Latest news with #KSIStrategicInstituteforAsiaPacific
Daily Express
01-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
More recognition for Susan
Published on: Friday, August 01, 2025 Published on: Fri, Aug 01, 2025 Text Size: Presents Susan the Asean Lifetime Achievement Award to Susan, witnessed by Majid (left) and Yeoh (right). Kota Kinabalu: Businesswoman and Chinese community leader Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen was awarded the Asean Distinguished Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award by KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, in recognition of her enduring contributions to sustainable business, social development and community leadership. The award was presented by Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, during the Asean Sustainable Forestry Summit held at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort on Tuesday. Also present were KSI chairman Tan Sri Majid Khan and President Tan Sri Michael Yeoh. 'I am truly grateful for this honour and sincerely thank everyone for their support and encouragement, which gave me the opportunity to receive this award. 'It is because of all of you that I've had the love and motivation to fulfil one mission after another and to write one beautiful story after another,' she said. Susan said her greatest dream from the start was to build affordable properties, enabling people to create beautiful homes and begin their life journey through her projects. She recalled an important piece of advice by her late father, Datuk Seri Dr Wong Kwok: 'Winners never quit and quitters never win.' She said, this principle has guided two generations of property developers and community leaders in her family and she hopes it would inspire future generations. Susan emphasised the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of Chinese associations and businesses. She encouraged them to move towards professional management while actively involving and training youth through leadership opportunities and learning platforms. Susan pursued her studies at the University of Toronto before returning to Malaysia to join the family construction business. Together with her father, she helped found the Huang Clan (Jiang-Xia) Association Kota Kinabalu in 1995. While her father served as foundingSS president, she has been secretary-general since its inception. She has held various top roles in key Chinese associations and was eventually appointed as a national-level Chinese community leader, receiving accolades and recognition from the Chinese government. The Asean Sustainable Forestry Summit was organised by KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, a Kuala Lumpur-based independent non-profit think tank founded in 2018. KSI aims to foster collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society. In 2020, it was ranked 109th globally in the category of Top Social Policy Think Tanks. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
29-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Climate enactment opens doors to green investors in Sabah
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 Text Size: Masidi greeted by Borneo Rhino Alliance Executive Director John Payne. Accompanying Masidi was KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific Chairman Tan Sri Majid Khan. - Pic by CMD KOTA KINABALU: The newly-passed Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025 has positioned Sabah to attract regional investment in the growing carbon market, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. In a speech delivered by State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun at the Asean Sustainable Forestry Summit 2025, Hajiji said clear legislation gives investors confidence, while regional cooperation is key to long-term growth. He stressed the need for Asean to develop common standards, align regulations, and recognise carbon credits across borders to avoid fragmented systems that discourage investment. The Enactment also establishes the Sabah Climate Action Council, a Climate Fund, and an emissions inventory, while affirming carbon rights under state jurisdiction and introducing a clear structure for project approvals and trading. Hajiji said Sabah's forests now absorb more carbon than the state emits, contributing about 36 per cent of Malaysia's total carbon sequestration—an environmental achievement and economic asset. He also highlighted Sabah's Forest Plantation Development Action Plan, aimed at rehabilitating 400,000 hectares over 15 years and creating 40,000 jobs, with FMU licence holders urged to stay committed to the plan. Sabah is also leveraging its strengths in timber and palm oil to attract downstream investment, with Hajiji calling for long-term partnerships to build a resilient, green economy rooted in sustainable forestry and carbon governance. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sabah Carbon Governance Enactment boosts investment opportunities
