In a world that is being urbanized and digitized exponentially, there’s multiple challenges, but also opportunities.
Every year, Smart Cities Asia convenes a qualified crowd of industry executives, government leaders, investors and entrepreneurs to move cities towards a better future.
Discover the future of smart cities at the 11ᵗʰ Smart Cities Asia 2025.
Join industry leaders and innovators to accelerate collaborative implementation for sustainable urban development.
Chief Executive Officer, National AI Office (NAIO), Malaysia
A Research Master's graduate in Engineering from the University of Melbourne, Australia, is celebrated for his exceptional track record in digital transformation and growth. With over two decades of international experience, he has spearheaded innovative advancements across various industries, successfully bootstrapping startups and driving innovation within corporate and public sectors. His efforts have been recognized with prestigious awards from organizations such as GovInsider (Singapore), IDC (USA), APICTA (Malaysia), and iAwards (Australia). Passionate about leveraging technology and innovation, Sam is committed to creating meaningful impact for society and the environment
Head of Centre for Smart City Planning, Central Zone Project Office, PLANMalaysia, Malaysia
Ms. Syarifah Nuraida is a highly accomplished urban, rural, and regional planning professional with over 20 years of experience at PLANMalaysia. Throughout her distinguished career, she has achieved significant milestones, including receiving the Excellent Service Award and national and international recognition for excellence in planning practices. Notably, Ms. Nuraida played a pivotal role in preparing the National Rural Physical Planning Policy, which garnered acclaim at the MIP Planning Excellence Awards in 2016. Her expertise also extended to the East Coast Rail Line Integrated Land Use Master Plan Study (PeGTaECRL), honored with the Merit Award at the ISOCARP 2022 World Planning Congress in Brussels, Belgium. In 2021, her exceptional project management skills were recognized with the Best Project Manager award for the Identification Study of Development Areas, mandated by the Town and Country Planning Act (Act 172). As the Chief of the Smart City Planning Centre at PLANMalaysia in 2024, Ms. Nuraida has been a key figure in promoting Malaysia's 'Smart City Agenda Towards a Smart Nation 2040'. She has delivered presentations and announcements to various national and international agencies, including those in Singapore, China, Korea, Japan, and the USA. Her efforts aim to guide Malaysian Local Authorities in achieving Smart City Recognition criteria and to elevate Malaysia's standing as a smart nation globally by 2040. Currently, Ms. Nuraida's international achievements include being invited as a 'Hosted Guest' at the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) 2024 in Hangzhou, China. There, she will deliver a briefing and serve as a panellist on 'Public Governance and Livelihood Scenarios: Shaping Harmonious and Prosperous Urban Development'. During this event, she also assisted the Director General of Town and Country Planning in preparing successful papers and interviews for the 'Region Smart City Awards 2024: Leadership Categories - Expert by Tomorrow City, Fira Barcelona'. Ms. Syarifah Nuraida is deeply passionate about advancing sustainable planning practices and remains committed to making a positive impact on the communities she serves.
Deputy Director of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Department, Energy Commission
Mr. Norazrin Rupadi currently serves as the Deputy Director at the Energy Efficiency Development Unit, Suruhanjaya Tenaga (Energy Commission of Malaysia). He leads national initiatives including the development of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2.0 (NEEAP 2.0) and oversees the implementation and monitoring of energy efficiency programs under the 11th Malaysia Plan. He plays a key role in enforcing the Efficient Management of Electrical Energy Regulations (EMEER 2008) and evaluating technical proposals for energy-related tax incentives. A technical advisor in drafting the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, Mr. Norazrin also represents Malaysia as the national focal point for Energy Efficiency under the ASEAN EE&C-SSN platform. He holds a Master’s in Energy Management from UNITEN and is active in regional energy cooperation.
Deputy Chief of Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department, Kuala Lumpur Police Head Quarters, Malaysia
ACP Foo Chek Seng has over 35 years of public service, career in law enforcement with the Royal Malaysia Police. With proven experience across a diverse range of disciplines, including Investigation Officer, Prosecuting Officer, and Intelligence Officer within the Criminal Investigation Department. His experience also spans operational city traffic management, professional training, and public relations at the Police Media Centre. With his deep understanding of police operations, he is dedicated to sharing his expertise to shape public perception and define the community's role in building a prosperous and thriving society
Chief Executive Officer of the Ipoh Doughnut Economic Centre, Ipoh City Council, Malaysia
Dr. Zulqarnain Mohamad is the CEO of Ipoh Doughnut Economic Centre. A Perak boy, Dr. Zulqarnain has lived in Perak for the most part of his life. He first served the Ipoh City Council as a planner in various town planning sections such as Planning Research and Development, Development Planning Control, Development Plans, and Special Projects since January 1991. In 2010, he was the Mayor’s Special Officer on Development advising on key development projects and policies for the city. In January 2011, Dr. Zulqarnain was promoted as the Town Planning Director for Ipoh City Council. In December 2018, he was made Senior Director for Planning and Development for Ipoh City Council. On May 9, 2019 the Perak State Government appointed Dr. Zulqarnain as the President of Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council for one year and later extended until his retirement on May 3, 2023. Attended the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Dr. Zulqarnain went on to further his studies in the United States. He went to the University of California San Diego and Arkansas State University before graduating magna cum laude from the University of Southwestern Louisana, Lafayette with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning. He also a holds a Master of City Planning degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his PhD from the International Islamic University, Malaysia, researching on the service quality of the 15 local authorities in the State of Perak, Malaysia. He has presented several papers internationally, including at the 2014 Asia Pacific
Director, Planning and Development, City Council of Penang Island
TPr Gs Mohd Bashir Sulaiman is a town planner by profession and serving as a Director of Planning and Development at the City Council of Penang Island. He holds a Master’s Degree in Project Management from Universiti Sains Malaysia and a Bachelor's Degree (Honors) in Urban and Regional Planning from the International Islamic University of Malaysia. With over a decade of experience in urban planning and project management, TPr Gs Mohd Bashir has led innovative initiatives focusing on smart city design, efficient traffic management, and sustainable urban development. In his previous role as Deputy Director at PLANMalaysia@PulauPinang, he provided crucial advice on land use policies and managed development plan implementations. His portfolio includes significant projects such as the St. Regis Hotel Langkawi, Langkawi International Convention Centre and the East Coast Rail Link, showcasing his expertise in coordinating large-scale developments. TPr Gs Mohd Bashir is also an active participant in various professional organizations and has held leadership roles in student councils during his academic years. Dedicated to advancing Penang’s urban landscape, Mr. Mohd Bashir's vision and leadership continue to drive transformative change in urban planning and development.
Senior Expert in Smart City Promotion, Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), Thailand
Dr. Non Arkara is an award-winning innovator, smart city expert, and global architect driven by a passion for creating more livable and sustainable urban environments. With a diverse background spanning architecture, urban design, anthropology, and public policy, Dr. Non brings a multidisciplinary perspective to addressing complex urban challenges. Currently serving as a Smart City Expert at Thailand's Digital Economy Promotion Agency, he has spearheaded numerous digital transformation and smart city initiatives nationally. This includes launching Thailand's first smart city program and delivering capacity building to 5000+ officials. Dr. Non's unique combination of design, research, and public sector experience enables him to develop human-centered solutions that leverage technology for better quality of life. He is a solutions-oriented visionary dedicated to shaping future cities. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and master's from Oxford University and MIT where he was a Fulbright Scholar.
