...more inside - Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute

Vol 2 2009: January - June PP 8307/12/2009 

www.asli.com.my 

PRIME MINISTER COMMENDS 

AND APPRECIATES ASLI’S CONTRIBUTIONS 

The Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak delivering the keynote address at the Malaysian Banking Summit organized by ASLI. Seated on stage are ASLI President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, ASLI Chairman Tan 

Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, Public Bank Chairman Tan Sri Dr. Teh Hong Piow and ASLI CEO Dato Dr. Michael Yeoh. 

ASLI President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir presenting a memento to the Prime Minister whilst Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey 

Cheah looks on. 

ASLI CEO Dato Dr Michael Yeoh greeting Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak. 

The Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak 

commended ASLI for organizing the Malaysian 

Banking Summit for the 13th year. The Prime 

Minister said the Government welcomes and 

appreciates the efforts of ASLI as an independent 

Think Tank to promote discourse between the 

Government and Business Community for the 

betterment of the nation. 

ASLI Director Dato Razman Md. Hashim greeting the Prime Minister whilst ASLI Chairman Tan Sri Dr 

Jeffrey Cheah looks on. 

...more inside

MALAYSIAN BANKING SUMMIT 

The Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dato Sri Najib with ASLI President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, ASLI 

Chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, Public Bank Chairman Tan Sri Dr Teh Hong Piow and ASLI CEO Dato Dr 

Michael Yeoh. 

ASLI Chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, The Prime Minister, Public Bank’s Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow and 

Tan Sri Thong Yaw Hong, Dato Dr Michael Yeoh and Bursa Malaysia Chairman Tun Dzaiddin Abdullah. 

Tan Sri Ramon V. Navaratnam, Director of ASLI, Tan Sri Thong Yaw Hong and Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow of 

Public Bank, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, Chief Secretary to the Government and Dato Dr Michael Yeoh, 

CEO of ASLI. 

The Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dato Sri Mohd Najib 

Tun Razak delivered the Opening Keynote Address at ASLI’s 13th 

Malaysian Banking Summit barely one month after becoming the 

Prime Minister. This was his first major Keynote Address to the banking 

and business community as the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia. Dato 

Sri Najib commended and congratulated ASLI for organising this 

Annual Series of Malaysian Banking Summits for the 13th year and 

described the Summit as an apt and timely opportunity for him to 

share his thoughts with the business and financial community. 

In his Keynote Address, the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance 

called on local financial institutions to build their capabilities to 

provide credit to new growth sectors such as IT, life sciences and 

other knowledge-driven investment. He urged banks to use the 

slowdown to step up training and development to undertake human 

capital development, succession planning and talent management. 

The Prime Minister further urged banks to enhance, their core 

competencies and improve their internal processes and systems 

to become more competitive. More importantly, he urged banks to 

continue lending and to support viable economic activities by keeping 

their credit lines open and not withdraw credit. 

The Prime Minister having a chat with ASLI’s Directors. 

Dato Sri Najib stressed that banks need to play a vital role in helping 

the government transform the Malaysian economy into an innovationbased 

economy. He said Malaysia needs to enhance innovation by 

leveraging on the country’s core strengths and developing niche 

competencies in areas such as halal foods, Islamic finance, tropical 

medicine, palm-oil based bio fuels, rubber research and medical 

tourism. The Prime Minister also shared his perspectives on the global 

financial crisis and spelled out Malaysia’s measures to enhance 

competitiveness through the liberalisation of financial services and 

27 other sub-sectors in the Services Sector. 

The Prime Minister assured that every Malaysian will have a rightful 

place under the Malaysian sun and that his 1Malaysia philosophy 

envisages that all Malaysians will enjoy the fruits of our development. 

He ended by pledging that his Government will uphold responsible 

governance and be responsive to the people of all races and 

religions. 

The Banking Summit brought together over 250 participants over 2 

days of intensive debate and interchange of views among bankers, 

consultants and the business community. The CEO Forum moderated 

Tan Sri Ramon V. Navaratnam, Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek, Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad, Puan Sri 

Susan Cheah, Tan Sri Kishu Tirathrai, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Munir Abdul Majid and Dato Seri Nazir Razak at the 

luncheon Keynote Address. 

Tun Dzaiddin Abdullah (extreme left), Dato Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Mr. David Lee, Mr. V.R. Srivatsan and Mr. 

Sandip Das, CEO Maxis.

MALAYSIAN BANKING SUMMIT 

At the closing ceremony, Datuk Zamani Abdul Ghani, Deputy Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia 

presenting a memento to Datuk Johar Che Mat, Chief Operating Officer, Maybank. 

Panelists of the CEO Forum. Mrs. Irene Dorner, Deputy Chairman and CEO, HSBC; Tan Sri Ramon V. 

Navaratnam, Director, ASLI; Dato Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, President and CEO, Maybank and Mrs. Yvonne 

Chia, Group MD and Chief Executive Hong Leong Bank Bhd. 

by ASLI Director Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam saw the interchange 

between the President and CEO of Maybank Dato Sri Abdul Wahid 

Omar, the CEO of HSBC Bank Mrs. Irene Dorner and the CEO of 

Hong Leong Bank Mrs. Yvonne Chia. Dato Sri Abdul Wahid pointed 

out that the Malaysian banking sector is entering the economic crisis 

in a position of strength. Mrs. Dorner felt that the face of banking 

and investment will be different after the crisis ends in 2 years. Mrs. 

Yvonne Chia said that Malaysia’s growing trade and investment links 

with China, Africa, the Middle East and other parts of Asia will provide 

opportunities to local banks to develop new counter party alliances 

with financial institutions there. 

Other issues discussed at the Summit include Islamic banking and 

finance and the need for banks to invest more in technology and 

human resources to improve their services, productivity and efficiency. 

The session on Mobile Banking generated much interest. Delegates 

also highlighted the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility 

(CSR) which is fast becoming an accepted norm in banking practices. 

During discussions on Basel II, there were suggestions to revamp the 

market risk framework of Basel II. 

In his Closing Address, the Deputy Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia 

Datuk Zamani Abdul Ghani announced that the Central Bank is now 

in the process of conducting another series of stress tests to gauge 

the collective soundness of the banking system to absorb losses. 

He stressed Malaysian financial institutions were now on a stronger 

foundation to venture into new businesses, undertake more complex 

risks and withstand shocks as a result of the consolidated efforts of 

the banking sector. He said banks’ enhanced capabilities are now 

backed by stronger balance sheets with the risk-weighted capital 

ratio of the banking sector at 13.4% and the non-performing loans 

ratio of 2.2% as at March 31, 2009. Total aggregate outstanding loans 

had grown by 12% to about RM727 billion during 2008 and by 11% 

year on year as at end March 2009, the Deputy Governor added. 

Mr. Arthur Calipo, Principal (Bangkok), Booz & Company chairing a 

session with speakers : Mr. Jonathan Addis, Executive Director and 

Deputy Chief Executive, HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd on his right Dato 

Kok Wee Kiat, Chairman, Environmental Quality Council Malaysia 

and Director of The Bank of Nova Scotia Bhd and Mr. Bambang 

Meorwanto, Director of Business Development Banking, SAP Asia 

Pacific, Japan. 

L to R: Mr. Gordon Cooper, VISA Worldwide; Mr. CP Loo, Sun 

Microsystems; Dr. Nikolai Dobberstein, Maxis and Mr. Stuart 

Tomlinson, VISA. 

L to R: Mr. Alan Parker, Principal and Country Manager of Hewilt 

Associates, Dr Mohd Kamal Khir, CEO of IBBM and Puan Nora 

Manaf, Head of Group Human Capital, Maybank. 

CEO Hong Leong Bank Mrs Yvonne Chia, ASLI President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, Maybank President and 

CEO Dato Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, and ASLI Director Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam. 

Distinguished Role Players at the Islamic Banking and Finance Session. L to R: Mr. Muzaffar Hisham, 

Deputy CEO of CIMB Islamic Bank; Mr. Mohammed Rashdan Mohd Yusof, CEO of Maybank Investment 

Bank and Mr. Ali Abbas Zaidi, Head of Islamic Markets, Maybank Islamic Bank.

ASLI HOSTS PRESIDENT OF TIMOR LESTE 

H.E. Prof. Jose Ramos-Horta, 1996 Nobel Laureate for Peace and President of The Democratic Republic of 

Timor-Leste, Honorary Chairman of Bridges Malaysia HRH Raja Dr Nazrin Shah and Dato Dr Michael Yeoh 

making their way to the event. 

Memento presentation to H.E. Prof. Jose Ramos-Horta with Dato Dr Michael Yeoh, HRH Raja Dr Nazrin 

Shah and Mr. Uwe Morawetz, Founding Chairman of the International Peace Foundation. 

H.E. Prof. Jose Ramos-Horta being greeted by Tan Sri Radzi Mansor, 

Trustee ASLI Foundation and Chairman of TM Berhad while at the 

back Dato Mokhzani Mahathir, Chairman of Kencana Petroleum 

Berhad looks on. 

Despite many uncertainties, one can rest assured that there is still one 

hope towards a peaceful world, with a condition that one needs to avoid 

violence and use wiser methods. That was the stance taken by Timor- 

Leste President and 1996 Nobel Laureate for Peace, H.E. Professor Jose 

Ramos-Horta in his speech on January 22, 2009 at the Berjaya Times 

Square Hotel and Convention Centre Kuala Lumpur. He believes that the 

use of violence will not be able to resolve problems. 

ASLI and the International Peace Foundation were privileged to host 

the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste on the topic “Is long lasting 

peace an attainable dream?” The event was graced by The Honorary 

Chairman of Bridges Malaysia HRH Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, the Crown 

Prince of Perak. 

The dialogue series was part of the Bridges-Dialogues Towards a Culture 

of Peace to promote a culture and communication between societies in 

Southeast Asia by strengthening international trust and understanding. It 

was part of an ongoing series lecture aimed at building ‘bridges’ through 

Nobel Laureates and to establish long term relationships which may 

result in common research programmes and other forms of collaboration. 

This is the first step towards peace dialogue in Malaysia and it was an 

international initiative to promote peace through intellectual dialogues 

and cultural programmes, under the aegis of the International Peace 

Foundation. 

In February last year, rebel soldiers shot H.E President Jose Ramos- 

Horta, nearly killing him, and ambushed the motorcade of Prime Minister 

Xanana Gusmao, who escaped unharmed. However, even grievous 

injury and near death failed to drain the President’s resolve to release his 

country from the stranglehold of poverty and violence it was in. 

Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali and Tan Sri Razali Ismail at the Lecture. 

Dato Dr Michael Yeoh, H.E. T. Jasudasen, High Commissioner of 

the Republic of Singapore and H.E. Prof. Jose Ramos-Horta having 

conversation before dinner. 

When asked on the attempted murder on him, the President replied, “The 

assassination attempt on me by a lunatic has not changed me personally, 

in the way I live or think -- but, of course, my personal security has been 

very much strengthened and movement a little more curtailed,” 

He however acknowledged that his determination to change things in 

Timor-Leste for the better was, to a certain extent, influenced by personal 

tragedy. He lost four siblings to the violence that beset Timor Leste before 

independence and he did not want others to go through what he did. The 

President added: “And, it was because I have always been motivated, 

even in my teenage years, by my instincts and feelings about justice. 

On the home front, the President said some of his dreams had been 

realised but there remained much to be done. He admits to being 

frustrated by the pace of progress as sometimes seems to be slow, too 

slow, because of a lack of expertise and experience on the part of our 

civil administration and government leaders. 

In concluding the session, Ramos-Horta says that the relationship 

between Timor-Leste and Indonesia has been at its best, to date. 

Indonesia has changed a lot and has shown a high friendship spirit. “We 

have to bury the past,” he added, concluding the questions and answers 

session. 

Amongst those who participated in the dialogue were members of the 

public, corporate leaders, writers, journalists, bloggers, non-governmental 

organisation activists, businessmen, public servants as well as university 

students. 

Japanese Ambassador Masahiko Horie, Ambassador Tan Sri Fuzi Razak, President Jose Ramos-Horta, 

Tan Sri Navaratnam and Mrs. Horie. 

H.E. Prof. Jose Ramos-Horta being greeted by Ms. Shaireen Waris, VP, Programmes of ASLI while Ms. 

Jean Wong, Senior VP & COO and Dato Dr. Michael Yeoh, CEO of ASLI looks on.

THAILAND’S PRIME MINISTER OFFICIATES 

6th ASEAN LEADERSHIP FORUM 

ASLI CEO Dato Dr. Michael Yeoh greeting the Prime Minister of Thailand HE Abhisit Vejjajiva. 

The Thai Prime Minister Mr. Abhisit with ASLI CEO Dato Dr. Michael Yeoh and Trustee Tan Sri Radzi 

Mansor on his right and ASEAN Affairs Chairperson Mom Luang and Publisher S. Roy on his left. 

Adviser to Thailand’s Parliament Dr. Kalayanamitr, Former ASEAN Secretary General Rodolfo Severino, Former 

Thai Commerce Minister Dr. Narongchai, Standard Chartered Bank Thailand CEO Mark Devadeson and Prof. 

Suthipand of Chulalangkorn University. 

The Prime Minister of Thailand who is also the current Chairman 

of ASEAN, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva delivered the Opening Keynote 

Address at ASLI’s 6th Annual Leadership Forum in Bangkok on 19th 

June 2009. The 6th ASEAN Leadership Forum was co-organised 

by ASLI and ASEANAFFAIRS with the support of the Hanns Seidel 

Foundation. 

The ASEAN Leadership Forum was organised to take stock of 

the critical issues facing ASEAN after the global economic crisis, 

take stock of the strategic challenges ahead and identify emerging 

business and investment opportunities. Four key sessions were held 

at the Forum:- 

• How can ASEAN Cope with the Global Economic Crisis. 