KOTA KINABALU: The passing of the Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025 at the Sabah State Assembly sitting on July 8 has opened up opportunities for Sabah to attract investors in the carbon market, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said the enactment has led to the establishment of the Sabah Climate Action Council, a Climate Fund, a state-level emissions inventory, and a framework for benefit-sharing, particularly with indigenous communities, while legally affirming carbon rights as belonging to the state government. 'This legal foundation gives investors the certainty they need. But the bigger opportunity lies in ASEAN cooperation. To grow this space, we need a functioning regional carbon market with common standards, regulatory alignment, and mutual recognition of credits across borders. 'Sabah is ready to work with other ASEAN countries to push this agenda forward,' he said in a speech read by Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun at the ASEAN Sustainable Forestry Summit 2025 here today. Hajiji highlighted that Sabah is now a net sink jurisdiction -- absorbing more carbon than it emits --contributing approximately 36 per cent of Malaysia's total carbon sequestration, which he described as 'a strategic economic asset' in a carbon-constrained world. Sabah introduced the Forest Plantation Development Action Plan in 2022, a 15-year blueprint to rehabilitate 400,000 hectares of degraded forest, which is projected to contribute more than RM11 billion to Sabah's gross domestic product (GDP) and create 40,000 jobs across the value chain once fully realised. The Chief Minister also noted that timber remains a strategic sector for Sabah, with timber royalties rising to RM171 million in 2024, marking an increase of RM16 million from the previous year, while export volumes have grown steadily, especially to Japan, the United States and Taiwan. As the largest producer of crude palm oil (CPO) in Malaysia, accounting for over 25 per cent of the national output, he said Sabah is advancing its leadership in the palm oil industry by attracting investments in downstream processing, biofuels, and palm-based innovation. 'Forestry and climate are now at the core of economic strategy for Sabah, for Malaysia and ASEAN. We are no longer treating sustainability as optional. It is part of how we create jobs, attract investment, and strengthen resilience,' said Hajiji. The ASEAN Sustainable Forestry Summit, jointly organised by the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific and the ASEAN Economic Club, brings together policymakers, business leaders and environmental experts from across Southeast Asia to address the urgent need for sustainable forestry and climate resilience. - Bernama
The Star
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Asean urged to embrace digital tech
- Illustrative photo. - The Nation/ANN BANGKOK: Experts and industry leaders gathered in Bangkok at the 4th World Digital Economy and Technology Summit on Friday (May 30), calling for further utilisation of digital technologies to overcome challenges amid global turbulence and enhance competitiveness in the rapidly evolving digital economy. Under the theme "Harnessing the Digital Revolution for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future", the summit brought together about 200 government leaders, technology pioneers, corporate innovators and academic experts to explore the immense opportunities and pressing challenges. "We are standing at the crossroads of an unprecedented technological revolution. This summit serves as a vital platform to ensure that innovation drives not just growth, but also sustainability and inclusivity," said Michael Yeoh, president of the World Digital Chamber and the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, a Malaysian think tank. "We believe that digital technology can be for the common good of mankind and humanity. Digital transformation can make companies and countries better in the future," Yeoh said. In his speech at the summit, Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, president of Thailand's Digital Economy Promotion Agency, emphasised the need for smart public-private partnerships to close digital divides within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, region. Nuttapon said Thailand's burgeoning software and digital service industries hold immense potential to catalyse economic growth and create new jobs. Chonladet Khemarattana, president of the Thai Fintech Association, suggested that countries should leverage technology to make financial systems more efficient and enhance regional cooperation and sustainable development in the digital economy. "Starting with basic services like mobile banking, we can expand to include more services for those underserved," Chonladet said. As artificial intelligence has become a global trend, the summit also included a panel discussion on how AI is transforming business and society. Chhem Siriwat, co-founder and president of the AI Forum and adviser at BowerGroupAsia in Cambodia, said AI is shifting the economy from efficiency to intelligence across various industries such as manufacturing, finance and retail. He called for AI that is not only smart but also wise, advocating for sustainable digital economy practices, transparent governance, inclusive access to AI education, and global cooperation on AI ethics. He stressed the importance of connecting AI transformation to values, ensuring that profit is not the only measure, and that productivity is matched with purpose. Organised by the World Digital Chamber and the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, this year's summit was also supported by the China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable as a media partner. The 2026 summit will have an expanded agenda and a renewed focus, including climate-tech and ethical AI. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
