Events

Government officials, industry leaders and global experts converge at MITEC to push the built environment from green labels toward measurable, net-zero performance. International Sustainability Week (ISW) 2026 opened at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) on Thursday with a clear message from government and industry: green-building certification is a milestone, not a finish line, and the shared task now is turning climate policy into tangible results on the ground. The two-day event was officially launched by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, alongside Rehda Malaysia deputy president Datuk Edward Chong Sin Kiat, GreenRE chairman Datuk Seri FD Iskandar, Qube Integrated Malaysia managing director Jessie Tan and Rehda Wilayah Persekutuan KL chairperson Datuk David Lim Boon Huat. ISW 2026 is organised by Qube Integrated Malaysia and co-organised by GreenRE. This inaugural programme pairs the sixth International Green Build Conference (IGBC) with the newly launched GreenScape: International Green Innovation Exhibition, bringing together developers, solution providers and government agencies across green technologies, policy and financing. In his keynote address, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said Malaysia’s cities can no longer settle for doing less harm. “They must become climate-resilient and actively give back to the environment,” he said, citing UN and IEA data showing buildings account for over a third of the world’s energy consumption and nearly 40% of energy-related emissions. Certification, he added, is an essential first step, but on its own it does not reduce carbon emissions; operational transformation does. “The transformation of our built environment will not happen through a single policy or project,” Kurup said. “It will happen through thousands of decisions made daily by architects, engineers, planners, developers, financiers, policymakers, and communities.” In his speech, ISW 2026 co-chair and GreenRE chairman Datuk Seri FD Iskandar argued that Malaysia already has strong sustainability policies, growing industry capability and home-grown assessment tools. The remaining gap, he said, is connecting those pieces so that certification translates into buildings that genuinely use less energy and water, cut emissions and perform better over time — framing certification as evidence of progress rather than an end goal in itself. Qube Integrated Malaysia’s Jessie Tan echoed that theme in her welcoming remarks, telling delegates that achieving a net-zero future will require unified action combining clear policy, rigorous standards, capital and skilled people willing to execute — and that no single organisation, industry or government can deliver the transition alone. Among the first day’s speakers was Expo City Dubai executive director Nadia Verjee, who urged cities to think beyond reducing harm and instead ask what they can create more of — resilience, biodiversity, productive economies and human connection, a concept she termed “place power.” Citing Dubai’s experience repurposing roughly 80% of Expo 2020’s infrastructure after the event, Verjee said long-term legacy planning, not certification badges, should be the real measure of a sustainable development. A separate panel on climate-resilient urban design featured PLAN Malaysia’s Dr Chee Ping Ngang, former UN-Habitat senior policy adviser Dr Shipra Narang Suri and Global Network for Zero’s Geetanjali Prasad, who examined how cities can shift from mitigation-only planning toward resilience-led transformation. The day closed with a panel on decarbonising energy systems at scale, where Malaysian Nuclear Agency official Julia Abdul Karim argued that clean-energy planning should not be framed as a binary choice between nuclear and renewables, given rising demand from industrial growth and artificial intelligence. Advisory Council for Atomic Energy chairman Datuk Raja Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan and Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s Dr Noor Miza Razali, moderated by Universiti Tenaga Nasional’s Prof Tiong Sieh Kiong, discussed the need to replace roughly 7 gigawatts of capacity as coal is phased out, and the role battery storage and nuclear power could play in supporting an increasingly renewables-heavy grid. Themed “From Certification to Transformation, Building a Net Zero Future Together”, ISW 2026 continues into its second day under the sub-theme “Path to Sustainable Cities for All: The Urban Transition Towards Net Zero,” with sessions covering planning governance, green infrastructure, flood resilience and public-private collaboration.— The Exchange Asia