• Towards Food and Job Security – Coping with the Global 

Downturn. 

• Building ASEAN Companies – From Profitability to Corporate 

Social Responsibility. 

• Energy, Environment and Climate Change – Impact on Southeast 

Asia. 

In his Opening Keynote Address, the ASEAN Chair and Prime 

Minister of Thailand, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva said that ASEAN is facing 

many crisis such as natural disasters as well as health crisis such 

as H1N1 and SARS. He argued that no one country can handle 

Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Mr. Suwit Kunkitti at the Forum closing. 

the challenges alone but need regional cooperation and collective 

efforts from Government and the private sector. Prime Minister 

Abhisit however stressed his optimism that ASEAN can overcome 

the current economic crisis. Firstly, he said that ASEAN is becoming 

more integrated as a region and into the global market. ASEAN 

is becoming a single market and a single production base which 

provides more business and investment opportunities. ASEAN 

is also investing a lot in human capital development. The Prime 

Minister also emphasised the diversity of ASEAN which is good for 

promotion of tourism. He also stressed that ASEAN is located in one 

of the world’s most important regions – Asia. He called on ASEAN to 

ensure people centric development. He further argued that ASEAN 

Governments need to foster cooperation with the private sector, civil 

society and academic society. 

The Prime Minister said that ASEAN is forging more FTA’s with Japan, 

Korea, Australia and New Zealand and concluding a new Investment 

Agreement with China later this year. As such, ASEAN could be more 

attractive for foreign investments as a viable investment destination. 

He further stressed that ASEAN integration is important not only for 

ASEAN but for East Asia. He called on ASEAN Governments to 

restore confidence in the region and to further modernise the legal 

system and regulatory climate. He also urged he private sector to 

continue to take risks to drive ASEAN economic integration because 

there are opportunities to be had. (continue on page 25) 

Mr. Subhak Siwaraksa President and CEO CIMB Thai Bank Co, Mr. 

Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO Thai Air Asia and Mr. Charnchai Charuvastr, 

President Thai Institute of Directors and Chairman, Siam Paragon 

Development. 

Acting Director General Tourism Malaysia Dato Amiruddin Abu with 

President GE Southeast Asia Stuart Dean. 

 

Prof. Said Irandoust President Asia Institute of Technology, Ms Pissawon 

Achanapornkul Country Chair Thailand, Shell Company and Mr. Karl 

Peter Schoenfisch Regional Director, Hanns Siedel Foundation.

MALAYSIA - CHINA BUSINESS COUNCIL 

The Prime Minister being greeted on arrival at the MCBC Roundtable by Dato David Chua, Dato Majid 

Khan, Dato Dr Michael Yeoh and Mr Wan Jifei, Chairman CCPIT. 

The Prime Minister of Malaysia with the Vice Premier of China Mr. Hui Liang Yu. 

The Prime Minister with MCBC Joint Chairman Tun Musa Hitam and Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew with other 

Cabinet Ministers at the Roundtable. 

Mr. Vincent Cheng, Chairman, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and other VIP’s at the 

MCBC Roundtable. 

The Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak spoke about the 

excellent bilateral discussions he had with the Premier of the People’s 

Republic of China during his recent official visit to China. Dato Sri Najib 

related this to members of the Malaysia-China Business Council and 

the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in a 

Roundtable meeting he had with them in Beijing, The Prime Minister said 

he had excellent exchanges with Premier Wen who expressed his intention 

to work very closely with Malaysia and Dato Sri Najib personally. 

The Prime Minister said Malaysia and China shared common stance and 

approaches to many international issues. He is confident that relations 

between the two countries can be further expanded. The Prime Minister’s 

visit to China is significant on several accounts. First, it was to commemorate 

the 35th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between 

Malaysia and China. Second, it was the Prime Minister’s first official visit as 

Prime Minister outside ASEAN. Third, it was to blaze the trial set by Dato 

Sri Najib’s father the late Tun Abdul Razak who first established diplomatic 

relations between the two countries. 

During the Prime Minister’s visit to Beijing, the Malaysia-China Business 

Council co-organised with MATRADE and MIDA the Malaysia-China 

Business Forum during which the Prime Minister called upon more 

Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in Malaysia. He assured Chinese 

investors that they will be very welcome in Malaysia. 

The MCBC also organised a closed-door Roundtable with the Prime 

Minister, attended by leading corporate leaders from both countries. 

ASLI is the Malaysian secretariat of the Business Council. During 

the Roundtable discussion the Prime Minister expressed his wish to 

see China increasing its stakes in Malaysia’s financial institutions. He 

reiterated that the financial system of both countries are strong, resilient 

and stable. He also noted that the Central Banks of both countries have 

signed a bilateral swap arrangement earlier this year. 

Dato Sri Najib stressed that Malaysian entrepreneurs have invested for 

a long time in China. He hope more Chinese enterprises would invest 

Petronas President and CEO Tan Sri Hassan Marican, Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof, Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat and Tan 

Sri Tiong Hiew King of Rimbunan Hijau. 

Tan Sri Michael Chen, Dato Sri Nazir Razak, Ms. Tan Lei Cheng, Mr. Chye Kuok and Tan Sri Azman 

Mokhtar.

MALAYSIA - CHINA BUSINESS COUNCIL 

Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib and Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqian at the 35th Anniversary Dinner. 

The Prime Minister arriving at the Malaysia-China Evening with Tun Musa Hitam and Foreign Minister 

Dato Anifah Aman. 

Transport Minister Dato Seri Ong Tee Keat with ASLI Vice President 

Mr. Max Say. 

ASLI’s CEO Dato Michael Yeoh and Binary University College CEO 

Dato Joseph Adaikalam greeting Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd 

Najib at the Malaysia-China Friendship Evening. 

ASLI’s Vice President Mr. Max Say with Genting Chairman and CEO Tan 

Sri Lim Kok Thay and Head of Strategic Investments Dato Justin Leong. 

in Malaysia, particularly in the lskandar Development Region and in the 

Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy. He further added that China 

is very strong in Green Technology and Clean Energy and stressed 

that he is putting great emphasis on these sectors, hoping that China’s 

expertise in these areas can benefit Malaysia. The Prime Minister also 

wanted to see more collaboration in water, technology, healthcare, 

wellness, tourism and education. He also called on more Chinese 

companies to list on Bursa Malaysia. 

The Prime Minister told the Chinese Business Leaders that he is 

impressed with China’s phenomenal transformation and that Malaysia 

has much to learn from China. He suggested that the two countries can 

work together to overcome the negative impact of the global recession. 

Dato Sri Najib also emphasised the importance of his philosophy of 

One Malaysia, One Nation where Malaysia respect the rights of all 

religions and races in Malaysia. The Prime Minister ended his address 

by thanking ASLI for organising the Roundtable. 

In the evening the Prime Minister and the Vice Premier of China HE 

Li Keqian were guests of honour at the Malaysia-China Friendship 

evening to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the establishment 

of Diplomatic Relations between Malaysia and China. The Dinner was 

attended by over 700 participants from the two countries. It was jointly 

organised by the MCBC, The Malaysia China Friendship Association 

and the China People’s Association for friendship with other countries. 

The two leaders also cut the 35th Anniversary Cake. 

The Vice Premier Li Keqian in his speech stressed that the growth in 

the bilateral ties have benefited both countries. It had brought tangible 

benefits as well as helped promote regional peace. He added the 

relationship is based on traditional friendship and broad common 

interests. 

Dato Yong Ah Pwi, Dato Lim Kang Hoo, Dato Justin Leong, Tan Sri Lim Gait Tong, Dato Jalilah Baba. 

Dato Kamal Yan, Dato Majid Khan, Tan Sri William Cheng, Ms. Jean Wong, Mr. Wan Jifei, Tan Sri Dr Koh 

Tsu Koon, Datuk David Chua and Dato Dr Michael Yeoh.

GLOBAL EMERGING MARKETS SUMMIT (GEMS) 2009 

HE Shaukat Aziz, Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Dato Dr Michael Yeoh during Q & A session 

with delegates. 

Opening Keynote Plenary session with HE Vu Van Ninh, Minister of Finance, Vietnam and The Hon. Dato 

Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade & Industry, Malaysia. 

Welcome remarks by Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, President of ASLI. 

HE Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 

(UNCTAD) and former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and Mr. SK Lingam, Honorary President of 

ASEAN-UK Business Forum & Chairman of Malaysian Link UK in the Closing Address. 

ASLI together with Perception Management International once again 

organised the Global Emerging Markets Summit (GEMS) 2009 on April 

28-29, 2009 at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington High Street, London 

with the theme “The Global Financial Crisis, Reforming Governance, 

Rebuilding Economies”. 

The event were jointly officiated by the Minister of International Trade and 

Industry, The Hon. Dato’ Mustapa Mohamed, HE Shaukat Aziz, Former 

Prime Minister of Pakistan and HE Vu Van Ninh, Minister of Finance of 

Vietnam. 

The current global economic and financial environment has been 

characterized by increased uncertainty. There is uncertainty in the global 

economic outlook, financial markets and geopolitical developments as 

stated by Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, President of ASLI in his welcome remarks. 

He added that the expected strengthening of recovery in the advanced 

economies has yet to occur. Financial reporting irregularities and the 

weakening of the corporate sector has affected confidence, contributing to 

the increased volatility in the global equity markets. However, today as he 

continued, emerging market economies have the confidence to assume 

greater ownership of their destinies and to provide greater leadership of 

a rapidly globalizing world. Emerging Markets have the potential to be 

exploited for sustainable growth and to leverage opportunities unfolding 

in the global economy as a result of the credit crunch of a community 

comprising nearly 30 countries in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Eastern 

Europe. 

H.E. Shaukat Aziz, Former Prime Minister of Pakistan also has the same 

sentiment, in his Opening Address, he stated that the emerging markets 

are the “key swing factor” in the future growth of world trade and global 

financial stability, and they will become critical players in global politics. He 

added that they have a huge untapped potential and they are determined 

to undertake domestic reforms to support sustainable economic growth. 

He also added that if they can maintain political stability and succeed with 

their structural reforms, their future is promising and that Asia is destined 

to become an ever stronger force is the world economy. 

I am confident that emerging markets will emerge stronger and faster 

and they will provide meaningful and viable investment opportunities 

from this crisis as stated by The Hon. Dato’ Mustapa Mohamed, Minister 

of International Trade and Industry Malaysia in his remarks. The crisis 

provides a timely opportunity to restructure the nation’s economy to move 

up the value chain as well as to restructure companies. However as he 

added on we also need to ensure good governance and ethical leadership 

to restore confidence and certainty in markets in order to move forward 

and to recover. 

In his Opening Address H.E. Vu Van Ninh, Minister of Finance of the 

Socialist Republic of Vietnam stated that the leaders of the G-20 

countries which recently ended their meeting have committed to work 

together to develop plans to move the world economy out of the current 

crisis. They also provide commitments to help the poor countries to 

overcome the impacts of the recession. He added that with the results 

achieved in the G-20 meeting as well as with the efforts devoted by 

individual countries, the global economy will soon overcome this crisis. 

He continued that the Government of Vietnam had flexibly embarked on a 

comprehensive package of economic measures, especially in fiscal and 

monetary aspects, which are aimed at ensuring macroeconomic stability, 

From left Ms. Millicent Danker, Founder & CEO of Perception Management International Group, HE Mrs. 

Mmaskegoa Masire-Mwamba, Deputy Secretary General of Commonwealth Secretariat, London and Mr. 

SK Lingam, Honorary President of ASEAN-UK Business Forum & Chairman of Malaysian Link UK. 

From left Ms. Shaireen Waris, VP, Programmes of ASLI, Dato Dr Michael Yeoh, CEO of ASLI, HE Dr 

Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 

(UNCTAD) and former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Ms. Millicent Danker, Founder & CEO of 

Perception Management International Group, Mr. SK Lingam, Honorary President of ASEAN-UK Business 

Forum & Chairman of Malaysian Link UK and Ms. Ros Nasir of Perception Management International.

GLOBAL EMERGING MARKETS SUMMIT (GEMS) 2009 

Professor Lord Meghnad Desai, Emeritus Professor of London School of Economics, Dato Neville Green, 

Chairman of The British-Malaysian Society and Dato Dr Michael Yeoh, CEO of ASLI having a chat. 

Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Former Minister of MITI and Hon Patron & Advisor of Malaysia-Europe Forum. 

China After the Olympics: What Now for the Rising Dragon session. From the left Mr. Stephen King, Chief 

Economist of HSBC Holdings plc, Mr. Ronnie Chan, Chairman of Hang Lung Properties, Hong Kong, & Vice 

Chairman, The Asia Society, Ms. Charlotte Pinder, CEO of Asia House and Mr. Zhang Lirong, Minister Counselor, 

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom presenting his presentation. 

restraining economic slowdown and ensuring social safety net. Together 

with the efforts made by the business community and by the Vietnamese 

people, in 2008, Vietnam had been able to maintain its relatively high 

level of economic growth rate of around 6%. 

Dr Louis Kasekende, Chief Economist of the African Development Bank 

in his Keynote Address on the African session stated that Africa continues 

to be attractive to potential investors mainly due to its rich and diverse 

natural resources. He added that the resources on their own however 

are neither necessary nor sufficient for sustained growth. Successful 

development requires the full backing of the legal, institutional and 

political environment to make an investment worthwhile. Improved terms 

of trade, prudent macroeconomic policies and debt relief make Africa 

better positioned to weather the current crisis. He concluded that with the 

right combination of domestic policy reforms, Africa can continue to grow 

despite the crisis, while setting the stage for faster growth in the future. He 

is confident that Africa shall rise, in time. 

