MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Dr. William Lim is the Co-Founder and the Executive Director of the Angkasa-X group of companies. He also holds the esteemed roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at the Angkasa-X Group. With a remarkable career spanning more than 28 years, including the past 12 years in influential senior management capacities on a regional scale, Dr. William brings a wealth of expertise to his positions especially to one of the largest Datacentre Builder and Operator in South East Asia known as CSF Group where he was instrumental in the IPO of the Company in London Stock Exchange in year 2009. His tenure as Director for Strategy and Business Development at CSF Group PLC, (LSE: CSFG), underscores his strategic prowess.

In addition to his corporate accomplishments, Dr. William serves as Vice President for the Malaysian Cross Border E-Commerce Association (MCBEA) and Spacetech Malaysia Association (SMA) Notably, he commands a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge IT platforms, including AI, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, IoT, and Security.

Dr. William's journey culminated in a doctorate specializing in Data Centre and Network Security, a testament to his knowledge, commitment and excellence.

Hasri is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at The Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (“NCIA”). The NCIA is a body corporate, incorporated under the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority Act 2008 (Act 687), responsible for strategic socio-economic development of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) – a government initiative to accelerate economic growth and elevate income levels in the north of Peninsular Malaysia encompassing the states of Kedah, Perak, Perlis and Pulau Pinang.

In his current role, Hasri is responsible in operations, corporate advisory & strategic planning matters, which include the development of strategies to facilitate the delivery of NCER outcomes, as well as the review of new opportunities and initiatives that add value to the socioeconomic development in the region. Hasri has led numerous strategic initiatives for NCIA, include NCER Strategic Development Plan 2021-2025, as well as the development of NCIA’s transformation plan to strengthen NCIA’s positioning, role, operating model and focus going forward.

Prior to joining NCIA in 2014, Hasri spent 5 years in AirAsia Berhad as the Head of Performance Improvement where he led a team of regional consultants to deploy the Continuous Improvement Program at AirAsia Group. Before joining AirAsia, Hasri was a Manager in Ernst & Young Advisory Services (EY) in Kuala Lumpur and has led many corporate advisory engagements in Corporate Strategy, Program Management & Implementation and Process Improvement.

Piyush works as the Head of Asia Pacific for Sustainable Smart World business at L&T Technology Services Limited. Piyush has been responsible for Smart Cities, Transportation and Nationwide Logistics Transformation over the last 20 years across the globe. He has spearheaded multiple Integrated Smart Cities implementations to help cities become more safer, secure, efficient, inclusive and sustainable and transform the way cities run their operations.  

Hello, I'm Jacob, and my journey from aerospace engineering in Germany to the heart of Sarawak reflects my passion for startups and their potential to solve the nation’s problems. I'm a lifelong entrepreneur with a commitment to building impactful startups that contribute to a better world.

Currently, I have the privilege of working alongside the dedicated team at TEGAS, where we're fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. My enthusiasm extends beyond startups; I'm also deeply passionate about game development as a medium for creativity and problem-solving.

In addition to my professional pursuits, I host a podcast where I engage with fellow entrepreneurs and thought leaders, sharing their stories and insights. Through these conversations, I aim to humbly contribute to the global dialogue on innovation and inspire others to take action

Ir. Norhizam Hamzah certified practising professional engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia with more than 27 years experience in space industry. He was involved in various space missions. He has published numerous papers and contributed as speaker and expert panelist, trainer, lecturer and industrial supervisor. He is also currently the Chief Technology Officer for Angkasa-X and was formerly the CTO for Astronautic Technology Sdn. Bhd., the first Malaysian satellite integrator.

Mohamed Shajahan bin Mohamed Iqbal is the Co-Chair Standards on Smart Cities in Malaysia Standards Work Group ,Exco Member of Malaysian Smart City Alliance Vice President & Treasurer of the FTTH Council Asia-Pacific. He is also the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of a dynamic telecommunications company, Three-OPP (M) Sdn. Bhd. He has extensive professional experience with significant leadership accomplishments in the telecommunications industry as a result of his passion and commitment towards advancing the local telecommunications industry. Shajahan’s proven executive management track record with over 20 years’ experience in the field has successfully driven sales growth for 3OPP through innovation, research and development of the Malaysian telecommunication industry. In 1991, he developed and created a local industry for telecommunications products under the brand name 3OPP. Prior to this, Shajahan has a wide-ranging experience of 7 years as an Accountant and Consultant in Peat Marwick and Arthur Andersen. His job scope is in the area of audit, tax, insolvency, management consultancy and corporate advisory work.