Inaugural Law, Risk and Governance forum in Kuala Lumpur drew judges, regulators and general counsels to tackle AI governance, cybersecurity and the future of legal leadership   Malaysia’s push to govern Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Data Protection took centre stage on Saturday at the inaugural She Leads. She Defends: Women in Law, Risk & Digital Governance Forum 2026, held at Four Points by Sheraton, Puchong. Organised by WomenAtlas Media & Events, powered by Laurea People’s Signature and founded by Nisha Meng Mingg Li, the one-day forum drew judges, regulators, board directors, general counsels and rising legal talent under a theme that set the tone for the day: Where Governance Met Its Match: The Women Shaping Malaysia’s Digital Future. The event argued that the conversation around women in business has moved past counting board seats and into a more consequential question — who writes the rules governing Malaysia’s digital economy. The opening programme was officiated by Dalvin Kaur, Head of Legal, Group Global Banking at Malayan Banking Berhad and a council member of the Chartered Governance Institute, Malaysia, alongside co-officiator Rita Irina Wahab of Naza Corporation Holdings. The day was structured around four pillars — Law & Justice, Policy & Governance, Business & Leadership, and AI, Cyber & Digital Trust — reflecting organisers’ view that these functions, once siloed, can no longer be treated separately inside modern companies.   AI Governance emerges as the Sharpest Gap The forum’s most closely watched session, “AI Governance: Are Malaysian Organisations Really Ready?”, featured Dr Salasiah Abbas of SOVA Intelligence, Wendy Lim of the High Court of Malaya and Cally Yau of PEOPLElogy, moderated by Moyra Ibrahim of ECS Solution Group. Panellists pointed to a stark implementation gap: while the large majority of organisations report having some form of AI governance framework in place, only a small fraction say those frameworks are actually working effectively in practice — underscoring that adoption of AI tools has outpaced companies’ ability to manage the risks that come with them, from data leakage and algorithmic bias to unresolved questions of accountability and intellectual property. A companion keynote, “Law in the Age of AI: Why Every Legal Leader Must Understand Technology,” delivered by Dr Pin Lean Lau, Founder and CEO of ReGenTech, argued that technical fluency is becoming a core competency for legal leaders rather than a niche specialism. As artificial intelligence reshapes how businesses operate, she cautioned, choosing not to understand the technology is itself a risk, one the profession can no longer afford to overlook. The message to the room was clear: in a rapidly changing legal landscape, understanding the tools is no longer optional.   Cybersecurity and Digital Evidence as Boardroom Duties Jane Teh, Founder and CEO of VortiQ[x], addressed “Cybersecurity in the Boardroom: Leading the Digital Defence,” reframing cyber risk as a governance responsibility for directors rather than a purely technical matter for IT departments, including the obligations boards carry before and during a breach. She warned that a board that has never rehearsed a breach scenario risk freezing on the decisions that matter most while the clock is running and argued that strong oversight should be a standing agenda item, not an occasional briefing. The rise of agentic AI, she added, only sharpens the stakes, as systems that once merely recommended now act, at machine speed, with the authority organisations grant them. The forum also looked at how digital transformation is reshaping the justice system itself. Raihanah Abd Razak of the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia presented “From Investigation to Prosecution: Enforcing Law in a Cyber-Enabled World,” examining how decisions made early in a digital investigation can determine whether evidence later holds up in court as emails, cloud records, access logs and messaging data increasingly become central to criminal and corporate cases. A further panel, “The Modern Legal Leader: Where Law, Risk, Compliance and Regulation Meet,” brought together Azreena Askalani of Bursa Malaysia, Jiwantti G. of YTL Communications and Syafiqah Abdul Razak of Atiqah Syafiqah & Associates, moderated by Rhaveena Shree Darhavyl of Iconix Property & Asset Management, on how legal, risk and compliance functions are converging — and why that convergence can be a competitive advantage as Malaysian companies expand across ASEAN’s varied regulatory landscapes.   A Platform Built for Succession Organisers deliberately opened the room beyond established professionals, reserving places for young lawyers, graduates and selected students alongside judges, arbitrators, general counsels, board directors, regulators and policymakers — institutions represented on the day included Maybank, Bursa Malaysia, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the High Court of Malaya, the Public Service Department and Asia Pacific University. WomenAtlas Media & Events, which describes itself as a women’s leadership platform connecting members with funding, opportunities and strategic networks through forums, summits and awards, positioned She Leads. She Defends. as its inaugural Law, Risk and Governance forum. With Malaysia’s regulatory environment around AI, Cybersecurity and Data Protection still being written, organisers framed the forum’s core message as a call for women across law, business and technology to help shape that rulebook — rather than simply operate within one built without them.  

