubs in India and China for its good
human resources and talents.
Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Energy, Green Technology & Water,
delivered a Special Address on “Promoting Green Energy and Green Technology
- Fostering Cooperation Between China and Asia” The Minister cited with the
Green Technology Policy, the Malaysian Government had taken cognizance
of the need to have one institution tasked solely to drive green technology. The
Ministry has begun taking steps to build “low energy office” in Malaysia. The Prime
Prof Xiang Bin Dean of the Cheung Kong Graduate School of
Business addressing the Forum.
WORLD CHINESE ECONOMIC FORUM
Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon presenting a memento to Tan Sri David Chiu of Hong Kong.
Australian Federal Member of Parliament and Chairman Australia-China Forum Mr. Michael Johnson,
CCPIT Secretary-General Xu Hubin and Executive Vice President China Association of Mayors Madam
Tao Siliang.
Minister in his recent Budget 2010 gave emphasis on Green Technology with the
allocation of RM1.5 billion as loans for the promotion of green technology. The GBI
initiative is intended to promote sustainability in the built environment. With AFTA
and a combined market of 550 million, entrepreneurs and investors from China
can use Malaysia as a regional hub or springboard into the ASEAN market.
Among distinguished speakers and moderators that presented their thoughts and
knowledge at the forum are as follows :
SESSION ONE:
Discussion on “China’s Emergence as an Economic Powerhouse - Implications
for the Global and, Regional Economy”. Moderated by Dato’ Abdul Majid Khan
- Former Malaysian Ambassador to China, the key speakers were Mdm. Tao
Siliang - Vice President, China Association of Mayors, Ambassador Zou Mingrong
- Executive Vice Chairman, China National Committee for Pacific Economic
Cooperation, Mr. Xu Hubin - Secretary-General of CCPIT, Mr. Alexander Feldman
- President of US ASEAN Business Council in Washington and Mr. Michael
Johnson - Federal Member of Parliament, Australia.
SESSION TWO:
“The Chinese Diaspora Worldwide - Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social
Responsibility: Key Challenges Ahead”. Speakers were Mr. Ken Ong – Councilor,
City of Melbourne, Mr. Nicholas Kwan - Regional Head of Research, Asia,
Standard Chartered Bank, Mr. William Lai - Past President, Chinese Professional
and Business Association, Victoria, Australia. The session was moderated by Mr.
Geoffrey Chow from Swinburne University of Technology, Australia.
SESSION THREE:
“China and Asia’s Property and Real Estate Market - What’s Next After the Global
Economic Crisis”. Moderated by Datuk Eddy Chen - Group Managing Director,
Metro Kajang and the speakers were Dato’ Bill Ch’ng - President, Malaysia Pacific
Corporation Berhad and Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew - Deputy Chairman, Country
Heights Holdings Group.
Penang Chief Minister Mr. Lim Guan Eng, Dato Michael Yeoh and Dr. Enki Tan of GITI Tires with other speakers from Australia, Mr.
Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew. William Lye, Mr. Geoffrey Chow, Mr. Ken Ong and Mr. Bernard
Tan.

Dato Michael Yeoh presenting a memento to Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk
Peter Chin.
Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, Tan Sri Michael Chen, Dato
Donald Lim at the Forum.
SESSION FOUR:
‘’Building Business Linkages - Strategies for Successful Collaboration”. This
session was moderated by Dato’ Michael Yeoh - CEO, ASLI, and the speakers
were Mr. Xu Ning Ning - Deputy Secretary-General, China-ASEAN Business
Council, Dr. Enki Tan - Chairman, GITI Tire Co. Limited, and Mr. Kenneth Leong
- Managing Director, Euroasia, New Zealand.
SESSION FIVE:
“Global Chinese Entrepreneurship - The Rise of Young Taipans”. The young
speakers were Ms. Norma Sit - Founding Member, The Foundation of the Future,
Mr. Xiang Bing - Dean, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, Mr. Sam
Tan - Executive Director, Ken Holdings, Datuk David Yeat - CEO, INS Bioscience
Group/ Easy Pha-max.
SESSION SIX:
“Global Trends in Property - Designing, Branding, Developing Iconic Projects” by
Ms. Tan Lei Cheng - CEO, GOLDIS Berhad, Dr. Ken Yeang - Design Director,
Llewelyn Davies Yeang, Mr. Bernard Tan - Partner, Gray & Perkins Layers,
Sydney. Session was moderated by Mr. Kumar Tharmalingam - Member of
Malaysian Property Incorporated Board of Governors.
SESSION SEVEN:
‘’Private Equity, Wealth Management & Innovative Financing in the light of the
global economic crisis”. This session was moderated by Mr. William Lye - Past
President, CPBA, and the speakers were Mr. Loo Cheng Guan - Managing
Director, Tembusu Partners, and Mr. Teoh Kok Lin - Founder, Singular Asset
Management.
In his Closing Remarks, Patron Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew reiterated that the World
Chinese Economic Forum had addressed a growing phenomenon - the rise of
the Chinese dragon and its impact on the global economy. The forum promoted
East-West interaction, by bringing together strategic thinkers, thought leaders,
entrepreneurs, policy-makers and key decision makers to exchange ideas on this
21st Century phenomenon - which may well be China’s Century. This good effort
should continue and the WCEF should be held again next year, and many years
to come.
Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon presenting a memento to Tan Sri Leong
Hoy Kum Chairman of Mah Sing Properties for his sponsorship.
 MALAYSIA-ARAB BUSINESS FORUM

Dato’ Mukhriz been greeted by Dato’ Michael Yeoh, Ms. Jean Wong and Ms. Shaireen Waris upon arrival at Dato’ Mukhriz been greeted by Datuk Jalilah Baba, Director General of the Malaysian Industrial
the JW Marriott Hotel. Development Authority while Dato’ Michael Yeoh looks on.

Dato’ Mukhriz with some of the guests and participants of the Forum. Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulklifi Abdul Razak Vice Chancellor of USM and Prof. Dr. Saad Z.Darwish addressing
the Forum.

The Malaysia-Arab Business Forum organized by ASLI with the
support of the Federation of GCC Chambers was held on November 30
- December 1, 2009. The forum brought together top Industry Players
and leading businessmen from both sides to discuss and explore how
we could capitalise on our growing relationships. Trade and Investment
flows between Malaysia and the Middle East have increased in recent
years. Malaysia is fast becoming a gateway to the combined ASEAN
market of 550 million with the coming into effect of the ASEAN Free
Trade Area and Malaysia will offer abundant investment opportunities
for Arab investors. Likewise the GCC countries are attractive
investment destinations for Malaysian businessmen and investors who
see the growth potential in the Gulf countries, drawing in more investor
interest.
In his Opening Keynote Address, Dato’ Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir,
Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry stressed that nations
must continue to trade and promote investments so that the resulting
economic activity will allow us to maintain growth and development.
To do otherwise would be to demonstrate a lack of leadership and
foresight. He said that Malaysia is a trading nation and Malaysia offers
investors a business environment that is quite unique, strong, stable
and resilient economy. Investors are offered a wide range of fiscal and
other incentives. We have good infrastructure and skilled workforce he
added on. The cost of doing business in our country is relatively low,
and investors operate in a policy environment that is very supportive
of foreign investment. In addition, Malaysia is also the gateway to the
larger regional market of ASEAN. He concluded that with a market over
570 million and a combined GDP of over US$1 trillion, ASEAN offers
tremendous scope for business from this region, seeking to diversify
into new growth areas. Such development will be for mutual benefits.
Mr. Abdulrahim Hasan Mohamed Naqi, Secretary General of the
Federation of GCC Chambers in his introductory remarks stated
that the aim of this inaugural forum is to capitalize and build on the
great successes achieved at the level of development, strengthening
diversification of economic relations witnessed in the past years
between the Malaysian and Arab sides. He said that it is also aimed to
shed light on the state of the Malaysian, Arab and gulf economic and
trade relation, the investment environment, and the basic tendencies
for cooperation in the industrial field, advanced high-end technologies,
communication, information technology and innovation. He continued
that it is the hope of this forum to introduce the economic opportunities
and investment potentials of both sides, and to discuss the available
investment opportunities. Mr. Naqi concluded that the GCC countries are
seeking to expand and diversify their external economic relationships,
and there is no doubt that their relation with Malaysia comes at the
forefront of these concerns in view of the Islamic bonds connecting the
two sides, in addition to the strategic location of Malaysia which acts
as a hub.
Among the distinguished role-players who spoke at the forum were
Mr. Khalid Abdulla-Janahi, Chairman of Ithmaar Bank of Bahrain;
Mr. Hissam Kamal Hassan, Director, Investments of Khazanah
Nasional Berhad; Tengku Farith Rithauddeen, Group Chief Executive
Officer and Co-Founder of SKALI; Mr. U Achu, Managing Director /
General Manager of Dyarco International Trading Al-Faisal Holdings
of Doha, Qatar; Mr. Michael Lee, Chief Executive Officer, InfraCapital
& Member of the Board of Ithmaar Bank; Mr. Badlisyah Abdul Ghani,
Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic Bank; Raja Teh Maimunah
Raja Abdul Aziz, Global Head, Islamic Capital Market (ICM) of Bursa
Malaysia Berhad, Malaysia; Datuk Jalilah Baba, Director General of
Malaysian Industrial Development Authority; Dato’ Jebasingam Issace
John, Chief Executive Officer of the East Coast Economic Region
(continue on page 9)

Dato’ Mukhriz presenting a memento to Dato’ Jebasingam Issace
John, Chief Executive Officer of the East Coast Economic Region
Development Council as the forum Strategic Partner.
The session on Islamic Finance & Takaful and Private Equity – Deepening Collaboration Dato Michael Yeoh presenting a memento to Mr. Abdulrahim Hasan
between Malaysia and GCC with Mr. Michael Lee, Chief Executive Officer of InfraCapital Naqi, Secretary General, Federation of the GCC Chambers.
& Member of the Board of Ithmaar Bank, Raja Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz, Global
Head, Islamic Capital Market (ICM), Bursa Malaysia Berhad, Malaysia and Mr.
Badlisyah Abdul Ghani, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic Bank.