Managing Director and Founder, Serviceworks Group, New Zealand
Mark leads the smart cities business Serviceworks specialising in city improvement practices, technology-led economic and sustainability developments, and enhanced urban mobility. He is a regular international speaker and commentator on urban issues working throughout the Asia-Pacific. He is Regional Lead of the Smart Cities Council, Co-Chairs NZTech’s Sustainability Board and has been an Advisory Board member of Smart Cities’ Asia. He was a Founding Member of the Smart Cities Council’s Future of Place Taskforce and has wrote the first history of smart cities development in New Zealand. He received the Leadership Award for Outstanding Contribution towards building Smart Cities, the Asia Smart Cities Excellence Award, and was part of the Top 50 Most Impactful Smart Cities Leaders – among other awards.
Executive Director and Chief Sustainable Officer, SmartCT-Philippines, Philippines
Kristel R. Villanueva-Libunao, PMP is a distinguished expert in digital transformation, smart cities, and cyber relations who previously served as Undersecretary and Chief of Staff at the National Security Council of the Philippines. She drives inclusive digital ecosystems through AI governance, cybersecurity, and gender-responsive tech policy, shaping frameworks adopted by governments and international organizations. As Executive Director and Chief Sustainability Offi cer of SmartCT-Philippines and Strategic Engagements Director at FutureCraft in Belgium, she leads fl agship initiatives including Women Peace and Security on Digital Economy research, and AI Ready ASEAN. Her work has earned recognition as a Smart City Disruptor at Smart City Expo Miami 2020, Southeast Asian Women Leader by YSEALI 2021, and Ashoka Philippine Women Social Entrepreneur. With over a decade of policy consultancy with various government agencies, UN University, ITU, and UN Women, she currently serves as digital governance professor at the Development Academy of the Philippines. She holds a Master's in Digital Transformation (Universidad de Salamanca-Spain) and advanced certifi cations from University of the Philippines, New York University, and Pepperdine University-Miami. Through her publications and international speaking engagements, she continues to shape digital governance policy discourse across Asia Pacifi c and beyond.
Head of Data & Digital Products, Smart Cities & GovTech (Indonesia)
Analytics, product management, technocrat & business strategy professional with comprehensive 15++ years of exposure in business, government and technology. Successfully orchestrated & delivered digital transformation in private & public sector. Deliver concrete impacts & digital solutions to Fortune 500 companies and G20 countries. Drive organizations to make better decisions, faster, across levels and functions. Plan, build and commercialise digital and data product portfolio. Actively volunteer in numerous domains to drive concrete impacts in city, society, nation and region. Passionate in talent building, teaching, academic research (including journal editorial board) and philosophical discussion.
Chief Digital Officer, MRANTI, Malaysia
Muhundhan comes with over 20 years of experience in key leadership roles that spans the domains of digital transformation, entrepreneurship, education, healthcare, technology management and organisational capability development. He is a trained Project Management Professional, Information Security Lead Auditor (ISO27001) and Certified Professional Marketer (Asia Pacific). At present he is the Chief Digital Officer at MRANTI (Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation), a government agency mandated to accelerate national R&D commercialisation. He leads a team providing technology business services such as software engineering, human centered design, data analytics and systems and network including 5G, as part of a suite of innovative solutions for MRANTI and its park’s digital evolution. In his previous capacities within the industry and a government agency, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Muhundhan was involved in leading business digital adoption initiatives, spearheading growth of the Malaysian digital economy landscape as well as helping enterprises embrace digital transformation and innovation. His preceding tasks include consulting and advisory roles to the Malaysian government in national policy development for National 4IR policy, MyDigital blueprint, Malaysia Plan and Industry4WD.
Vice President, Head of Sustainable Development and Technologies, MIGHT
Ts. Dr. Mohd Muzzammil Ismail is a commercially driven leader and Professional Technologist (MBOT) with extensive experience in sustainability, smart cities, energy transition, ESG, and strategic development across government, industry, and academia. He has held top executive roles, including Vice President at MIGHT and CEO of Peneraju, spearheading national initiatives, policy roadmaps, and multi-stakeholder partnerships with organisations such as UNDP, UNIDO, and ASEAN Centre for Energy. An adjunct professor at UCSI University and UniRazak, Dr. Muzzammil is recognised for his cross-sector expertise, high-level policy advisory, and advocacy for greener, smarter, and more sustainable futures, having represented Malaysia in numerous international forums.
Head of Business Solution Delivery & Technology Strategy, Digital Nasional Berhad
Ts. Ahmad Shahie Sobry currently serves as the Head of Business Delivery and Technology Strategy at Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), the national entity mandated to lead the implementation of Malaysia’s 5G infrastructure. With more than a decade of experience in solution architecture and digital transformation, he has been instrumental in realising Malaysia’s 5G aspirations through practical, high-impact execution. As a certified technologist and experienced strategist, Ts. Ahmad Shahie has played a key role in some of the country’s most prominent 5G deployment initiatives—driving projects from strategic design to operational delivery. His leadership has been central in bridging policy objectives with on-the-ground implementation, enabling cross-sector collaboration that delivers measurable outcomes for both public and private stakeholders. Recognised for his forward-thinking leadership and deep technical acumen, Ts. Ahmad Shahie offers valuable insights into the effective deployment of emerging technologies to support national priorities, industrial advancement, and digital inclusion
Director (Research and Technical Development Division), MET Malaysia
Mr. Muhammad Firdaus Ammar Bin Abdullah is the Director of Research and Technical Development at the Malaysian Meteorological Department. His expertise is mainly in multi-scale operational Numerical Weather Prediction. His main tasks include advanced research in the improved understanding and representation of weather and climate models of tropical weather systems especially over cities. He was the Meteorological Thematic Lead for the Disaster Resilient Cities Project for the City of Kuala Lumpur involving very high-resolution urban weather model up to 300 m resolution.
Founder and Managing Director of Future LinQ and Senior Advisor of Think City
Ahila Ganesan is a professional architect and ESG strategist with over 25 years of leadership in housing, property development, and urban policy across Southeast Asia. She has held senior executive roles at Sunway Property, Mah Sing Group, and currently serves as Senior Advisor to Think City, a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Future LinQ, advising on sustainability and ESG strategic integration for businesses. She led Malaysia’s first climate adaptation programme for urban areas and is spearheading social housing policy reform, commissioned by the Ministry of Finance, to reimagine social housing through innovative financing, regulatory restructuring and inclusive design. Ahila plays a leading role in the Southeast Asia Climate Adaptation and Resilience (SEACAR) Alliance, launched at COP28 by Think City, WWF and BCG, advancing nature-based solutions and climate resilience across the region. She is also Special Advisor to the ESG Foundation (London).