Mr. Bashir Patel, Director of Programmes of Commonwealth 

Telecommunications Organisation in his presentation claimed that 

the ICT overall is in ‘Uncharted waters’. It is difficult to predict how the 

consumer demand, operators’ revenue and regulators responses will 

evolve. The ICT as he added is a vital sector driving the economic growth 

and numerous governments have pledged several billions to develop 

Digital Britain, Australia, Italy, Greece, USA and so on. ICT industry as 

he concluded is based on innovation and technological change. It will 

revitalize the industry and enable the global economy to innovate its way 

out of this crisis. 

Ms. Jean Wong, Senior VP & COO of ASLI, Datuk Jalilah Baba, Director-General of MIDA, Dato Dr 

Michael Yeoh, CEO of ASLI, Datuk Noharuddin Nordin, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia External 

Trade Development Corporation and Datuk Dr. Mohamed Ghazali Mohammed Noor, Director of Strategic 

Planning, Islamic Development Bank Group. 

Among the distinguished speakers who spoke at the summit were HE 

Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary General of UNCTAD and Former 

Director General WTO and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Tan 

Sri Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz, Former Minister of International Trade & 

Industry, Malaysia and Hon Patron & Advisor, Malaysia-Europe Forum, 

HE Mrs. Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, Deputy Secretary General of 

Commonwealth Secretariat, London, Datuk Yusli Mohamed Yusoff, Chief 

Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia, Stephen King, Chief Economist 

of HSBC Holdings plc, Tan Sri Dato’ Ir Muhammad Radzi Hj Mansor, 

Chairman of TM Berhad, Malaysia, Ronnie Chan, Chairman, Hang Lung 

Properties, Hong Kong, & Vice Chairman of The Asia Society, Zhang Lirong, 

Minister Counselor, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, United 

Kingdom, Aziz Tayyebi, Financial Reporting Officer of ACCA London, 

Nicholas Edmondes, Partner of Trowers & Hamlins, London, Dr Knox 

Chitiyo, Head Africa Programme of the Royal United Services Institute, 

Dr Mathews Phosa, Treasure-General of the African National Congress, 

South Africa, Peter L. Walker FCIPR, Executive Chairman of PIELLE 

Consulting Group, Professor Lord Meghnad Desai, Emeritus Professor 

of the London School of Economics, Arif Zaman, Adviser, South Asia & 

Corporate Governance of Commonwealth Business Council, Dr Michael 

Peterson, Vice-President of Booz & Company (UK) Ltd, Low Tuck Seng, 

Managing Director of Frey Capital, Switzerland, Nicholas Moy, Group 

Chairman of Gryphon Investment Bank, Dr Kenny Tang, Founder & CEO 

of Oxbridge Weather Capital, Datuk Dr Mohamed Ghazali Mohammed 

Noor, Director of Strategic Planning, Islamic Development Bank Group 

and Nick Hood, Executive Chairman of Begbies Global Network. 

Dr Mathews Phosa, Treasurer-General of African National Congress, 

South Africa and Dato Dr Michael Yeoh. 

Mr. Lai Voon Hon, President & CEO of Ireka Development 

Management and Datuk Yusli Mohamed Yusoff, CEO, Bursa 

Malaysia. 

The Future of Telecommunications: Integration, Infrastructure, 

Innovations session with Tan Sri Radzi Mansor, Chairman, TM 

Berhad and Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, President of ASLI.

2nd KUALA LUMPUR 

INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE CONFERENCE 

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin arriving at the Conference with President Malaysian 

Automotive Association Dato Aishah Ahmad and ASLI CEO Dato Dr Michael Yeoh. 

Dato Dr Michael Yeoh presenting a memento to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. 

The Deputy Prime Minister presenting a token of appreciation to Chairman of Proton Dato Nadzmi Salleh 

for their sponsorship. 

The Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, The Hon. Tan Sri Dato’ Muhyiddin 

bin Haji Mohd Yassin, officially launched the 2nd KL International 

Automotive Conference (KLIAC) 2009 on Tuesday, 26 May 2009. The 

conference, aptly themed “Surviving and Thriving during the Economic 

Downturn” was held from 26-27 May 2009 at the PWTC Kuala Lumpur. 

This conference was geared towards high-level interchange of views on 

current experiences, knowledge, expertise and views among industry 

players, policy-makers, manufacturers, eminent speakers, industry 

experts, government officials and fellow professionals focusing on 

common and strategic, current and emerging key issues faced by the 

automotive industry. The conference attracted more than 130 delegates 

including role-players and corporate partners. 

Earlier during the Official Opening Ceremony, Tan Sri Muhyiddin in his 

Keynote Address urged Malaysian companies to invest in developing 

green and clean technology by joining forces with the local universities 

on R&D and become leaders in developing green and clean technology. 

“It is imperative for the automotive industry to think and plan ahead. 

You need to appraise your viability and how you can value add to stay 

competitive in the long run”. He also said that new product development 

in the industry was crucial to increase market share by raising sales. 

Tan Sri Muhyiddin went on and assured that the special focus will be 

given to ‘facilitate and encourage’ the development of the automotive 

parts and component sector despite the current global and regional 

economic-downturn. 

Tan Sri Muhyiddin further reiterated that the review of the National 

Automotive Policy (NAP) will be completed by the 3rd Quarter of 2009 

with special focus to be given in the development of auto parts and 

components sector. The review would also take into consideration 

views and proposals by the industry associations, relevant government 

Australian High Commissioner Penny Williams greeting the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. 

ministries and agencies. The review will provide the roadmap for the 

automotive industry in Malaysia, to facilitate them in developing their 

mid and long-term plans. It would also further improve the existing 

guidelines, policies and incentives. 

‘When I was in the MITI, I realised the importance of having cleared 

government policies and plans for the healthy growth and development 

of the industry” 

Later, Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat, Minister of Transport said there was 

a need to explore newer supply chains and inventory management 

systems to ensure a more efficient transport delivery system. In his 

speech, he said there were numerous options to look at for a model shift 

such as from road to rail. “This is not only to cater for fuel efficiency but 

also to address carbon dioxide emission issues” he said. “Auto industry 

players need to acknowledge the need for a more dynamic and handson 

approach in addressing and countering the effects of the global 

economic slowdown.” 

Dato’ Sri Ong also stressed that it was his Ministry’s vision to provide an 

integrated, efficient, cost-effective technologically-advanced and safe 

transport system. The provisions will act as catalysts to facilitate trade, 

promote socio-economic development, to enhance multi-modalism and 

to assist the country to achieve Vision 2020. He went on to say that 

the Government is committed in promoting policies and incentives to 

attract components and parts manufacturers to invest in Malaysia and 

will continue to provide further direction and assistance. 

The text of speech of his Special Ministerial Address was read by Datuk 

Robert Lau Hoi Chew, Deputy Minister of Transport. 

One and a half days of intensive deliberations and exchanges of views 

Chairman of UMW Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin and CEO Perodua Dato Syed Abdul Hafiz. 

MITI Deputy Secretary General Dato Kamaruddin Ismail Proton Chairman Dato Nadzmi Mohd Salleh and 

UMW Corp Chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin. 

10

2nd KUALA LUMPUR 

INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE CONFERENCE 

President Malaysia Automotive Association Dato Aishah Ahmad presenting a memento to Deputy 

Transport Minister Dato Robert Lau. 

Deputy MITI Minister Datuk Jacob Dungau with Dato Aishah Ahmad and Ms. Jean Wong. 

concluded on Wednesday, 27 May 2009 with the Special Closing 

Address by Dato’ Mustapa bin Mohamed, Minister of International 

Trade & Industry. His Closing Address was read by Dato’ Jacob Dungau 

Sagan, Deputy Minister of International Trade & Industry. 

Among those who presented at the conference were Tan Sri Datuk 

Asmat Kamaludin, Chairman of UMW Holdings Berhad; Dato’ Mohd 

Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, Chairman of PROTON Holdings Berhad; Dato’ 

Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamad Tahir, Group MD of PROTON 

Holdings Berhad; Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar, MD of 

PERODUA; Mr. David Cross, Sales Director of Asia Pacific, Auto-I.T. 

Pty. Ltd., Australia; Dr Wong Lai Sum, Deputy CEO of MATRADE; 

Datuk Nicholas S. Zefferys, Governor and Past President of AMCHAM 

Malaysia; Dato’ Frank Steinleitner of Chemplex Continental Sdn. Bhd; 

Dato’ Kamaruddin Ismail of MITI; Mr. David J. Tulauskas, Director 

of Public Policy, GM Asia Pacific; Dato’ Seri Salleh Mohd Nor of the 

Malaysian Nature Society; Mr. Sugato Sen of the Society of Indian 

Automobiles Association; Mr. Craig R. Vielguth, Executive Director of 

Telcordia Technologies, USA and Mr. Larry Gould, Chief Executive of 

Australia-wide Business Training Pty. Ltd. 

Other notable role-players include Mr. Peter Lim, President of MACPMA; 

Datuk Dr Wan Mohamed Wan Embong, President of PROTON Vendors’ 

Association; Tuan Haji Kamaruddin Mat Noor, President of PERODUA 

Vendors’ Association; Mr. Carl Rajendram of ISM Insurance Services 

Malaysia Berhad; Mr. Kavan Mukhtyar, Frost & Sullivan; Mr. Sanjeev 

Garg of HICOM-Chevrolet Sdn. Bhd.; Mr. Hajime Yamamoto of CSM 

Worldwide (Thailand) Co. Ltd.; Mr. Joseph Tan of Credit Suisse, 

Singapore; Engr. Gurmit Singh K.S. of CETDEM Malaysia; Mr. Azman 

Idris of Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.; Mr. Gerry Khouri of Bufori; Mr. Bunn 

Nagara of the Star Publications, Mr. Mustafa Mohd Nor of Amlnvestment 

Bank Group Berhad and Mr. Yamin Voong of Cars.Bikes.Trucks. 

In responding to a call by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia for 

local companies to relook their business models in light of increased 

competitiveness resulting from globalisation and regionalisation 

through ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), Dato’ Mohd Nadzmi Mohd 

Salleh, Chairman of PROTON Holdings Berhad said that incentives for 

automotive companies investing heavily on R&D and exporting their 

products to overseas markets are much needed to encourage local car 

manufacturers to stay competitive amidst the global economic crisis. He 

further said that to remain competitive, automotive players must look 

beyond the Malaysian borders. 

At the same time, on the sidelines of the KLIAC 2009, Datuk Aishah 

Ahmad, President of the Malaysian Automotive Association anticipates 

that vehicle sales in the country for May to be lower than the month 

before due to higher interest rates and stricter loan approvals. However, 

MAA is optimistic that sales will recover by the end of the year, driven 

by the government stimulus measures, new models and the bottoming 

out of the global recession. Datuk Aishah also announced that Malaysia 

has also regained its position as the largest auto producer in the ASEAN 

market for the first quarter of 2009, taking over the lead from Thailand. 

The country which has been trailing Thailand since 2003 recorded the 

highest total industry value (TIV) of 118,681 units. She said Thailand was 

in the second place with a TIV of 107,774 units followed by Indonesia 

with 99,754 units. 

Proton CEO Dato Syed Zainal Abidin making a point whilst AMCHAM President Datuk Nicholas Zefferys 

looks on. 

ASLI Vice President Mr. Max Say, Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel and Dato Frank Steinleitner. 

MATRADE Deputy CEO Dr Wong Lai Sum, Mr. Peter Lim and Mr. Kamaruddin Mat Noor. 

Mr. Hajime Yamamoto, Mr. Sanjeev Garg and Mr. Joseph Tan at a Panel discussion. 

11

MALAYSIA - UK PARTNERSHIP DIALOGUE 

ASLI President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir presenting a memento to Datuk Mustapa Mohamed whilst British 

High Commissioner Boyd McCleary, Dato Dr Michael Yeoh and London Councilor Edmund Yeo look on. 

Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mustapa Mohamed speaking at the Dialogue. 

Former British Foreign Officer Minister Meg Munn addressing the Dialogue. 

On April 27, 2009 at the National Liberal Club, One Whitehall Place in 

London, ASLI together with The British-Malaysian Society and with the 

support of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) organised the Malaysia-UK 

Partnership Dialogue with the theme “The Future of Malaysia-UK Relations: 

Moving Forward” 

The event was officiated by the Minister of International Trade & Industry, 

The Hon. Dato’ Mustapa Mohamed. Other distinguished speakers who 

spoke at the event were The Hon Meg Munn MP, Chair of the Westminster 

Foundation for Democracy, Lord Charles Powell, Chairman of Asia Task 

Force, UK Trade and Investment, Lord Sheikh, Founder of the Conservative 

Muslim Forum & Chairman of Camberford Law pls, Tan Sri Radzi Mansor, 

Chairman of Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Mr. Tim Claydon, Commercial Advisor, 

AirAsia X, Mr. Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Director, Malaysia Think Thank, Dr 

Kenny Tang, Founder & CEO of Oxbridge Capital, Ms Clare Minchington, 

Executive Director of ACCA London, Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, 

Commissioner of SUHAKAM and HE Boyd McCleary, High Commissioner 

of UK to Malaysia. 

Dato’ Mustapa Mohamed, spoke of the huge stock of goodwill between 

Malaysia and Britain. He welcomed the doubling of UK investment in 

Malaysia over the last few years, and expressed the hope that this could 

be further increased. Dato’ Mustapa stressed the commitment of the new 

Prime Minister, Dato Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak to the principles of “One 

Malaysia, People First, Delivery Now”. He added that Malaysia will remain 

Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, Dato Dr Michael Yeoh, The Hon Meg Munn, Dato Mustapa Mohamed, Dato Neville 

Green, High Commissioner Dato Aziz and Dato Mohd Iqbal. 

politically stable and Dato Najib’s government is determined to carry 

through reforms and improve public service delivery. 