LOCUS-T, a leading Malaysian digital marketing agency, has been recognized with four honours at the Advertising + Marketing (A+M) Agency of the Year Awards 2026, reaffirming its position as a trusted digital growth partner for businesses across Malaysia. LOCUS-T team members celebrating the 4 honours at the Advertising + Marketing (A+M) Agency of the Year Awards 2026, reflecting the collective achievement and dedication behind the recognition. The awards were presented during the A+M Agency of the Year Awards gala dinner held on 16 July 2026 at Le Méridien Petaling Jaya. LOCUS-T received: Gold – B2B Agency of the Year Local Hero – B2B Agency of the Year Silver – Performance Marketing Agency of the Year Bronze – Lead Generation Agency of the Year The recognition reflects the agency’s continued commitment to delivering measurable business outcomes through strategic digital marketing solutions that combine data-driven planning, performance optimization and long-term partnership with clients. LOCUS-T receives the Gold and Local Hero honours in the B2B Agency of the Year category at the A+M Agency of the Year Awards 2026. The Gold and Local Hero awards in the B2B Agency of the Year category recognize LOCUS-T’s expertise in helping businesses navigate complex buying journeys, engage decision-makers and generate qualified business opportunities through effective digital marketing strategies. The four honours received by LOCUS-T. From right: Gold and Local Hero for B2B Agency of the Year, Silver for Performance Marketing Agency of the Year, and Bronze for Lead Generation Agency of the Year. Meanwhile, the Silver award for Performance Marketing Agency of the Year acknowledges the agency’s ability to develop and optimize campaigns that deliver measurable marketing performance. The Bronze award for Lead Generation Agency of the Year further highlights LOCUS-T’s strength in transforming online visibility into meaningful customer enquiries and business growth. Commenting on the achievement, Deric Wong, Managing Director of LOCUS-T, said: “These awards are a meaningful recognition of the trust our clients place in us and the dedication of our team. At LOCUS-T, we believe digital marketing should go beyond delivering campaigns, it should create measurable business growth. Every strategy we develop is guided by data, continuous optimization and a commitment to helping businesses achieve sustainable results.” “Receiving recognition across B2B, performance marketing and lead generation reflects the breadth of our capabilities and reinforces our mission to help businesses navigate an increasingly competitive digital landscape. As the industry continues to evolve, we will remain focused on innovation, delivering greater value to our clients and growing together with them.” LOCUS-T provides end-to-end digital marketing solutions encompassing Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Paid Ads, Website Design & Development, Website Maintenance and Google Business Profile. Through these integrated services, the agency helps businesses strengthen their online visibility, attract qualified customers and achieve measurable digital growth.  The LOCUS-T team, whose expertise and collaborative approach continue to help businesses achieve measurable digital growth through strategic digital marketing solutions. The four honours reflect the collective effort of the LOCUS-T team and the continued trust of its clients and partners. They also reinforce the agency’s commitment to professionalism, innovation and delivering practical digital marketing solutions that generate measurable business impact. The latest recognition adds to LOCUS-T’s growing track record of industry achievements. In 2025, the company was recognized by the Malaysia Book of Records for achieving the Most Active SEO Service Contracts by an Agency. The A+M Agency of the Year Awards 2026 further reinforce LOCUS-T’s commitment to delivering measurable digital growth for businesses through strategic, performance-driven marketing solutions.  As businesses continue to adapt to evolving consumer behaviour and digital technologies, LOCUS-T remains committed to strengthening its expertise, enhancing its solutions and helping organizations achieve sustainable, measurable digital growth.

