MEET OUR SPEAKERS

David Chin is currently CEO at SPARK. David has played an integral role to the overall growth of Spark since its inception. David has led business development activities with Spark’s growing network of tech partners and spearheaded new initiatives such as Spark’s Thought Leadership forums, Expert Workshops and Masterclasses. David is also responsible for Spark’s overseas expansion, building strategic relationships with tech, business and government leaders in Singapore and across Southeast Asia. David brings with him a diverse portfolio of experiences in B2B Tech Go-to-Market strategy, C-level programmes and omni-channel technology B2B marketing.

Anders Halvorsen is currently working as Vice President for Global Public Policy at the World Innovation, Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), a leading consortium of tech association members from over 80 countries/economies around the world (https://witsa.org/). Anders has worked at WITSA since January 1998, covering a wide range of issues, including helping develop the program for WITSA’s flagship event, the World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT), managing the WITSA Global Innovation and Tech Excellence Awards (presented to select individuals, academic institutions, corporations, NGOs or governments whose use and applications of digital technologies exhibit exceptional achievement), as well as drafting substantive policy positions on a wide range of issues of concern to industry and engaging with member associations around the world as well as likeminded organizations and key stakeholders, including the WTO, UN, OECD, the World Bank, APEC, ITU, UNCTAD, ICANN, and IGF. Prior to working at WITSA, Anders worked as an executive officer at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (External Economic Affairs Department), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European Commission DG XIII (Telecommunication, Information Technology, Industry & Innovation).

Anthony is the Managing Director of AGW Legal & Advisory, a multidisciplinary legal and advisory practice advising in many areas of emergent technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data, and Intellectual Property.

Anthony is the President of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) www.ifip.org, headquartered in Austria, created under the auspices of UNESCO in 1960. IFIP is the leading international organization in Information & Communications Technologies and Sciences recognized by the United Nations.

Anthony served on the IT Industry Innovation Council for the Australian Government. He chaired the New South Wales Government ICT Advisory Panel and served on the New South Wales Government Digital Transformation Taskforce in Sydney, Australia.

He has also held senior management positions in multinational corporations and government, including as CIO of the Australian Tourist Commission during the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Anthony was awarded double Bachelor degrees in Computer Science and Law from Monash University, Master of Laws in Media, Communications and IT from University of New South Wales and a Master of Intellectual Property from UTS (University Technology Sydney), in Australia.

He is a regular international commentator and presenter on technology and legal issues, including on SkyNews, ABC, The Australian, and at various international forums, including the UN World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), at IDECS 2017, and at LAWASIA in Cambodia, Malaysia and Australia.

Dr. Lisa Patvivatsiri is a successful leader in business transformation who has transformed the underlying processes across the entire organization by settling the process transformation strategy and roadmap, implementing the digital automation solution while enabling agile practices. She currently serves as Chief Operating Office and Business & Digital Transformation at Thai Group Holdings, the insurance and financial services business arm of TCC Group in Thailand.

Prior to joining Thai Group Holdings, she was a key team player in international consulting firms in both US and Southeast Asia. Her areas of expertise include Business Process Improvement, Simulation & Optimization modeling, and Statistical Analysis across wide array of industries. Her proven track record ranges from several public articles to successfully implementing key strategy projects of the organizations.

She successfully implemented the Robotic Process Automation and Digital Automation Workflow platforms over hundred multiple operational processes with over 90% increase in productivity efficiency. The series of both domestic and international awards have even proven her strong credential in digital transformation of process automation area. In addition, Dr. Lisa has been frequently called as a guest speaker on digital and innovation knowledge sharing for leading organizations, universities, and summits in both international and domestic events.

Bussemaker is the chair of the ‘Institute for Accountability in the Digital Age’. An association instigated by UNESCO in 2017 aimed to help define instruments for, and manage accountability in the Digital Age. Bussemaker has a passion for bringing people together in the Digital Age. He has initiated and helped run a number of (international) communities focused on linking Information Technology, Innovation and Impact. He has been working in the International ICT industry since the 80s. He started with a Dutch IT start up. Held various marketing and alliance positions including: CIONET where he was the Secretary General International Relations a community of over 7000 CIOs where he represented the community with international institutes like the European Commission. He is the initiator of the Global Digital Leader Alliance linking over 20.000 Digital Leaders from China, Europe, India, Japan, Russia, South America and the US. He is a founding member and vice-chair of the outreach committee of the ITU ‘AI for Good Global Summit, WCIT2010, WCC2012 and WCF 2104. He is a regular speaker and chair at international events and has spoken in Australia, China, Europe, Ghana, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, South-Korea, Sri Lanka and the United States. He has an MSc in Geophysics from Delft University.