The round table discussion opened with a presentation by Lord Charles 

Powell, Chairman of the Asia Task Force, on enhancing bilateral business 

ties between Malaysia and the UK. Lord Powell explained that Malaysia 

was one of UKTI’s 17 high-growth markets and was thus already in the 

Premier League. Exports last year from the UK to Malaysia had increased 

by 19%. Lord Powell had made a few concrete proposals for improving links 

further between Malaysia and UK during the discussion. 

The Hon. Meg Munn MP, Chair of the Westminster Foundation for 

Democracy and former FCO Minister for South East Asia, spoke of the 

importance of good governance in developing successful societies. The 

Westminster Foundation for Democracy could help in promoting good 

governance, e.g. through bringing together politicians from across the 

political spectrum to discuss issues of common interest. The Foundation 

had two projects in Malaysia and would be happy to facilitate further 

contact between the two countries. 

Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Human Rights Commissioner and Principal 

Research Fellow at the Institute of Ethics in the National University of 

Malaysia, spoke about human rights and race relations. He argued that 

cultural and social rights are as important as economic development in 

growing sustainable societies. Key answers lay around accountability, 

ASLI Vice President Mr. Max Say with Lord Charles Powell and Dato Neville Green, Chairman, British 

Malaysian Society. 

Sir David Wright of Barclays Capital and Tan Sri Radzi Mansor of Telekom Malaysia. 

12

MALAYSIA - UK PARTNERSHIP DIALOGUE 

Lord Sheikh Founder and Chairman Conservative Muslim Forum UK and Dato Mohd Iqbal Vice President 

ASEAN Business Forum. 

Tan Sri Anthony Cooper of the British Malaysian Society speaking at the Dialogue. 

Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria with former British High Commissioner Bruce Cleghorn. 

British participants at the Dialogue. 

good governance and ethical behaviour. Dr Jayasooria argued for a 

strengthening of the “people’s economy” as an alternative to big capital. 

He cited examples of small business creating a more sustainable form 

of empowerment and governance. In the UK and Malaysia there were 

examples of micro-credit and other small business initiatives. He proposed 

the following measures: 

• a strengthening of collaborative public policy research; 

• collaboration between business schools and entrepreneurship 

development centres; 

• the strengthening of collaboration between public policy makers in 

Malaysia and the UK, e.g. the UK’S Office of the Third Sector, which 

could have lessons for Malaysia and also Malaysia’s Gramin bank and 

FELDA; 

• the strengthening of collaboration between people’s organisations on 

how to distribute wealth more fairly from the e.g. co-operative movement, 

trade unions and political parties; 

• the strengthening of democratic institutions and the spreading of best 

practice, e.g. in relation to human rights and policing; 

• the exchange of experience around ethnic relations/race relations, 

where the National University of Malaysia (UKM) was one of the leading 

universities in the field. 

Mr. Wan Saiful, Director General of Malaysia Think Tank then briefed us 

on the concept of social enterprises. He had been living in the UK for 

16 years and thought that there was a great deal in Britain, from which 

Malaysia could learn. He personally managed two social enterprise 

projects. Social enterprise was essentially business with social objectives, 

offer in the community. Making a profit was key; it was how this profit 

was used that differentiated social enterprise from normal commercial 

enterprise. Such a concept allowed the enterprise in question to make 

profit and help people. In the UK one example was the Office of the Third 

Sector. The Department of Health also ran a Social Enterprise Unit. Many 

social enterprises now delivered what used to be provided by the public 

sector. Wan Saiful suggested that Malaysia could learn the following from 

the UK: 

• How to create a structure in which social enterprise flourished, in 

order to help reach those communities which could not otherwise be 

reached by public services. 

• How to create the right policy environment in which social enterprise 

could thrive, thus helping to create a better society. 

Winding up the discussion, Dato’ Dr Michael Yeoh, Chief Executive 

Officer of ASLI said he believed that the dialogue had helped identify 

new areas in which the bilateral relationship could expand. He hoped 

that the dialogue would become an annual event, held alternatively in 

London and Kuala Lumpur. Dato’ Neville Green, Chairman of the British 

Malaysian Society, said that the Minister Dato’ Mustapa Mohamed had 

also said this should become an annual affair. 

The ASLI team in London. 

MATRADE CEO Dato Noharuddin addressing the Dialogue. 

13

EVENTS HIGHLIGHT 

Thailand’s Prime Minster Abhisit with ASLI Trustee and Telekom Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri Radzi 

Mansor, Asean Affairs Chairman Mom Luang and ASLI CEO Dato Dr. Michael Yeoh. 

The Prime Minister greeting ASLI Director Dato’ Razman Hashim whilst the Irish Ambassador and British 

High Commissioner look on. 

ASLI Vice President Mr. Max Say greeting Tun Hajjah Rahah mother of the Prime Minister. 

Higher Education Minister Datuk Khaled Noordin with Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, Dato’ Dr Michael Yeoh 

and Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam. 

Penang Chief Minister Mr. Lim Guan Eng with ASLI CEO Dato’ Dr Michael Yeoh. 

Japanese Ambassador Horie, Tunku Dato Yaacob, Mrs. Yvonne Chia and Mr. Tomlinson of VISA. 

Dato’ Dr Michael Yeoh, Tan Sri Kishu Tirathrai, Dato’ Joseph 

Adaikalam, Dato’ Krishnan Tan, Dato’ Razman Hashim. 

Japanese Ambassador Horie, Country Heights Deputy Chairman Tan 

Sri Lee Kim Yew, Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding, British High Commissioner 

Boyd McCleary, Tan Sri Hashim Ali and Dato’ Razman Hashim at an ASLI 

lunch. 

Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah (extreme right), Dato’ Syed Amin Aljeffri, 

Mr. Max Say, Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding, Dato Sri Abdul Wahid Omar. 

The ASLI team at the Banking Summit. 

ASLI’s Vice President Max Say with Pos Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri 

Aseh Che Mat and Home Ministry Secretary General Dato Mahmood 

at the Malaysia-China Friendship Evening in Beijing. 

Bank Rakyat Chairman Tan Sri Dr Syed Jalaludin, Dato’ Aziz Bakar 

Chairman AirAsia and Mr. Max Say. 

14

EVENTS HIGHLIGHT 

ASLI’s Senior Vice President Ms. Jean Wong with former Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. 

ASLI CEO Dato’ Dr. Michael Yeoh having a discussion with the Prime Minister of Thailand HE Abhisit 

Vejjajiva. 

Mr. Max Say, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, Dato’ Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and General Tan Sri Hashim 

Ali at the Malaysia-China Business Forum. 

Tan Sri Tay Ah Lek and Public Bank Senior Management team at the Banking lunch. 

Standard Chartered Bank CEO Julian Wynter, Datuk Eddy Chen, Tan Sri Othman Moricen. 

ISIS Director General Prof Dr Mahani, Mr. Tan Kai Hee and Dato’ Majid Khan. 

Dato’ Majid Khan, Dato’ Kenneth Eswaran and EPF CEO Tan Sri 

Azlan Zainol at ASLI’s Banking Summit. 

Dato’ Dr. Michael Yeoh, General Tan Sri Hashim Mohd Ali, Tun Daim 

Zainuddin and Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew in Beijing. 

Well-known Actor Jackie Chan greeting guests at the Malaysia- 

China Friendship Evening in Beijing. 

Tun Daim Zainuddin and Dato’ Dr Michael Yeoh, at the Malaysia- 

China Business Forum in Beijing. 

The CEO panel at the Best Employers Seminar (L-R) Mr Stephen A. 

Cokkinias, General Manager, The Ritz-Cariton Kuala Lumpur , Dato’ 

Sri Che Khalib bin Mohd Noh, President/CEO, Tenaga Nasional 

Berhad, Mr K. Don Premaseri, Managing Director, Federal Express 

Services (M) Sdn Bhd. 

15 

CEO of SP Setia Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin receiving the certificate for the 

top 10 Best Employers in Malaysia from Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

THE 11th MALAYSIA 

STRATEGIC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE 2009 

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin with ASLI President Mr. Mirzan Mahathir, Senior VP/ 

COO Ms. Jean Wong and CEO Dato Dr Michael Yeoh. 

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin presenting a memento to Datuk Eddy Chen, Managing Director of Metro Kajang 

Group as Corporate Sponsor of the Summit, looking on are Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Mr. Mirzan 

Mahathir and Dato Dr Michael Yeoh. 

Tan Sri Ir. Md Radzi Mansor, Trustee of ASLI presenting a memento to the Chief Minister of Penang Mr. 

Lim Guan Eng. 

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah with Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam and Dato Dr Michael Yeoh. 

The Malaysia Strategic Outlook Conference is an annual conference 

organised by the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) at the 

beginning of each year to take stock of key challenges and issues facing 

the Malaysian economy in the coming year. 

The 11th Malaysia Strategic Outlook Conference was held on 15th January 

2009 at Istana Hotel Kuala Lumpur. It was officiated by Tan Sri Muhyiddin 

Yassin when he was the Minister of International Trade and Industry. In his 

Official Opening & Keynote Address, the Deputy Prime Minister addressed 

2 issues - firstly, the present crisis and the role of financial markets. As we 

know, markets are an effective and logical means of organising economic 

activity, but they are far from perfect. They require Governments to impose 

calm and order. Secondly, the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned about the 

institutional changes that are being introduced to support private economic 

activities. These measures are necessary to ensure that the changes and 

innovations we introduce in response to an increasingly difficult economic 

environment will be efficacious and have some permanency, said the 

Deputy Prime Minister. 

The Deputy Prime Minister further mentioned that up to November 2008, 

although there was some evidence of slowing economic activity, there was 

no reason for the Government to hit the panic button. This is not to suggest, 

on the other hand, that the Government has adopted an overly rosy 

perspective about prospects for the future. “We are aware of the severity 

of the slowdown in the economies of our major trading partners. We are 

also aware that given the close integration of the global economy, it will be 

a matter of time before we ourselves will experience the full impact of this 

global downturn.” The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that we do have 

a realistic appreciation of what is happening around us. 

So we are adopting a cautious approach as we enter 2009. We are also 

aware that we should waste no time to put in place a number of additional 

measures to support and enhance the resilience of our economy. These 

are designed to achieve two strategic objectives. First, to ensure that 

Malaysian companies retain their competitiveness, that is their skills, 

marketing networks and supply chains. Second, we want to make sure that 

they will be ready to capitalise on opportunities when the global economy 

eventually recovers. 

The former Minister of Finance Tengku Tan Sri Razaleigh Hamzah 

delivered a Special Luncheon Address on “How Malaysia Can Cope With 

and Overcome the Effects of the Global Economic Crisis”. Malaysia is 

squeezed between being the low cost manufacturer we once excelled as, 

and the knowledge-intensive economy we are failing to become. Our years 

of sustained high growth ended in 1997 with the Asian Financial Crisis. 

With the subsequent rise of China and India as low cost producers with 

giant domestic markets, the manufacturing sector which propelled that 

growth is being hollowed out. 

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam (Centre) with his panel speakers – on his right: Dato Dr Gan Khuan Poh, Immediate 

Past President, Malaysian Economic Association, Mr. Hussain Najadi, Chairman & CEO, AIAK Group; on his 

left: Ms Karen Albertson, President, American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, Prof Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin, 

Director General, ISIS Malaysia. 

16 

Dr Rajah Kumar, President of MICCI (center) with his panel speakers – Datuk Eddy Chen, Managing Director, 

Metro Kajang Group, Mr. David Wong, Chairman, Pikom (on his right); Dato Sabri Ahmad, Chairman, Malaysia 

Palm Oil Board and Prof Dr Siah Mei Ling, Professor, Universiti Malaya (on his left)

THE 11th MALAYSIA 

STRATEGIC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE 2009 

ASLI Director Puan Sri (Dr.) Susan Cheah greeting the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. 

Mr. Mirzan Mahathir and Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin 

Yassin. 

Foreign Ambassadors and Diplomats at the Conference. 

The only long term path to prosperity is increased income through increased 

productivity. Sustained productivity growth is the engine of China’s unbroken 

run of high growth. Our failure to increase productivity and working incomes 

has been masked by an influx of cheap labour. That cheap labour has 

become another crutch for us, said Tengku Razaleigh. In his concluding 

speech, Tengku Razaleigh said we need to restore confidence in our basic 

institutions, our leadership, the integrity of the Federation, the rule of law 

and our national Constitution. This will create vital economic confidence 

needed to unleash credit, investment and consumption, and get everyone 

working. We need to restore confidence in Malaysia. 

The Chief Minister of Penang Mr. Lim Guan Eng in his speech focused 

on Penang. The highest investments achieved in Penang’s history was 

RM9.467 billion (January-October 2008), and the highest domestic 

investments achieved in Penang history was RM4.894 million (January- 

October 2008). Penang ranked No. 3 in terms of number of projects, No. 

1 in terms of domestic investments, No. 4 in terms of FDI (after Sarawak, 

Johor and Selangor), and No. 3 in terms of total investments (after Sarawak 

and Johor). For information, he also mentioned some major projects 

approved from January to August 2008. In his concluding speech, the Chief 

Minister spoke on the global financial situation where all around the world, 

businesses are taking a long, hard look at their future plans, particularly 

any ambitious schemes to expand or restructure. Stock markets are in 

turmoil, banks in crisis and credit increasingly tight. Factories the world 

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam with Corporate Sponsors of the Summit (left to right): Manfred G Von Nostitz, 

Senior Advisor; Pascal Najadi, Deputy Chairman & Deputy CEO, AIAK Group; Hussain Najadi, Chairman 

& Chief Executive Officer, AIAK Group, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam. 

are badly hit. The manufacturing and supporting industries are expected to 

experience a slowdown. 

