MEET OUR SPEAKERS

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

Evenjonly is the Director for the Technology Risk and Security, responsible for the direction, management and execution of technology security for AIA Malaysia. She has over 20 years of experience in the Information Cybersecurity domain and specializes in security transformation and operations management, security assessment and information security risk management with keen understanding to business, aligning to and enabling security technology programs for cyber defense and resilience.

Positions held prior to AIA includes heading the global service functions for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing, Cyber Defense Resilience and Head Information Security Officer for Global Business Shared Services.

Byron Tie is Fortinet Malaysia’s Systems Engineering Manager. He leads a team of Systems Engineers in delivering outcome-based and secured solutions to help businesses win in the digital economy. Byron is responsible for spear-heading and executing Fortinet’s technology vision and strategic initiatives in developing strategy, piloting the concept and building a long-term sustainable solution model for adoption by clients across different market verticals. He works hand in glove with Fortinet business and technical teams to help solve customers’ business challenges, craft a forward-looking technical strategic framework and investments that address industry-wide scenarios.

Byron holds the Fortinet NSE 8 certification and numerous professional certifications, having served in the IT industry for over 17 years.

Dan is the Chief Information Security Officer of Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) since Jan 2023. He was also previously the Director of Cybersecurity for 5 years. Prior to SAINS, he has worked with two US-based companies in the areas of enterprise infrastructure technology and market research.

In addition to his current position, he has held several high impact project-based roles such as program lead/ coordinator for Sarawak’s 1st ever International Digital Economy Conference (IDECS) in 2017, a precursor to today’s digital economic drive in Sarawak. Program director and co-event manager for the Asia Pacific Cybersecurity Conference 2023 (APSEC), Sarawak’s 1st international cybersecurity event of its kind.

As a technologist and cybersecurity evangelist, he is passionate about learning and bringing awareness on current and emerging technology trends that are truly impacting our lives. He is a regular speaker and panelist in customer and partner technology events & conferences. Collaboratively, he is currently contributing as a cybersecurity Industry Advisor Panel (IA) for Curtin University, Sarawak.

Dan was awarded a Bachelors with Honours in Computer Science with a Major in Information Engineering and a Minor in Management. An alumni of Oxford Executive Leadership Programme of Said Business School and a certified Organizational Change Management Practitioner (PROSCi).

Raymond is a seasoned expert in digital transformation strategy and management, armed with an MBA specializing in Strategy & Planning. As a Chartered Accountant registered with CPA Australia and Malaysian Institute of Accountants, he wields robust financial and accounting acumen. Recognized as a 'Best Thought Leader' in 2017 and 2019, and winner of the 2023 Technopreneur Excellence Awards, Raymond's leadership was pivotal during his tenure as President of the Contact Centre Association of Malaysia (2019-2023), where he bolstered governance and transparency. He now advises as Immediate Past President. Additionally, Raymond holds key roles including Treasurer at the Digital Global Business Services Council of Malaysia, and Councillor at PIKOM, the National Tech Association. His influence extends to MDEC's Talent Expert Network Panel and Grant Recommendation Committee, shaping Malaysia's digital technology talent landscape. Raymond's commitment to education is evident through his role as Adjunct Mentor at INTI International University & Colleges, where he mentors and empowers students. Beyond his professional endeavors, Raymond is an avid sports enthusiast and music lover.

Ray has more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications, investor strategy and promotion, crisis and issues response. He is recognised as one of the few Malaysians with deep knowledge of the government and international affairs, with extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and management. He has led Investor Promotion engagements for the private and public sectors at the World Economic Forum at Davos for 5 years. Ray had led various IPOs in Malaysia and Indonesia, including the world’s second-largest IPO and the biggest in Asia in 2012. Ray was appointed as the Chief Marketing Officer of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) in October 2019. He assumed the Digital Investment portfolio as the Senior Vice President (SVP) Digital Investment in December 2020.

Prateek Pashine

Chief Enterprise Business Officer

Date of Appointment: 3 July 2023

Prateek heads up the Maxis Business division with a strong ambition to help transform businesses in Malaysia to be ready for the future, cutting across corporate, government, small and medium enterprise (SME) and wholesale customers.

He brings with him close to 30 years of experience in Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Project Financing, Technology Planning, and Business Planning & Strategy.

Prior to Maxis, he spent over 20 years serving at several companies within the Tata Group including Tata Teleservices and Tata Communications, and on diverse businesses such as hospitality, software, real estate and telecom equipment and services. In the last four years, he setup & led Reliance Jio's Enterprise Business which provides ICT services such as connectivity, private networks, mobility, cloud, IOT and security to enterprises.