Under Shajahan's able stewardship, 3OPP pioneered the FTTH project locally in 2007 by being the main contractor to complete the first 17,020 homepass in Subang Jaya, Malaysia for Telekom Malaysia Berhad. This was an achievement for the company which competed against 23 international and local companies to be awarded the contract. 3OPP continues to grow in strength and until today, supports Telekom Malaysia Berhad to complete its 1.4 million homepass. In 2013, Shajahan brought the same FTTH Technology to Sri Lanka through Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT). The company has an ongoing project in Colombo for 10,000 homepass for their FTTH project Phase 1 & 2 for this year. In 2014, Shajahan brought the FTTH Technology to Indonesia through PT Telkom and we have ongoing project for 362,000 homepass.

In the course of charting milestones for 3OPP, Shajahan has received four awards namely Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) 100 Award 2010 Fast Moving Companies; 2nd Runner Up – Professional Category in Innovative Idea Design Competition Consumer Product Modern & Contemporary;1Malaysia Technology – 1Malaysia Enterprise Award 2012 and SME Industry Excellence in Technology 2016 Award.

Shajahan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Finance & Accounting) from University of Wisconsin, USA. He is also an Associate member of the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA Australia), Member of Malaysia Management Institute (MIM) and a Board of Director and Treasurer of the

FTTH Asia Pacific Council and focus on smart city solutions recently. He is also a Trustee and Director of Yayasan Pendidikan Islam, a charitable organization.

He has vast background experience in the telecommunications industry (especially in FTTH) coupled with a strong sense of commitment towards bringing about change and improvement in this field globally. He like to contribute his efforts and experience towards achieving company's objectives through convening, facilitating and building concensus among other Telco's in order to chart further milestones for the Telco Industry. His personal qualities of integrity, credibility and passion in the field of telecommunications as demonstrated from his role as the Chief Technology Officer of 3OPP, is testimony of his leadership abilities. Furthermore, having implemented FTTH deployment in Malaysia and Sri Lanka, his team and Shajahan are in a position to assist and work together with other Telco's in expanding FTTH Network Technology through training and collaboration programmes to support the increasing demand for high-speed broadband connectivity and key sector IP-based applications among the developing nations.

Name: Ts. Liew Choon Lian

Position: Group CEO

Company: MDT Innovations Sdn Bhd

Born on March 16, 1960 in Johor, Malaysia, and raised in Negeri Sembilan till the age of 16, Liew Choon Lian graduated with top honours from Malaysia's prestigious Royal Military College. Liew then attained a Malaysian Armed Forces Scholarship, and left Malaysia in 1981 to pursue higher education in the United States, where he completed an undergraduate and graduate programme, in Iowa and New Jersey. Subsequently he worked in Manhattan for 5 years with Fuji-Keizai USA. Liew became a successful industry analyst and strategic consultant in New York, San Jose and Tokyo, serving corporations such as NTT, Panasonic, and NEC. He was head-hunted in 1993 by Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., now known as Panasonic Corporation. Moving to Japan that June to live and work as the General Manager of Worldwide Operation at Matsushita Electric Co; Ltd (Panasonic), based in Fujisawa, JAPAN. He formed MDT Group of Companies in 2000, and returned to Malaysia in 2004.

In the early 1990s, Liew was among the top market analysts on a hot technology called “multimedia” with Nick Arnett of Multimedia Corporation. Liew was involved in pen-based and mobile computing, working with Jeff Hawkins, Donna Dubinsky (Palm Computing) and Maeda (Sharp Corporation), and led to the success of Palm Pilot and Zaurus.

Liew has led MDT Innovations (MDTi) to over MYR2.0 Billion in exports sales. In 2011, Liew created history by guiding MDTi to emerge 12th in Deloitte’s Fast 500 Asia Pacific, highest ranking ever achieved by an ASEAN company. Between 2006 and 2013, the company won 13 Asia Pacific ICT awards, including two Prime Minister’s Best of the Best awards in 2007 and 2013, Red Herring Asia 100 Award in 2008, and Red Herring Global 100 Award in 2009.

Liew was among the 13 members of the Local Advisory Panel to MOSTI and MDEC, providing input on enhancing national ICT competitiveness. Abroad, Liew plays a vital role in major ICT events as a speaker, judge or panel member.