UPDATE ON
CENTRE FOR PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES 2009
The Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS)’ work in the areas of policy
oriented dialogues, outreach and networking, and policy oriented research
crossed new milestones in the year 2009. CPPS undertook major research
projects and programmes in areas focusing on Enhancing Socioeconomic
Policy and Enhancing Governance. The projects and programmes
include organising public forums and fairs, involvement in roundtables,
Parliamentarian briefings, conducting trainings, producing factsheets,
research and analysis, and involvement in closed-door consultations.
In February, CPPS launched the results of the Open Budget Index 2008.
The Open Budget Index (OBI) is the only independent, internationally
comparative measure of budget transparency in 85 countries. It provides
a comprehensive analysis and survey that evaluates whether or not
central governments give the public access to budget information and
opportunities to participate in the budget process. The Survey is composed
of 124 questions covering four phases of budget development -formulation,
legislative approval, implementation, and audit -and help researchers
evaluate the information that should be available at each phase and the
other measures needed for effective legislative oversight and auditing of
national budgets. The aim of the OBI is to make budget systems more
transparent and accountable to the public. By doing so, budget systems
become more responsive to the needs of society -especially those within
the poor and low-income communities. The OBI2008 was the first time
Malaysia participated in this research, which required rigorous process
of evaluating Malaysia’s National Budget and its public accessibility and
transparency according to international standards. CPPS is also involved
for the next round of The Survey for the year 2010.
The United Nations Human Rights Council conducted its inaugural review
of Malaysia’s human rights record in February in Geneva. The Universal
Periodic Review (UPR) is a state-led process to examine the extent to
which members of the United Nations meet their obligations and have
their commitments in promotion and protection of human rights critically
analysed. UN member-States are reviewed every four years on their
progress, its challenges and the UPR identifies needs for improvement in
human rights. CPPS as a member of the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs in
MALAYSIA-ARAB BUSINESS FORUM (cont. from page 8)
Mr. Khalid Abdulla-Janahi, Chairman of Ithmaar Bank, Bahrain, Mr. Abdulrahim Hasan Naqi, Secretary
General, Federation of the GCC Chambers, YM Tunku Ya’acob Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah, MAA Holdings
Chairman and Dato’ Mohamed Iqbal Rawther.
Development Council; Mr. Basil Awami, International Relation Director
of the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce; Datin Paduka Siti
Sa’diah Sheikh Bakir, Managing Director of KPJ Healthcare Berhad; Ms.
Zahra’a Taher, Chief Executive Officer of T & M EVENTSCOM, Bahrain;
Ms. Fakihah Azahari, Executive Director of Malaysian Professionals
& Entrepreneurs Chamber (MYPEC); Dato’ Haji Mohamed Iqbal
Rawther, Secretary-General of ASEAN Business Forum & Executive
Director, Farlim Group (M) Sdn Bhd; Mrs. Arlida Ariff, President &
Chief Executive Officer of Iskandar Investment Berhad; Mr. Nick White,
Partner of Trowers & Hamlins; Datuk Richard Fong, Chairman of
Malaysia Property Incorporated; Professor Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul
Women in Business-Forging New Partnerships session with Datin Paduka Siti Sa’diah
Sheikh Bakir Managing Director of KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Dato’ Haji Mohamed Iqbal
Rawther, Secretary-General of ASEAN Business Forum, Ms. Zahra’a Taher, Chief
Executive Officer of T&M EVENTSCOM, Bahrain and Ms. Fakihah Azahari, Executive
Director of Malaysian Professionals & Entrepreneurs Chamber (MYPEC).
the UPR Process (COMANGO) held a briefing for Members of Parliament
and diplomatic missions in Malaysia at the Malaysian Parliament on the
23rd of March 2009.
Approximately 100 Recommendations formulated during the UPR process
at the Geneva interactive dialogue were examined by Malaysia to determine
whether it enjoys the country’s support and whether the response to the
highlighted recommendations is to be included in the outcome report to
be response to be adopted by the Human Rights Council at its eleventh
session. The presentations at the briefing dealt with the proceedings in
Geneva and how this particular audience could push for the improvement
of human rights in Malaysia. As a follow-up to this initiative, a special
briefing was held on the 15th of December 2009 for members of the
diplomatic corps, where CPPS’ Noel Dass presented updates on the area
of the Freedom of Information and Expression in Malaysia.
On the 28th of July 2009, CPPS organnised a closed-door roundtable
session to reflect on Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak’s first
100 days in office. The roundtable saw a few prominent Malaysian voices
present their analysis of the Prime Minister’s performance, followed by an
active discussion on his track record as well as expectations for the Prime
Minister’s term in office. The areas that were discussed were economics,
media freedom, national unity and ethnic relations, human rights and
gender issues.
The issue of refugees is a one that affects many countries around the globe
including Malaysia. Even though Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, nor its 1967 Protocol we
nonetheless have approximately 65,000 registered refugees and asylum-
seekers in Malaysia, as of September 2009. To that end, CPPS conducted
a dialogue session on the 28th of October 2009 with the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representation in Malaysia.
The one-day discussion provided an avenue for various stakeholders
who are not typically part of the discussion, including the private sector,
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), religious groups, think tanks,
parliamentarians as well as media organizations to be further enlightened
(continue on page 21)
Mr. Khalid Abdulla-Janahi, Chairman of Ithmaar Bank, Bahrain together with Mr. Hissam Kamal Hassan,
Director of Investments, Khazanah Nasional Berhad during Q&A session.
Razak, Vice Chancellor of University Science Malaysia; Dr Hussain
Al-Mahdi, President of Gulf Global Economic Consultancy (GGC);
Professor Dr Saad Z. Darwish, Vice President, Academic Affairs of
Delmon University For Science & Technology; Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Haji
Yahya Ibrahim, Pro Chancellor of Sultan Idris University of Education;
Mr. Martin Amison, Partner of Trowers & Hamlins; Dato’ Group
A.K.Nathan, Group Managing Director of Eversendai Corporation; Mr.
Shukri Bundakji, Chief Executive Officer of DNM Connect, Dubai; Mr.
James Beltran, Deputy Chairman of Melewar Holdings, Malaysia; Dr
Jasim Hussain Ali, Eminent Economist and Member of Parliament,
Baharin and Mr. Saqer Shaheen, Board Member Chairman of YEC,
Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Mrs. Arlida Ariff, President & Chief Executive Officer of Iskandar Mr. James Beltran, Deputy Chairman of the Melawar Holdings,
Investment Berhad and Datuk Richard Fong, Chairman of the Malaysia, Mr. Martin Amison, Partner of Trowers & Hamlins and Mr.
Malaysia Property Incorporated. Shukri Bundakji, Chief Executive Officer of DNM Connect, Dubai.

 NATIONAL PROPERTY & HOUSING SUMMIT 2009
Receiving the arrival of Dato’ Seri Kong Cho Ha, Minister of Housing & Local Government at the National
Housing & Property Summit 2009 at the Sunway Resort & Spa Hotel. On the left: Dato Michael Yeoh, CEO of
ASLI. From the right: Ms Jean Wong of ASLI and Dato’ Razman Hashim, Deputy Chairman of Sunway Group.
Mr. S.M.Faisal Tan Sri SM Nassimuddin receiving a memento presented by Dato’ Seri Kong Cho Ha on
behalf of ASLI while Dato’ Razman and Dato Michael looks on.
The National Property & Housing Summit 2009 was held on 19th and
20th October 2009, at the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, Petaling Jaya.
The annual summit was jointly supported by FIABCI Malaysian Chapter
and National House Buyers Association. Over 150 delegates attended
this two-day summit.
The theme for this annual summit was entitled, “A Resurgent Property
Market Beyond the Economic Horizon”, to capture the current market
expectation and hope of a resurgent property market when the economy
recovers.
At the Opening Ceremony, the Minister of Housing & Local Government,
Dato’ Seri Kong Cho Ha officiated the ceremony and delivered the
Opening Keynote Address. In his Keynote Address, Dato’ Seri was of the
view that all factors considered; the Malaysian property market was set
to strengthen and grow in the upcoming years on a two-pronged front -
through foreign investments and domestic demand. In terms of Value-For
-Money, Malaysian real estate - both commercial and residential - offer
good Returns - On - Investment, as long as the location chosen viable,
On the left: Associate Prof Dr Faridah Shafri, president of Malaysia Group Building Confederation. R-L:
Tuan Iskandar Bin Abdul Samad Exco-Member, Selangor State Government, Mr. Othman Hj. Omar, GM
of PKNS.
10
Dato’ Razman Hashim presenting a memento to Dato’ Seri Kong Cho Ha, while Dato Michael Yeoh looks
on.
Line up of sponsor representatives. R-L: Mr. Teow Leong Seng, COO of SP Setia Group Bhd., Mr. SM Faisal Tan
Sri Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman and CEO NAZA Group, Mr. Pee Tong Lim, Group CEO of United
Malayan Land Berhad, Mr. Hong Lay Chuan, ED of Malton Bhd., Ms. Norazlina Zakaria, CEO of Worldwide
Holdings Bhd., Mr. Othman Hj Omar, GM of PKNS.
and the necessary procedures in acquiring the property concerned are
adhered by. The property prices were expected to be playing a catching
role in comparison to these markets and the property and housing sector
in Malaysia would point to good years ahead.
The CEO Forum followed after the Opening Ceremony and among the
key panelists who spoke at this forum were Datuk Eddy Chen - Group
Managing Director, Metro Kajang and most recent past President,
REHDA, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew - Founder & Deputy Chairman, Country
Heights Holdings Group and Dato’ Jeffrey Ng - Executive Director,
Sunway City and Immediate Past President (Ex-Officio), REHDA.
The CEO Forum had its discussion centered on the title “the Property
Market After the Global Economic Crisis - Will the Government’s Recent
Liberalisation Measures Speed Up Recovery?” The panel lauded the
government’s recent initiatives, but also challenged the viability of several
key strategies initiated in a move to help revive the local property sector.
The panel was of the view that further refinement and research were
necessary before implementation for success.
Dato’ Abdul Rahim Rahman, Executive Chairman of Rahim & Co Chartered Surveyors, moderating a
session on REITS Outlook in which Mr. Stewart Labrooy, CEO of Axis REITS, was a speaker.
NATIONAL PROPERTY & HOUSING SUMMIT 2009
Dato Michael Yeoh presenting a memento to Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister, Dato’ Raja
Nong Chik.
CEO Forum moderated by Datuk Eddy Chen, Group Managing Director, Metro Kajang and Most Recent Past
President, REHDA while Dato’ Jeffrey Ng, Executive Director, Sunway City and Past President (Ex-Office),
REHDA and Tan Sri Lee KimYew, Founder and Deputy Chairman of Country Heights Holdings Group look on.
The focus of discussion which centered on the hot topics programmed
for this year’s annual summit were the Property Market After the Global
Economic Crisis - Will the Government’s Recent Liberalisation Measures
Speed Up Recovery? Outlook for REITs - What’s Next? Where do we go
from here? Prospects for Residential Housing & Condominiums -What’s
Hot? What’s New?, Outlook for Retail and Commercial Sectors : Are
We Becoming Over-Built?, Revival of Failed & Abandoned Projects -
Protection for Property Purchasers, Challenges Facing Green Buildings
and Sustainable Development and Marketing Property Development
Overseas - What are the Key Issues?
In addition, a senior representative from the Selangor State Government,
Tuan Iskandar bin Abdul Samad, who is an Exco-Member of the Selangor
State Government, was present to update the summit on new property
developments in Selangor during the Luncheon Address on the first day
of the summit. On the second day, the Minister of Federal Territories and
Urban Well-being Dato’ Raja Nong Chik Bin Dato’ Raja Zainal Abdin,
also delivered the Luncheon Address and cited some of the key property
developments in the Federal Territories (FT) and key initiatives taken by
the FT Ministry.
Ms. Lau Yock Yin, CEO of YY Lau Property Solution moderating a session. On the left, Mr. Ho Chin Soon,
MD of Chin Soon Research, Mr. Previndran Singhe Gp CEO & Founder, Zerin Properties and Sr Elvin
Fernandez, Managing Director, Khong & Jaafar.
11
FT Minister, Raja Nong Chik and his wife flanked by Datuk David Chua, Managing Director of DC&A
Group, Dato Michael Yeoh, CEO of ASLI.
Datuk Richard Fong, Gp Executive Vice-Chairman, Glomac Bhd and President, FIABCI Malaysia, Flanked
by Mr. Kumar Thamalingam, Member of MPI Board of Governors (on the left) and Mr. Ngian Siew Siong,
MD Sunway City Bhd (on the right).
Among those who presented ideas and spoke at the summit were Dato’
Abdul Rahim Rahman - Executive Chairman, Rahim & Co Chartered
Surveyors Sdn Bhd, Mr. Stewart LaBrooy – CEO / Executive Director,
Axis REIT Managers Bhd, Mr. Ho Chin Soon - Managing Director, Ho
Chin Soon Research, Ms Y.Y. Lau - Chief Executive Officer, YY Lau
Property Solutions, Mr. Previndran Singhe - Group CEO & Founder, Zerin
Properties, Sr Elvin Fernandez - Managing Director, Khong & Jaafar Sdn
Bhd and Deputy President of the Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM),
Mr. Christopher Boyd - Executive Chairman, Regroup Associates, Mr.
Allan Soo - Managing Director, Regroup Associates, Datuk David Chua
- Managing Director, DC&A Group, Cr Chang Kim Loong, Honorary
Secretary-General of National House Buyers Association and Town
Councillor of MPSJ, Prof. Dr Kamarul Rashdan bin Salleh - Managing
Director, Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB), Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Faridah Shafii - President, Malaysian Green Building Confederation,
Mr. Colin Ng - Head of Corporate Investment, Goldis Bhd / Executive
Director, GTower Sdn Bhd , Ar Chan Seong Aun - Vice President, PAM,
Datuk Richard Fong - Group Executive Vice-Chairman, Glomac Bhd and
President, FIABCI Malaysia, Mr. Ngian Siew Siong – Managing Director,
Sunway City Bhd and Mr. Kumar Tharmalingam - Member of MPI Board
of Governors.
Prof. Dr. Kamanil Rashan, MD, SPNB presenting his points while Datuk David Chua looks on.
 ASLI HOSTS TOP US CORPORATE LEADERS
The Chairman of Walmart Mr. Robson Walton with Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah, Tun Dr. Lim Keng Yaik and Mr. Ian
Buchranan.
Mr. Walton, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah, Mr. Segilmann, Tan Sri Navaratnam and Datuk Nicholas Zeffreys.
Chairman of Conservation International Mr. Peter Segilmann in a Dato Sulaiman Manan, MUI Group Chairman Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng
discussion with Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah and Dato Michael Yeoh. and Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam.
ASLI recently organised a Roundtable Discussion with Mr. Rob Walton, Chairman of Walmart
and reportedly among the 10 richest men in the USA and Mr. Peter Seligmann, Chairman
of Conservation International. The Roundtable Discussion focused on how Walmart has
partnered with Conservation International on sustainability. Both Mr. Rob Walton and Mr.
Seligmann shared their perspectives and experiences in sustainable development.
Mr. Rob Walton reiterated the culture and values of Walmart laid down by his late father,
the legendary Sam Walton - integrity and respect which are practiced daily not only by
Walmart’s employees but all their stakeholders in order to become a better, more responsible
and sustainable business. He emphasised the importance of creating new standards for
a responsible retail company and shared how Walmart has successfully partnered with
Conservation International. Mr. Walton also spoke about Walmart’s plans in Asia - serving
customers in China, Japan and India.
TAN SRI JEFFREY CHEAH
APPOINTED NEW CHAIRMAN OF ASLI
The ASLI Board of Directors has elected Tan Sri Jeffrey
Cheah as the new Chairman of ASLI whilst Mr. Mirzan
Mahathir remains the President. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey
Cheah Fook Ling is the visionary Founder and Chairman
of Sunway Group. The Group is one of the most widely
regarded and diversified Malaysian conglomerates. It is well
known for its flagship development, The Sunway Integrated
Resort City, which is located 20 minutes outside the nation’s
capital city of Kuala Lumpur.
An accountant by training, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah
is passionately involved and active in both governmental and
non-governmental organizations. He has been conferred
eight honorary Doctorates by leading universities worldwide.
He is also among the four leading donors in the country who
made Forbes Asia’s Hero of Philanthropy 2009.
In 2008, he was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) by the Prime Minister of
Australia, Kevin Rudd. The AO is one of Australia’s most prestigious and highly respected
award conferred to a non-citizen of Australia. It is an order of chivalry first established by
Queen Elizabeth II for the purpose of according recognition to Australians for outstanding
achievement or commendable service.
The conferment was in recognition of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah’s meritorious
contribution to the advancement of education in Malaysia and his outstanding service to
strengthen Australia-Malaysia bilateral relations.
In 2007, the prestigious Monash University School of Medicine was named after him in
appreciation of his immense contribution to the establishment and rapid growth of Monash
University Sunway Campus.
12
Dato Michael Yeoh, Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng, Mr. Peter Segilmann, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah, Mr. Robson
Walton and Mr. Mirzan Mahathir.
Dato Vaseehar Hassan, Dr. Enki Tan, Dato Michael Yeoh, Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng and Mr. Mirzan
Mahathir.
The Walmart Chairman Mr. Walton with AMCHAM President Datuk
Nicholas Zeffreys.
Mr. Seligmann outlined the mission and values of Conservation International to build upon
a strong foundation of science, partnerships and fieldwork demonstration. Conservation
International is helping and shaping societies to adopt a more sustainable approach to
development. It is also committed to protect nature and stewardship of the earth’s natural
resources. The Tea Roundtable was attended by former Minister of Energy, Water &
Communications Tun Dr. Lim Keng Yaik, Chairman of ASLI and Sunway Group Tan Sri Dr.
Jeffrey Cheah, President of ASLI Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, Chairman of MUI Group Tan Sri Khoo
Kay Peng, Dato’ Sulaiman Manan, Mr. Ian Buchanan, Datuk Nicholas Zefferys, Mr. Enki Tan,
Ms. Carmey Chua, Ms. Sarena Cheah, Ms. Diane Lee, Dr. Oh Ei Sun, among others.
The participants were impressed with Mr. Walton’s simple and down-to-earth corporate
leadership and Mr. Seligmann’s balanced approach to conversation.
In 2006, HRH Sultan Selangor installed Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah as Foundation Chancellor of
Sunway University College, which was established under a not-for-profit Trust Fund. The
Education Trust Fund will soon transform into Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah Foundation which
aims to bring high-quality and affordable education to the community and the country. To
date, the Trust has given out RM 50 million worth of scholarships. The soon-to be launched
Jeffrey Cheah Foundation will own the well known Monash University Malaysia and Sunway
University College, which is worth RM700 million.
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah has been appointed Chairman of the Malaysian Crime
Prevention Foundation’s Selangor chapter by the Minister of Unity, Culture, Arts & Heritage
in 2008.
He was the Vice President of National Kidney Foundation Of Malaysia In 2002; Founding
Trustee of Malaysian Liver Foundation since 1999; President of Malaysian Hakka Association
1997-2004; and the first non-Malay Honorary Member of Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of
Commerce since 2002.
In recognition of his contribution to education, he was, in 1996, appointed by the Minister of
Education to the Higher Education Council of Malaysia, a body responsible for formulating
higher education policies in Malaysia. The Minister of Trade appointed him Director of National
Productivity Centre in 1990.
He was also EXCO member of the Malaysian Tourism Action Council, an appointment by the
Minister of Tourism Malaysia in 1996. The following year, the Minister of Finance appointed
him a Council Member of the Financial Reporting Foundation.
Other awards bestowed upon him include the Paul Harris Fellow Award, Property Man of the
Year (Malaysia) in 1993, CEO of the Year (Malaysia) in 1996, Asia’s Most Innovative Chinese
Entrepreneur Award 2005, Fellow Australian Society of Certificate Practising Accountants
and Fellow of Institute of Directors award.
MALAYSIA - UNITED STATES
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE
Datuk Seri Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis, Ambassador of the Malaysian Embassy in Washington, DC with Mr. Derek
Mitchell Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense during Q & A session.
Dato Michael Yeoh, Dr. Michael Martin, Analyst, Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division of the
Congressional Research Service, Mr. Joseph Yun, Director, Office of the Maritime Southeast Asia, EAP
of the State of Department and Asst. Professor Pek Koon Heng, SIS, American University.
On October 9, 2009, ASLI together with ASEAN Studies Centre at
American University and with the support of the Malaysia-America Society
and East-West Centre in Washington jointly organized the Malaysia-US
Strategic Partnership Conference at the American University, Washington
DC. The event was officiated by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok the Minister of
Plantation Industries & Commodities, Malaysia.
This half-day Roundtable brought together a group of Americans and
Malaysian corporate leaders, thinkers, scholars and government officials
to push the envelope and explore new areas to further strengthen
the close bilateral ties between the two countries. Over the years,
Malaysia and the US had collaborated closely in education, security,
business, trade and investments. Moving forward new areas for future
collaboration include technology and innovation, political, security and
climate change.
Malaysia and the United Sates have long enjoyed a strong bilateral
relationship as stated by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in his Opening Keynote
Address. He said that while there are occasional hiccups, generally our
bilateral relationship is strong and robust as there are many similarities
between our two countries and there are many areas of agreement in
our foreign and domestic policies. The US is Malaysia’s largest trading
partner and Malaysia is the 16th largest trading partner of the US.
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok added that the two-way trade amounts to
USD44 billion - US remain one of Malaysia’s largest foreign investors.
Recently, Malaysia had announced the liberalisation of 27 sub-sectors
in the services sector, which will make Malaysia even more attractive
for foreign investments. At the same time, as he continued, Malaysia
hope the US will continue to adopt market opening measures for
Malaysian products i.e. Malaysian palm oil and timber products. In this
Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Yusof Basiron, Chief Executive Officer of the Mr. Marc Mealy, Senior Director, Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei
Malaysian Palm Oil Council during Q & A session. Affairs of the US-ASEAN Business Council, Mr Isham Ishak, Minister-
Counselor, Economic Trade Office of the Ministry of International Trade
and Industry, Washington DC and Mr. Scott Butcher.
13
From left Ms. Jean Wong, Dato Michael Yeoh, Mr. Derek Mitchell, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Defense, Asian and Pacific Security Affairs of the Department of Defense, Dean Louis W.Goodman, Dean of the
School of International Service, American University and Professor Amitav Acharya, SIS, American University.
ASLI team Dato Michael Yeoh, Ms. Shaireen Waris, Ms. Jean Wong and the Former Deputy Chief of
Mission of the Malaysian Embassy in DC, Mr. Illango.
context, as he concluded, Malaysia hope that the US does not erect new
unreasonable non-tariff barriers to deny market access for Malaysian
palm products and similarly to Malaysian exports of tropical timber
products. Tan Sri Bernard concluded that through dialogue, and building
trust and cooperation, Malaysia and US can have a new beginning with a
new President in the White House and a new Prime Minister in Putrajaya.
What is important is we look to the future with greater confidence. We
need to work collectively to overcome the benign neglect in our bilateral
ties by stepping up high level exchanges and visits. Tan Sri Bernard also
hopes that Malaysia can soon get to host a US Presidential visit, after
more than four decades.
Other distinguished role-players who spoke at this event were Dean
Louis W. Goodman, Dean of School of International Service, American
University; H.E. Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis, Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Malaysia, Washington,
DC; Dato Michael Yeoh, Chief Executive Officer of ASLI; Dr. Michael
Martin, Analyst, Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division of
Congressional Research Service; Mr Joseph Yun, Director, Office of
Maritime Southeast Asia, EAP, Department of State; Asst Professor
Pek Koon Heng, SIS American University, Mr Isham Ishak, Minister-
Counselor, Economic Trade Office Ministry of International Trade and
Industry, Washington DC; Mr. Marc Mealy, Senior Director, Malaysia,
Philippines and Brunei Affairs of the US-ASEAN Business Council; Tan
Sri Datuk Dr Yusof Basiran Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Palm
Oil Council; Ms. Raelyn Campbell, Senior Project Director of the National
Bureau of Asian Research; Mr. Peter Secor, Division Chief, Office of
International Energy and Commodity Policy, EEB, Department of State;
Professor Amitav Acharya of SIS, American University and Mr. Derek
Mitchell, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Asian and
Pacific Security Affairs of Department of Defense.
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Minister of Plantation Industries &
Commodities, Malaysia delivering his Opening Keynote Address.
 EVENTS HIGHLIGHT