Among the topics discussed in this 2-day interactive event were on 

Malaysia’s Economic Outlook - New Challenges Facing the Malaysian 

Economy, Making Sense of Malaysian Politics - Where Do We Go From 

Here? Arab-Middle East Perspective on the Malaysian Economy - What is 

on the Mind of Arab Investors? Sectoral Outlook: What are the Emerging 

Trends and Prospects in Key Economic Sectors, and lastly a Special 

Presentation by the Ministry of Agriculture & Agro-based Industry on 

“Driving Agriculture: Making Agro-based a Key Economic Engine”. 

Other Invited role-players and distinguished speakers are Dato’ Dr. Gan 

Khuan Poh, President, Malaysian Economic Association; Ms. Karen 

Albertson, President, American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce; Prof. 

Dr. Mahani Zainal Abidin, Director General, ISIS Malaysia; Tan Sri Ramon 

Navaratnam, Chairman, Centre for Public Policy Studies, ASLI; Datuk 

Eddy Chen, Managing Director, Metro Kajang Group; Dato’ Sabri Ahmad, 

Chairman, Malaysian Palm Oil Board; Mr. David Wong, Chairman, PIKOM; 

Prof. Dr. Sieh Mei Ling, Adjunct Professor, Universiti Malaya; Dr. Rajah 

Kumar, President, MICCI; and Mr. Karim Raslan, Chief Executive Officer, 

KRA Group. The sponsors of the conference are AIAK Group, Cisco System 

Malaysia, Metro Kajang Holdings Berhad and the UEM Group. 

Tunku Abidin Tuanku Muhriz Director Malaysia Think Tank, The German Ambassador Dr. Guenter and 

Mr. Hussain Najadi. 

Former Finance Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah delivering the Luncheon Address. 

17

MALAYSIA EDUCATION SUMMIT 

Higher Education Minister Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin having a light moment with Tan Sri Dr 

Jeffrey Cheah and Dato Dr Michael Yeoh. 

Chairman of ASLI, Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah presenting a memento to the Minister of Higher Education, 

Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin whilst CEO / Director of ASLI Dato Dr Michael Yeoh looks on. 

Mr. Karl-Peter Schoenfisch, Director of Hanns Seidel Foundation receiving a memento from the Minister 

of Higher Education, Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. 

The 13th edition of the Malaysian Education Summit was recently held on 17-18 March 

2009 at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa. Jointly organised by ASLI and CPPS, this year’s 

Summit attracted about 200 delegates representing key industry players from private 

& public sector tertiary institutions, government bodies & policy makers, scholarship 

& education foundations, international & private schools, teachers’ councils & unions, 

parent-teacher associations, partner companies & organisations of universities and 

colleges, private sector & industry experts as well as foreign embassies & high 

commissions. 

Themed “Building a World-Class Malaysian Education System: Challenges and 

Opportunities in a Global World”, Summit discussions centred around key issues such 

as the implications of globalisation and knowledge-based economy on education, as 

well as quality standards, creativity and innovation in driving the education system 

forward. It also opened up fresh discussion threads on distance & open learning and 

the strengthening of university governance & leadership. 

During the Keynote Address, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Minister of Higher 

Education, highlighted the importance of creativity and innovation to the growth and 

development of knowledge by illustrating the implementation of the National Higher 

Education Strategic Plan outlined by the government. The plan is meant to provide 

a holistic approach towards a strategically managed change and is slated to provide 

enhancement to the national higher education sphere. 

In the opening session on “Education and Globalisation: Preparing Young Malaysians 

for a Globalised World”, Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abd Razak, Vice-chancellor of Universiti 

Sains Malaysia, voiced his concerns on the existing preconceived ideas of the system 

and how it is similar to one that was formulated in the 20th century. He also argued 

that higher education needs to tackle the issue of availability of resources to ensure 

that knowledge is constantly nurtured without trade-offs. Prof. Robin Pollard, Pro Vice- 

Chancellor & President of (Malaysia) Monash University spoke on the definition of a 

University, according to Oakeshott (English philosopher) who argued that university 

teachers themselves should be learners who are engaged in the learning process 

which is other than what they teach. Mr. Jean-Francois Jadin, Deputy Chairman & 

Head of Education Committee of EUMCCI, shared that the reality of the business 

sphere is the increase use of technology and this is coupled with an ever-changing 

environment, needing higher learning institutions to have the capacity to react to these 

situations. Mr. Tay Kay Luan, Director, ASEAN & Australasia of ACCA, spoke on the 

volatility of the world, issues in bridging the gap and the challenges faced in preparing 

young Malaysians for a Globalised World. The session was moderated by Tan Sri 

Ramon V. Navaratnam, Pro Chancellor of Sunway University College & Chairman of 

CPPS. 

Tan Sri Dato (Dr) Ramon V. Navaratnam, Pro Chancellor of Sunway University College addressing a session. On 

his right is Tan Sri Dato Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, Vice-Chancellor of USM and his left is Prof. Robin Pollard, Pro 

VC & President, Monash University. 

The second session on “Enhancing Quality of Higher Education and Tertiary Institutions 

for National Competitiveness” was moderated by Prof. Zita Mohd Fahmi, Deputy 

CEO of Malaysian Qualifications Agency. Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi, 

Director-General of Department of Higher Education, spoke on the strategic initiatives 

in enhancing quality of higher education in Malaysia. In order to remain in the chasing 

pack of globalisation, change is needed in enhancing quality of higher education. This 

change is represented in the seven strategic thrusts in the National Higher Education 

Strategic Plan. Prof. Dato’ Dr Ibrahim bin Ahmad Bajunid, Senior Vice-President 

(Academic Affairs) of INTI University College, argued that there is a need to clarify 

on the ownership of national education agenda, whether it is a system-ownership 

or an institutional-ownership, or ownership of individuals who are involved in the 

education sector. Ms Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director of Sunway University College, 

spoke on enhancing quality in higher education from a private institution perspective. 

She suggested changes to enhance the quality of higher education in private Higher 

Educational Institutions in the future that included the harmonisation of private and 

public institutions, increase of academics with doctorate degree, and accelerating 

decision-making processes such as in introducing new programmes, course audit, 

among others, would enhance national competitiveness. Dr Abdul Rahman Md Aroff, 

Professor, Faculty of Educational Studies of Universiti Putra Malaysia, began by noting 

the importance of increasing competitiveness of higher education in order to develop 

further and subsequently prosper in the global consumer market. He cautioned of the 

danger in cultivating the culture of conformity in expense of creativity in the pursuit of 

producing best ‘test-takers’ instead of birthing innovators and creative thinkers. 

In the next session “Education for National Unity: How Can Malaysian Schools 

Promote National Unity?”, Dato’ Leela Mohd Ali, CEO of Yayasan Budi Penyayang 

Malaysia, provided an overview of the national vision policy which aims to establish a 

progressive and prosperous Bangsa Malaysia. Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Principal 

Research Fellow, Institute of Ethnic Relations of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said 

that fundamental issues of national unity, in regards to the structural issues of race 

and ethnic relations need to be addressed and it goes beyond the vernacular schools. 

We need to consistently, clearly and systematically recognise and appreciate minority 

cultures, linguistics and cultural backgrounds. Mr. T. Kuna Cegeram, Deputy Secretary- 

General of NUTP, spoke on the sensitive issues of race and language, especially in 

schools. The government had taken many steps to promote national unity in national 

schools, however, racial polarisation in schools and language barrier remained as 

the big hurdle in attempting to further promote national unity. Rev. Dr Hermen Shastri, 

General Secretary of Council of Churches Malaysia & Former Member of National 

Unity Advisory Panel, felt that the need for serious attention to teachers’ training 

to promote values we wish to instil and argued for the importance of providing the 

platform of understanding the language, cultures and religions of others in formal 

education. Prof. Datuk Dr Chiam Heng Keng, Commissioner of SUHAKAM & Former 

ASLI Vice President Mr. Max Say having a word with Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah whilst ACCA’s Mr. Tay Kay 

Luan looks on. 

18 

From L to R: Dr Abdul Rahman Md Aroff, Professor, Faculty of Educational Studies, UPM; Prof. Dato Ir. 

Dr Radin Umar Sohadi, D-G, Dept. of Higher Education; Prof. Zita Mohd Fahmi, Deputy CEO, MQA; Prof. 

Dato Dr Ibrahim Bin Ahmad Bajunid, Senior VP (Academic Affairs), INTI University College and Ms. 

Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director, Sunway University College.

MALAYSIA EDUCATION SUMMIT 

Prof. Datuk Dr Chiam Heng Keng, Commissioner of Suhakam moderating a session. On her right are Mr. T. 

Kuna Cegeram, Deputy Sec-General, National Union of Teaching Profession; Dato Leela Mohd Ali, CEO Yayasan 

Budi Penyayang M’sia; and her left are Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Principal Research Fellow, Institute of 

Ethnic Relation, UKM; and Rev. Dr Hermen Shastri, General Secretary, Council of Churches Malaysia. 

L to R: Dato Siva Subramaniam, Commissioner of Suhakam; Prof. James Chin, Head, School of Arts & Social 

Sciences, Monash University and Mr. Karl-Peter Schoenfisch, Director of Hanns Seidel Foundation. 

Mr. Karl-Peter Schoenfisch, Director of Hanns Seidel Foundation charting with the German Ambassador, 

HE Dr Guenter Georg Gruber. 

From L to R: Dato Prof. Dr Ahmad Bin Hj Zainuddin, Director of Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT), 

Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub, Chairman of the Board of Directors, University Malaya and Prof. Emeritus Dato Dr 

Mohamed Mahyuddin Mohd Dahan, Deputy President of Academic & Research, Unitar. 

Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, Chairman of ASLI Tan Sri Dr Ramon V. Navaratnam, Chairman of ASLI’s Centre 

for Public Policy Studies and Dr Parmjit Singh, Chairman of APPIIT. 

Professor at Universiti Malaya served as moderator for this session. 

During the final session for the first day, “International Schools: A Notable Model for 

Holistic Education?”, Mr. Christopher M Bell, Executive Chairman of Brighton Education 

Group, highlighted 10 key features of international schools that could be adapted 

by public schools despite differences their respective cost infrastructures. Mr. Nigel 

Cumberland, Board Member & Treasurer of International School of Kuala Lumpur, 

spoke on the seven secrets of international schools that included the culture of critical 

thinking & creativity and diversity in learning opportunities. Prof. R. Gopinathan, 

Academic Director of Fairview International School, spoke on the past and present 

practices of the international school and eventually focused on the future in the context 

of a notable model in holistic education. 

The second day of the Summit opened with a session on “Bridging the Urban-Rural 

Knowledge Gap in Malaysia” which was moderated by Prof. James Chin, Head, 

School of Arts and Social Sciences, Monash University Sunway Campus. Dato’ Siva 

Subramaniam, Commissioner of SUHAKAM & Former Secretary-General of NUTP, 

argued that there were many pitfalls in the current education system and stressed on 

the need for the government to rectify the problem, specifically in addressing the ruralurban 

knowledge gap in Malaysia. Mr. Karl-Peter Schoenfisch, Director, Hanns Seidel 

Foundation, shared on the experiences from the foundation’s perspective of capacity 

building projects across Asia to promote education through formal and non-formal 

sector in various Asian countries, such as in Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, 

China and Thailand. 

In session six on “Education for Creativity and Innovation: How Can Thinking 

Individuals be Developed within the Knowledge Economy?”, Dr Albert Bravo-Biosca, 

Research Fellow, National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), 

UK introduced NESTA as the largest single endowment in the UK exclusively devoted 

to innovation with the aim of transforming the UK’S capacity for innovation. He 

highlighted a study that showed innovative behaviours can be developed in young 

people, provided that teaching styles and approaches are introduced to facilitate this. 

Dr Haniza Yon, Principal Researcher, Center for Measurement and Psychometrics, 

MIMOS Berhad highlighted the objectives of MIMOS’ Knowledge School (K-School) 

Solution and MIMOS Innovative learning system. It was argued that K-School 

encourages innovation and creativity among teachers and this allows opportunity of 

sharing best practices. Dr Irene Tan, Director of the Center for Learning Excellence, 

USCI University discussed the context, framework and challenges of promoting the 

elements of creativity and innovation for higher education in Malaysia. She felt that 

challenges in education for creativity remained in shifting from teacher-centred to 

student-centred learning processes, with the need of training educators in a systemic 

manner and internationally designed curriculum. Dr Ronald Battle, Visiting Professor 

Prof. Jarlath Rondyne, VC of Sunway University College with Ms. Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director of 

Sunway University College. 

at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia & Member of Harvard Alumni Club Kuala Lumpur 

served as the moderator for this session. 

In the seventh session entitled “Education for All: Expanding Access through Non- 

Traditional Modes of Education of Distance and Open Learning” moderated by Mr. 

U.K. Menon, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Strategic Planning and Continuing Education 

of Wawasan Open University, Prof. Dato’ Dr Ansary Ahmed, President/CEO of Asia 

e-University highlighted government priorities for higher education such as increasing 

access, high quality education at a low cost and balancing between nationalism and 

globalism. Hence, ODL and eLearning are increasingly seen as key to providing 

a blended approach to the concerns of access, costs and notion of quality and 

standards as it is becoming a preferred option for the wider student population. Prof. Dr 

Abtar Kaur, Professor, Faculty of Education & Languages of Open University Malaysia 

shared a case study that illustrated the current learning model of face to face learning, 

online learning and self-managed learning being blended into a full online learning, 

with incorporation of discussion forums, podcasts, blogs and other mobile learning 

processes. 