Dr. Mazlan is the CEO and co-founder of FAVORIOT Sdn Bhd, an IoT company. He is a recognized thought leader in the IoT industry, having been listed as a top 50 influencer by several organizations. He has extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, including as a CEO of REDtone IOT, a senior director at MIMOS Berhad, and various senior management positions at CELCOM. Dr. Mazlan has also worked as a professor at several universities in Malaysia and is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Information Science and Technology, MMU. He holds a BEE from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, a MSc in Telematics from the University of Essex, and a Ph.D. in Telecommunications from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. He is a frequent speaker at IoT, IR 4.0, Smart Cities, and telco conferences and serves on the Industry Advisory Panel for several universities. He is also a TEDx Speaker and has received an Honorary Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from UTHM.

Datu Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Bin Haji Zaidel, 54, is now the Deputy State Secretary Sarawak (Economic Planning and Development). Prior to the appointment, he was the Director, Economic Planning Unit Sarawak, a senior Finance lecturer at the Faculty of Economic and Business, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and subsequently appointed as the Special Administrative Officer to the Right Honourable Chief Minister of Sarawak in charge of Project Strategy and Coordination, specifically responsible for initiating, implementing and coordination of high impact economic development project for Sarawak.

He is also the board member of two State GLCs namely Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Sarawak Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) since 2017.

A Finance graduate from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in 1994, he attained a PhD in Finance at UNIMAS in 2014. He is also a Harvard Business School (HBS) Alumni.

Additionally, Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah is a member of the Special Interest Group on Hydrogen Economy at the Academy of Science Malaysia (ASM). The task force group is to develop a position paper on the Hydrogen Economy opportunities, implications and the possible policy recommendation for consideration by the Malaysian Government.

VICTOR LO

Head Of Digital Tech

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)

Victor Lo is an experienced professional with more than (25) years of enterprise technology risk governance and public policy development.

Over the years, he has served businesses including Fortune 500 companies across the region of the Asia South countries such as India, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

He is currently heading the MDEC digital tech ecosystem development which comprises of cloud, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence(AI) , Blockchain and 5G.

His key role will be championing digital tech industry enablement as a Catalyst for the Digital Economy by promoting collaboration among digital industry leaders to drive innovation, develop transformation models for businesses via digital advancement, and develop a sustainable digital ecosystem.

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi Bin Abdul Ghani received his Bachelor in Economics (Majoring in Statistic) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 1979 before subsequently earning a Master of Science in Human Resource Administration from University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA in 1998. Tan Sri also enrolled as Senior Executive Fellow from Harvard University, USA in 2006 and have been awarded with Honorary Doctorate from Universiti Tun Abdul Razak, Malaysia and Honorary Doctorate from Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.

Tan Sri started his career as Management Executive at PETRONAS for 8 years (1980-1988) before he joined the Sarawak Government. He has served in various senior level capacities throughout a distinguished civil service career including holding the post of Director of City of Kuching North Commission (DBKU) (1988-1998), Director of Human Resource Unit in Chief Minister’s Department (1998-2000), Director of Human Resource Development and Quality Unit in Chief Minister’s Department (2000-2001), Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation (KPSU) (2001-2004), Director of State Planning Unit (SPU) in Chief Minister’s Department (2004-2006), Deputy State Secretary of Planning and Development (2006), Deputy State Secretary of Administration, Security and Corporate Affair in Chief Minister’s Department (2007-2009), and finally as State Secretary (2009-2019) totalling 39 years of working life.

Currently, Tan Sri plays an active role as a Member of the Boards in several Sarawak State Agencies and Statutory Bodies including Chairman of Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Chairman of Development Bank of Sarawak Berhad (DBOS), Chairman of Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS), Chairman of Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), Board of Director Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), and Board of Director Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA).