Chief Technology Officer , Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), Malaysia
Ir Ahmad Nizam, graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in St Louis, USA in 1993. He is a registered Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM). He also holds the Malaysian Advanced Diploma Skills in Electric Train Maintenance. After spending around 2 years in the construction industry, Ir Ahmad Nizam started his career in railways when he served the Kelana Jaya Line LRT in Kuala Lumpur. He held the post of Engineer in the QA & Engineering Department before being promoted to other positions in the department. In January 2011, he was appointed to be the Chief Operating Officer of the Kelana Jaya Line LRT, before being appointed to be the Chief Executive Officer of Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd. In September 2016, he was been appointed as the Chief Infra Services Officer. In June 2020, he joins KTMB as the Chief Technical Officer, taking care of the upgrading and maintenance of KTMB's fleet, track, electrfication, signalling, and IT. Ir Ahmad Nizam is fond in electronics and IT applications which are normally applied to address work-related issues.
Chief Operating Officer, Ranhill SAJ
I joined the water industry in 2004 as a Contracts Manager in SAJ Holdings. After 5 years, I moved to Saudi to manage a leakage reduction contract in Riyadh Ranhill. In 2016, I was appointed CEO of Ranhill Water Services and in 2021, I moved back to Ranhill SAJ as a Director of Network before appointed as COO in 2021. I have 20 years of experience in the water industry, specializing in NRW management
Chief Operating Officer, Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC)
Chuan Boon is the COO of Sidec, where he leads Selangor’s digital transformation and positions the state as a premier digital hub in ASEAN. Since Sidec’s transition into a government-linked company in 2021, he has been instrumental in driving strategic growth and interdepartmental coordination. Under his leadership, Sidec has launched impactful initiatives in digital talent development, startup acceleration, SME digitalisation, and tech investment attraction. Programmes such as the Selangor Accelerator Programme (SAP), E-Commerce Masterclasses, and Jelajah Usahawan Digital have nurtured over 300 startups and generated more than RM500 million in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV). He also oversees strategic projects like the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park and international innovation partnerships. Previously, Chuan Boon was General Manager of the Selangor Information Technology and E-commerce Council (SITEC) from 2015 to 2020, where he helped build Selangor’s tech ecosystem by mentoring startups, fostering SME digitalisation, and leading global missions on smart city development. From 2008 to 2014, he served in the Selangor
Deputy Chief Digital Officer, Johor Corporation (JCorp)
Responsible of advancing JCorp's digital presence strategy while concurrently overseeing innovation practices within the organisation. This endeavor perfectly aligns with JCorp's commitment to cultivating a digital culture characterized by cross-functional skills, open-systems thinking, digital fluency and exponential mindset. The strategic restructuring is well-timed, ensuring that digital outcomes seamlessly align with our overarching aspiration to transform into a Value-Driven organisation.
Deputy Project Director, KUTS, Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
Nor Nasyriq bin Shahirudin possesses over 19 years of extensive experience in the transportation sector, spanning both domestic and international operations. In Malaysia, he has contributed to the development of the MRT1, MRT2, and LRT3 projects. Additionally, he has been instrumental in the Doha International Airport project in Qatar. In October 2020, he joined Sarawak Metro, where he assumed the leadership role of the project team. His primary objective is to collaborate effectively with project partners to ensure the seamless and successful execution of the KUTS project.
Managing Director, TNBX Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia
Razif is the Managing Director of TNBX Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Berhad. He holds Bachelors' Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Masters' Degree in Business Administration from Tenaga Nasional University. Razif is a registered professional engineer with Board of Engineers Malaysia and a registered member of Institute of Engineers Malaysia. He has served Tenaga Nasional for 22 years in various divisions and has vast experience in power plant projects, power and water desalination plant operation and maintenance, green field project biddings, O&M contract biddings and business developments in Malaysia, South East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia and GCC countries. Has worked as an expatriate in Saudi Arabia for 4 years.
Senior Director, Climate Action Group, Malaysian Green Technology And Climate Change Corporation (MGTC)
Puan Norhasliza leads the Climate Action Group at MGTC, overseeing strategies that accelerate Malaysia’s transition to low carbon cities. With over 21 years of experience, she works closely with local authorities and communities to promote green lifestyles and supports the measurement and reporting of GHG emissions by corporates and SMEs. She has played a key role in national sustainability efforts, including the Green Technology Master Plan, Green Tax Incentives, and the ASEAN Energy Management Scheme. Her leadership has also driven the development of state-level initiatives such as the Kedah Green Agenda and Selangor Green Action Plan. She previously served as Project Director for impactful programs like the Government Green Procurement Project and MyRelamp. An alumna of the U.S. Department of State’s IVLP, she holds a Master’s in Strategic Management from UTM and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from IIUM. Her work continues to shape Malaysia’s green growth and climate action landscape.
Director, Institute of Smart & Sustainable Living, Universiti Teknologi Petronas
Professor Ts Dr Shahrina Md Nordin is the Director of Smart and Sustainable Living (ISSL) at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, where she leads strategic initiatives on renewable energy, zero waste, and resilience-building for sustainable communities. She is a Fellow of the Energy Institute (EI), Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), and Professional Technologist (MBOT). She is Project Overseer for the APEC Green Hydrogen Advocacy and Lead Facilitator of the Energy Transition Malaysian Alliance (ET-MAce), providing high-level insights into technology, investment, and policy that support sustainable energy futures. Her leadership in the Professional Alliance of Circular Economy (PACE) underscores her commitment to sustainable business practices. She has delivered keynote, plenary, and panel sessions internationally on sustainability, energy transition, and social innovation, and has led impactful projects integrating sustainability, innovation, and community well-being, which are essential foundations for future-ready smart cities. Her works have received recognitions at national and international levels.
Partner – Cybersecurity & OT Leader Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia
Jaco has more than 20 years of experience in the field of cybersecurity for Information technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT). He leverages IT and Engineering skills and experiences to design, develop and implement controls that support the safeguarding of critical computing systems from cyber threats. He has experience with clients in multiple industries – Oil & Gas, Power & Utilities, Life Sciences, Manufacturing and Financial Services. Selected professional experience. Established an IT/OT Centre of Excellence for a power utility in East Malaysia, enhancing digital convergence strategy and operational efficiency. Conducted Cybersecurity Risk Assessments and developed remediation plans for two power generation plants in West Malaysia, significantly improving infrastructure security. Led comprehensive Cybersecurity Risk & Maturity Assessments and formulated 3-year transformation roadmaps for a water utility, palm oil manufacturer in West Malaysia; Central Bank of Malaysia and two power utilities in East Malaysia, driving cybersecurity maturity and strategic risk mitigation. Led the development of a role-based access control framework and its Proof of Concept for the oil & gas industry's IGA solution in Malaysia, enhancing access security. Oversaw the delivery of managed security services to diverse industries in Malaysia, ensuring robust and continuous security management for clients. Facilitated high-level cybersecurity awareness sessions and cyber response exercises across multiple industries, elevating the cybersecurity acumen of executive teams. Chaired the EY Energy Cyber Smart Connect, promoting cross-industry collaboration among Energy Sector CISOs and Senior Security Leaders to enhance cybersecurity resilience.