In 2015, Liew was awarded the coveted EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Technology Category. In 2016, MDT was chosen by IoT Business Platform Asia to be among the top 5 vendors behind Microsoft, IBM, Google MDT, and Cisco. In 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, the company was chosen the Best Brand Asia and Best Employer Awards.

In 2018 February Liew was featured in the cover page story of CIO Outlook and in August MDTi won Frost and Sullivan Best IoT for Asia Pacific 2018.

The company was conferred the prestigious Malaysia Best Employer Brand Award 2019 by the World HRD Congress held at Le Meridien Hotel, KL Sentral and won Top 100 Asia’s Best Employer Brands 2019 held in Singapore. In conjunction with ASOCIO-PIKOM Digital Summit 2019, the company received the prestigious ICT Global Icon Award during ASOCIO ICT Awards and Gala Dinner 2019 that was held at Connexion Conference & Event Centre @ The Vertical Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur.

In 2021, MDTi was honoured with the ‘Digitalisation Advocate’ accolade in conjunction with Mid-Tier Companies (MTCs) CEO Summit organized by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

Last year, the company was privileged to receive the Most Promising Award during the Export Excellence Awards (EEA) Gala Night held at Shangri-La KL, an event organized by reputable organizations such as Star Media Group, Standard Chartered and MATRADE.

Recognizing Ts Liew Choon Lian experience and expertise in the ICT industry, he was appointed as a member in Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) since November 2021

Special Course : Emerging Leaders Program

Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education

Harvard University- John F. Kennedy School of Government

79 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States

November 3 – 8, 2019

Post Graduate : Master of Public Administration, Bukidnon State University

March 2015

Special Program : Fellow, 2nd Co-Hort, Mindanao Bridging Leaders Program

Asian Institute of Management

July 2011 – November 2012

OTHER REGIONAL DESIGNATION:

Chairman, Economic Development Committee

Regional Development Council - Region 10

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) R10

Congressman (Two-Terms)

House of Representative, Lone District of Iligan

a. July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022 (2nd Term)

b. July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019 (1st Term)

City Councilor (Two Terms)

Sangguniang Panlungsod, Iligan City

a. July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2016 (2nd Term)

b. July 2010 – June 2013 (1st Term)

Anna is an experienced smart city professional having worked with over 100 government organisations across local, state, and Federal jurisdictions. Her insights come from hands-on experience working with communities to understand their challenges, concerns, and areas of strength to be further supported by technology, data, and innovation.

Anna understands the intricacies of government and how clients can work within their organisations to build the skills, confidence and buy-in required for successful transformation programs.

Leveraging lessons on a global level, Anna applies insights and experiences from global leaders to her approach to smart cities, regions, places, and communities in Australia.

Ruslena Ramli is an Islamic Finance advocate with 20+ years of experience. Her banking repertoire include corporate strategy, advising on sukuk/bond issuances, as well as development of Islamic banking products. She is an avid speaker in local and international Islamic Finance and Islamic Fintech conferences.

She leads MDEC’s Digital Finance and Islamic Digital Economy national-level Promoted Sector initiative. Her expertise in Shariah-compliant structures and established relationships with Islamic finance communities locally and aboard are among her valuable attributes. Ruslena holds a BA (Honors) in Accounting and Finance from Middlesex University of London and a Master’s Degree in Islamic Finance from International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF).

Maimunah joint Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) in 2007 and now she is one of IRDA’s Director and leads the Technology and Innovation workstream. She developed the Iskandar Malaysia Comprehensive Development Plan in 2005, and Smart City Iskandar Malaysia Framework in 2012. She leads the Smart City team in IRDA and Chief Smart City Officer for Johor Bahru in the ASEAN Smart City Network program alliances. Maimunah is currently the President for Malaysia Green Building Council Southern Chapter to promote building sustainability and energy efficiency and Council Member for Malaysia Smart Cities Alliance (MSCA), a newly Malaysia formed industry led association.

Mr. Minda is a seasoned technology professional with over two decades of experience in implementing digital solutions across both private and public sectors. Currently, serving as the Head of Digital Economy Project at Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC), he takes a leading role in guiding and overseeing transformative digital initiatives in Sarawak.

In this capacity, he takes on the responsibility of contributing to the transformation of Sarawak's economy through the effective use of digital technologies. His focus is on fostering innovation and nurturing valuable strategic partnerships, all with the aim of advancing the growth and progress of Sarawak's digital economy.