The Asia School of Business (ASB), in collaboration with MIT Sloan Management, hosted its Action Learning Summit 2026 under the theme “The Action Learning Advantage,” bringing together students, faculty members, alumni, industry partners and corporate hosts for an afternoon of discussions, project showcases and networking centred on experiential learning and leadership development. The Summit showcased the institution’s distinctive Action Learning model, which integrates real-world business challenges into academic learning and enables students to move beyond traditional classroom-based education. The Summit officially began with welcome and opening remarks by Professor Sylvia Ng, Faculty Director of Action Learning and Associate Professor of Marketing, who highlighted the transformative impact of experiential education and the value of industry partnerships in developing future-ready leaders.   Learning Beyond the Classroom A key highlight of the programme was the Action Learning Project Showcase, where participants explored how students tackle real-world business challenges through hands-on projects that deliver practical and actionable solutions for partner organisations. The Summit reinforced ASB’s belief that leadership and business acumen are best developed through experience. “What does an MBA look like when learning leaves the classroom?” the institution noted. “At ASB, our students don’t just study business challenges — they step into them.” From warehouse floors and strategy discussions to interviews, observations and collaborative late-night team sessions, students participating in the Business Practicum with SnT Global Logistics were challenged to think critically, adapt quickly and learn through direct experience. The practicum reflects ASB’s Action Learning philosophy, where students apply academic concepts to real business environments while working alongside industry partners to solve complex operational and strategic challenges.   Insights from Industry Leaders and Practitioners One of the key highlights of the summit was the Action Learning Panel, which brought together industry leaders, Action Learning coaches, alumni and students to discuss the impact of experiential learning on leadership development and business problem-solving. Bringing together perspectives from across the Action Learning ecosystem, the panel featured industry host Sarah Grasset, Vice President of The Lost Food Project; Action Learning Business Coaches Alok Mishra, Chief Executive Officer of Value Edition, and Johan Khoo, Associate Partner at EY Malaysia; Michelle George Tan, Assistant Vice President at Twin Tower Ventures and an alumna of ASB’s MBA Class of 2024; and Denni Chu of ASB’s MBA Class of 2026, who shared insights from a student perspective and moderated the discussion. The discussion explored how Action Learning creates value for students, host organisations and business partners, offering perspectives from those directly involved in the programme. Panellists shared experiences on tackling real-world business challenges, fostering innovation through collaboration, and developing leadership capabilities in dynamic business environments. The session also highlighted the long-term benefits of industry-academic partnerships in preparing future leaders to navigate increasingly complex organisational challenges.   The Action Learning Advantage The Summit reinforced ASB’s commitment to its “Action Learning Advantage”, a learning model designed to bridge theory and practice while developing adaptable, industry-ready leaders. Through immersive experiences, students are exposed to dynamic business environments that demand critical thinking, collaboration, innovation and decision-making under real-world conditions. By working directly with organisations across industries, participants gain practical insights that complement their academic studies and prepare them for leadership roles in an increasingly complex business landscape. As demonstrated throughout the Summit, Action Learning remains a cornerstone of the ASB experience, empowering students to learn by doing, solve real business problems and create meaningful impact for organisations and communities alike. Those interested in learning more about ASB’s Action Learning methodology and academic programmes can visit www.asb.edu.my to explore how the institution is shaping future leaders through experiential, impact-driven education.