Committee Member, Malaysian Smart Cities Alliance (MSCA)
Wendy Leong is a Committee Member of the Malaysian Smart Cities Alliance (MSCA), where she contributes to national strategies on urban digitalisation, inclusive technology, and community resilience. With over 20 years of experience in AI-driven software development, she is also the founder and CEO of Mobiva and Veriva Systems, where she has led the creation of platforms like Mobiva Citizen and Rivastor to support disaster preparedness, civic engagement, and communication compliance. Her work focuses on applying AI and machine learning to address real-world challenges in climate adaptation, healthcare, and digital governance. Wendy has received global recognition, including selection to the LIF Global 2022 by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the WHA77 CHIEF Innovator Award. She is currently a PhD researcher at UKM, and holds an MBA from The University of Manchester. Wendy is a strong advocate for women in STEM and inclusive innovation for smarter, more equitable cities.
Executive Director, Climate Asia
Jasmine has worked with the public and private sectors leading Energy Transition work including major transformation work in the water sector at the Federal and State levels. She is currently spearheading Climate Asia’s ESG strategy business division with a focus on South East Asia.
Director, Workforce Transformation, PwC, Malaysia
Dr. Michele Sagan is passionate about shaping the future and creating a better world. It took her a long time to figure out her purpose but now that she has, she is intent on building human-centric approaches that support the creation of meaningful work. Dr. Michele has 25 years of leadership, management and finance experience both in the UK and Malaysia, bringing critical leadership and management insights with her. Having headed various departments in organisations such as Asia School of Business, the Iclif Leadership and Governance Centre, UBS, HSBC, and CIMB, she has grown business revenues and built client opportunities, managing accounts up to RM2 billion, while also developing expertise in a wide variety of areas. A certified leadership development and human capital strategist and trainer, she has led, consulted, and facilitated on business strategy and human capital projects such as culture, change management, workforce transformation and leadership, working mainly with board of directors and senior management teams. Her clients hail from industries such as Oil and Gas, Construction, Finance, Telecommunication and SMEs and include the US Embassy, EPF, PNB, HSBC, Khazanah, Standard Chartered. CIMB, Axiata, AirAsia, Petronas, Prudential, Bank Negara, Indian Railways and many more. Dr. Michele is also a certified psychotherapist, executive coach and EQ practitioner and have coached thousands of management teams from MNCs, GLCs as well as SMEs. A keynote speaker, she has spoken at various conferences and on radio e.g. The Economist, The Financial Times, Amcham, BFM and more. Topics include Future of Work, Talent Management, Organisational Transformation, DEI, Women Empowerment, etc. Dr. Michele has BSc and an MSc from the London School of Economics, UK and a PHD (Future of Work) from the University of Nottingham. She was a Malaysian JPA, British High Commission and Citibank scholar, and has won various academic awards. She is also a member of the Institute of Corporate Director Malaysia (ICDM), the Malaysian Association of Professional Speakers, and the Malaysian Association of Psychotherapists. She was recognised by the Malaysian Book of Records in 2014 and won the London Book Fair Competition in 2018. She is a 30% Club Mentee for the Board Readiness Mentoring Program and recognised as one of Malaysia's most successful individuals in 2021. In 2023, Dr. Michele won the Movers and Shakers Award by Asia HRD Congress and in 2024, awarded the HR Hot List by HR Inc and the top 250 thought leaders globally by Insight250 and the top 50 HR leaders by PeopleHum. In 2025, she was awarded the Malaysian Women Leader Award.
President, Malaysian Water Association (MWA)
Graduated from the University of Malaya in 1994 with a Bachelor Engineering (Chemical). Mr. Mohamad Hairi has more than 30 years of experience working in the water industry, including industrial wastewater, sewerage, and potable water - covering operations, construction, design, project management, and project development in Malaysia and the region. Throughout the years, he has worked with local and foreign companies, including multinational corporations. He has been actively involved with the Malaysian Water Association, MWA since 2007 and currently serves as the President for 2025/2027 session. Previously, he held the Deputy President for 4 years, Honorary Secretary-General for 6 years, and ordinary council member for the remaining years. He is also a Director of Malaysian Water Academy Sdn Bhd, a wholly- owned training company by MWA. And, founding member of the Malaysia Association for Trenchless Technology (MATT). For his daily job, he is currently the Technical Director with GA Hydrotech.
Honorary Treasurer, Malaysia IoT Association (MyIOTA)
Since starting his first company in 1994, Mr. Pathma has played a key role in Malaysia’s tech industry. In 2004, he founded Promosys Technology, which created the well-known Plant Manager Early Warning System. In 2006, he developed Malaysia’s first locally made Nurse Call System, now used in over 60% of hospitals and exported to five countries. He co-founded AsiaIOT in 2010, which introduced Malaysia’s first Non-Revenue Water Loggers and the Smart Water Area Network (SWANIOT). In 2017, he started CRE8 IOT to provide complete IoT solutions across eight sectors in four countries. In 2023, he launched Lorry System AI to build AI solutions for the transport and logistics industry. His latest focus is Vision Sentinel, an AI and Edge AI technology startup.
Chief Marketing Officer, MSA Resources Sdn Bhd
Marshidah has almost 33 years experiences in telecommunications industry including domestic and international business. She started her career at Telekom Malaysia (TM) and was involved in the startup of Global Business in TM before she joined TIME Telecom as the GM for International & Wholesales business. She was appointed as the Chief Marketing Officer in Global Transit Communications Sdn Bhd before the company was acquired by TIMEdotCom Bhd. Currently, she is the Chief Marketing Officer of MSAR.
Managing Director, China Railway Signal and Communication International (CRSCI), Malaysia
Chad Zhang is the Vice President of CRSCI Asia Pacific and Managing Director of CRSCI Malaysia, bringing nearly a decade of leadership in international railway signaling and communication projects. A registered Railway Signal Engineer, Zhang has held key executive positions within China Railway Signal & Communication Co., Ltd. (CRSC), a global leader in rail transit control technology. He began his senior leadership journey in 2015 as General Manager of the CRSC Design Institute’s Overseas Department, before being appointed Vice President of CRSCI South America in 2019. In 2020, he transitioned to lead CRSCI Asia Pacific, and by 2022, he also assumed the role of Managing Director in Malaysia, driving the company’s regional growth. Under his leadership, CRSC continues to expand its presence in urban transit and international railway projects, contributing to the development of smart, safe, and sustainable transportation systems worldwide.
Managing Director & Smart Sustainable Cities Advisor, Communities Connect Cities (C3)
Laila is a visionary and global futurist leader with over 20 years of experience in the government and private sector. She is the Managing Director of Communities Connect Cities (C3), a leading advisory company in smart and sustainable cities that empowers organizations to achieve their goals and create positive impact. She is also the first appointed executive director in Oman IT Society. She is also a recognized expert and advisor in metaverse, digital transformation, innovation, and tourism, with multiple publications and awards in these fields. With a strong focus on the Middle East, Laila has been instrumental in shaping the smart cities agenda and strategy for various governments, UN organizations, and consulting firms. She is the founder of the Smart Cities Ambassadors program, a global initiative that nurtures and mentors individuals to become leaders in the field. She is also a sought-after global keynote speaker and author, who shares her insights and vision on the future of smart and sustainable cities, metaverse, and tourism. Laila is passionate about creating a better world for everyone through technology, collaboration, and innovation.