ASLI President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir in a light moment with Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib, Minister ASLI CEO Dato Michael Yeoh presenting a memento to Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor wife of the Prime
in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamad Yakcop and CIMB CEO Dato Sri Nazir Razak. Minister whilst Madam Ho Ching and Mr. Karf Peter Schoenfisch of Hans Siedes Foundation look on.

Madam Ho Ching CEO of Temasek Holdings and wife of the Prime Minister Singapore at ASLI’s ASEAN ASLI CEO Dato Michael Yeoh (extreme right) and former Foreign Minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar with
Women Leaders Forum in Singapore. President Ma Ying Jeao of Taiwan at the Taiwan ASEAN Forum in Taipei.

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad being greeted by Madam Tao Siliang Vice Chairman, China Association of ASLI CEO Dato Michael Yeoh being welcomed by the Governor of Victoria, Australia in Government
Mayors and Dato Bill Ch’ng Chairman, Malaysian Pacific Corporation. House, Melbourne.

Tourism Minister Dato Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen with ASLI Senior Vice President Ms. Jean Wong. Penang Chief Minister Mr. Lim Guan Eng with Architect Dato Dr. Ken Yeang, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, Ms.
Jean Wong, Dato Michael Yeoh, Dato Bill Ch’ng and Mr. Fong Kui Lim.

Minister of Housing & Local Government Dato Seri Kong Cho Ha with ASLI Directors Dato Razman Hashim ASLI recently hosted a Roundtable with Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Minister.
and Dato Michael Yeoh.

14
EVENTS HIGHLIGHT

Home Affairs Minister Dato Sri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein with Dato Michael Yeoh and Ms. Jean Wong on ASLI celebrating the birthday of Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor wife of the Prime Minister at the
his left and Dato Razman Hashim, Dr. Oh Ei Sun and Mr. Max Say on his right. ASEAN Women Leaders Forum dinner in Singapore.

Ms. Jean Wong with PNB Chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji. A light moment shared by Deputy MITI Minister Dato Mukhriz Tun Mahathir, Tunku Dato Seri Yaacob,
Khalid Janahi Chairman of Ithmaar Bank, Bahrain and Dato Michael Yeoh.

China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue, Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, Tan Sri Tan Kay Hock and Tan British High Commissioner Boyd McCleary, Dato Michael Yeoh and AirAsiaX CEO Azran Othman-Rani.
Sri Quek Leng Chan.

Agricuture Minister Dato Noh Omar arriving at an ASLI Conference. The ASLI team.

ASLI’s Vice President Mr. Max Say with ASLI’s corporate sponsor, ALSTOM. President Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance Tan Sri Megat Najaruddin Khan, former President
Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia Tan Sri Lim Gait Tong and Securities Commission Managing
Director Datuk Ranjit Singh.