Malaysia’s corporate leaders must humanise with artificial intelligence rather than watch from the sidelines, as the gap between awareness and readiness widens across the country’s boardrooms. PIKOM CEO Ong Kian Yew, Futurefirst Co-founder Dr Chanthiran Veerasamy, Green Packet Managing Director & Group CEO Datuk Wira Shahul Hameed Shaik Dawood, MIHRM President Simon Benjamin, and Futurefirst Solutions Co-founder Shankar Nagalingam launching the Tarantula Trail at the Summit of Titans II. The distinction lies not in strategy or budget but in leaders personally getting familiar with AI and integrating it into their own work. “Leaders need to take the first step to get themselves to humanise with AI, as in familiarise, capitalise, understand, interpret and use it for their own benefit because awareness alone is no longer enough,,” Futurefirst Solutions Sdn Bhd co-founder Shankar Nagalingam said at the Summit of Titans II, themed “Decode AI. Reclaim the Future”, held yesterday. He said leaders who continued to wait and watch rather than act on AI’s impact risked falling behind. The conclave, which drew more than 300 C-suite executives, also saw the launch of Tarantula Trail, a new leadership venture by Futurefirst Solutions built on NETRA, a trademark framework centred on five traits: Neuroplasticity, Neuroempathy, Technosapient, Regenerative and Agentic.  Malaysian business, technology, and HR leaders at Summit of Titans II. Tarantula Trail is the first in the world to combine two elements in a leadership environment; technology-based assessment using EEG brainwave, AI facial recognition and voice modulation, and a cinematic experience where participants watch a film portraying distinct leadership styles to identify their own gaps.  “We are using technology that no one in the world is using in a leadership environment to connect and interpret future capabilities. Eventually, you can use this for hiring, promotion and organisational succession planning, to determine whether individuals have the traits needed for the future,” Shankar said. He added that the programme reads how leaders truly think, feel and decide, elevating human capabilities no machine can replace.  Unlike conventional assessments, he said the programme identifies individual gaps through technology rather than questionnaires and the reliability of its brainwave measurement surpassed that of a lie detector..  Meanwhile, co-founder Dr Chanthiran Veerasamy highlighted the cinematic element was key to creating the kind of self-realisation conventional training could not.  “Cinematic experience gives you that immersive learning experience, whereas the validation is through the AI app and EEG technology,” he said.  The full programme, including its cinematic production, is expected to be completed by year-end.  Summit of Titans II drew a formidable line-up of industry leadership. Academician Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Datuk Dr. Ir. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali officiated the conclave, while Managing Director and Group CEO of Green Packet, Datuk Wira Shahul Hameed Shaik Dawood launched the Tarantula Trail publications. He was joined on stage by PIKOM Chief Executive Officer Ong Kian Yew and Malaysian Institute of Human Resource Management President Simon Benjamin.  Their presence underscored the summit’s standing as a premier meeting point for Malaysia’s business, technology and human-capital leaders. Meanwhile, keynote speaker Professor Keith Carter, an AI strategist and TEDx speaker, said whether AI replaced or empowered people depended entirely on leadership intent. CEOs with vision, he said, were bringing AI into their organisations not to cut people but to unlock human potential.  Waiting gets punished in 2026, he added, saying that organisations that delayed action risked being left behind.  The Summit of Titans II comes as AI moves beyond pilot programmes into the core of business operations across Malaysia. 