Head of Implementation (Southeast Asia) - Climate Action Implementation Programme, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40 Cities)
Huey is Head of Implementation (Southeast Asia) for C40 Cities’ UCAP Climate Action Implementation Programme where she oversees climate action mainstreaming and implementation at Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Quezon City. Prior to joining C40, her experience includes leading the implementation of urban sustainability initiatives at the highly successful National Transformation Program (NTP) of Malaysian Government where systemic transformation has materialized through co-creation of solutions and disciplined implementation rigour. As an experienced management consultant, she has led numerous public policy and transformation projects in Asia and Africa – including the advocacy work with Government of Malaysia in accelerating EV adoption through 30 catalytic incentives, proposed to be financed through targeted fuel subsidy rationalization which saw a 300% increase in EV adoption as outcome. Huey completed her MSc Sustainable Cities in King’s College London on a UK Government Chevening Scholarship and holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Genetics) from University of Melbourne, Australia. She is also a YSEALI Professional Fellow alumni and is fluent in 6 Asian & European languages, essential to cross-cultural understanding and crucial for team and stakeholder influence.
Partner, Ref.Team, Singapore
Michael is the Co-Founder of ReF.Team, bringing over 20 years of experience in multinational ventures. His expertise spans entrepreneurship, management, innovation, digital transformation, Agile processes, and software engineering. Michael has mentored more than 120 startups in Southeast Asia and has been involved in Smart City innovation research. Prior to co-founding ReF.Team, Michael worked as a lecturer and consultant in Southeast Asia. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Thammasat University in Thailand, focusing on Smart City innovation. Throughout his extensive career in technology consulting, he has been involved as a solutions architect with companies such as Pitney Bowes, Motorola, and Accenture.
Vice-president, Global Advisory Lead, Smart Cities Council, Australian-based, Global Organisation
As Smart Cities Council’s Vice-president and Global Advisory Lead, Tom Pennington is a highly regarded senior executive with extensive experience across a breadth of technologies and platforms, from start-ups and scale-ups to some of the world’s largest global enterprises. With a strong foundation in technology engineering, platforms, and systems, Tom brings a deep understanding of each key business lifecycle stage. His proven track record in creating and implementing growth, execution, and sales strategies, as well as operating models, positions him as a thought leader in the global Smart Cities ecosystem. Tom's breadth of industry experience, including Technology, Mining, Resources, Energy, Oil and Gas, Financial Services, Defence, Government, and Manufacturing, provides him with an unparalleled network and wealth of insights and networks not just across the globe.
Managing Director, Stanton Chase Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
Ingo brings with him more than 25 years of Human Resource and Management experience in the Infrastructure-, Aviation-, Railway-, Communication- and Engineering-industries to Stanton Chase´s clients. He began his career as a Project Manager, then moved on to Finance and Controlling and has held Chief Financial Officer and General Manager positions with responsibility for Sales, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Finance, IT and HR. He came to Malaysia in 1995 as Commercial Project Manager for the construction and operation of the STAR LRT line. He joined Stanton Chase after several years with an accomplished Executive Search boutique firm, where he successfully supported SMEs and international groups. Born in Frankfurt/Main, he holds an MBA degree from Strathclyde University in Glasgow and worked for twelve years in Asia and North Africa. He is still a passionate Field Hockey player and is nominated to represent Malaysia in the 2024 Hockey-Veteran´s Worldcup in New Zealand.
Group Chief Strategy Officer, TalentCorp, Malaysia
Nazrul is currently the Group Chief Strategy Officer at TalentCorp where he oversees the strategy development and alignment of the organisation. He works collaboratively with key stakeholders across industry, academia & Government to develop and execute demand-driven talent solutions to meet the current and future talent needs of the country. Prior to TalentCorp, Nazrul spent 18 years in the public sector. Nazrul holds a Masters in Business Administration (Sustainable Development) from the University of Science Malaysia and Bachelor of Science (Business Computing) from Universiti Teknologi MARA.
Visiting Faculty, Indian School of Business, India
Dr. Avik Sarkar is currently associated with the Indian School of Business, working and teaching in Data, Emerging Technology, and Public Policy. At ISB, Dr Sarkar headed the development of the India Data Portal, a one-stop portal for analyzing and visualizing government data and working on the societal & policy aspects related to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence trustworthiness, ethics, data privacy, e-commerce policy, etc. Dr. Sarkar was the former Head of the Data Analytics Cell and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India Aayog), premier policy think-tank of the Government of India. At NITI Aayog, Dr. Sarkar helped in developing India's first AI Strategy and roadmap for the use of data, analytics and artificial intelligence for Governance and policymaking across various sectors for India's inclusive growth and led efforts towards setting up the first High-Performance Computing based Data Analytics Lab and Energy Modeling Unit at NITI Aayog. Dr. Sarkar is a multiple TEDx speaker and was nominated among the "Top 10 Data Scientists in India" in 2017 by Analytics India Magazine and nominated as "LinkedIn Influencer" in the Technology space in 2015 for contribution and engaging discussions on the LinkedIn platform in areas related of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, etc. Dr. Sarkar actively participates in advisory and policymaking roles through various government/multilateral committees like the International Standards Organization (ISO) through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) committee for setting standards for "Artificial Intelligence," United Nations Big Data & Data Science group enabling big data usage across nations, Expert member in the Global Partnership for AI (GPAI), Datasets for Artificial Intelligence committee as part of Indian AI of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), Science & Policy advisory committee of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Punjab Good Governance Fellowship. In the past, Dr. Sarkar had served on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of Census 2021, and Analytics Advisory Committee for Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and was an Advisor for setting up Data Analytics Center of Excellence by the Government of Assam. Dr. Sarkar participates in academic advisor for Delhi Skills and Entrepreneurship University (DSUE), AISECT, Aegis School of Business, and as an Entrepreneurship advisory member of Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Delhi. Dr. Sarkar has over 20 years of experience across different aspects of artificial intelligence, data science, analytics, statistical modeling, text mining, and network analysis across companies like Accenture, IBM, Nokia, NASA, Persistent Systems, Zycus, etc. At Accenture Consulting in Singapore, he contributed to various data and analytics-related engagements with the Singapore Government related to efficient reporting and resolution of municipal issues, evaluation and monitoring of secondary school education, and improving operational efficiency in immigration and customs. While at IBM, Dr Sarkar contributed significantly to developing the Monte Carlo Simulation of SPSS and the Predictive Maintenance and Quality solution for the manufacturing sector. Dr. Sarkar holds a Ph.D. from The Open University, UK, a Master's from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, and a bachelor's from Calcutta University. Dr Sarkar has authored several technical publications and technology patents.