He has served as the Chairman and Board Member of WBA (Wireless Broadband Alliance) and served on the Board of WiMAX Forum, an industry-led, non-profit organization.

He has an MBA in Corporate Strategy and Marketing with an Engineering degree in Electronics. He was a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship and attended the Fulbright-CII Fellowship Program for Leadership in Management at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA.

GOPI GANESALINGAM

Gopi Ganesalingam is a finance professional and an entrepreneur who has served in executive and board positions in the Asia Pacific region for the last 33 years. Gopi has worked in brand names like Matsushita, American Express International, Lucent Technologies, Telstra Australia, Duetsche Telecoms Consulting, and as go-to-market partners for salesforce.com and Google (via the company he founded, LAVA Protocols).

Gopi is now the Senior Vice-President for Digital Exports at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) - the agency under the Ministry of Communications and Digital, leading the digital transformation of the economy.

At MDEC, Gopi is at the forefront of championing talented tech entrepreneurs and disruptors whilst growing and connecting the local tech ecosystem to be globally visible and competitive – powering tech companies and entrepreneurs to actualize their business vision and in becoming regional and global champions.

Gopi strives to connect and propel the digital economy via targeted government support and intervention, initiatives, corporate partnerships/innovation, aligning investors/funders, digital talent, adoption initiatives and public-private partnerships; in realization of national and nation-building agendas.

Gopi also serves as Independent Board Director with MCIS Life (Insurance), Chairman and Board Director of Junior Achievement Worldwide, Malaysian chapter.

In 2022, Gopi was made an Adjunct Professor at Asia-Pacific University, Malaysia and a Fellow at Certified Public Accountant Australia, carrying the title FCPA.

Ts. Hj. Mohammad Hazani (Ts. Hazani) is currently the CEO of Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (“MTDC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Khazanah, the sovereign wealth fund of the Malaysian Government. He sits on a number of board of MTDC investment committee.

He has vast experiences in fund management, venture capital and technology transfer, having been involved in the industry for the last thirty years, both locally and internationally, including having worked for a US Venture Capital fund in the Silicon Valley

he is also the former Chairman of the Malaysian Venture Capital Association (“MVCA”) and is a member of several Working Committees at the level of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

Ts. Hazani holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State University at Sacramento, USA.

Janice is an experienced digital marketer with over 10 years of experience, currently serving as Head of Business Development & Operations at Newswav, Malaysia's #1 News & Content Aggregator. In this role, she drives the company's sales growth and operational excellence, leveraging her vast experience in marketing and media industry. Prior to joining Newswav, Janice spent nearly four years as the Regional Marketing & Product Director at Carsome, where she led the product development and marketing strategies for the company. Earlier in her career, Janice gained valuable experience working in GroupM, a respected media agency, and worked with prominent clients such as Nando's, Michelin, Chanel, INTI University, and more.

Oscar Tejedor (53)

Born in Bilbao, Spain

Bachelor Degree in Business Administration

Current Position

Methanol Reformer General Manager

Board Member in Talde Gestion Private Equity and its affiliates

Post Grade Manager at Basque Country University in 2 Majors : “Human Resources” and “International trade”

Professional Experience

Most of his career dedicated for Automotive Business in all the Value Chain always with different and strategic responsabilities;

Car Maker : Volkswagen Group in Germany, Italy and Brazil

Tier 1: System consolidator in Federal Mogul and Delphi

Tier 2: Part Maker in FAE, Guardian Industries

Since March 2023, he becomes General Manager of Methanol Feformer , part of MMM Group with the responsability to set up and launch the newly created business unit, build the business plan, define the expansion of the manufacturing foorprint , close the strategic agreement with Partners (suppliers, customer, investors, prescriptors, etc…) and build the talented team to move forward the Project.

Dr. Chen Shiun is the Senior Vice President for Strategy & Corporate Development in Sarawak Energy. Prior to undertaking this role, he was the Vice President for Rural Electrification overlooking the progress of Sarawak’s rural electrification initiative to ensure full electrification for the State by 2025. Upon joining Sarawak Energy in 2008, he established the research and development department, focusing on improving generation, transmission and distribution system’s performance

and exploring new energy solutions. Dr. Chen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and a PhD from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Before returning to Sarawak in 2008,

he served as an associate professor with Nanyang Technological University of Singapore for over 10 years.

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).