15
 ASIA TELECOMMUNICATIONS FORUM 2009
Ms. Anne Abraham – Managing Director of Cisco Systems Malaysia receives a souvenir from Minister Dato’
Seri Dr. Rais Yatim while Dato’ Michael Yeoh and Tan Sri Radzi looks on.
(L-R) Ms. Anne Abraham, Tan Sri Dato Ir Muhammad Radzi Haji Monsor, Dato Seri Utama Dr. Rais
Yatim, Dato Michael Yeoh, Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Dato Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa.
The Asia Telecommunications Forum 2009 was held on 16-17 July at the Putra
World Trade Centre, with the theme “The Convergence Factor: Next Generation
Telecommunications in the Making”. The forum attracted more than 120 participants
representing various segments of the telecommunications industry.
During the keynote address Dato’ Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim Minister of Information,
Communications and Culture, highlighted that many in the industry agree the future of
information technology is convergence: The integration of our network infrastructure into
single network platform. This will lead to better speed and quality, and will herald a cyber
revolution that liberates information everywhere, allowing it to be digitized and spread
with unprecedented efficiency.
The Minister also shared with the audience on government’s goal to develop Malaysia
into a regional IT hub by means of privatisation and liberalisation, new institutional
arrangements, and schemes designed to broaden infrastructure reach to various
community groups such as internet centres, schools, rural libraries and clinics. With
the awareness that IT will play a huge role in Malaysia’s economic development, the
government has set a target 50% broadband penetration by 2010.
The Forum then kicked off with a presentation by Dr Mathias Baer from McKinsey &
Co entitled “The Asian Telecommunications Landscape -The Story So Far”. One of Dr
Baer’s key messages was that consumers are increasingly demanding high bandwidth
services such as social networking and file sharing, video on demand, IPTV, video
conferencing, and CCTV. Broadband access is a prerequisite condition for providing
these services. In the years ahead, his expectation is to see tremendous growth in
mobile technologies and increasing innovation in services and applications.
At the Luncheon Keynote Address, Tan Sri Dato’ Ir Muhammad Radzi Haji Mansor the
then Chairman of Telekom Malaysia gave delegates an insight into TM’s goal which is
to be Malaysia’s leading new generation communications provider in his presentation
entitled “Leading Malaysia’s Next Generation Telecommunications: The TM Vision”.
Throughout its history TM has been a pioneer in broadband investments. TM’s new
generation network (NGN) platform will allow a host of new services to be provided to
its customers, enabling a new lifestyle for consumers that includes virtual shopping,
interacting with the online community, high-quality entertainment, and an ability to
collaborate with anyone, anytime, anywhere. Tan Sri stressed that in the coming years,
the level of HSBB coverage will establish Malaysia’s infrastructure as on par with leading
HSBB nations in Asia, and there will be an explosion of new applications that we cannot
now anticipate, but will surely take us in new and surprising directions.
Mr. Mohamed Sharil Mohamed Tarmizi – Acting Chairman & COO of the Malaysian Communications
and Multimedia Commission chairs a lively panel discussion with panel speaker Mr. Bajat El Darwiche
– Principal at Booz & Company.
16
Dato Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, Minister of Information, Communications and Culture, arriving at the forum,
accompanied by (L-R) Tan Sri Dato Ir Muhammad Radzi Haji Mansor – Member of ASLI Board of Trustees &
then Chairman of Telekom Malaysia, Ms. Jean Wong – COO of ASLI, Dato’ Michael Yeoh – CEO of ASLI and Tan
Sri Vincent Tan – Chairman of Berjaya Corporation.
Ms. Jean Wong – COO of ASLI with invited guests at the forum (L-R): Dato Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa – Managing
Director / Group CEO of Telekom Malaysia, Ms. Anne Abraham – Managing Director of Cisco Systems Malaysia,
Tan Sri Vincent Tan – Chairman of Berjaya Corporation and Mr. Wei Chuan Beng – Managing Director of
REDtone Communications.
Following this, the Forum then proceeded with in-depth panel discussions on key industry
trends and challenges. On the panel entitled “The Telecoms-Internet Convergence - An
Emerging Online Ecosystem”, Ms Anita Devasahayam - Project Manager, Trinetizen
Media led the discussion on the acceleration of convergence between telecoms &
internet and the resulting implications for industry players. Speakers who shared their
thoughts were Datuk Robin Wong – CEO of Optical Communications Engineering Sdn
Bhd and Mr. Kevin Lee – Senior General Manager of Green Packet Berhad.
In the next session “Regulatory Boost – Bridging the Broadband Gap in a Downturn”,
Mr. Mohamed Sharil Mohamed Tarmizi – COO of Malaysian Communications and
Multimedia Commission and Mr. Bajat El Darwiche, Principal Booz & Company
discussed on challenges in expanding broadband investments under unfavourable
economic conditions.
Increasingly, the demand for and presence of broadband should become as ubiquitous
as basic utilities and this was highlighted in the session entitled “Rolling Out the Next
Generation Network - Towards Broadband as a Basic Utility” where speakers also
shared on the development and deployment of broadband in the next few years. This
session was chaired by Dr Mazlan Abbas - Head of Wireless Communications Cluster,
MIMOS Berhad and speakers were Datuk Ismail Osman - Executive Director, Asiaspace
WiMAX Sdn Bhd and Dr Mohamed bin Awang Lah - CEO of Jaring Communications
Sdn Bhd.
At the session entitled “Next Generation Operations and Business Support Systems
(OSS/BSS) Challenges” discussions centred on key features of future OSS/BSS
systems that will likely include 2-3 sided business model, customer experience
management, charging and revenue management, product lifecycle management,
desired customer experience mapping, customer-centric process planning, customer
- centric systems architecture design, differentiated strategy and operations. This
session is chaired by Mr. Sharat Sinha Managing Director, Service Provider Business,
Asia, Cisco Systems with speakers, Mr. Andrew Lau - Senior Director, Communications
Industry Solutions Group, Oracle Corporation Malaysia and Mr. Nitin Bhat - Senior Vice
President, ICT Practice Growth Consulting, Frost and Sullivan.
At the final session entitled “Innovations in Applications and Content - Propelling
Broadband Uptake and Revenues” the panel discussion focused on upcoming
innovations such as IPTV, mobile advertising as well as how this would help to drive
broadband uptake and revenue. The session was chaired by Ms. Hanis Harun - Global
Executive Director, Consumer Research, Telecoms Industry Practice Group, The
Nielsen Company while speakers were Mr. Azli Paat – President, Malaysia Mobile
Content Providers Association (MMCP) & Executive Vice President, Dapat Vista Sdn
Bhd and Mr. Owen Chen – President NGC Systems Sdn Bhd.
Distinguished members of the panel (L-R): Datuk Ismail Osman – Executive Director of Asiaspace
WiMAX, Mr. Sharat Sinha – Managing Director, Service Provider Business of Cisco Systems Asia, Dr.
Mazlan Abbas – Head of Wireless Communications Cluster at MIMOS and Dr. Mohamed Awang Lah – CEO
of Jaring Communications.
FORUM ON STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT FOR
PALM OIL & BIOFUEL - SUSTAINABILITY
AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
Minister of Plantation Industry and Commodities Tan Sri Bernard Dompok at the Conference in Washington
DC.
ASLI’s Ms. Nur Shaireen and Ms. Jean Wong at the Conference.
On October 8, 2009 at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Washington DC, USA,
ASLI together with Malaysian Palm Oil Council and Malaysian Palm Oil Board jointly
organized the Forum On Strategic Development For Palm Oil & Biofuel - Sustainability
and Economic Challenges. This half-day event to discussed the future of palm oil as a
sustainable agricultural crop as the campaigns by certain quarters have cast palm oil in
a negative light, especially on issues of environmental degradation and deforestation,
conservation of flora and fauna and the issues of displacement of rural communities.
Malaysia has continued to engage environmentalists and various stakeholders to
assure them that our practices are sustainable. The government and the industry
have responded by not only conducting further research to disprove criticisms but also
pushing the benchmark for the sustainability of the industry higher by the creation of
certification standards such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The
creation of regimes such as the RSPO aspires to hold the industry accountable to higher
standards for the benefit of the people, the environment as well as the future of our
planet. In ensuring that the oil palm industry grows in harmony with nature, Malaysia
have formulated initiatives, policies and practices to balance between “development
need” and the need to “preserve the environment”. In fact, when Malaysia first embarked
on research and development on biofuel in 1980s, one of the objectives were to develop
an environment friendly alternative fuel.
In his Opening Keynote Address, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Minister of Plantations
Industries & Commodities, Malaysia stated that Malaysia has produced 17.7 million
tonnes of palm oil last year and of this, more than 15 million tonnes were exported to
more than 150 countries around the world, showing the buyers’ preference for Malaysia
as a reliable supplier of quality palm oil. He added that the reliability, consistency and
quality of Malaysian Palm Oil not only continues to gain preference from the international
buyers but has also resulted in producers and the Malaysian government consistently
earning foreign exchange to support further development of the palm oil industry
in particular and the country as a whole. This in turn as he said ensures that buyers’
interests continue to be served and secured for the betterment and mutual benefit of
all parties involved.
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok continued that Malaysia has strived to the best of its ability to
meet universally accepted standards. He also said that the industry’s role in improving
downstream activities has similarly uplifted the quality of life of the people, a key
consideration in the sustainability equation. In Malaysia, through a government aided
scheme under the FELDA flagship, landless farmers are helped to eventually own land,
thus alleviating poverty and improving the socio-economic and living standards of the
farmers concerned.
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok concluded in a hope that dialogue and discussion such as this
forum will further enlighten everyone involved on the monumental tasks we have ahead
of us. He said these are the tasks that we, as stakeholders in the palm oil industry, will
need to undertake with responsibility in order to ensure that palm oil continues to be
sustainable and is widely accepted by the general public.
Ambassador Dato Sri Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis addressing the Minister of Plantation Industry and Commodities Tan Sri Bernard
Conference. Dompok.
17
Malaysian Ambassador to USA Dato Sri Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis helping celebrate the birthday of Tan Sri
Bernard Dompok at the Malaysian Embassy in Washington DC.
Dato Sabri Ahmad, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry Puan Nurmala
and MPOC Chairman Dato Lee Yeow Chor.
The benefits it has are too great and it will be a shame for us not to share palm oil with
the rest of the world.
Mr. Jeff Skeer the Coordinator of Multilateral Activities in the Office of the European
and Asian Affairs of the United States Department of Energy in his presentation stated
that Biodiesel from palm and jatropha in APEC are much cheaper with much greater
resource potential than “traditional” biodiesel from crops like soybeans and rapeseed in
USA and Europe. He added that since technical characteristics of biodiesel from palm
are far from ideal, especially in cold weather, performance-based standards (allowing
palm blends) are essential if trade is to evolve and since ecological effects of palm oil
vary greatly, it may be useful to certify production as coming from old plantations to allow
exports in the face of more stringent sustainability regulations.
Palm oil consumed in over 150 countries and it’s feeding the world as strongly stated by
Mr. M R Chandran Director of IJM Plantations Berhad and Advisor to RSPO. Palm as he
said, provides the chandran crucial source of food energy supplies to developing world
and scientifically palm oil proven nutritional health benefits and durability. Palm oil also
provides bio-energy and environmentally-friendly alternative fuel source to supplement
decreasing high carbon fossil fuels.
They are highly productive which is significantly more palm oil produced per hectare
compared to other oil seed crops and palm oil is used in more than half of packaged
supermarket products today. Palm oil as he continued plays an important role in human
nutrition - especially to put the FAT between the skin and bones of world’s malnourished
children. Palm Oil helps to feed the world’s poor, being competitively priced and
nutritionally wholesome. He said at a time when the flow of people from the countryside
into the cities is creating major problems in Third World, the Plantation Industry provides
contra-cyclical jobs in the heart of the countryside. Not only jobs for agricultural workers
but also for skilled mechanics, fitters, laboratory workers, factory operators, drivers,
office staff, secretaries and Managers. He concluded that the oil palm plantation industry
is one of the few examples of an agricultural development in the Third World which,
without any Government subsidies, can successfully compete with the highly protected
farmers in the G7 countries.
Other distinguished role-players who spoke at the forum were Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor,
Chairman of Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC); H.E. Dato’ Sri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Malaysia, Washington,
DC; Tan Sri Dr Yusof Basiron, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council
(MPOC); Dr Karen D. Laughlin, Environmental Protection Agency Specialist, Office of
Transportation and Air Quality of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Mr. John
Mulligan, Consultant, Strategic Element of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB); Mr.
David Barron President of the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF);
Dato’ Sabri Ahmad Chairman of the Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB); Mr. Achmad
Manggabarani, Director General Estate Crop of Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia
and Mr. John T. Buchanan, Senior Director of Business Practices of The Center for
Environmental Leadership in Business, Conservation International.
Chairman Malaysian Palm Oil Council and Executive Director of IOI
Corporation Dato Lee Yeow Chor.
 3rd ANNUAL SERIES - ASIA HEALTHCARE 2009
ASLI CEO Dato Michael Yeoh presenting a memento to Health Minister Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai.
Some participants at the Forum.
ASLI held organised its third annual series of Asia Healthcare 2009 Conference for two
consecutive days from 17th to 18th August, 2009 at Hotel Maya, Kuala Lumpur. The
conference was well received and was themed, “Charting a Blueprint for Your Healthcare
Businesses and Services in Asia”, due the promising growth and outlook of the healthcare
industries in Asia amidst the global financial crisis.
The Minister of Health, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, officiated the Opening Ceremony
and then, delivered the Keynote Address, which was entitled “Enhancing Delivery of
Healthcare Services: Need for Strategic Co-operation among Public-Private Providers”,
in the afternoon on the first day of the conference. In his speech, the Health Minister
mentioned that there were issues of concern related to equity, accessibility, effectiveness
and the use of preventive services and health promotion whilst the government was
encouraging greater public – private sector integration in healthcare. There must be
better cooperation between the public and private healthcare sectors to resolve these
issues and face challenges mentioned. There was also a need for the private sector
to shoulder more social responsibilities, particularly of services to the less financially
endowed. Furthermore, there is inadequate cooperation between the private and public
sectors with regard to the sharing of information and networking, which have significant
implications on optimal resource use and continuity care. In addition, consumers, general
practitioners as well as hospitals need to start moving into connectivity issues, to enable
a constant flow of clinical data between different provider levels for the benefit of patients.
Patient-focused health care by the sharing of information must be emphasized.
The Health Minister also reckoned a need for holdings more dialogues, seminars and
workshops among public-private healthcare providers to raise the level of understanding
and collaboration, and to explore other strategic activities to enhance public-private
sector cooperation.
Tun Musa Hitam and Mr. Yu Ping Co-Chairing the Malaysia China Business Council’s Joint Council
meeting in Kuching.
Members of the Malaysia and China delegations at the Joint Council Meeting.
18
Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai meeting participants at the Conference.
Among the key issues and hot topics raised for discussion in this two-day conference
were managing healthcare businesses in a tough economic environment - riding on
current economic waves, developing medical tourism business in Asia - success stories
& challenges ahead, achieving operational excellence in private healthcare in a tough
economic environment, expanding the borders of e-health, tapping into the healthcare
market in China, India & ASEAN - growth opportunities in new markets, updates and
emerging regulatory challenges – capitalizing on new regulatory regimes in the Asian
Pharmaceutical and medical markets, privatization of healthcare services : assessing the
accessibility, the cost and social dimensions of private healthcare.
Amidst the height of the wide spreading epidemic Influenza Flu A (H1N1), Dr Michael
Mitakidis, Medical Director for South and Southeast Asia, Global Medical Services,
International SOS, had also been invited to present a Special Address on “Business
Continuity Planning Lessons from 2009 Influenza A H1N1”.
The conference attracted speakers who are top decisions makers in the medical lines
and medical experts from other Asian countries as well as those who have healthcare
businesses and establishments in Asia to share their knowledge and experience. Among
key speakers and moderators present were Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman –
President, International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia, Mr. Amir Firdaus Abdullah
– Chief Executive Officer, Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur and Board
Member, Association of Private Hospitals, Malaysia, Dato’ Teddric Jon Mohr – President
/ Chief Executive Officer, Penang Adventist Hospital, Mr. Faisal bin Ismail – Group
Managing Director, Pantai Holdings Berhad, Mr. Stuart Pack – Chief Executive Officer,
Golden Horse Palace Berhad, Mr. Raymond Chong – Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer, Samitivej Public Company Limited, Samitivej operates 3 JCI accredited
hospitals in Thailand, Dato’ Jacob Thomas – Group Medical Advisor, Sime Darby
Medical Centre (Malaysia) & President, Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia, Dr
AjayKumar K. Sharma – Business Development Manage, and Consultant – MedTech/
Healthcare, Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific, Dr Dilshaad Ali Abas Ali – Chief Executive
Officer, Hospital Pantai Putri, Ipoh, Dr Jason Yap – Director Marketing, Raffles Hospital,
Raffles Medical Group, Singapore, Dr Pawel Suwinski – Senior Consultant, Healthcare
Practice, Asia Pacific, Frost & Sullivan, Mr. Michael Chow – Founder & Managing
Director, Valued Partners Limited, Mr. Andrew Wong-a Private Independent Consultant,
Datin Ramona Suleiman – President of AMSPA (Association of Malaysian Spas), Datuk
Nancy Ho – President, The Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society, Pn. Abida Syed M.Haq
– Deputy Director, Centre for Product Registration, National Pharmaceutical Control
Bureau, Ministry of Health Malaysia and Dr David KL Quek – President, Malaysian
Medical Association & Consultant Cardiologist, D.Quek Specialist Heart Clinic & Pantai
Medical Centre, Bangsar.
MCBC MEETING IN SARAWAK
Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud officiating the Sarawak-China Business Forum.
Datuk David Chua, Joint Secretary General of MCBC, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri George
Chan and ASLI’s Chong Fei Shan and Ms. Jean Wong.
CSR & SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT 2009
Ms. Jean Wong, Senior VP and COO, Dato Michael Yeoh, CEO and Ms. Shaireen Waris, VP of Programmes of
ASLI receiving Dato’ Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry upon arrival
at the venue.
Some of the participants at the summit.
In today’s world the whole question of business and environmental sustainability
has emerged to the fore-front with the ravages of climate change and global
warming. This increasingly calls for companies to align their CSR strategies to
sustainability so that sustainable practices can be further enhanced.
CSR matters to individual companies, for whom it can be part of a formula for long-
term commercial success. It matters to those who work in and for companies, for
whom it can help to create a more rewarding and inspiring working environment.
It matters to those who buy from companies, to consumers, who are ever more
attentive to the social and environmental credentials of the products they buy and
it matters to the local communities where companies operate, who want to know
that they are living amongst organisations that share their values and concerns.
In short, corporate social responsibility matters to all of us and in various different
ways.
Equipped with the apt and timely theme “Creating Sustainable Impacts -
Rethinking the Way We Do Business”, ASLI organised the CSR Sustainability
Summit 2009 on September 17, 2009 at Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur. The summit
was officiated by Dato’ Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir, Deputy Minister of International
Trade & Industry, Malaysia.
The growing out-reach and influence of non-state actors, and the growing
demands to share the benefits of globalisation already point to the need for new
types of partnerships. Globalisation indeed brings polarization as an emerging
issue. CSR can be at its most rewarding when considered with an entrepreneurial
approach rather than just risk management or ticking boxes to keep stakeholders
appeased. A truly effective strategy should be alive, adaptable and embedded into
the organisation and aligned to the commercial objectives of the organisation.
In his Opening Keynote Address, Dato’ Mukhriz stated that Corporate Social
Responsibility is part of the wider sustainable development strategy which
emphasises the long-term economic growth, social cohesion and environmental
protection. Sustainable development as he added is becoming ever more important
for companies, both in their business activities and in their activities as corporate
citizens. Acting sustainably ensures a competitive advantage. He continued that
due to the increased importance of this fact, CSR or CR should be a core part of
a company’s business culture and feature in planning, implementation, staff policy
and day-to-day decisions. The growing international demands for companies to be
more transparent and accountable for their economic, social and environmental
impacts everywhere they operate. There are expectations from consumers,
Puan Sri (Dr) Susan Cheah presenting a memento to Dato Mukhriz Tan Sri Rainer Althoff, then President & CEO of Siemens Malaysia
after his Opening Keynote Address. having a chat with Dato’ Mukhriz while Puan Sri Susan Cheah and
Dato’ Michael Yeoh looks on.
19