President, Malaysian Electric Vehicle Owners Club, Malaysia
Datuk Shahrol Halmi is the President and Co-Founder of the Malaysian EV Owners Club (MyEVOC). MyEVOC was formed in May 2019 with the intent of creating awareness, dispelling myths around electric vehicles and most of all, represent the users view to both industry and regulatory bodies. Shahrol himself has been an EV driver since 2017. Shahrol was formerly the President and CEO of the Malaysian Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC), a government agency under the Prime Minister’s Department. He was also a Director in the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU), looking after the Energy, Oil and Gas as well as Financial Services sectors for the Economic Transformation Program. Prior to his stint at a wealth management fund, Shahrol was a partner in Accenture, a Management Consulting firm in Kuala Lumpur. He graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Electrical Engineering.
Chief Executive Officer, Quantum Technology Foundation, Thailand
Dr. Jirawat Tangpanitanon is a leading quantum technology expert and the CEO of Quantum Technology Foundation (Thailand). Based in Bangkok, he works with leading STEM talent and corporations to develop innovative optimization solutions using quantum and digital technologies. With a PhD in quantum simulation and a Google Quantum Innovations award, Dr. Jirawat Tangpanitanon has a strong academic background and industry experience. At QTFT, he leads a team focused on delivering optimization solutions in various sectors, including air traffic management, finance, logistics, and energy. Dr. Jirawat Tangpanitanon believes that Thailand and Southeast Asia are well-positioned to become pioneers in quantum optimization and is passionate about driving innovation in the field.
Circular Economy, Chief Sustainability Officer, Waste & Environmental Management Expert Consultant, Chief Sustainability Officer, FIG Metal Industries Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
An expert in circular economy, sustainability, waste management, and environmental management. He serves as the Vice-Chairman of the MPMA Sustainability and Recycling Committees and is the Secretary-General of Koperasi Pengusaha Kitar Semula Selangor Bhd. He holds a PhD in Energy and Environment from Malaysia University of Science and Technology and is currently studying Environmental Law. He is an ELITE Fellow at University Malaya’s Faculty of Science, recognised for his experiential learning with industries. He holds certifications as an Advanced Open Water Diver, Marine Ecologist, and Naturalist from IANTD. He is a panel member of the National Circular Economy Council for Solid Waste and a Subject Matter Expert for the IFC of the World Bank Group, leading a circular economy program for durable plastics. He advises Malaysia’s Ministry of Local Government Development and contributes to UNEP and COBSEA's projects on plastic waste and marine litter in Southeast Asia. He is the Malaysian Delegate to UNEP’s Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics. He has completed the JaIME project on plastics waste management and shares his sustainability expertise through articles, presentations and media appearances. He also serves on various government panels related to environmental sustainability.
Lead, Cities & Advisory, Arup Malaysia
Murali manages Arup Malaysia’s Cities & Advisory practice, and is the Country Facilitator for the Malaysia UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (PACT) programme. He acts as a Sustainability Advisor to urban actors and is the lead author of the publication Creating Future-Proof Cities: How to Navigate the Climate Crisis. Murali has a wealth of experience in crafting urban strategies for social impact and seeing to their successful implementation. He holds a Master in Sustainable Development and has completed a CISL Programme on Shaping a Sustainable Future.
Manager, Strategy & Analytics, Think City, Malaysia
Nadia possesses a solid background in stakeholder management and strategic communications, having delivered these services across diverse industries such as healthcare, financial services, aviation, and philanthropy, among others. At Think City, she contributes to the development of strategic frameworks, actively supporting the organization's objectives of fostering livable and sustainable urban environments.
General Manager Smart City Development Sector, Selangor Industrial Corporation Sdn bhd, Malaysia
Md Fauzan Elham is a seasoned ICT professional with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University, USA. His 30+ years of experience span telecommunications, industrial, enterprise, transportation, and government sectors, making him an invaluable asset. Currently leading one of PKNS subsidiary, Selangor Industrial Corporation's Smart City development, telecommunication, and green energy initiatives, he has spearheaded groundbreaking projects, including Selangor Cyber Valley's Smart Township City, the SELDEC e-marketplace, Broadband internet services and solar rooftop ventures. Beyond his corporate role, Fauzan actively mentors university startups and engages in community centric projects, leveraging smart technologies to uplift local communities.
Managing Director, TNBX Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia
Razif is the Managing Director of TNBX Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Berhad. He holds Bachelors’ Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Masters’ Degree in Business Administration from Tenaga Nasional University. Razif is a registered professional engineer with Board of Engineers Malaysia and a registered member of Institute of Engineers Malaysia. He has served Tenaga Nasional for 22 years in various divisions and has vast experience in power plant projects, power and water desalination plant operation and maintenance, green field project biddings, O&M contract biddings and business developments in Malaysia, South East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia and GCC countries. Has worked as an expatriate in Saudi Arabia for 4 years.
CEO, Malaysia Green Building Council, Malaysia
Mitch Gelber brings a wealth of expertise in architectural design and sustainability to his role as CEO of the Malaysia Green Building Council [malaysiaGBC]. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Design from Columbia University in New York City and a Masters of Architecture from the University of British Columbia. He currently chairs malaysiaGBC’s CarbonScore initiative, a whole-life carbon assessment for existing buildings targeting the total decarbonisation of Malaysia’s building and construction sector. Gelber previously taught at the University of Malaya, School of Architecture and served for more than 10 years as a Green Building Index Certifier and member of the GBI Technical Committee.
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Qmed Asia, Malaysia
Dr. Kev Lim is the CEO & founder of Qmed Asia, a leading B2B Healthtech company in Malaysia, and a former Clinical AI Researcher for Babylon AI. With a strong foundation in both medicine and artificial intelligence, Dr. Kev has driven the development of cutting-edge AI solutions that transform healthcare. His work at Qmed Asia focuses on leveraging AI to enhance patient outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery, positioning the company as a pioneer in the AI-powered healthcare revolution.
Head of Customer Experience, Institut Jantung Negara, Malaysia
Dr. Rhema, a medical doctor by background is currently the Head of Customer Experience at Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), Malaysia. She brings a wealth of expertise in digital health technology and healthcare management. Graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore, India, Dr. Rhema is also a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) and a fervent advocate for patient safety with substantial experience in healthcare quality. Her passion for hospital administration is evident in her pursuing a Masters’ in Healthcare Management (MBAHM). Her growing interest in health information technology, coupled with her clinical background has led her to play a key role in IJN’s digitalization projects aimed at enhancing the overall patient experience. These initiatives include the in-house development of IJN’s novel staff mobile application, IJNPulse and the patient mobile app, IJNCare. Dr. Rhema is also a driving force of IJN’s Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) initiative.
Director of the Central Zone Project Office , PLANMalaysia
Education in Urban And Regional Planning from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Kyushu University in Japan. Work experience includes the preparation of spatial plans, planning guidelines, local plans, planning information systems, and rural planning.
Senior Expert in Smart City Promotion, Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) of Thailand
Dr. Non Arkara is an award-winning innovator, smart city expert, and global architect driven by a passion for creating more livable and sustainable urban environments. With a diverse background spanning architecture, urban design, anthropology, and public policy, Dr. Non brings a multidisciplinary perspective to addressing complex urban challenges. Currently serving as a Smart City Expert at Thailand's Digital Economy Promotion Agency, he has spearheaded numerous digital transformation and smart city initiatives nationally. This includes launching Thailand's first smart city program and delivering capacity building to 5000+ officials. Dr. Non's unique combination of design, research, and public sector experience enables him to develop human-centered solutions that leverage technology for better quality of life. He is a solutions-oriented visionary dedicated to shaping future cities. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and master's from Oxford University and MIT where he was a Fulbright Scholar.