EMPOWERING ASEAN WITH SMART COLLABORATION
Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone receiving the 2024 Distinguished Asean Leader Award from KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific chairman Tan Sri Majid Khan during the Asean Leadership and Partnership Forum held in Vientiane, Laos, last year, in the presence of (from left) Sok and Yeoh. Unlocking Asean's potential through innovation, inclusivity and sustainable growth THE 2025 Asean Leadership and Partnership Forum (ALPF) is set to promote economic co-operation, business collaboration and alliance between governments, businesses and civil society to advance sustainable and inclusive development. The Asean Economic Club, Asean Business Club, Asean Business Advisory Council and KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific will jointly convene the ALPF on May 25, on the eve of the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The ALPF is a leading regional forum convened annually in the country chairing Asean and it has been hosted across all Asean countries over the years. Beyond discussions and exchanges, the forum will serve as a vital platform for high-level networking to connect, exchange ideas and explore collaborations in key areas such as investment, innovation, technology, digital transformation and green growth. Yeoh said the ALPF focuses on public-private-people partnerships to uphold and promote the triple bottom line of planet, people and prosperity. Asean Economic Club (AEC) founder and chairman, and forum organising chairman, Tan Sri Michael Yeoh – who is also KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific president – said the ALPF focuses on public-private-people partnerships to uphold and promote the triple bottom line of planet, people and prosperity. From interactive sessions on digital innovations to roundtables on Asean connectivity, green growth and sustainable development, delegates from all 10 Asean countries will experience a dynamic environment conducive to dialogue, collaboration and action. The ALPF will also provide timely opportunities to discuss geostrategic and geoeconomic challenges in an increasingly volatile environment. Distinguished speakers at the forum will include the Prime Ministers of Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as ministers, business and thought leaders from Asean member countries. The forum paves the way for Asean to take bold steps towards a more relevant, equitable and sustainable future. 'It has never been more timely and critical to discuss Asean leadership and partnership. 'The foundation of Asean prosperity is shaken. The world has changed,' said Asean Business Club (ABC) president and former Asean Business Advisory Council chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid. 'It has never been more timely and critical to discuss Asean leadership and partnership,' said Munir. 'We are grateful, therefore, to the Asean leaders gracing our event to address the challenges before participants of the forum.' The forum will gather a distinguished lineup of speakers from across the regional grouping of 10 states and beyond, including policymakers, business leaders and scholars. Sessions will address topics such as digital transformation, sustainable development, innovation ecosystems, green economy and inclusive growth. Among the prominent speakers are: > Senior Minister, Royal Government of Cambodia advisor, Cambodian Development Resource Institute board chairman and AEC adviser Dr Sok Siphana; > Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) founder, AEC co-chair and former Indonesian Foreign Affairs vice minister Dr Dino Patti Djalal; > Center for China and Globalization (CCG) founder and president, and China State Council former counsellor Dr Henry Huiyao Wang; > Hong Kong Legislative Council member and Hong Kong Productivity Council chairman Sunny Tan; > China Daily Asia Pacific publisher and China Daily Group deputy editor-in-chief Zhou Li; > ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN) chair, Sintesa Group chief executive officer, and Indonesian Employers Association chairman Shinta Widjaja Kamdani; > SGV & Co (Ernst and Young, Philippines) senior policy advisor and former Philippines Foreign Minister Delia D. Albert; > Indian Chamber of Commerce director-general Dr Rajeev Singh; > EU-Asean Business Council (Singapore) executive director Chris Humphrey; > The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China Belt and Road commissioner Nicholas Ho Lik-chi. The forum is sponsored by the Kuok Group and Asia Platinum Capital, with Star Media Group Bhd, China Daily and Khmer Times as media partners.