At the following session on “German Education Success Factors: Insights for 

Malaysian Educationists”, H.E. Dr Guenter Georg Gruber, Ambassador of Embassy of 

the Federal Republic of German, Malaysia was invited to share the German concept 

in education which focuses on the objective of children/learners becoming individuals 

who are innovators, decision-makers, leading figures with social skills and value 

system among others. 

The final session on “Institutional Pillars: Strengthening the Institutions of Leadership” 

was moderated by Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub, Chairman of the Board of Directors, 

Universiti Malaya. Dato’ Prof. Dr Ahmad bin Hj. Zainuddin, Director of Higher Education 

Leadership Academy (AKEPT) explained the concept of university governance which 

is linked to management, as university governance operates at many levels in the 

university context. The objectives of AKEPT are to strengthen these governance 

and organisational capabilities and ensure the challenges highlighted earlier would 

be overcome. Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr Mohamed Mahyuddin Mohd Dahan, Deputy 

President of Academic & Research Division of UNITAR stressed that basic leadership 

competencies which encompasses behavioural competencies, management 

competencies, innovation leadership, and effective leadership, are needed to ensure 

institutions’ academic integrity and reputation remain intact. The challenge remains 

on balancing quality and academic development and at the same time, satisfy the 

shareholders interests without compromising stakeholders’ vision and mission. 

19

ANTI-CORRUPTION SUMMIT 

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam and Datuk Paul Low, President of TI-M together presenting a memento to 

Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department after his speech while Dato Dr 

Michael Yeoh looks on. 

Datuk Paul Low and Dato Dr Michael Yeoh welcoming Mr. Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang at 

the Summit. 

Some of the guests accompanied the Minister to the VIP holding room. From left Dato Haji Abu Kassim 

Mohamed, Deputy Chief Commissioner of MACC, Datuk Paul Low, President of TI-M, Dato Dr Michael 

Yeoh and Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam. 

The Anti-Corruption Summit, with the theme “Zero Tolerance for Corruption,” 

has provided a timely opportunity for policy and decision-makers in the 

public and private sectors to update the importance of incorporating 

good ethical practice and transparency, promoting greater awareness of 

accountability and responsibility in management practices and setting up 

acceptable benchmark standard in good corporate governance, with the 

objective of eradicating corruptions and unethical practices. This summit 

was aimed at building a National consensus towards zero tolerance for 

corruption. It brought together prominent experts in the field to share their 

insights and perspectives on how to better encourage good ethics in both 

the public and private sectors. 

The Anti-Corruption Summit was jointly organised by ASLI and 

Transparency International-Malaysia on March 30-31, 2009 at the Sime 

Darby Convention Centre, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. 

Corruption still remains rampant around the world, not solely in the 

developing world and certainly not in Malaysia alone. However, efforts 

of containing it have been put in place by the Government. Since 

the establishment of ACA to its replacement, MACC, the road to 

eradicate corruption seems like a never-ending path. This journey will 

be smoother and swift if we put in collaborative effort of Government, 

Creating a Corporate Culture for Combating Bribery session with Dato Dr Michael Yeoh, CEO & Director 

of ASLI, Datuk Paul Low, President of Transparency International – Malaysia and Mr. Mohd Azhar Osman 

Khairuddin, Senior General Manager, Legal & Corporate Affairs Division of PETRONAS. 

private institutions, investors, civil society organisations, and other 

stakeholders as stated by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, then Minister in the 

Prime Minister’s Department in his Opening Keynote Address. He also 

added that corrupt practices are usually attributed to the private sector 

as the “giver” and the public sector as the “recipient”, in order to secure 

or expedite matters with government. That is why the solution to the 

problem of corruption in this country lies not just in ensuring a clean 

government administration but also a clean private sector. 

Dato’ Haji Abu Kassim Mohamed, Deputy Chief Commissioner of MACC 

in his remarks stated that conflict of interest arises when there is a 

conflict between the private interests of a public official and public duty. 

He added that organisations should identify areas of potential conflicts 

of interest and they should develop a clear code of conduct and promote 

it to all staff (e.g. acceptance of gifts and benefits). He also stated that 

organisations should develop policies and procedures for identifying 

and dealing with conflict of interest and they should make sure all of 

their staff and elected officials are aware of conflicts of interest and 

what are their responsibilities. Dato’ Haji Abu Kassim concluded that 

organisations must clearly state who is responsible for receiving conflict 

of interest disclosures and fully documenting any disclosures made. 

Dato Abd Wahab Maskan, Group COO of Sime Darby Berhad and Dato Mohamed Iqbal, Executive Director 

of Farlim Group (M) Sdn Bhd were among the invited guests who attended the event. 

From left Mr. Cyrill Pinso Tan, CEO of Borneo Conservation Trust, Dato Kok Wee Kiat, Chairman of Environment 

Quality Council (EQC) Malaysia, Tan Sri Salleh Mohd Nor, President of Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Eng. 

Gurmit Singh K.S., Chairman of Center for Environment, Technology & Development, Malaysia (CETDEM) 

20

ANTI-CORRUPTION SUMMIT 

Dato Saw Choo Boon, Chairman of Shell Malaysia and Mr. Caesar Loong, Director of EU-Malaysia 

Chamber of Commerce and Industry during Q & A session. 

Conflicts of interest – The latent part of Corruption session together with Mr. Lim Chee Wee, Vice President of 

Malaysian Bar, Mr. Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang and Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Khas, Chairman of 

Tradewinds Corporation Berhad. 

Datuk Haji Talib Zulpilip, Chairman of the Sarawak Economic 

Development Corporation stated that effective and transparent public 

procurement is desirable and achievable. However, he added that for 

this to take place, we should accept that there must be a major change 

in the environment in which public procurement operates. Maintaining 

the integrity of the process is a useful step. This is what we can do at 

individual level - a noble human effort. 

Dato’ Saw Choo Boon, Chairman of Shell Malaysia in his presentation 

stated that Shell Business Principles are not just nice to have. We 

live by them and in situations where we are not able to practise these 

principles fully, we choose not to do business. He added on that Shell 

will constantly work on them and their goal is to reach a “zero corruption” 

state, where each and every person in the organisation exhibit absolute 

integrity in the exercise of his functions. Even when a staff has the 

opportunity to take a bribe, whether one that is offered, or one which he 

can ask for easily, he should be so MOTIVATED that he will REFUSE to 

do so. He concluded that it is our goal to reach this state and we have 

been relentless in improving our employee value proposition throughout 

the years to be in keeping with the changing needs of our employees. 

Among the distinguished role-players were Datuk Paul Low, President 

of TI-M, Mr. Mohd Azhar Osman Khairuddin, Senior General Manager, 

Legal & Corporate Affairs Division of PETRONAS, Datuk Dr Mohd Tap 

Salleh, President of IIM, Dr David K. L. Quek, President-Elect of Malaysian 

Medical Association (MMA), Mr. Abdullah Abdul Hamid, Executive Director 

of Transformation Management Office (TMO) of Khazanah Nasional 

Berhad, Dato’ Kok Wee Kiat, Chairman of Environment Quality Council 

(EQC) Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor, President of Malaysian 

Nature Society (MNS), Mr. Cyril Pinso Tan, CEO of Borneo Conservation 

Trust, Ir. Gurmit Singh K.S., Chairman, Centre for Environment of 

Technology & Development, Malaysia (CETDEM) Mr. Caesar Loong, 

Director of EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Datuk 

Eddy Chen, Patron & Past President of REHDA, Ms Fatimah Merican, 

Executive Business Services Director of ExxonMobil Subsidiaries in 

Malaysia, Mr. Aziz Manas, Chief Internal Auditor of Pos Malaysia Berhad, 

Mr. Lim Chee Wee, Vice President of Malaysian Bar, Mr. Lim Guan Eng, 

Chief Minister of Penang, Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Khas, Chairman of 

Tradewinds Corporation Berhad, Mr. Atul Bhargava, Managing Director of 

INTEL Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. 

Effectiveness and Transparency in Public Procurement session with Dr David K.L. Quek, President-Elect of the 

Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh, President of Institute of Integrity Malaysia 

(IIM) and Datuk Haji Talib Zulpilip, Chairman of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, Sarawak. 

Datuk Eddy Chen, Patron & Past President of Real Estate & Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) 

answering questions from the floor while Ms. Fatimah Merican, Executive Business Services Director of 

ExxonMobil Subsidiaries in Malaysia and Mr. Caesar Loong, Director of EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce 

and Industry looks on. 

From left Mr. Atul Bhargava, Managing Director of INTEL Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Dato Haji Abu Kassim 

Mohamed Deputy Chief Commissioner of Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) 

One for the album from left Dato Dr Michael Yeoh, CEO of ASLI, Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Khas, Chairman of 

Tradewinds Corporation Berhad, Mr. Atul Bhargava, Managing Director of INTEL Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Mr. Lim 

Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang, Datuk Paul Low, President of TI-M, Dato Haji Abu Kassim Mohamed 

Deputy Chief Commissioner of Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Datuk Eddy Chen, Patron & 

Past President of Real Estate & Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA). 

21

HUMAN RESOURCES SUMMIT 

Puan Sri (Dr) Susan Cheah, Director of ASLI presenting a memento to Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam whilst 

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Chairman, Centre for Public Policy Studies looks on. 

Datuk Dr S.Subramaniam addressing questions from delegates during the Dialogue Session. Seated with 

him are Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam and Puan Sri (Dr) Susan Cheah. 

Dato Siva Subramaniam, Advisor, CUEPACS & Commissioner, Suhakam; Mr. Stewart Forbes, Executive 

Director, Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce & Industry; and Tuan Haji Shamsuddin Bardan, 

Executive Director, Malaysian Employers Federation. 

Entering into its 10th edition this year, ASLI’s National Human Resources 

Summit took on the theme “Charting Human Resource Development for 

Business Sustainability and Beyond” and was held on 27 April 2009 at 

the Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur. The Summit had attracted 

the participation from Human Resource practitioners representing 

private corporations, industrial associations as well as non-government 

organisations. 

Increasingly, Malaysian organisations are finding themselves in a conflicting 

situation where they would need to strive for sustainability and growth amidst 

tightening budgets and a challenging business climate. Organisations should 

be prepared to chart a course through the trying downturn to emerge as fitter 

competitors and be ready to sprint ahead of the pack when the economy 

eventually goes on an upswing. To this end, the 10th National Human 

Resources Summit was held to provide the ideal avenue for senior HR 

professionals representing public and private Malaysian sectors to share 

thoughts, raise issues and brainstorm on solutions to key questions and 

challenges. 

During the official opening of the Summit, Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, Minister 

of Human Resources, stressed on the importance of human capital and its 

role in strengthening the nation’s economic resilience against an increasing 

challenging external environment. Besides outlining the Government’s action 

plans and the various schemes that have been introduced so far, Datuk 

Dr Subramaniam also advised HR practitioners against neglecting human 

capital development efforts during these trying times. Instead, they were told 

that a paradigm shift was needed whereby a forward-looking approach was 

needed in planning grooming and managing the workforce. 

The panelists (L to R): Mr. Adzhar Ibrahim, Head, Human Resource Development; DIGI Telecommunications 

Sdn Bhd; Mr. Sam Haggag, Country Manager, Manpower Malaysia (Chairperson); Dr Mohd Kamal Khir, 

CEO, Institute of Bankers Malaysia (IBBM) & Deputy President, MIHRM; and Ms. Persis Mathias, Talent and 

Leadership Practice Lead, Hewitt Associates Malaysia. 

The Summit then proceeded with an impactful programme by providing 

industry updates, hands-on knowledge via case studies and thoughtprovoking 

discussions on topics such as Current Issues in Malaysian Human 

Resource Development and the National Action Plan for Employment (2008- 

2010), Salary & Reward Schemes - The 2009 Benchmark and Emerging 

Trends, Employee Engagement: Achieving High Performance and Managing 

Under Performers, HR Challenges and Strategies in a Downturn - Delivering 

Real Value to the Organisation, A Workshop Approach to Talent Management 

- Developing a Talent Pipeline to Fuel Growth, Talent Development 

& Management Strategies in Action and Managing an Organisation 

Redeployment Exercise - A Workshop Approach. 

The panel of speakers, panelists and moderators was made up of 

experienced HR consultants & practitioners from various industries, 

senior representatives of industrial & professional association as well 

as training and certification bodies. They were Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Ramon 

V. Navaratnam, Director of ASLI, Dato’ Siva Subramaniam, Advisor 

of CUEPACS & Commissioner of SUHAKAM, Dr Mohd Kamal Khir, 

CEO of Institute of Bankers, Malaysia & Deputy President of Malaysian 

Institute of Human Resource Management, Dr William Wan, Managing 

Director of TalentPlus Asia Pacific, Mr Adzhar Ibrahim, Head of Human 

Resource Development of DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd, Mr. Michael 

Drawhorn, Country Manager - Malaysia & Singapore of Towers Perrin, 

Mr. Nigel Cumberland, Founder & CEO of STG Group, Mr. Sam Haggag, 

Country Manager of Manpower Malaysia, Mr. Stewart Forbes, Executive 

Director of Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 

Mr. Thomas Chow, Immediate Past President of Malaysian Association 

of Human Resource Consultants & Managing Director of Professional & 

Organisation Development Sdn Bhd, Ms Kala Kularajah, Director of Hay 

Group Sdn Bhd, Ms Persis Mathias, Talent and Leadership Practice Lead, 

Hewitt Associates and Tn Hj Shamsuddin Bardan, Executive Director of 

Malaysian Employers Federation. 