Chief Digital Officer, IT Max Berhad
William Ong has a total of over 18 years of experience in the space of AI, software, and robotics. He has previously worked on projects pioneering new technologies involving AI in Fintech and Digital Twin on a Metropolis scale and is currently involved in AI R&D technologies to do with urban smart cities in creating a safer, cleaner, more efficient, and more resilient space. With a burning passion for all forms of emerging technologies, he aims to bring about a future where automation touches every aspect of life, creating an ecosystem where everyone can thrive.
Chief Technology Officer at Cybersolution Technologies Sdn Bhd
Arina is an experienced digital consultant and currently serves as CTO of Cybersolution Technologies, leading smart city initiatives through public-private partnerships with state governments. With over 15 years of experience in digital transformation, she has been pivotal in developing and overseeing the architecting and development of highly scalable and complex enterprise - level softwares in diverse sectors such as eGovernments, finance, manufacturing, and ERP. Leveraging multitude of technologies, Arina’s global expertise includes key roles at Microsoft Corporation in Washington and Vancouver Canada, where she focused on product development and software engineering. A committed industry advisor, she is also a certified trainer and consults for startups and incubators. She also serves on academic advisory panels at top universities in Malaysia, shaping future tech leaders through curriculum development and mentorship.
City Administrator, City Government of Malabon, Metro Manila
Dr. Alexander T. Rosete is a distinguished and seasoned professional in communication, public administration, and urban housing and development. His extensive background includes human resources, organization development, and humanitarian aid administration. Currently, he serves as the City Administrator of Malabon. He was the Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the Manila City Government-Urban Settlements Office. Before his appointment in Malabon City, he held directorial positions in the Philippine Red Cross, the Philippines’ premiere humanitarian organization. Dr. Rosete holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Management from De La Salle Araneta University (DLSAU), where his dissertation, "Management of Manila’s Land for the Landless Housing Services Program," earned the Best Dissertation award. In 2024, the De La Salle Araneta University Alumni Association honored him as an Outstanding Alumnus in the Government Sector. Throughout his career, Dr. Rosete has demonstrated a solid commitment to academia and professional development. His dedication is evident in his roles as a lecturer and resource person at various institutions, including the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication Graduate School and Professional Development Program, Holy Angel University Graduate School in the Communication Program City of Malabon University School of Graduate Studies. Dr. Rosete's contributions extend globally, evidenced by his extensive publication record and international conference presentations. His research work was presented at the International Conference on Urban Affairs in New York, USA, the Housing Studies Association Conference in Manchester, United Kingdom, and the Joint Asia Pacific Network for Housing Research (APNHR)-Australiasian Housing Research Conference (AHRC) Conference, University of South Australia, Adelaide. Dr. Rosete's extensive experience in consulting, training, and academic endeavors has left a lasting impact on the field. His wealth of experience and knowledge make him a respected figure in his profession, instilling confidence in his abilities.
City of Malabon, Manila, Philippines
Jeannie N. Sandoval currently serves as the Mayor of Malabon City, an exemplary public servant with a strong commitment to good governance. A graduate of St. Stephen's High School (1975-1981), she was recognized as an Outstanding Alumna for public service. She earned her Computer Science degree from De La Salle University-Manila in 1985. Before entering public service, she was a trailblazing businesswoman, leading Watercraft Venture (2001-2013) and Genesis Industrial Gases (2004-2013). Jeannie served as Vice Mayor of Malabon from 2013 to 2019, and was a director at DBP Service Corporation in 2021 and the Development Bank of the Philippines from 2020 to 2021. Beyond her government roles, she actively contributes as Chairperson of the Philippine Red Cross - Malabon Chapter (since 2019) and was President of Soroptimist International of Malabon (2008-2016). In 2022, she became Malabon’s first female mayor, leading projects like the Malabon Ahon Blue Card, recognized by the Development Academy of the Philippines, and the award-winning St. Gregory Homes Socialized Housing Project. She holds the highest mayoral rating in NCR according to RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc.
Director, Driving the Shift, Scania, Southeast Asia, Malaysia
David joined Scania Southeast Asia in 2016, focusing in sustainability, internally lower Scania carbon footprint and, externally Scania customers footprint when drive Scania vehicles. David in his role as in charge of driving the shift towards a more sustainable transport system by developing partnerships to introduce Battery Electric and renewable fuelled vehicles to Southeast Asia with objective to green house gas emissions form the transport sector. Since he joined Scania Southeast Asia in 2016, he has explored renewable fuel projects together with transporters, transport buyers, fuel producers in and government agenises in Malaysia He also successfully introduced Scania’s battery electric trucks to Singapore, the first in Asia. He has been based in Malaysia since 2010 and prior to joining Scania, he worked for Business Sweden, the Swedish Trade and Invest Council where he as a Project Manager and Commercial Liaison to the Asian Development Bank, was in charge of sharing the combined experiences of the Swedish Transportation industry to growing cities in Southeast Asia covering areas such as integrated city planning, Bus Rapid Transit Systems and congestion charging.
Deputy Director of Research, Khazanah Research Institute (KRI)
Dr. Rachel Gong is a Deputy Director of Research at Khazanah Research Institute (KRI). Her ongoing research focuses on digital policy, including digital inclusion, the digital economy, and digital governance. She led the team that produced KRI’s book on digital policy, "#NetworkedNation: Navigating Challenges, Realising Opportunities of Digital Transformation”. Rachel’s primary research interests lie in how digital technologies affect society, and her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Sociological Perspectives, the Journal of Consumer Culture, and the Journal of Technology in Human Services. Her work on “Going Viral: Online Goal Emergence and Adaptation in the Anti-Human Trafficking Movement” appears as a chapter in Communicating for Social Change: Intersection of Theory and Praxis. Rachel graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University and received her PhD in sociology from Stanford University.
Director, Digital Services, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
Mohd Redzuan Affandi Abdul Rahim (Redzuan) is currently the Director of Digital Services Department with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). His key responsibility is to drive and facilitate adoption of digital technologies and digital solutions by the traditional businesses. He is also overseeing the development of Sharing Economy models in Malaysia, addressing key enablers which includes policy and regulations, standards development, and governance. On the governance part, he leads the Secretariat of the Sharing Economy Committee, a newly established, national-level governance structure involving multiple ministries and agencies to address challenges and opportunities relating to the Sharing Economy. His experience includes designing and development of the eRezeki programme, the programme that provides the foundation and catalysed the gig economy development in Malaysia. Via the Global Online Workforce (GLOW) programme, he worked to nurture ‘service-based digital entrepreneurs’, promoting the notion of ‘high-value gig’ as a self-employment model. He is involved in few coordination committees on MSME digitalization in Malaysia and is currently the Vice Chairman for the Technical Committee (TC/3/9) on Sharing Economy in Malaysia. He also represents Malaysia at the global ISO/TC 324 Committee on Sharing Economy. Redzuan holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information System from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, and he is also ITIL certified. He has been active with professional bodies and is a member of the Internet Society since 2002 and was involved in formalizing the Internet Society – Malaysia Chapter where he became the Vice President (2019 – 2020). He is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and previously served as an Executive Committee and Secretary of the IEEE Computer Society – Malaysia Chapter.