Artificial intelligence is no longer coming — it is here, rewriting the rules of every creative industry on the planet. On 4 June 2026, a room in Kuala Lumpur confronted that reality head-on. Held at the Hyatt Centric Kuala Lumpur, Creators Circle: The Soul of Creativity — AI, Art & The Future of Human Imagination brought together a curated gathering of founders, creators, business leaders, media professionals, and changemakers for an unfiltered conversation about one of the most pressing creative challenges of our generation. Moderated by Rizal Kamal, Founder of Creators Circle and CEO of LOL Asia, the session featured candid insights from Yasmin Suleiman (CEO and Producer, Studio Voxel) and Raz Gabriel Sho (Creative Technologist and Founder, Pixel Crest) — two practitioners operating at the intersection of technology and imagination. This was not a debate about whether AI will change things — it already has. The real question posed was: What do we fight to preserve? The Questions That Stopped the Room The session did not avoid uncomfortable conversations. As AI tools become increasingly sophisticated and accessible, the discussion tackled difficult but necessary questions facing today’s creative leaders: → Is AI enhancing human creativity — or quietly eroding our ability to think for ourselves? → What happens when content becomes infinite but meaning becomes scarce? → Can an algorithm replicate intuition, empathy, cultural memory, and lived experience? → How will creative industries redefine value when the act of creation becomes automated? → Are we building smarter tools — or raising a generation that no longer needs to imagine? The conclusion was clear: while AI will continue to transform the way people work, create, and communicate, it cannot replicate imagination, emotional intelligence, cultural nuance, or the irreplaceable spark of original human thought. Five Forces Reshaping Southeast Asia’s Creative Economy The discussion surfaced five major shifts already taking place across Malaysia and the wider region — and accelerating rapidly. 1. AI as Creative Collaborator — Not Replacement The most forward-thinking creators are not resisting AI — they are learning how to direct it. AI is increasingly serving as an accelerator for ideation, production, research, and design, enabling human creators to focus on higher-value creative thinking. 2. Authenticity Becomes the Premium Asset As AI-generated content floods digital platforms, human perspective, originality, and authentic storytelling are becoming increasingly scarce — and more valuable than ever. 3. A New Creative Economy is Emerging The convergence of AI, media, entertainment, gaming, and immersive technologies is not merely disrupting traditional models — it is creating entirely new opportunities. Entrepreneurs who understand this shift are likely to build the defining companies of the next decade. 4. Creativity is Now a Competitive Advantage In a future where machines increasingly handle execution, uniquely human capabilities such as critical thinking, adaptability, emotional intelligence, cultural literacy, and innovation become even more important. 5. Southeast Asia’s Moment Has Arrived With a young, digitally native population, a fast-growing creator economy, and rich cultural diversity, Southeast Asia is uniquely positioned to become a global hub for human-centred creative innovation — if the region acts decisively. A Conversation Beyond Technology A recurring theme throughout the session was that the future should not be framed as a battle between humans and machines. Instead, speakers challenged participants to think about how technology can responsibly amplify human potential rather than diminish it. “One of the key takeaways from our conversation with Raz and Yasmin was that the future isn’t about choosing between humans and AI — it’s about how we work together. AI is transforming the way we create, communicate and innovate, but it also challenges us to think more deeply about what makes human creativity valuable. The qualities that drive meaningful progress — imagination, empathy, critical thinking and cultural understanding — remain uniquely human. At Creators Circle, we believe these conversations are essential because the decisions we make today will shape the future of creativity, business and society. As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, our responsibility is to ensure that technology amplifies human potential, rather than replaces it,” said Rizal Kamal, Founder of Creators Circle and CEO of LOL Asia.