Dr. Thomas S. Knirsch, Resident Representative of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Malaysia greeted
Dato Mukhriz while Dato Michael Yeoh and the Netherlands Ambassador looks on.
Special Ambassadorial Panel session with Mr. Craig Chittick, Deputy High Commissioner of the High
Commission of Australia, H.E. Helena Sangeland, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Embassy
of Sweden, Dr. Thomas S. Knirsch, Resident Representative of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), H.E. Masahiko
Horie, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Japan and H.E. Boyd McCleary, British
High Commissioner.
investors, employees, governments and citizens for business to act responsibly
and contribute to broader societal goals.
Dato’ Mukhriz also added that the work on Corporate Social Responsibility is a
learning process. Corporate Social Responsibility is not an issue for regulation.
Corporation Social Responsibility cannot be imposed against the will of
enterprises, but can only be promoted together with them under involvement of
their stakeholders. He concluded that the first step to promote CSR is to fill the
knowledge gaps and increase the consensus among the relevant actors. We need
to work together to ensure that CSR is not typically seen as part of a corporate spin
but as agents of change with intrinsic motivation to engage in ethically and morally
responsible business practices. Cultivating civic virtues is the undeniable task from
the point of view of CSR.
Other distinguished role-players who spoke at the summit were Mr. Jiv
Sammanthan, Senior Executive Director of PricewaterhouseCoopers; Tan Sri
Rainer Althoff, President & CEO of Siemens Malaysia Sdn. Bhd; Dato’ Ruslan
Hassan, Chief Executive Officer of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd.
(SYABAS); Mr. Gary Gilbertson, Chairman & Founder of SMART-Centric Global;
Dato’ Praba Thiagarajah, Founder & Group CEO of Basis Bay Sdn. Bhd; Dr
Thomas S. Knirsch, Resident Representative of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS),
Malaysia; H.E. Helena Sangeland, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary
of the Embassy of Sweden; H.E. Boyd McCleary CVO, High Commissioner of
the British High Commission; H.E. Masahiko Horie, Ambassador Extraordinary &
Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Japan; Mr. Craig Chittick, OAM, Deputy High
Commissioner of the High Commission of Australia; Dr Wilson Tay, Chief Executive
Officer of the Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM); Mr. Carl Rajendran,
Chief Executive Officer of ISM Insurance Services Malaysia Berhad; Tan Sri Dr
Salleh Mohd Nor, President of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS); Mr. Puvan J.
Selvanathan, Chief Sustainability Officer of Sime Darby Berhad; Mr. Azmanuddin
Haq Ahmad, Managing Director of UEM Environment Sdn. Bhd. & Kualiti Alam
Sdn. Bhd & Honorary Secretary-General, Business Council for Sustainable
Development in Malaysia (BCSDM); Ar. Lee Chor Wah, Immediate Past President
of the Malaysian Institute of Architects; Datuk Ir. Wahiruddin Abd Wahid, General
Manager - Corporate Affairs of Shell Malaysia; Mr. M.R. Chandran, Advisor to
Executive Board Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO); Mr. Mohammad
bin Siphon, Manager - Waste & Environment of Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn.
Bhd; Mr. Steve McCoy, Founder & MD, Counterpoint Sdn. Bhd & Sustainability
Consultant and Mr. Soeren Varming, CEO & Founder of YTL-SV Carbon Sdn.
Bhd.
Dato’ Mukhriz together with Tan Sri Ramon and Dato’ Michael Yeoh
having a chat at the VIP holding room.
 LUNCHEON ROUNDTABLE WITH LORD MERVYN
DAVIES, BRITISH TRADE AND
INVESTMENT MINISTER
ASLI Director Dato Razman Hashim welcoming UK’s Trade and Investment Minister Lord Mervyn Davies
to the ASLI luncheon. Behind is British High Commissioner Boyd McCleary.
Puan Sri Susan Cheah, Tan Sri Dr. Yusof Basiron, Dato Chew Chee Kin and a guest at the luncheon.
Lord Mervyn Davies with Malaysian Women Business Leaders.
On 3rd November 2009, ASLI and the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur
jointly hosted a Luncheon Roundtable with the British Trade and Investments
Minister Lord Mervyn Davies.
The British Minister said Malaysia’s move to open up its economy through
liberalization of its sub-services sector will ensure a strong flow of foreign
investments into the country. We draw a parallel to the UK which has been
criticized for being too open a market in the past. But because of this, we
are number one in FDIs and attracted investments and at least 150 major
international corporations with the European HQs in the UK. He also said
Malaysia further liberalized its services sector in April to attract more
foreign investments, professionals and technology as well as strengthen
competitiveness of the sector. The 27 services sub-sectors include health
and social services, tourism services, transport services, business services
and computer and related services. Britain also replaced some of its
industries such as shipbuilding, mining coal with new industries and today
it is considered a leader in mobile telephony, advanced engineering and life
sciences and research.
9th AFRICAN BUSINESS LEADERS FORUM 2009
The Group Afrique Challenge which is based in Casablanca, Morocco and the
University of Sorbonne, Paris, France, led by their CEO, Mr Alioune Gueye, held
their 9th African Business Leaders Forum in Kuala Lumpur , the first outside
Casablanca and Paris, from 5 to 10 October 2009 at Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur.
Their main focus for 2009 is to highlight and learn from the Asian Success Stories.
Some of the Malaysian key Speakers who share their success stories and case
studies were Ms Elizabeth Lee of the Sunway University College, Tan Sri Dr
Sulaiman Mahbob of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA);
Puan Sri Datin Seri (Dr) Susan S.C. Cheah of the Sunway Group of Companies;
Dato’ Ghazali Dato’ Mohd Yusoff of Nusantara Technologies Sdn. Bhd. & MIDA
and Dr. Shariman Alwani of Sime Darby Berhad.
The African leaders and Speakers included Prof Nourredine O. Cherkaoui of the
Group Afrique Challenge; Mr Tidjani ‘Jeff’ Tall of Africa 2030; Prof El Mostafa
Rezrazi of the University of Tokyo; Prof Darwis Khudori of the University of Le
20
Tan Sri Radzi Mansor, Dato Abdul Wahab Maskan and Ms. Irene Dorner.
Tan Sri Radzi Mansor, Mr. Tan Koon Swan and Dato Lee Hau Hian.
Mr. Tan Koon Swan and Dato Vaseehar Hassan greeting Lord Mervyn Davies.
Lord Davies further mentioned that despite the country having to face the
challenges of having to stablize its banking industry which had been badly affected
by the US financial crisis last year, London still remains the number one financial
centre in the world. In Britain we also realize the need to invest more in education
to produce the right skills -more scientists, engineers and apprentices, Lord Davies
said.
He expects the education sector for both countries to set the tone for a major
partnership between both Malaysia and the UK. He was however disappointed
with the current investment level of Malaysians in Britain, saying it could be better
and expressed keenness to help Malaysian companies keen on tapping the halal
market. Responding to an appeal by the Malaysian palm oil industry to the British
government to address the scathing attacks by its non-government organizations,
Lord Davies said the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil is the fundamental
organization to address the issue.
Finally, Lord Davies stressed that the future is in nanotech, robotech, infotech and
biotech.
Havre and Prof Mohammed Boudoudou of the Mohammed V University of
Morocco.
While in Malaysia, they visited PROTON Holdings Berhad & PROTON City in
Tanjong Malim on Monday, 5 October 2009. On Wednesday, 7 October 2009,
they visited the Cyberview Sdn. Bhd. & Cyberjaya as well as Putrajaya, a short
visit to the Perdana Leadership Foundation (PLF) and The Sunway Group of
Companies & Bandar Sunway. They were also feted by Puan Sri Susan Cheah
during Luncheon and were taken on a tour to the Sunway Pyramid Shopping
Centre.
The Group Afrique Challenge had concluded successfully its 9th Forum and
members of the Delegation left Kuala Lumpur on Friday and Saturday for their
respective countries with the hope of coming back again to Kuala Lumpur in July
2010 to aspire and initiate new changes in their countries from the case studies
and testimonies presented during the forum.
LUNCHEON ROUNDTABLE WITH THE HON. TIM
GROSER, MINISTER OF TRADE, NEW ZEALAND
ASLI CEO Dato Michael Yeoh with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.
Tan Sri Alfred Jaba, Dato Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, Tan Sri Abdul Dato’ Dr. Noraseah Mohamad, Dato’ Michael Yeoh and Ms Jean
Halim Ali, Datuk Subramaniam and Tan Sri Kishu Tirathrai. Wong.
On 27th October 2009, ASLI and the New Zealand High Commission Kuala
Lumpur jointly hosted a Luncheon Roundtable for the New Zealand Minister
of Trade, The Hon. Tim Groser who visited Malaysia with the Prime Minister
of New Zealand H.E. John Key to sign the Malaysia-NZ FTA.
The Minister spoke on “Prospects & Priorities: The Future of International
Trade” and shared his perspectives on the current global and trading
environment including new issues around the climate change negotiations.
UPDATE ON
CENTRE FOR PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES 2009 [Cont. from page 9]
on the situation and develop comprehensive recommendations on the
steps that each sector can take to address this issue. The discussion was
opened by CPPS chairman, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam and was led by
the UNCHR delegation and saw a lively exchange of ideas on how Malaysia
can move forward in protecting the rights of the vulnerable and fulfil our
responsibility as a nation.
With Malaysia’s rapid development policy under which Islam as the state
religion, CPPS has embarked on a project titled The National Dialogue on
Islam and Democracy with the International Institute of Islamic Thought
and Civilisation (ISTAC), the Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies
(IAIS), and Merdeka Centre. The Project proposes to take advantage
of the government’s commitment to advance the elements within Islam
that promotes principles of democracy and human rights such as good
governance, minority rights, women’s rights, and religious tolerance, and
is supported by The Asia Foundation, an international, non-profit, non-
governmental organization. CPPS, along with Merdeka Centre, is involved
as the implementing organization, whereas ISTAC and IAIS are the primary
research institutions providing technical guidance and substantive input.
The project has four major components, Public Forum, Publications and
Policy Papers on Advancing Democracy and Human Rights for public
consumption and relevant government agencies, Government Roundtable,
and Advocacy Workshop for Stakeholders, and the project is expected
to conclude in September 2010. The main objective of Public Forums is
to gather diverse public opinion on good governance, minority’s rights,
women’s rights, and religious tolerance within the framework of Islam in
contemporary Malaysia. The results and recommendations from Public
Forums will then be compiled and academic and research perspectives will
compliment these results. The Publication and Policy Papers will then be
presented and discussed at the Government Roundtable, providing valuable
opportunity for the government to review and respond to citizen’s input and
for citizens to contribute and shape important policy dialogue. The fourth
component, the Advocacy Workshop will be convened across the country in
order to share the result of the forums and subsequent policy response from
government. The Workshop is to facilitate linkages and advocacy networks.
The main objective is to facilitate public dialogue and launch vibrant public
discussion among Malaysians and in turn, provide policy input to the
Malaysian government to shape an inclusive, practical, and legitimate vision
of democracy and human rights in Malaysia.
21
Minister Tim Grosser, Dato Mukhriz Tun Mahathir and Dato Michael Yeoh.
Dato Mukhriz Mahathir, Dato Talib Zulpipip and Tan Sri Alfred
Jabu.
He also updated all the guests on the recently concluded Free Trade
Agreement between Malaysia and New Zealand. “Emerging giants China,
India and Brazil must get involved in the multilateral forum of the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) to keep up the momentum of the Doha Round,” says
New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser. He further mentioned that, “with the
shift of international trade (from developed nations) to the emerging markets,
these countries will help the process forward”. Before the Roundtable
wrapped up the Minister had a dialogue session with all the invited guests.
CPPS, in collaboration with the Penang State Legislative Assembly jointly
organised the Civic Information Fair 2009: Bridging NGOs & Policy-Makers.
The CIF 2009 sought to provide civil society with an avenue to present their
work and engage provide with elected representatives with the ultimate
aim of leading to future collaboration between both sides for the benefit of
the rakyat. The contributions made by civil society over the years to the
Malaysian socio-political arena are crucial and engagement with law-makers
who are the primary channel for political action and the enactment of laws
is the logical next step.
With the tagline, “Bridging NGOs and Policymakers, the fair was officiated
the Speaker of the Assembly, Dato’ Haji Abdul Halim bin Hussain. Penang
is the first state to host this one and a half day fair, consisting of exhibits as
well as mini talks on the subject of the Freedom of Information and Local
Government Elections in Malaysia. The civil society organisations that
participated in this fair were the Socio-Economic & Environmental Research
Institute (SERI), Water Watch Penang, World Alliance for Breastfeeding
Action (WABA), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), Women’s Centre
for Change Penang (WCC), Amnesty International Malaysia, Consumers
Association of Penang (CAP), Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PAN
AP), and Save Our Selves Penang (SOS).
Aside from public forums and briefings, CPPS has also produced periodic
factsheets and been actively involved in advocacy for access to information
in Malaysia. Through an initiative by Transparency International Malaysia,
CPPS’ Noel Dass and Khairiah Mokhtaruddin conducted workshops in
several states across the country, including the Selangor & the Federal
Territory, Penang, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang on the Right
to Information, the need for it and how it can be benefit our country.
Furthermore, CPPS has been an active member on the task force for the
Freedom of Information (FOI) under the Coalition for Good Governance
together with the Human Rights Committee of the Malaysian Bar, which has
been working on preparing a draft FOI bill to be tabled in the Selangor State
Assembly, which will be presented in the first quarter of 2010.
CPPS continues to engage on issues related to public policy, in line with our
aim at fostering open-minded dialogue, enlightened leadership and better
governance. Interested parties can connect with the CPPS on www.cpps.
org.my or send an email to cpps@cpps.org.my
 NATIONAL FORUM ON
GREEN TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION 2009
Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin presenting a memento to HSBC’s Dato
Richard Lee for their Corporate Sponsorship.
Mr. Max Say and Puan Sri Susan Cheah with Some speakers.
The Minister of Energy, Green Technology & Water, Malaysia, Datuk Peter
Chin Fah Kui officially launched the inaugural National Forum on Green
Technology & Innovation on Monday, 23 November 2009. The forum, aptly
themed “A Green Malaysia - Greening Businesses & Industries through
Innovation & Technology” was held on 23 & 24 November at the Prince Hotel
& Residence Kuala Lumpur.
The forum was geared towards high-level interchange of views on current
experiences, knowledge, expertise and views among the industry players,
policy-makers, industry experts, eminent role-players, government officials
and fellow professionals focusing on current and emerging key issues on
green technology.
Earlier during the Official Opening Ceremony, Datuk Peter Chin thanked ASLI
for supporting the Ministry’s initiatives to create and disseminate awareness
of the green movement and provide guidance to everyone to do their part in
the green revolution to reduce carbon footprints and impact on the planets by
greening the buildings and opting for renewable energy.
He also highlighted that the Malaysian Government too is taking the green
stance seriously to turn Malaysia into a high income economy. The National
Green Technology Policy (NGTP) was recently launched by our Prime
Minister on 24 July 2009 which marked an important milestone for Malaysia
in making efficient use of the technology while maintaining the environment.
The policy is built around the statement that: “Green Technology shall be
the driver to accelerate the national economy and promote sustainable
development where four pillars have been created”.
He also said that national economies are trying to out-green each other with
various new policies as well as reinvent their economic models. He went on
to say that President Barack Obama’s Green Deal is based on a USD$ 775
Billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan which includes spending
USD$ 150 Billion over ten years on energy and environment measures.
Mr Colin Ng of GOLDIS addressing the Forum.
22
ASLI Director Puan Sri Susan Cheah presenting a memento to the Minister, Datuk Seri Peter Chin.
Participants at the conference.
Datuk Peter further urged the Malaysians to participate in the journey towards
creating a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Malaysia especially for the
present and future generations.
The two-days forum saw intensive deliberations and exchange of views
among eminent speakers and delegates. Among those presented at the
forum were Dr Ahmad Fariz Mohamed of LESTARI, UKM; Dr Chen Sau Soon
of SIRIM Berhad; Dr Thomas S. Knirsch of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)
Malaysia; Dato’ Ghazali Dato’ Mohd Yusoff of Nusantara Technologies; Mr.
Rosman Hamzah of ALSTOM Asia Pacific Sdn. Bhd.; Mr Matthias Gelber of
Maleki GmbH; Ms. Irene M. Dorner of HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad; Ar. Dr
Tan Loke Mun of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM); Ir. T. L. Chen
of the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM); Mr. Colin Ng
of GOLDIS Berhad and GTower Sdn. Bhd.; Dato’ Praba Thiagarajah of
Basis Bay; Mr. Khoo Kah Jin of ISM Insurance Services Malaysia Berhad;
Madam Noormah Mohd Noor of Express Rail Link Sdn. Bhd. (ERL); Mr. Atul
Bhargava of INTEL Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Mr. Ralph Dixon of YTL Corporation
Berhad & YTL-SV Carbon Sdn. Bhd.; Mr. Gatot S. Prawiro of GE Energy;
Mr. G. Paismanathan of ABB Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.; Madam Adelina Iskandar
of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (SYABAS); Mr. Jayan Sekhar of
The Petra Group; Mr. Allan Sandosham of AECOM Environment; Mr. Ong
Kah Wooi of Symantec Corporation (M) Sdn. Bhd.; Mr. Paul Ali Zaman of
Qualvin Advisory Pte. Ltd.; Ms. Anne Abraham of Cisco Systems (M) Sdn.
Bhd.; Mr. Ou Shian Waei of IBM Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and Mr. Gurmit Singh
K.S. of the Centre for Environment, Technology & Development Malaysia
(CETDEM).
The inaugural forum garnered unprecedented strong support and contribution
from the HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad. Other notable Supporting Partners
include LangkawiiCrystaal (Official Memento Provider); ISM Insurance
Services Malaysia Berhad; Environmental Management & Research
Association of Malaysia (ENSEARCH) and EU-Malaysia Chamber Of
Commerce & Industry (EUMCCI).
Dato Richard Lee of HSBC and Mr. Thomas Knirsch of Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT FORUM
ASLI Director Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam presenting a memento to the Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
Datuk Dr Hamzah Kassim moderating a session.
Performance Management or Key Performance Index are buzzwords in both
the Government and the business world. Performance management system
is a management approach to monitor, control and influence employee
performance for wellbeing of an organization to drive superior performance
and optimal revenue. As technology capabilities are rapidly growing from
time to time, it is possible to undertake new methods to generate value and
to shape better strategy models in managing talents and achieving workflow
excellence. Training, management development and career planning
programmes must be used effectively to reinforce strategy implementation
and facilitate continuous improvement. Performance Management has
evolved from mostly financially focused measures to balanced - and strategy
aligned - systems.
In summary, Performance Management is more likely to succeed if it
addresses three critical aspects namely Accountability of the Right Results;
Trust Earned One Person at a Time; and Opportunity of Impact and
Growth.
Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon officiated and delivered the Keynote
Address at the Transformation Through Performance Management Forum
held on 29 September 2009 at the Best Western Premier Seri Pacific Kuala
Lumpur.
Edward Clayton of Booz & Company highlighted that training, management
development and career planning programs must be used effectively to
reinforce strategy implementation and facilitate continuous improvement.
Taranjeet Singh of Hay Group mentioned that transformation entails a
fundamental change in the way things are done within the organization and
the very nature of the respective organization.
Anand Shanker of Aon Consulting commented that companies with PM
systems will have four core components perform better in the marketplace
Mr. Vincent Chin Managing Director of Boston Consulting Group Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon greeting Reza Ghazali and Singapore High
emphasising a point. Commissioner Jesudason.
23
Mr. Ian Buchanan greeting the Minister whilst Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing looks on.
Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam moderating a session.
namely Goal setting at the beginning of the year; Coaching & feedback;
Reviews; and Reward. The six most common reasons for PMS failure
include lack of senior management commitment; employee resistance
to change ; inadequate training and support to managers; lack of clear
consequences; direct supervisor not ‘owing’ the system; and poor visibility
– (esp.) the impact of individual effort vis a vis the results.
Katrina Abdul Latif of PwC says performance management is the integration
of strategy into business operations to deliver lasting value creation.
Responsibility framework is a behavioral descriptors tailored to provide
clarity around what is required to be successful at each staff level.
Among the key topics in the programme were Steering towards a
performance driven culture through developing practical performance
management systems and discussing winning techniques in improving
your performance management system; Unlocking key success factors
for performance management in the Government sector; Highlighting the
challenges in deploying a feasible performance management system in
business; Establishing a practical KPI system as a blue print to success;
and Perfecting people management skills to ensure effective work
performance.
Other distinguished role-players who participated at the Forum were
Mr. Edward Clayton, Country Head and Mr. Ian C. Buchanan, Senior
Adviser, Booz & Company; Ms. Kartina Abdul Latif, Associate Director,
PricewaterhouseCoopers; Tan Sri Ramon V. Navaratnam, Corporate
Advisor, The Sunway Group; Datuk Dr Hamzah Kassim, Chief Executive
Officer, The iA Group; Mr. Abdul Rahim Mohd Noor, Deputy Director-General,
Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit;
Mr. Taranjeet Singh, Managing Consultant, Hay Group; Mr. Anand Shankar,
Chief Commercial Officer, AON Consulting Worldwide; Mr. Vincent Chin,
Managing Director, The Boston Consulting Group and Mr. Heera Singh,
Principal Consultant, HEERA Training & Management Consultancy.
Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing greeting the Minister.
 CFO SUMMIT 2009