(CEO), Malaysian Green Technology And Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), Malaysia
With over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, Ir. Ts. Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor has a deep understanding of the sector. He has played a vital role in developing and implementing strategies to integrate sustainable practices into business operations. His extensive leadership positions in sustainability-related organisations demonstrate his dedication to driving change and accelerating innovation to achieve sustainable development goals. He brings a wealth of industry knowledge and practical experience as an Adjunct Professor at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Council Member for the Professional Alliance for Circular Economy at Universiti Teknologi Petronas, and Country Representative in the ALP Steering Committee at the Asia LEDS Partnership. Ir. Ts. Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor has held prominent leadership positions in organisations such as Sustainable Business Network Association Malaysia, Green Growth Asia Foundation, and Planters Industrial Cooperative and was an HRD Corp Industry Expert Committee member, providing expert guidance on capacity-building training courses. As the GCEO of MGTC, he has spearheaded numerous initiatives that have helped the company become a leader in the green technology space. Known for his inspirational leadership style, he works hard to foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and inclusivity. He believes that with a collective commitment to change, we can create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world for generations.
Head of Sustainability Solutions and Inclusion, Group Corporate Office, TM Malaysia
Majidah Hashim is a certified sustainability practitioner with 17 years of experience in sustainability framework architecture, triple bottom line disclosures, theory of change, disruptive innovation, and transformations. She is also an international speaker and advocate of intersectional social and environmental issues, particularly in the areas of gender equality, human rights, circularity, biodiversity, green transitions, climate ethics and futurism.
Founder & CEO, GOLOG Malaysia
Ivan Chin is the Founder and CEO of Golog, an innovative cold chain logistics platform that is transforming traditional supply chains with data-driven solutions. With experience in procurement and logistics from his time at Samsung Manufacturing, along with managerial roles in the financial sector, Ivan brings a wealth of expertise across various industries. His visionary leadership has positioned Golog as a leader in Malaysia's logistics sector, effectively tackling key distributon challenges while promoting efficiency and sustainability.
Chief Marketing Officer & Co-Founder, DoctorOnCall, Malaysia
Hazwan Najib is the Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of DoctorOnCall. After spending years working and understanding how the digital revolution disrupted various industries, he decided to solve some of the biggest challenges in the healthcare space through digital innovation. He got first-hand experience in creating a digital proposition and innovation in an industry that will continue to evolve and improve the quality of our lives with the birth of DoctorOnCall. Since then, the platform has grown from strength to strength and now provides health information to more than two million users on a monthly basis and thousands of individuals who are looking for personalised medical advice from qualified doctors.
Chief Executive Officer, Melaka Green Technology Corporation
Born in Muar Johor, he is the first of seven siblings. He received his first degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering with a major in Computer Engineering from the University of Science Malaysia in 2003. He received his Master of Science in Built Environment from International Islamic University Malaysia in 2022. He began his career as a Research Officer with University of Science Malaysia (USM) right after graduation. He then being offered to join with Melaka State Government in 2003. With the opening of the Melaka SME Service Center in 2006, he made his major contribution to the development of bumiputera small and medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs by providing technical, financing and grants assistance in collaboration with SMECorp Malaysia. In 2009, he became the secretariat of the Melaka Green Technology Council, which began his involvement in green technology. In 2013, he was directly involved in the transformation of Hang Tuah Jaya Corporation into Melaka Green Technology Corporation, establishing the agency as the state's foremost pioneer in green technology, both nationally and globally. He served for Melaka Green Technology Corporation as the Director of Development.
Vice President, Digital Cities & Health, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
As a national digital transformation leader, Dr Karl has been leading Malaysia’s effort in building a thriving digital economy and data ecosystem that leverage on the power of data for value creation, innovation and new sources of growth. As a self-starter and business Innovation leader, he has track record of more than 27 years’ experience in Government, ICT & Manufacturing sector driving numerous initiatives in areas of Innovation, business strategy, risk capital, startup accelerator, corporate innovation, capability development, R&D and digital transformation. Currently at MDEC, he is the Vice President of Digital Health & Digital Cities where he drives strategic national catalytic initiatives within Digital Malaysia. Dr Karl is instrumental in development of National Big Data Analytics Framework in 2014 and the development of the National Artificial Intelligence Framework resulting in the exponential growth of data professionals, data driven organisations in Malaysia. He also developed the National Data Sharing Policy and currently co-chairs the implementation Technical Committee. Dr Karl has developed and directed numerous programs on the use of data technology in different sectors including smart cities, transportation, agriculture and healthcare. The Malaysia City Brain pilot at Kuala Lumpur City Hall won an Excellence award from OpenGov. The agriculture tech adoption initiative, eLadang was announced as one of the programmes under the national PEMULIH recovery plan post-COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Karl holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from The University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, an MBA with Distinction and a Doctorate of Business Degrees from Charles Sturt University, Australia. He has also completed The Oxford AI Program from the Said Business School, University of Oxford. He has also attended executive programs from Harvard Business School and Carnegie Melon University. He is also a registered Professional Engineer. He sits in advisory boards of several universities & professional bodies in Malaysia. In 2022, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by HELP University. He has served as a judge in international Entrepreneurship and Innovation awards including EY Entrepreneur of the Year Malaysia from 2012- 2016. Dr Karl speaks regularly in regional and international conferences on Digital Transformation & Data Driven innovation.
Vice Chairman II, Malaysia Smart Cities Association
Mohamed Shajahan bin Mohamed Iqbal is a distinguished leader in the telecommunications industry, serving as the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Three-OPP (M) Sdn. Bhd. With over 20 years of experience, he has significantly advanced the local telecommunications landscape, notably pioneering FTTH technology in Malaysia. His leadership has led to successful projects in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, establishing his company as a key player in the region. Shajahan's contributions have been recognized through multiple industry awards, showcasing his commitment to innovation and excellence. Currently, Shajahan is actively involved with the Malaysia Smart City Alliance (MSCA) as Vice Chairman II, where he focuses on promoting smart city initiatives and facilitating collaboration among telecommunications stakeholders. He is also engaged with various standard committees and international organizations, contributing to the development of smart city infrastructure and IoT frameworks. His dedication to enhancing high-speed broadband connectivity and fostering industry partnerships highlights his role as a driving force for progress in the telecommunications sector.
CEO & Co-Founder, Asia Mobiliti
Ramachandran has technology development and entrepreneurial leadership experience in the fields of bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, computing infrastructure, big data and blockchain. One of his earliest start-ups successfully prototyped a real-time crowd-sourced road traffic prediction system, prior to real-time traffic data being available online in mapping apps. A Digerati50 of Digital News Asia, he also serves on the boards of several other innovative ventures.
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