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM), in partnership with SME Corp. Malaysia, has launched the NextLevel CEO Programme, a high-impact executive development initiative designed to support Malaysian SME leaders in scaling their businesses through strategic leadership, innovation and transformation. The programme, developed under SME Corp. Malaysia’s PRESTIGE 2.0 initiative, offers a RM22,500 executive education experience, with 80% funding provided by the Malaysian Government, reducing the participant investment to RM4,500 (payment plans and bursaries are available). Designed specifically for CEOs, founders and senior decision-makers of high-growth SMEs (with Electrical & Electronics; Drone & Aerospace; Oil & Gas; Medical Devices; Biotechnology; Halal Technology & Smart Agriculture; Mobility; and Green Economy identified as priority sectors), the programme moves beyond traditional training to deliver a board-level, applied learning experience focused on real business outcomes. A Strategic Intervention for SME Leaders The NextLevel CEO Programme is structured as a 9-day, fully face-to-face executive journey, delivered over three months in four intensive blocks. Participants will step away from day-to-day operations to focus on building a clear, board-ready 5-Year Strategic Scale-Up Plan tailored to their business. The programme combines:• Strategic leadership and corporate governance• Innovation, digital transformation and AI• ESG, sustainability and future energy strategy• Business law and contracts for CEOs• Board simulation and applied case studies Participants will also benefit from targeted executive coaching, peer learning and facilitated challenge, ensuring that insights are translated into practical, actionable strategies. Addressing the Challenges of Scaling SMEs As Malaysian SMEs navigate increasing complexity from digital disruption to evolving regulatory and sustainability expectations, the need for structured, strategic leadership has never been greater. The NextLevel CEO Programme has been designed to help leaders:• Move from operational to strategic leadership• Identify and prioritise growth opportunities• Strengthen governance and decision-making• Build resilience through risk and ESG integration• Develop a clear roadmap for long-term, sustainable growth Delivered by Heriot-Watt University Heriot-Watt University brings extensive experience in executive education and SME leadership development, including its role as a delivery partner for the UK Government’s Help to Grow: Management programme, through which it has supported over 350 SME leaders. The programme will be delivered at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia’s Putrajaya campus. Head of School, Edinburgh Business School, HWUM, Dr Jimmy Tam, said, “This programme is designed to give SME leaders the space, structure and challenge they need to step back from daily operations and think strategically about growth. It’s not about theory, it’s about building a clear, actionable plan that can take their business to the next level.” The recognition reaffirms the University’s focus on equipping students with practical skills and relevant knowledge. More than 95 percent of its graduates secure employment or continue their studies within six months of graduating, highlighting strong outcomes in career readiness. Programme Details • Duration: 9 days (7–9 August, 11–13 September, 10–11 October, 7 November)• Format: Fully face-to-face in English (with translation available)• Location: Putrajaya• Programme Value: RM22,500• Government Funding: 80%• Participant Investment: RM4,500 Places are limited and subject to eligibility criteria set by SME Corp. Malaysia. Applications Now Open Applications for the NextLevel CEO Programme are now open. SME leaders interested in participating can find out more and apply:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1988753435060?aff=oddtdtcreator For more information on Heriot-Watt University Malaysia and its world-class programmes, kindly visit:https://www.hw.ac.uk/malaysia/ For any enquiries on the programme, kindly contact Louisa Osmond, Head of Executive Education, Edinburgh Business School at [email protected]

Futurefirst Solutions returns with Summit of the Titans II on June 9 to redefine leadership in the AI era with Global Industry Titans. Malaysia has no shortage of AI roadmaps. What it may be running short of is leaders who can actually execute them, and 300 of the country’s most senior executives will gather at Summit of Titans II to address that gap head-on. The conclave on June 9 brings together some of the country’s leading business minds, not to talk about AI, but to confront whether they are truly ready to lead through it. Organised by Futurefirst Solutions Sdn Bhd, the event will be held at New Ocean World, Petaling Jaya, strictly by invitation only. The summit is expected to gather top-tier executives overseeing tens of thousands of employees across Malaysia’s largest multinationals and government-linked companies, including general managers, managing directors, and chief human resource officers. A look back at the previous launching of the Summit of the Titans 2025, with the grand unveiling of the Cheetah Chase book. Futurefirst Solutions co-founder Shankar Nagalingam said the AI era demands a different kind of leadership. “The AI era won’t be won by those who understand the technology, it will be won by those bold enough to lead through it,” he said. The summit aims to equip senior decision-makers with the capabilities needed to lead organisations through rapid AI-driven change, while strengthening collaboration, decision-making, and leadership readiness across industries. The half-day programme, running from 9am to 12.30pm, will be officiated by Academician Tan Sri Datuk Seri Dr. Ir. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali, Chairman of SIRIM Berhad and Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia, and will begin with a live choreographed performance. Professor Keith Carter, an AI strategist, author, and TEDx speaker, will deliver the keynote address on leadership capabilities required in an AI-driven world. The session will be followed by a cross-industry panel featuring Catherine Lian, ASEAN Lead at IBM; Ang Wee Seng, President of the Semiconductor Industry Association of Singapore; and Sunderaj Nagalingam, Founder of Binacap. A key highlight of the summit is The Titans’ Fireside, an unscripted 20-minute conversation between Andy M, General Manager of Dell Technologies, and Chua Chai Peng, General Manager of Experian. The discussion is expected to address whether AI could displace 30 per cent of corporate headcount within the next 24 months, and whether senior leaders are adequately preparing their organisations for that reality. Meanwhile, co-founder Dr Chanthiran Veerasamy said the time for waiting has passed. “Waiting to see how AI unfolds is no longer a strategy. The leaders who act now will define their industries, the rest will follow them,” he said. Futurefirst Solutions Sdn Bhd co-founders, Shankar Nagalingam (right) and Dr Chanthiran Veerasam. The summit will also feature the official launch of TARANTULA TRAIL, a new leadership venture by FutureFirst Solutions. A cinematic trailer will premiere during the event, with both co-founders sharing insights into the venture’s journey. Summit of Titans II follows a successful first edition that attracted strong interest among senior leaders. The second edition comes as AI increasingly moves beyond pilot programmes into the core of business operations across Malaysia. Co-sponsored by UOA Academy and Technomech, the summit is designed specifically for senior leaders. With AI continuing to reshape how companies operate, organisers said the question is no longer whether leaders need to act, but whether they already have.

Kuala Lumpur is set to strengthen its position as one of Asia’s growing destinations for live music with the launch of KL Headline Season 2026, an initiative aimed at bringing more international entertainment acts to the capital. Developed by Live Nation Malaysia in collaboration with PR Worldwide, Tourism Malaysia, and CelcomDigi, the initiative is expected to drive concert tourism and elevate Kuala Lumpur’s profile as a regional live entertainment hub. Under the programme, 25 international music performances are scheduled to take place across six major venues throughout 2026, with an estimated 500,000 fans from Malaysia and across the region expected to attend. The concert lineup will feature arena and theatre performances by global artistes including Lany, Laufey, Bryan Adams, DAY6, TREASURE, and Daniel Caesar. Large-scale stadium shows by Post Malone, The Weeknd, and BTS are also planned, reflecting Kuala Lumpur’s increasing ability to host major international productions. (From left) Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, Live Nation Malaysia managing director, Para Rajagopal, CelcomDigi Brand and Marketing Services head Chan May Ling and Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) chairman Datuk Manoharan Periasamy during the official launch of KL Headline Season 2026 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The initiative was launched at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre by Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, alongside Live Nation Malaysia managing director Para Rajagopal. Para said concerts today have become strong tourism drivers, encouraging fans to travel, extend their stays, and engage more deeply with destinations. “Through KL Headline Season, the fan experience will go beyond the concert venue and become part of a wider lifestyle and cultural journey. “Visitors can experience the best of Malaysia, from its food and attractions to its vibrant city life. Each concert becomes more than a performance — it becomes a gateway to experiencing Kuala Lumpur,” he said. He added that beyond ticket sales, the initiative is expected to generate economic benefits for sectors such as hotels, airlines, retail, and food and beverage, while creating opportunities for local businesses and communities. Meanwhile, Hannah Yeoh said the initiative aligns with Visit Malaysia 2026, supporting Malaysia’s ambitions to become a leading destination for high-value tourism. “Major concerts and events attract international visitors and contribute to the broader tourism ecosystem. Kuala Lumpur is well-positioned to support this growth, and we welcome continued collaboration with industry partners to expand the country’s live events landscape,” she said. Para added that KL Headline Season 2026 aims to create a consistent calendar of live performances, helping establish Kuala Lumpur as a regular stop for major Asian concert tours. Among the artistes set to perform in Kuala Lumpur are TREASURE (May 30), Anson Seabra (May 30), Laufey (June 2), Kodaline (Aug 26), Post Malone (Sept 27), Lany (Nov 1), The Weeknd (Nov 4–5), and BTS (Dec 12–13). Tickets are available at www.livenation.my.