Doug Johnson is vice president of emerging technology policy for the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), North America’s largest technology trade association. CTA’s members are the world’s leading innovators - from startups to global brands. CTA owns and produces CES® – the most influential tech event in the world. Doug is responsible for public policy issues affecting product development, operations, sales and marketing across the consumer technology industry. He serves as an advocate for the industry before regulators and legislators at the local, national and international levels, and he has led CTA’s efforts on artificial intelligence, drones, energy efficiency, regulatory reform, voluntary agreements, policy alignment, non-tariff barriers to trade, and consumer tech devices on airplanes.

Experienced Information Technology Leader with a demonstrated history of working in the food production industry. Strong information technology professional skilled in IT Outsourcing & Operations Management, IT Service Management, IT Strategy, Senior stakeholder & financial management Project Portfolio Management.

Influence & define IT Technology Strategy which include China and APAC. Experienced in IT Transformation initiative i.e. Outsourcing, Digitization, Data Analytic & Agile Operating Model.

Bill Inman

Founder and Executive

Bill is a serial entrepreneur with multiple exits, emerging tech thought leader, and blockchain and AI patent holder with 20 years of experience as a founder and advisor. Bill has grown multiple companies from the idea stage to tens of millions in revenue or more. He launched a tech-enabled services company that grew from start to over $3B in revenue within its first four years. He has successfully advised a wide range of verticals and industries, including PaaS, SaaS, human capital, IT services, pro sports, fintech, fashion, and entertainment. Additionally, he has advised many global privately held, decentralized, crypto, NFT and metaverse organizations on strategy and fund-raising. Bill is a frequent keynote speaker and conference host with publication and production credits, including Fox, MarketWatch, NBC, Amazon Studios, and U.S. News & World Report. With deep experience in the Future of Work, AI and blockchain, he is regularly invited to speak at events such as HR.com, SHRM, PIHRA and the Institute of Human Resources.

Datuk Haji Julaihi bin Haji Narawi, Minister for Utility dan Telecommunication Sarawak, started his study at Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang, followed by his pursuit of a degree in Business Administration at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in 1979.

He began his political career as a member of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) for Sebuyau in 1991. He was Assistant Minister for Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion) and Assistant Minister Rural Development from 2011 to 2016, Assistant Minister of Costal Road from 2017 to 2019, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development from 2019 till 2021 and appointed in 2022 as the Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak.

Datuk Julaihi's accolades include the Kesatria Mangku Negara in 2009, the Pingat Panglima Kenyalang in 2013, the Pingat Bakti Jubli Emas in 2014, and the latest Pingat Peringatan Jubli Intan received from The Honourable Premier of Sarawak.

Zhang Yi is business development director at Ant Group Singapore. He delivers Ant Group's home-grown AI-based solutions to Asia financial institutions, fintech and telco companies, helping them to be more compliant and protected. Zhang Yi has more than 10 years experiences in the field of identity proofing, biometrics, security, anti-fraud management and AML. As an MBA graduate from National University of Singapore, Zhang Yi is endeavor to applying technologies in solving business problems.

Prior to Ant Group, he was one of the founding members of Jumio APAC where he witnessed the early adoption of identify proofing in APAC region. Prior to Jumio he served as product manager in UL for payment and telecom functional test software. He has extensive knowledge in payment system, regulatory and risk technologies.

Timothy is the Chief Executive Officer of Invest Sarawak, a state-owned Investment and International Trade Promotion and Industry Development Agency under the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investments Sarawak (MINTRED). A strategic, result-driven, dependable, passionate and decisive senior executive with over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sector, Timothy enjoys strong international and local network with Industry, Government and Academia.

Timothy served in various capacities, providing strategic advice to Ministers, foreign dignitaries, senior government officials and C-Suite level executives on strategies, policies, strategic initiatives and investment projects. Timothy has a strong ability to develop, operationalise and implement National level initiatives. Before joining InvestSarawak, Timothy held multiple positions in key federal government organisations such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), National Innovation Agency (AIM), under the Prime Minister’s Department and Steinbeis Malaysia Foundation.

Timothy also helped develop and was instrumental in leading initiatives such as the National Graphene Action Plan, National Biomass Strategy, Steinbeis Malaysia and Mid-Tier Company Programmes all of which was taken up by relevant Ministries and Agencies as long-term initiatives. Timothy frequently participates in both local and international Technical and Steering working committees such as Malaysia’s National Biomass Action Plan, Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap and UNFAO International Sustainable Bioeconomy Working Group among many others.