MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Azizah Ali currently helms the role of Chief Operating Officer at Microsoft Malaysia, leading business operations, marketing strategy, and overall business performance for the subsidiary while delivering successful digital transformation for its customers and partners.

An industry veteran with more than two decades of experience, Azizah has been a trusted technology leader and advisor for organizations and governments across Asia Pacific in enabling them to realize and achieve their digital transformation visions and ambitions.

Azizah started her career at Microsoft more than two decades ago serving multiple portfolios. Previously helming the role of Director of Small, Medium, and Corporate (SMC) Group, Azizah was instrumental in helping SMCs achieve their digital transformation goals by leveraging Microsoft solutions and Microsoft’s vibrant partner ecosystem.

Other assignment includes;

- Director of Public Sector Group for Microsoft Malaysia, leading key initiatives in establishing the framework collaboration model and eGovernment projects with the Government of Malaysia.

- Country Manager for Microsoft Brunei where she led the collaboration with the Government of Brunei

- Director for Small, Mid-Market Solutions and Partner Group where she built the partner ecosystem to support the growth acceleration of SMEs leveraging on the cloud.

- Microsoft Asia Pacific’s Enterprise Channel Lead in One Commercial Partner organization where she worked with the partner ecosystem in supporting the customers’ cloud digital transformation journey across Energy, Healthcare and Government.

Azizah holds an MBA from Aston University, UK; a BSc. In Business Administration from Washington University, USA;

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.

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.

As the strategic leader for the Azure business and go-to-market in ASEAN region, leading end-to-end accountability including strategy, planning, execution, advocacy governance and learning.

Mahadhir Aziz is a prominent veteran of visionary and strategic national initiatives. He is a strong advocate for digital transformation and social digital inclusion and often shares his insights and thoughts on digital economy at various speaking engagements and events including the Smart City Expo World Congress, UN Habitat World Urban Forum and Mobile World Congress.

He spent the past 20 years developing and leading strategies and initiatives such as the Cyberjaya Global Tech Hub, the National Regulatory Sandbox (which later gave birth to the NTIS of today), and the Malaysia Digital (MD)national initiative that succeeds the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)Malaysia – giving it a refresh in many critical areas. Mahadhir also serves as a member of the board of Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT), Johor Land Group (JLG) including state digital economy councils.

Mahadhir is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), a keynote speaker, and someone who enjoys sports.

Encik Sudarnoto Osman earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tohoku, Japan in Electronic Engineering. After graduating he started his career with Matsushita Air-Conditioning R&D Sdn. Bhd (Electrical and Electronics Development) in 1993

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His mobility career started in 1994 with Celcom Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. whereby he was instrumental in expanding Celcom network and initiated the 2G network rollout throughout Sarawak. He left Celcom Malaysia Sdn. Bhd in September 2000 to join Maxis Mobile Sdn. Bhd. and he embarked on Maxis network rollout in East Malaysia. He left as Regional Network Head at Maxis Broadband Sdn. Bhd. in March 2013.

He continued his career by venturing into telecommunication infrastructure business when he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at SACOFA Sdn. Bhd. (“SACOFA”) in April 2013. During his tenure at SACOFA, he expanded SACOFA’s business and network beyond Malaysia. He was also appointed in various capacity in other organisations such as PT SACOFA Indonesia, PT BINA Indonesia, DSTA Sdn. Bhd., Malaysian Access Forum Bhd., Persatuan Infrastruktur Telekomunikasi Malaysia, and Konsortium Rangkaian Serantau

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He was later appointed by the Sarawak Government to spearhead Sarawak digitalisation initiatives as Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad on 15th May 2020.

Hong Eng started his career with the Singapore Police Force (SPF), and served the nation through

various roles in investigation, crime prevention, public affairs, operations, training and technologies.

He subsequently took an active role in the early years of the Singapore Government’s

computerisation initiatives, including the international award-winning Public Services Online, the first-

generation e-government project of Singapore. Thereafter, he spent 16 years in Sun Microsystems

and Oracle (which acquired Sun), on various regional and global leadership roles in the government,

education and healthcare segments.

In 2016, Huawei hired Hong Eng to setup the industry experts’ office for its fast-growing public sector

business globally. This team engages top public sector agencies globally to help with their digital

transformation efforts and strategic ICT design. Hong Eng is a well sought-after speaker and

workshop facilitator globally. He is also a member of the Singapore National Transplant Ethics Panel,

and a member of the National University Health System’s Bioethics Committee.

Hong Eng graduated from the National University of Singapore with an Honours Degree in

Mathematics. He obtained his MBA with Distinction from the University of Leeds (UK) and a

Specialist Diploma in eCommerce from the Nanyang Polytechnic (Singapore). He also completed an

executive program with the MIT on Artificial Intelligence.

Fabian Bigar assumed the role of CEO at MyDIGITAL Corporation 19 April 2021 overseeing the implementation of the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MDEB) and the National Fourth Industrial Revolution Policy. MyDIGITAL Corporation is the secretariat for the National Digital Economy and 4IR Council (MED4IRN), chaired by the Prime Minister. Concurrently Fabian is the Head of the Malaysia Centre for 4IR, a collaboration between the Malaysian government and the World Economic Forum. His previous roles include Undersecretary for Policy, Ministry of Health, Director Civil Service Delivery Unit in the Prime Minister's Department, Director Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) and a brief assignment with the Presidential Delivery Bureau in Tanzania. Fabian holds a BSc. from Case Western Reserve University and a Masters in Public Policy from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo.

Zakaria Polit is the Head of Technology Services for Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation since 2021 and has been in the IT industry for almost 20 years.

Ruslan bin Abdul Ghani was appointed as the Group Chief Executive Officer Designate of Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad (BPHB), effective from 1 September 2022, and subsequently as the Group Chief Executive Officer of BPHB on a contract basis, effective from 1 March 2023, until 28 February 2026.

Currently Co-Coordinator Flying Labs Malaysia, Convenor Farm Robotics Working Group Flying Labs Network

Convenor, Global Sustainability Summits and Dialogues, Initiator, ASEAN/Asia-Pacific/Global Green Chamber of Commerce (www.apacgreenchamber.com)

Currently Director, Green Renewable Organic World (GROW) Centre Sdn Bhd providing:

o advisory for sustainability and waste management projects,

o advisory for sustainable farm systems, aquaculture, and microalgae production,

o use of agriculture biomass for SAF biofuels, biofertiliser and bioproducts,

o development of organic/natural farms, cultural, rural eco-agro tourism enterprises;

o remote sensing applications in precision agriculture utilising AI empowered satellite & UAV platforms.

Advisor, Malaysian FIRST Foundation (www.malaysianfirst.foundation), Member, RSB (www.rsb.org)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.