ASLI’S PROPROSALS FOR BUDGET 2010 

HUMAN CAPACITY FOR THE NEXT GROWTH STAGE 

Towards A 21st Century Smart Nation: Intelligent, Innovative, Inclusive 

• In the 21st Century, the key focus will be more on being Smart and Smartest 

instead of being Big or Biggest. We should focus on becoming an intelligent, 

innovative and inclusive nation. 

Building an Intelligent Human Capital for a Smart Nation 

• To become a Smart Nation, we need to institutionalise Excellence and 

Meritocracy. Meritocracy should be the key prong of our Human Capital 

Development. Merit should be a primary basis for admission into universities 

and promotion of university lecturers. 

• To become a Smart Nation, we need more foreign expertise. Malaysia 

should target bringing in 5,000 foreign experts every year and accord them 

and their families permanent residence status. 

• Greater effort should be given to promoting e-learning at the work place 

with internet and computer-assisted learning for further upgrading of 

skills. E-learning allows companies to shift the training paradigm. Instead 

of bringing employees to the training room, we bring the training to the 

work force. A National Competency Framework for e-learning should be 

established. Virtual learning is the way forward to building a smarter, more 

innovative work force. 

• We need to promote continuous learning and open distance learning. This 

will facilitate working people with the opportunity to seek self-improvement. 

Open Universities should be given more encouragement. Tax deductions 

should be considered for those pursuing courses at approved Open 

Universities. For example, India has 1.8 million students enrolled in its Open 

University. 

22

THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF 

“MALAYA’S FIRST YEAR AT THE UNITED NATIONS” 

ASLI COO Ms. Jean Wong welcoming HRH Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, Crown Prince of Perak to the Book 

Launch. 

L to R: Book Co-Editors; Dr Ooi Kee Beng, Tawfik Tun Dr Ismail, HRH Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, USA Ambassador 

HE James Keith, ISEAS Director Amb. K. Kesavapany and ASLI Director Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam after the 

launching of “Malay’s First Year At The United Nations”. 

L to R: USA Ambassador HE James Keith, HRH Raja Muda of Perak, 

Raja Dr Nazrin Shah and ASLI Director Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam. 

The official launch of the book entitled, “Malaya’s First Year at the United 

Nations” was held on 20 January 2009. This book is a compilation of Tun Dr 

Ismail Abdul Rahman’s letters to the first Prime Minister, YTM Tunku Abdul 

Rahman. Tun Dr Ismail was Malaysia’s first Permanent Representative to 

the United Nations and first Ambassador to the United States of America. He 

was subsequently appointed Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. This book 

was co-edited by Dr Ooi Kee Beng and Mr. Tawfik Ismail. 

The event was jointly organized by the Asian Strategy and Leadership 

Institute (ASLI), The Institute of South East Asian Studies (ISEAS), Mr. 

Tawfik Ismail and Dr Ooi Kee Beng. The Guest of Honour at the above event 

Mr. Tawfik Tun Dr Ismail expressing his thanks to HRH Raja Dr Nazrin 

Shah while Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam looks on. 

ISEAS Director Amb. K. Kesavapany presenting the book to USA 

Ambassador HE James Keith after the launch. ISEAS is the book 

publisher. 

was His Royal Highness Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, the Raja Muda of Perak Darul 

Ridzuan who graced the event. 

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam spoke on behalf of ASLI and Ambassador K 

Kesavapany spoke on behalf of ISEAS. Mr. Tawfik Ismail spoke on behalf of 

the family of Tun Dr Ismail. The US Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr. James Keith 

officially launched the book. More than 200 guests attended the function. 

Amongst them diplomats, senior officials from the government and private 

sector, members of the family of Tun Dr Ismail and friends and associates of 

the late Tun Dr Ismail. 

ASLI’S PROPROSALS FOR BUDGET 2010 

HUMAN CAPACITY FOR THE NEXT GROWTH STAGE (cont.) 

• To encourage life-long learning and to upgrade skills of the work force, 

excess capacity at night in universities, colleges and schools can be turned 

into night classes for adult learning and reskilling. 

Building an Innovative Thinking Society for a Smart Nation 

• To promote innovation, Government should allocate more research 

grants to both public and private universities. A University Grant System 

as practised in UK, Australia and other countries should be developed to 

enhance quality research. 

• To enhance continuous upgrading of skills and to equip our work force 

with the right set of innovation and strategic thinking skills for the future, 

companies should be given double deduction for all training courses and 

not just for limited approved courses. 

• Government should forge a strategic tripartite partnership between 

Government, Industry and Academia to develop a 21st Century curriculum 

that will prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. Curriculum review 

should focus on enhancing skills in strategic thinking, creativity, innovation, 

information technology and global knowledge. 

• We urge the Government to re-establish 15-20 old premier English schools 

and convert these into Centres of Academic Excellence and premier 

schools using English as the medium of instruction. Some of these premier 

schools can be privatised. 

• We need a concerted effort to bring in outstanding foreign universities 

or a consortium of universities to establish branch campuses. Special 

consideration should be given to attracting top Japanese, US and German 

universities to set up branch campuses in Malaysia that will promote 

Innovation and Creativity. 

Human Capital Development Should Also Be Inclusive 

• Social inclusiveness should be another strategic thrust for the development 

of a Smart Nation to ensure the poor and needy are not left behind. 

Educational vouchers should be given to the poor and needy of all races. 

The innate intelligence of the poor should be developed. Hence, human 

capital development needs to be inclusive. 

• Tax incentives should be given to private universities and colleges to 

encourage them to expand and upgrade their facilities as well as to provide 

more scholarships for the poor and needy especially those from rural 

areas. 

• Government should engage the Third Sector to promote and develop 

social enterprises to develop human capital at the grassroots level. Social 

entrepreneurs should be encouraged to focus on training and education in 

their own communities. 

• A National Apprenticeship Framework should be developed to focus on a 

nation-wide apprenticeship scheme involving Government and Industry. 

The German and Japanese models can be studied and evaluated. Such a 

National Apprenticeship Framework can provide more opportunities for the 

poor and needy. 

Conclusion: With a Smart Curriculum We Can Bring Students to the 

Work Force Earlier 

• Finally, we propose that the number of years in schools can be reduced 

so that we can have more people joining the work force earlier. In primary 

schools, the number of years can be reduced to 5 years as most pupils will 

have gone to kindergartens or preschools. Pre-university courses (STPM) 

can be reduced to just a one-year National Matriculation Programme. Pupils 

should also begin schooling at 6 years instead of the present 7 years. 

• Tax rebates should be given for greater IT usage, including tax deduction 

for purchase of smart phones like BlackBerry. 

23

ASLI HOSTS CHINESE DELEGATION 

Vice Minister International Department Communist Party of China, Mr Liu Hongcai with ASLI CEO Dato Dr 

Michael Yeoh and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Dept. Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. 

ASLI CEO Dato Dr Michael Yeoh presenting a memento to the CCP Vice Minister Mr Liu Hongcai. 

Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon with the CCP Vice Minister Mr Liu Hongcai and former Deputy MITI Minister Mr 

Ng Lip Yong. 

ASLI recently hosted a dinner discussion with a visiting delegation from the 

Communist Party of China who was invited by UMNO to attend the UMNO 

General Assembly. 

The delegation which was led by the Vice Minister of the International 

Department of the CCP had earlier paid a courtesy call on Dato Sri Mohd 

Najib Tun Razak, the new UMNO President. 

The dinner was also attended by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department 

Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, former MITI Deputy Minister Mr. Ng Lip Yong, Joint 

Group photograph with the visiting CCP Delegation. 

Co-Chairman of Malaysia-China Business Council Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, 

MCBC Joint Secretary-General Datuk David Chua and former MCA President 

Mr. Tan Koon Swan. During dinner various suggestions were discussed on 

how to strengthen people-to-people relations between the two countries. 

Earlier this year, ASLI also hosted a delegation from the Hunan Academy of 

Social Sciences led by its President who is also Vice Chairman of the Hunan 

Province People’s Consultative Council. 

MCBC Joint Chairman Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew and Mr. Tan Koon Swan former MCA President at the Dinner. 

The ASLI team calling on the Chinese Ambassador HE Liu Jian. 

OPEN BUDGET INDEX 

The Open Budget Index 2008 is an index that rates countries on how open 

their budget books are to their citizens. 85 countries around the world are 

ranked in this initiative, and Malaysia is included in the index for the first 

time. The OBI provides citizens, legislators, and civil society advocates 

with the comprehensive and practical information needed to gauge a 

government’s commitment to budget transparency and accountability. 

Armed with this kind of information, lenders, development advocates 

and aid organizations can identify meaningful budget reforms needed in 

specific countries, and increase the impact of their development work. 

The Open Budget Index 2008 was calculated by the International Budget 

Project based on detailed questionnaires completed by local experts in 

85 participating countries from every continent. The Centre for Public 

Policy Studies conducted this research in Malaysia, and Malaysia scored 

35% in the Open Budget Index 2008. The Index assesses the availability 

of key budget documents, the quantity of information they provide, and 

the timeliness of their dissemination to citizens in order to provide reliable 

information on each country’s commitment to open budgeting. 

The aim of the Open Budget Index 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. This launch will highlight key 

issues in the OBI and more broadly, issues pertaining to the challenges, 

strengths, weaknesses and opportunities to enhance accountability 

structures of the budget. 

ASLI’s center for Public Policy Studies was the Malaysian partner for this 

study. 

The Centre for Public Policy Studies is an independent and non-partisan 

public policy institute that aims at fostering open-minded dialogue, 

enlightened leadership and better governance. The belief underpinning 

the establishment of the CPPS is that the challenge of building a 

cohesive, competitive and successful multi-racial Malaysian society can 

best be met by open discussion buttressed by rigorous analytical work 

and a spirit of tolerance and respect for the needs and aspirations of all 

stakeholders in the country. 

24

DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES: 

RETHINKING STRATEGIES, SURVIVING CHALLENGES 

ASLI CEO Dato Dr Michael Yeoh presenting a memento to Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik. 

The recent turmoil in the financial market has a familiar ring. Whether it is 

the crash of 1987, 1997 or the unraveling of the dotcom mania, the world 

economy has grappled with a succession of financial crises over the past 

two decades. And yet, each time the global financial apparatus withstood 

the onslaught and, it would appear, come back stronger and more robust 

than before. 

The global financial crisis, brewing for a while, has really started to show 

its true colours. Around the world, stock markets have collapsed, financial 

institutions have fallen or been bought out, and governments in the 

wealthiest of nations have had to doll out stimulus packages worth billion 

of dollars as the global financial meltdown affects everyone and anyone. 

SEDAR Institute, together with Wawasan Open University (WOU) and 

the Centre of Public Policy Studies (CPPS) organized a forum on the 

Global Financial Crisis in Malaysia, with the theme Diverse Perspectives: 

Rethinking Strategies, Surviving Challenges on 10th April 2009. More 

than 160 participants, including politicians, CEOs, civil society advocates, 

investment bankers and students attended this public forum which was 

held at WOU KLRO. 

Khaw Veon Szu, the Executive Director of SEDAR Institute, in his welcoming 

speech, explained the main objective of the forum is to localize the crisis by 

relating it to Malaysia and creating awareness on its implications. 

Tun Dr. Lim Keng Yaik, in his keynote address, warned everyone on the 

severity of the crisis. He cautioned that Malaysia can no longer take 

comfort in its strong economic fundamentals as the nature of the crisis has 

created much distress to our export based economy. With global demand 

dropping, Malaysia being the third most export dependant economy in Asia 

will be severely affected. 

Tun Lim also exhorted the government to be just and transparent in its 

implementation of the stimulus package because the future economic 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Dept. Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon with Wawasan Open University Deputy Vice 

Chancellor Mr. Menon and Dato Dr Michael Yeoh. 

security and prosperity hinges on the ability of the nation to weather 

this crisis. He called on a participatory and consultative approach to 

governance. 

The first panel discussion which included Dato’ Dr. R Thillainathan, Dato’ 

Dr. Michael Yeoh, and Datuk David Chua touched on the importance of a 

social safety net and the needs of every Malaysian must be considered 

and met. The panel also warned that the stimulus package should have 

been aimed at protecting jobs rather than creating new ones which will 

be challenging at best. Malaysia must now forge forward with special 

emphasis on ethical governance and answer the challenge of globalization 

by embracing the challenges and not move centrifugally. This session was 

moderated by Dato’ Mah Siew Keong, Gerakan National Vice-President 

and Central Economic Bureau Chairman. 

The second panel discussion brought together Mohd. Hafiz Noor Shams, 

Paul Selva Raj and Tricia Yeoh. It was moderated by Gerakan National 

Youth Chief, Lim Si Pin. The panel propounded that Malaysia needs to 

examine new ways of governance and doing business and refrain from 

adopting the old ways of opaqueness once we get out of the crisis we find 

ourselves in. It is vital to recognize that there has to be a concerted effort by 

all parties to create a just, democratic and economically equitable society 

that does not exclude anyone. The panel also cautioned the government 

to be judicious in its spending and also warned consumers to spend 

within their means and not get trapped by debt. The people must be brave 

enough to change their ways of thinking, by open and taking responsibility 

for their actions, and the government must recognize this and appreciate 

the values of accountability and transparency. 

In his closing remarks, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, Minister in the Prime 

Minister’s Department advised all parties to take heed of the messages 

forwarded during the conference and make a real attempt to change for 

the better. 

THAILAND’S PRIME MINISTER OFFICIATES 

6th ASEAN LEADERSHIP FORUM (cont. from page 5) 

Other prominent speakers include Thailand’s Minister of Natural 

Resources and Environment, Mr. Suwit Kunkitti; former ASEAN 

Secretary-General Rodolfo Severino; former Thai Commerce Minister, 

Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee; Tourism Malaysia’s Acting Director-General 

Dato’ Amirruddin Abu; CIMB Thai Bank President and CEO Mr. Subhak 

Siwaraksa; Thai AirAsia CEO Mr. Tassapon Bijleveld; Prof. Said Irandoust, 

President Asia Institute of Technology and Mr. Charnchai Charuvastr, 

Chairman, Siam Paragon & President, Thailand Institute of Directors; Mr. 