Press conference with the Deputy Minister of Finance Dato’ Chor Chee Heung together with Datuk Mohd Nasir
Ahmad, President of ACCA Malaysia Advisory Committee and Mr. Tay Kay Luan, ACCA Director of ASEAN &
Australasia.
From the left Mr. Kenny Kim, Group Chief Financial Officer, CIMB Group, Ms Irene M. Dorner, Deputy Chairman & Chief
Executive Officer, HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad, Dato Mohamed Iqbal, Executive Director, Farlim Group (M) Sdn Bhd, Mr.
Lukman Ibrahim, Group Chief Financial Officer, DRB-Hicom Berhad and Ms. Tracy Ong Guat Kee, Senior Executive Vice
President/Head Corporate Banking, Maybank.

Economic Outlook - Essential Facts for CFOs session with Dato’ Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin, Director
General, ISIS Malaysia and Mr. Kamarul Bahrin Haron, Anchor, Astro Awani.
Chief Financial Officers are grappling with uncertainties as a result of current global
economic conditions. CFOs need to become strategy advisors and leaders to their
organisations, as well as skilled risk and corporate governance managers. Tougher
laws on compliance mean that the business environment is becoming more byzantine,
whether due to additional regulatory burdens, global competition or innovation in
business finance and transactions, and CFOs will need to be well-versed in corporate
governance and regulations to help their organisations operate successfully.
Mr. Tay Kay Luan and Ms. Jean Wong and Ambassadors at the Opening Ceremony.
Mr. Tay Kay Luan, ACCA Director of ASEAN & Australasia in his presentation on
the Coaching and Mentoring Revolution: Is it working, stressed that for a successful
coaching, we must build awareness and responsibility. Coaching is provided as
an explicit development tool to senior management due to our changing external
environment. The “coaching culture” remains an aspiration for most. He added that we
must have a strong coaching environment and we must have the emotional intelligence.
Mr. Tay also put forward three recommendations in this area:

With that in mind, on July 6-7, 2009, ASLI together with ACCA were privileged to
organised the CFO Summit 2000 with the theme “CFOs to the Rescue” at the Sheraton
Imperial Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. This two-day summit brought together renown corporate
leaders, strategic thinkers from esteemed corporate organisations that provided a timely
meeting of minds, focused on the daunting task of improving profitability or restoring
under-performing or troubled companies amidst bleak economic conditions.
In his Opening Keynote Address, Dato’ Chor Chee Heung, Deputy Minister of Finance
stressed that in order to be effective corporate navigators, CFOs will have to broaden
and deepen their skills sets. He added that with the tough trading climate, it has made
the financial insight provided by CFOs even more valuable. Tighter controls on spending
will need to be matched with greater creativity in generating income streams, which
is an area in which CFOs naturally specialize. Dato’ Chor also added that in today’s
regulatory demands, volatile economic circumstances and complex market conditions
require specialized competencies and a role now more challenging and with wider
responsibilities. CFO’s are expected to make significant contributions in many areas.
Dato’ Chor concluded that the CFO’s focus has also changed where there is now a
shift to preserving value, providing strategic business advice and guidance to the CEO,
improving the company’s internal controls, risk management and corporate governance
initiatives.
Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin, Director General of ISIS Malaysia in her presentation on
Economic Outlook – Essential Facts for CFOs’ stated that the economic deterioration
has slowed, but this does not mean the recovery is around the corner. She also stressed
that the stock market rally is not an indicator of recovery and economic difficulties are
relatively less painful. Dr Mahani in concluding her session stated that the 1998 economic
crisis experience had helped us and our aggressive stimulus packages moderated the
worst effects but Malaysian economy may be in for a period of low growth, large fiscal
deficits.
1. Develop finance professionals as coaches, and include coaching as part of the
training available to all finance professionals;
2. Establish an effective mentoring system, and make coaching and mentoring
processes available to all. Identify key mentors across finance functions and
3. Establish an external and / or internal coach faculty. Formally appoint and accredit
coaches, establish objectives, methodologies, milestones and measurable
outcomes. If this is successful, coaching should become a “way of doing business”.
Other distinguished role-players who spoke at the summit were Mr. Kamarul Bahrin
Haron, Anchor of Astro Awani; Mr. Devanesan Evanson, Chief, Market Operations of
Bursa Malaysia; Mr. Chin Kwai Fatt, Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers;
Mr. Jean-Gabriel Osmont, Oracle Enterprise Performance Management-Financial
Applications Asia Pacific Domain Leaders & Programme Director, Strategic Planning
Solution, Singapore; Associate Professor Salleh Hassan, Deputy Director of Business
School of Nottingham University; Dr Afra Sajjad, Head of Education and Policy
Development of ACCA Pakistan; Ms Irene M. Dorner, Deputy Chairman & Chief
Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad; Ms Tracy Ong Guat Kee, Senior
Executive Vice President / Head, Corporate Banking of Maybank; Mr. Kenny Kim,
Group Chief Financial Officer of CIMB Group; Datuk Lukman Ibrahim, Group Chief
Financial Officer of DRB-Hicom Berhad; Puan Zaiton Mohd Hassan, Managing Director
of Capital Intelligence Advisors Sdn Bhd; Mr. Stefan Carlsson, Chief Financial Officer of
DiGi.Com Berhad; Mr. Tan Theng Hooi, Country Managing Partner of Deloitte Malaysia;
Mr. Malkit Singh Maan, Chief Financial Officer of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad; Mr. Atul
Patel, Senior Director of SAP Asia Pacific, Japan; Ms. Jennifer Lopez-Gomez, Country
Head of ACCA Malaysia; Mr. Stephen Oong, Partner of Ernst & Young, Malaysia; Dr
S. Susela Devi, Executive Director of Malaysian Accounting Standards Board; Dr Ng
Boon Beng, Finance Director of Oracle Corporation Malaysia; Mr. Suhaimi Sulaiman,
Executive Producer and Anchor of Astro Awani; Dato’ Abdul Halim Harun, Group
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of UMW Holdings Berhad; Datuk Mohd
Nasir Ahmad President of ACCA Malaysia Advisory Committee / Chief Executive Officer
of Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) and Mr. Ashran, Dato’ Ghazi, Chief
Executive Officer of Asiastream Group.

The CEO Insights: Secrets of a CEO with Mr. Suhaimi Sulaiman, Executive
Producer and Anchor of Astro Awani, Dato Dr. Abdul Halim Harun, Group
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, UMW Holdings Berhad and Datuk
Mohd Nasir Ahmad, President of ACCA Malaysia Advisory Committee/Chief
Executive Officer, Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB).
CFO Dialogue: Beyond the storm: A new era for CFOs session with Mr. Malkit
Singh Maan, Chief Financial Officer, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, Mr. Stefan
Carlsson, Chief Financial Officer, DIGI.Com Berhad and Puan Zaiton Mohd
Hassan, Managing Director Capital Intelligence Advisors Sdn Bhd.
Mr. Chin Kwai Fatt, Managing Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr.
Devaneson Evanson, Chief, Market Operations, Bursa Malaysia and Mr.
Jean-Gabriel Osmont, Oracle Enterprise Performance Management-Financial
Applicantions Asia Pacific Domain Leaders & Programme Director, Strategic
Planning Solution, Singapore.

24
NATIONAL SUMMIT ON
URBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT 2009
The Transport Minister’s Deputy Secretary General Dato Long reading the Minister’s speech at the
Opening.
Speakers at the Forum.
Former Mayor Tan Sri Elyas Omar point a question from the floor.
The National Summit on Urban Public Transport 2009 was held on 15 October at the Prince
Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur, with the theme “Integrating the Public Transport Network”.
The forum was well attracted more than 110 participants representing private and public
sectors involved in public transport.
During the keynote address, delivered on behalf of the Minister of Transport by Dato’
Long See Wool, Deputy Secretary General (Planning), Ministry of Transport, it was noted
that the government is acutely aware of the serious short comings of the country’s public
transportation system. The speech mentioned that only 16% of residents in the Klang Valley
use public transportation. Dato’ Long said that the government is taking steps to alleviate the
issue - a special task force headed by the Ministry of Transport has already been set up with
the objective of making the Klang Valley public transportation system more attractive. The
taskforce’s goal is to increase the number of users from 16% to 25% by 2012. Urban areas
with high population densities such as Penang and Johor Bahru are also being targeted with
a similar drive but with yet-to-be-mentioned timeframes. The government goal is to create a
world class public transportation system through enhancing its service, capacity, coverage
and connectivity.
The Summit then kicked off with a presentation by Mr. Steven Furst from Booz & Company
entitled “Towards an Integrated Regulatory Approach”. Regulatory fragmentation has been
frequently identified as the root cause for Malaysia’s public transportation system woes.
Hence in this session, Mr. Furst highlighted examples of six densely populated cities i.e.
London, Singapore, Paris, Hong Kong, Auckland and Berlin as places to learn from because
of their quality reputation in transportation governance. In applying a comprehensive transport
governance framework to the transport authorities of the six cities, valuable lessons were
learnt in terms of policy, planning & regulation, operations and enforcement.
The following session was entitled “A Unified and Seamless Public Transport Network”
and was chaired by Prof. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah - Director General, Malaysian
Institute of Road Safety Research. Discussions centred on the possible improvements to the
THE 6th NATIONAL UTILITIES SUMMIT 2009
Puan Sri Susan Cheah presenting a memento to the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy,
Green Technology and Water.
The 6th National Utilities Summit 2009 was held on 12th November 2009,
at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel with a theme on “Enchancing
Competitiveness and Delivery of Utilities Services - Challenges & Opportunities”.
This one-day Summit was well attended by about 100 delegates. The programme
had been set out to concisely cover several key issues for both the water industry
25
Dato Long presenting a memento to Scomi Engineering for their sponsorship
Mr. Muaz Omar making a point.
The consumer perspectives sessions.
public transport system by exploring both short and long term solutions. Panelists included
Ar. Goh Hock Guan - Chairman, Akitek Jururancang (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Dr. Dahlia bt.
Rosly - Director, Federal Department of Town and Country Planning Ir. Dr. Tai Tuck Leong -
Managing Director, Perunding Trafik Klasik and Mr. Moaz Yusuf Ahmad, Advisor, Association
for the Improvement of Mass Transit - Klang Valley (TRANSIT).
In the next session “Increasing Public Transport Utilisation - Addressing Key Concerns”,
panelists addressed major concerns facing commuters and operators with the aim to increase
public transport utilisation. The chairman for this session was Mr. Muhammad Sha’ani bin
Abdullah - Secretary-General, FOMCA and panelists were Mr. Azhar Ahmad Chief Executive
Officer, Rapid Penang, Mr. Goh Bok Yen - Director, Mag Technical and Development
Consultants Sdn Bhd and Hj Anuar bin Kassim, Director General, Department of Railways.
Technology has been a driving force behind lifestyle changes, new ways of working and
innovative business solutions. In the session entitled “Engaging Technology in Public
Transportation”, panelists discuss existing and emerging transport technology and how
they will aid improvements in the public transport system. Mr. Axel Muench - Senior Vice
President, Mobility Division, Siemens Malaysia served as both the chairperson and panelist
while Mr. Tilo Franz - Director, Sales & Business Development, Asia Pacific System Division,
Bombardier Transportation also shared his thoughts as a fellow panelist.
At the session entitled “Investing in Public Transportation” discussions focused on maximizing
investment value and finding sustainable financing methods for public transportation as high
investment and operational costs often become the key impediment to improving transport
networks. The panel was led by Pn. Zooridah Haron - Group Director, Corporate Services
Division, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad as both the Chairperson and Panelists. Other
panelists included Mr. Hilmy Zaini - President of Energy & Logistics Engineering Division,
Scomi Group Bhd and Mr. Mark Streeting - Principal, Global Transport Practice, Booz &
Company.
Datuk (Dr) Ir. Mohd Annas Mohd Nor, Mr. Ir. Ahmad Fauzi and Mr. Richard N.Tankersley addressing
the conference.
and energy industry in Malaysia in five broad topic sessions, namely, New
Opportunities and Directions in the Water Industry, Total Water Management -
Towards Sustainability, Total Energy Management - Towards Energy Efficiency,
Consumer & User Perspective on Recent Developments in the Utilities Industry
and Green and Clean Energy: Options for Malaysia.

Ms. Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director of Sunway University College receiving memento from Senator Tan Sri
Koh Tsu Koon as the Forum Corporate Partner while Tan Sri Ramon and Dato’ Michael Yeoh look on.
The panel speakers for Towards 1Malaysia- Removing Impediments, Strengthening Unity session with Ms Ivy Josiah,
Executive Director of Women’s Aid Organisation of Malaysia, Tan Sri (Dr) Ramon V. Navaratnam, Chairman of the Centre
for Public Policy Studies, ASLI, Professor Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, Founder Director of the Institute of Ethnic
Studies (KITA), UKM and Professor James Chin, Head, School of Arts & Social Sciences of Monash University Malaysia.
National Unity remains the most important goal and priority for Malaysia as it is the
key objective and essential to maintain the peace, stability, progress and prosperity of
Malaysia. Without unity, growth will not be sustainable. National Unity and the creation
of “1Malaysia” is the key challenge in achieving VISION 2020.
On October 26, 2009, at the Sunway University College, ASLI organized the National
Unity Forum with the theme “Towards 1Malaysia: 52 Years of Nation Building”. The
forum was officiated by Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Minister in the Prime
Minister’s Department.
As we mark the 52nd Anniversary of Merdeka, it was an apt and timely event to
commemorative the mood to reflect on our nation-building, where we have progressed
as a nation and where we are heading towards. Building a united nation of diverse races
and religions is not an easy challenge, yet our very diversity is our greater attribute.
National Unity has been somewhat affected with rash political rhetoric over the past few
years. The sharing of ideas and interchange of thoughts in this forum has enable frank,
open and candid debate on what more we can do and new initiatives we can carry out
to make 1 Malaysia a reality.
Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh in his Opening Keynote Address stressed that there is no perfect
solution applicable to all because no two persons are the same, even among family
members, and definitely between genders. He cited the song from the musical My Fair
Lady, Why can’t a woman be more like a man? Whereas mechanical problems can
find perfect solutions, though he noted that even then coordination is required, citing
the perennial problem of improperly patched-up potholes as an example. Recognising
that differences can never be resolved fully meant managing them is the solution,
especially since Malaysia is too small a country to break up, as has happened to the
Indian subcontinent.
Tan Sri Dr Koh stated that Malaysia’s multi-ethnic background, inherited from great world
civilisations, enriches the country and affords many opportunities for mutual appreciation.
He said our linguistic and cultural heritages link us to almost 70% of the world population,
bringing economic value in this globalised era. Though this characteristic also presents
tremendous challenges, such as in managing different religions, he said as long as
we hold on to the humble thought that we are all humans, these challenges can be
overcome through continued discussions; hence the never-ending process. He offered
5 ‘S’s in his recommendations for unity - sight (foresight, hindsight, oversight); sincerity;
The Voice of Young Malaysians- How the Younger Generation Perceive National Unity session with Ms. Fadiah Nadwa
Fikri, Honorary Secretary of the Kuala Lumpur Bar Council Legal Aid Centre, Ms. Ng Yeen Seen, Deputy Director General
of SEDAR Institute, Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Principal Research Fellow of Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), UKM
and SUHAKAM Commissioner, Mr. Tony Pua, DAP National Public Unity Sector & MP of PJ Utara, Mr. Mohd Hilmi Ramli,
Head of Information Bureau of the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) and Mr. Stephen Doss, Head of Research
and Development, Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia.
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NATIONAL UNITY FORUM
Unity Through Religion session with Dr Chandra Muzafar, President of the International Movement for a
Just World & Chairman of 1Malaysia Foundation with Rev. Dr Hermen Shastri, General Secretary of the
Council of Churches of Malaysia.
Ms Jean Wong, Senior VP and COO of ASLI having a laugh with Tan Sri Asiah Abu Samah SUHAKAM
Commissioner and Puan Sri (Dr) Susan Cheah, Director of ASLI before the event.
seriousness (i.e. to look after the Malaysian society as one would handle an egg, as
breakage would create a heavier burden; strength (moral); and stamina. He also stated
that unity cuts across every ministry and the issue is challenging and empowering at the
same time. To find a solution, as he stated, Malaysians must continue to communicate,
share and care. He ended with a call for the forum to enjoy exploring and debating with
an open mind and a sincere heart.
Prof. Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, Founder Director of Institute of Ethnic Studies
(KITA) of UKM started off by noting the existence of a 1Malaysia document from the
PMO in which there was mentioned of a 1Malaysia foundation, which got him wondering
how much money was being set aside for such project. To him, it is not impediments
but challenges, both positive and negative that needed confronting, beyond policies
and plans. He half-joked that Malaysians as good navel-gazers would argue among
each other, thus: “how am I performing?”, “how much I am getting?” and “why am I
not getting?” and with regard navels it would be -”how deep is yours?’, “how filled up is
yours“and “how thickened and solid is yours?” He said this reflects the discourse about
ethnic relations as being stake-building vs. state-building, which is partly because of
the quota system established by the NEP. He ended by stating that 1Malaysia is about
state-building and not stake-building.
Dr Chandra Muzaffar the President of International Movement for a Just World in his
remarks on “Unity through religion - How common religion values unite a multiracial
religion nation” stated that the lack of awareness among many Malaysians of their
shared moral heritage, as found in all religions, is the real problem. He identified this
as the common values of justice, love and compassion; and at the level of principles
arising out of these values - love of family, living in harmony with the environment,
ethical economic activities, moral political leadership; and shared perspectives on what
is regarded as vices - murder, stealing, adultery. He said this awareness must be raised
through schools, family, religious and cultural institutions. He added that this is the most
appropriate time to do this because there’s a 1Malaysia concept - much stronger than
anything seen in decades. He also stressed that this should be an important agenda in
1Malaysia, but it hasn’t become that as yet.
This country is our home regardless of our backgrounds as stated strongly by Datuk Dr
Denison Principal Research Fellow of KITA and SUHAKAM Commissioner at the end of
his session on “The voice of young Malaysians - How the younger generations perceive
national unity”. Datuk Dr Denison concluded with that more than understanding makes
a stand for truth and justice regardless of who the perpetrator is.
Senator Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon with Dato’ Siva Subramaniam, Commissioner of SUHAKAM and Former
Secretary-General of NUTP.
THE NATIONAL TOURISM SEMINAR 2009
Dato’ Ong Hong Peng Tourism Ministry Secretary-General presenting a memento to Dato’ Amirrudin of Tourism
Malaysia.
H.E. Mr. Paul Bekkers Ambassador of Netherlands H.E. Norodom Arunrasmy Ambassador of Cambodia
Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad bin Abdul Majid, Managing Director, Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd.
This year’s National Tourism Seminar was held on 8 September at the Prince
Hotel and Residence Kuala Lumpur. Themed “Optimising Excellence in
Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Industry” the seminar aimed to bring focus on
prospects and challenges facing the industry under current market conditions.
The seminar drew a crowd of about 130 delegates and was officiated by Dato’
Dr Ong Hong Peng, Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism.
The National Tourism Seminar 2009 focused on sectors that have been
recognised as key drivers of the industry such as Business Events & MICE,
Malaysia My Second Home programme & Property Tourism and Eco-tourism.
Practical sessions will also give insights into the essential aspects of product
development and marketing efforts in tourism, hospitality and leisure. The
impactful programme include industry updates, thought-provoking dialogue
sessions on current issues and hands-on knowledge via case studies.
During the official opening of the Seminar, Dato’ Dr Ong delivered a speech
by Dato’ Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism. The speech focused on the
issue of sustainability and how tourism had taken on a new meaning. Quoting
statistics that viewed that the complex, interconnected and dynamically
unfolding nature of the current economic crisis and AH1N1 outbreak
make them highly unpredictable. The speech called for a revisit of existing
structures, policies and practices of the industry. It also stressed on the need
for bold actions and innovations and the necessity to take defensive actions
to maintain our products and upgrade the skills of our workforce in preparation
for the rebound.
Panel Members of “Bringing in the High Networth Tourist-MM2H and Property Tourism”. L-R: Dato Abdul
Rahman Bin Othman, Director-General Immigration Department of Malaysian. Mr. Andy Davison, CEO,
The Expat Group. Dr. Junaida Lee Abdullah, Deputy Secretary General (Administration), Ministry of
Tourism and Mr. Gerald Lim, CEO, Malaysia Property Inc.
27
Mr. Stuart Tomlinson, Country Manager - Malaysia of Visa Worldwide with Dato’ Ong Hong Peng,
Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism.
Dato’ A. Amirrudin Deputy Director General (Marketing) Tourism Malaysia Tunku Dato’ Seri Iskandar
Tunku Abdullah, Group Managing Director, Melewar Group Bhd, Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Bin Abdul Majid,
Managing Director, Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd.
The Seminar then proceeded with an impactful programme by providing industry
updates, hands-on knowledge via case studies and thought-provoking discussions
on topics such as Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure in the Face of Global Economic
Crisis, Tourism & Hospitality Online - Marketing and Distribution Strategies, Bringing
in the High Net-worth Tourist – Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) & Property
Tourism, Showcasing Malaysia as the Preferred Business Event Destination and
Critical Success Factors Towards Sustainable and Viable Eco-tourism.
The panel of speakers, panelists and moderators was made up of distinguished
industry veterans, experienced industry players, governmental regulatory bodies
and promotion boards, as well as representatives of industrial associations. They
were Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad bin Abdul Majid - Managing Director, Malaysia Airport
Holdings Berhad, Dato’ A. Amirrudin - Deputy Director General (Marketing),
Tourism Malaysia, Tunku Dato’ Seri Iskandar Tunku Abdullah - Group Managing
Director, Melewar Group Berhad, En. Rohizam Md Yusoff - Chief Executive
Officer, Creative Advances Technology Sdn Bhd, Dato’ Abdul Rahman bin
Othman - Director General, Immigration Department of Malaysia, Mr. Andy
Davison - Chief Executive Officer, The Expat Group, Mr. Gerald Lim - Chief
Executive Officer, Malaysia Property Inc, Dr. Junaida Lee Abdullah - Deputy
Secretary General (Administration), Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Kan Thai
Kim - President, MACEOS and CEO, Fairs & Events Management Sdn Bhd, Mr.
Peter Brokenshire – General Manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Ms.
Evelyn Lo – General Manager, PPK Malaysia (Malaysia Association for Shopping
and Highrise Complex Management) and Mr. Seng Chin Loon – Environment
Engineer & Education Executive, The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa / Asian
Overland Services Tours & Travel.
L-R: Mr. Peter Brokenshire, General Manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Ms. Evelyn Lo, General
Manager, PPK Malaysia. Mr. Jonathan Kan, President of MACEOS.
 THE YEAR’S HIGHLIGHTS IN PICTURES

Mrs. Lim Hwee Hua, Singapore 2nd Finance Minister, Dato Dr. Jannie Tay, President ASEAN Business The President of Timor Leste and Nobel Peace Laurette Jose Ramos Horta with Perak Crown Prince Raja
Forum, Madam Ho Ching, Puan Seri Susan Cheah, Mrs. Yu Foo Yee Shoon, Singapore Senior Minister of Dr. Nazrin Shah and ASLI CEO Dato Michael Yeoh.
State for Community Development and Dato Michael Yeoh, CEO ASLI.

The Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib greeting Hong Leong Bank CEO Mrs. Yvonne Chia at ASLI’s ASLI CEO Dato Michael Yeoh greeting the Prime Minister of Thailand HE Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Banking Summit. Looking on are Mr. Stuart Tomlinson of VISA and Chief Secretary to the Government
Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan. Behind is ASLI Chairman Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah.

Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and Mr. Mirzan Mahathir at the ASLI President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Mr. Wong
Malaysian-British Dialogue in London. Kan Seng at the Asia Economic Summit in Singapore.

ASLI’s Senior Vice President Ms. Jean Wong with former Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. ASLI Director Dato Razman Hashim and UK’s Trade and Investment Minister Lord Mervyn Davies.

Ms. Jean Wong ASLI’s Senior Vice President and speakers at the ASEAN Women Leaders Forum in ASLI CEO Dato Michael Yeoh being greeted in Amman by HRH Prince Hassan of Jordan whilst Jordan’s
Singapore. former Prime Minister looks on.

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