Benjamin Quinones, President, Coalition of Socially Responsible SME’s 

in Asia; Dr. Robert Yap, Co-Chairman, ASEAN Business Advisory Council 

and Chairman/CEO, YCH Group Singapore; Mr. Mark Devadeson, 

President and CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Thailand; and Mr. Karl- 

Peter Schoenfisch, Regional Director, Hanns Seidel Foundation. 

In his Welcoming Remarks, ASLI CEO Dato’ Michael Yeoh spoke 

of the 5E’s and 5I’s challenges facing ASEAN – Economic growth 

and competitiveness, Education, Employment, Energy security, 

Environment sustainability, Infrastructure, Innovation, Investment, 

Integration and Imbalances. 

There is general consensus among speakers that ASEAN needs to 

integrate more quickly. There is also a view that ASEAN is overdependent 

on a few countries and regions outside the region such 

as USA and Europe. The suggestion was for ASEAN to reduce 

dependence on Western market. 

In conclusion, Prime Minister Abhisit underscored ASEAN’s combined 

market of over 550 million people and its combined GDP of over 

US$1.5 trillion and external trade of over US$1.66 trillion makes 

ASEAN a force to be reckoned with. As Chair of ASEAN, he called 

upon the private sector to “participate in, contribute to and enjoy the 

benefits from the deepening integration of our economies”. 

25

SARAWAK BUSINESS SUMMIT 

Chief Minister of Sarawak, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud being greeted by ASLI CEO Dato Dr Michael 

Yeoh and Tan Sri Radzi Mansor, Trustee of ASLI Foundation and Chairman of Telekom Malaysia Berhad 

upon arrival. 

The Chief Minister with some of the VIP guests attending the event. 

Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Conference opening with ASLI CEO 

Dato Dr Michael Yeoh. 

The Sarawak Business Summit 2009 with the theme “Towards 

Sustainable Development for Continued Prosperity, Growth and 

Stability” was organised on January 20-21, 2009 at the Hilton, Kuching, 

Sarawak. The Summit was officiated by the Chief Minister of Sarawak 

Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud and the Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk 

Patinggi Tan Sri Amar Dr George Chan delivered the Closing Keynote 

Address on the second day. 

The personal participation and support by the State Government 

leaders has ensured the success of this Summit which has been the 

premier Business event in Sarawak. This Summit was held early in the 

New Year to enable participants to take stock of Sarawak’s progress and 

strategic challenges amidst the global financial turmoil. 

Sarawak remains a vibrant and attractive investments destination 

despite the global economic crisis. The Sarawak Business Summit 

brought together leaders from Government and Business to evaluate 

key trends and strategic issues that will have an impact on the State’s 

growth, progress and continued prosperity. 

This year’s summit was most appropriate at this juncture when Sarawak 

is striving to build a modern and diversified economy by repositioning 

ASLI Director Puan Sri (Dr) Susan Cheah presenting memento to Tan Sri George Chan, Deputy Chief 

Minister of Sarawak after his Closing Address. 

itself in the light of new challenges according to Pehin Sri Haji Abdul 

Taib Mahmud the Chief Minister of Sarawak during his Opening 

Keynote Address. He added that by strengthening the energy efficiency 

(EE) initiative, of encouraging productive and prudent use of energy 

resources is imperative with the current depletion of energy and rising 

costs. The initiation of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy is to 

transform Sarawak into a developed state by 2020. He added that this 

initiative is aimed to reduce economic disparity, boost infrastructure and 

provide conducive environment for new industries. At state level, the 

Chief Minister states that, Sarawak government has actively pursued its 

economic diversification policy to ensure investors remain attracted to 

the State. Numerous incentives have been made available to accompany 

those made by the Federal Government to foreign investors. Competent, 

productive and skilled workforce remain one of the important factors 

in providing attractive economic climate and therefore the Sarawak’s 

Ministry of Industrial Development has taken the initiative to work 

closely with education institutions in the country. 

Sarawak as according to the Chief Minister will relax its autonomous 

immigration laws to allow migrant workers to be employed in a 

“controlled manner” in various sectors when implementing the SCORE. 

He added that the need for foreign workers would be dictated by the 

Datuk Haji Talib Zulpilip, Chairman of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, Tan Sri Datuk Amar 

Leo Moggie, Chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad & President of Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Tan 

Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Haji Abdul Aziz Hussain, Group Managing Director of Sarawak Energy Bhd. 

Capturing the “MICE” market session with Mrs. Jill Henry, CEO of Sarawak convention Bureau, Puan Sri 

(Dr) Susan Cheah, Director of ASLI and Mr. Stuart Pack, CEO of Golden Horse Palace Bhd. 

26

SARAWAK BUSINESS SUMMIT 

Special Panel Session with Dr Ernst Roeder-Messell, Counselor for Economic, Commercial and 

Environmental Affairs, Embassy of Germany, Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Hamid Bugo, Chairman of Sego Holdings 

Sdn Bhd and H.E. Masahiko Horie the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia. 

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr. George Chan with ASLI Vice President Mr. Max Say. 

Ms. Christina Foo, Director of the Board of CPA Australia Limited and Dato Peter Ng, President of UCSI 

University. 

demand for specific workforce. He continued that when SCORE is fully 

implemented by 2030, some 1.5 million workers will be employed to 

meet the demand of all the industrial sectors especially the 10 priority 

industries in Sarawak. 

In his concluding remarks, the Chief Minister stated that joint effort from 

all stakeholders would be paramount, to ensure the sustainability of 

growth to Sarawak would persevere. He added that while we address 

the current predicament we are in, along with the short term future, it 

would be a grave mistake to ignore the unquestionable potential for 

Sarawak to become a 21st century powerhouse not just in Malaysia, but 

in the Southeast Asia region in the long run. This does not limit into its 

potential to exploring its natural resources alone but also its’ potential of 

becoming a holistically developed state, economically, environmentally 

and culturally. 

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Deputy Chief Minister of 

Sarawak in his closing address stated that Sarawak continuing focus 

on sustainability of racial harmony, unity and stability has more or 

less boosted the confidents of foreign investments into the county. 

He added that it may sound mundane to talk about racial harmony, 

unity and stability again. Yet we cannot assume that these things can 

happen without being nurtured, given focus, and sustained. Harmony, 

unity and stability as he added constitute the most important condition 

if any country is aspiring to enjoy continuous development and high 

rate of growth. Other factors such as resource endowment, high rate 

of savings and investment, and so on are necessary but not sufficient 

conditions. Tan Sri George Chan also stated that we should continue 

to take heed of these prerequisites to nation building to preserve, 

maintain and sustain the present racial harmony, unity and stability 

in future. 

He also concluded that the multi-cultural policy and the unique political 

arrangement in Sarawak have paved the way for greater economic 

development. Coupled with special financial assistance from the 

Some of the participants at the event. 

Federal Government, Sarawak’s economic and social development was 

accelerated in late early 80s. During the mid 1980’s and towards the 

end of decade, Sarawak experienced a fast rate of economic growth 

and development. Today, Sarawak enjoys an economic growth rate 

averaging 8% covering all sectors of the economy and major regions, 

divisions and districts. 

Among the distinguished role-players were Dato Haji Ismawi bin Haji 

Ismuni, Director of State Planning Unit, Sarawak, Dato’ Dr Gan Khuan 

Poh, Immediate Past President of Malaysian Economic Association, Tuan 

Haji Soedirman bin Aini, Director of State Implementation Monitoring 

Unit, Dr Ernst Roeder-Messell, Counselor for Economic, Commercial and 

Environmental Affairs of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, 

H.E. Masahiko Horie, Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan Malaysia, Tan 

Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Hamid Bugo, Chairman of Sego Holdings Sdn Bhd, 

Datuk Hj Talib Zulpilip, Chairman of Sarawak Economic Development 

Corporation, Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Haji Abdul Aziz bin Dato Haji 

Husain, Group Managing Director of Sarawak Energy Bhd, Tan Sri Datuk 

Amar Leo Moggie, Chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad & President, 

Dayak Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Matt Liddy, Director of Business 

Development Asia, Rio Tinto Alcan, Dato’ Ghazali bin Dato’ Mohd. Yusoff, 

Board Member of Malaysian Industrial Development Authority, Datuk Ir. 

Haji Daud Abdul Rahman, Assistant Minister (Promotion & Development 

of Industrial Estates) of the Ministry of Industrial Development, Mr. Alex K 

K Ting, Managing Director of Ting Holdings Sdn Bhd, Mr Affandi bin Keli, 

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Sarawak, Mr. Tony Lau, 

Director of Sales of Naim Cendera Holdings Berhad, Mr. William Wei, 

Chairman of Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association, 

Mrs. Jill Henry, Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Convention Bureau, Mr. 

Stuart J.V. Pack, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Horse Palace Berhad, 

Dato Haji Len Talif Salleh, General Manager of Sarawak Timber Industry 

Development Corporation, Professor Helmut Lueckenhausen, Pro Vice- 

Chancellor and Chief Executive of Swinburne University of Technology, 

Sarawak Campus, Dato’ Peter Ng, President of UCSI University, Ms 

Christina Foo, Director of the Board of CPA Australia Limited. 

27

THE ASIA THINK TANK DIALOGUE REPORT 

In February 2009, the Building a Better Future Foundation and the 

Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) organized The Asia Think 

Tank Dialogue in Hong Kong with the theme “Rebuilding Confidence, 

Restoring Livelihoods”. The primary objective of this Regional 

Workshop - attended by think tanks and strategic thought leaders 

from Hong Kong, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, 

Singapore, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Nepal - was to focus on 

the impact of the global economic crisis on rural communities. The 

emphasis on rural poor was believed necessary because measures 

to address the global economic crisis thus far had been largely 

directed towards rescuing banks and financial institutions, as well as 

assisting the manufacturing, construction and infrastructure sectors, 

with insufficient attention given to rural development. During the twoday 

meeting, there was agreement among the participants that the 

rural sector will be hardest hit by the current economic crisis and 

therefore needed immediate attention. 

• Improving the quality of rural education, including skills training 

and upgrading 

• Land reforms especially for forest-based and interior 

communities 

• Modernization of agriculture to improve rural incomes 

• A community-based monitoring system to ensure better 

accountability and transparency 

• The expansion of micro-finance to include the provision of microinsurance 

in addition to microcredit 

• Provision of clean water and sanitation to rural areas 

• The development of social enterprises and the promotion of social 

entrepreneurship 

• Forging regional partnerships and the sharing of best practices 

• Addressing the digital divide and equipping rural areas with 

computers and Internet access; and 

• Addressing food security. 

The Dialogue noted the gravity of the global economic crisis and the 

impact it has had on jobs, business and investor confidence and how 

it will ultimately affect the rural poor. The experiences of Bangladesh, 

Malaysia, China, Cambodia, the Philippines and Indonesia in rural 

poverty reduction were discussed and noted. There was a consensus 

that more people will be made poorer during the current slowdown. 

It was also the collective view that governments needed to stimulate 

economic growth as well as to create social safety nets to assist the 

poor. Further, it was proposed that economic stimulus plans should 

focus on rural infrastructure and micro-projects to encourage job 

creation in rural areas. 

Besides putting in place the appropriate policies and programmes, 

rural communities could also be assisted by self-help projects. The 

Dialogue heard specific examples of such rural development projects 

which could be replicated in other countries to assist the rural poor. 

Asia’s high savings rate received attention and the meeting recognized 

that Asia held the world’s largest foreign reserves but lacked the 

intellectual resources to effectively manage these financial resources 

well. It was also pointed out that Asia had to move beyond the exportled 

growth model to boost its economy in these times. The promotion 

of domestic consumption was vital as a second engine of growth. 

Growth had to be continually promoted to ensure the multiplier effects 

trickled down. 

Malaysia SUHAKAM Commissioner and Principal Research Fellow at UKM Datuk Dr. Denison Jayasooria, 

Amb. Jiang Chengzong, Secretary General, China National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation, 

Dr. Aris Ananta, Senior Research Fellow, ISEAS and Dr. S Manivasakan, Head, Centre for South and 

South East Asian Studies, University of Madras are amongst the eminent discussants at the Dialogue. 

It was agreed that bold new ideas and fresh ways of thinking were 

required in rural development Strategies and that the Think Tanks 

present at the Dialogue could constitute a permanent regional network 

for sharing best practices and facilitating the further exchange of 

ideas and research. Training and capacity building were cited as key 

success factors in rural development. 

The participants argued that from a macro-perspective, a social 

safety net for the poor was urgently needed, along with relevant 

enabling policies. It was agreed that priority should be accorded to 

the following measures: 

• Developing and enhancing the social security net for the rural 

poor 

• Providing sufficient access to rural healthcare 

Prof. Emeritus Dr. Ariff Abdul Kareem, Executive Director, Malaysian Institue of Economic Research, Dr. 

Raymond Atje, Head, Department of Economics Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) 

Jakarta and Mr. Sam Moon, Executive Director, Building A Better Future Foundation reflecting on issues 

at the Dialogue. 

CONTACT INFORMATION 

ASIAN STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE 

(a subsidiary of the non-profit ASLI Foundation) 

“Khazanah ASLI” 1718, Jalan Ledang, Off Jalan Duta, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: (603) 2093 5393 Fax: (603) 2093 3078 http://www.asli.com.my Email: dmyeoh@asli.com.my 

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