Borneo Economic Forum 2026 Speakers
The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg
Premier of Sarawak
The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg has served as the Premier of Sarawak since 2017. He has led Sarawak’s development agenda with a focus on digital transformation, renewable energy, green technology, infrastructure, and regional connectivity. He also serves as Minister for Finance and New Economy, Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, and Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, playing a key role in advancing Sarawak’s economic transformation and sustainable development.
M. Arsjad Rasjid P.M.
Co-Chair of Borneo Economic Community (BEC)
M. Arsjad Rasjid P.M. is an Indonesian business leader and Chairman of the Board of the Trustees of Indonesian Business Council (IBC).He previously served as Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and has held various regional leadership roles, including Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Indonesia and Chair of the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Business Network. With extensive experience in business, investment, and energy, he has been actively involved in strengthening economic cooperation across Borneo and advancing the development of the Borneo Economic Community.
Haslina Taib
Co-Chair of Borneo Economic Community (BEC)
Haslina Taib is Co-Chair and an early champion of the Borneo Economic Community, helping establish the initiative in collaboration with business chambers and private-sector leaders across Borneo to strengthen economic connectivity, investment and opportunity across the island. With nearly three decades of C-suite and senior leadership experience across technology, digital transformation, hospitality and real estate, she spent 18 years in Southeast Asia leading a multinational joint venture delivering national-scale transformation across public healthcare, treasury, revenue, welfare and other critical government services. Today, Haslina advises businesses on geographic expansion, investment and transformation, alongside Series A and growth-stage companies navigating scale, governance and new markets.
Basuki Hadimuljono
Chairman of the Nusantara Capital Authority (IKN)
Dr. (H.C.) Ir. H. M. Basuki Hadimuljono, M.Sc., Ph.D. is the Chairman of the Nusantara Capital Authority (IKN), a position he has held since 2024. He previously served as Indonesia’s Minister of Public Works and Housing from 2014 to 2024, overseeing major national infrastructure and development programmes. A civil engineer and geologist by training, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering from Universitas Gadjah Mada and master’s and doctoral degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado. He has held various senior positions within Indonesia’s Ministry of Public Works, including Director General of Spatial Planning, Inspector General, and Head of Research and Development. He also received an Honorary Doctorate from Institut Teknologi Bandung in 2020.
Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab
Deputy Minister at the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Brunei Darussalam
Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab is Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Brunei Darussalam. She was promoted to the post from permanent secretary in the June 2026 cabinet reshuffle, which also renamed the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. A career civil servant, she was previously Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry, where she took part in Brunei-Philippines talks on the halal industry and halal export promotion.
Rachmat Pambudy
Minister for National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) of the Republic of Indonesia
Prof. Dr. Ir. Rachmat Pambudy, M.S. is Indonesia’s Minister of National Development Planning and Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). He leads the country’s national development planning agenda, including policies supporting economic transformation, regional development, human capital, and inclusive and sustainable growth. Under his leadership, Bappenas has continued to emphasise people-centred development and the strengthening of human resources as foundations for national and regional transformation. He currently serves as Minister of PPN/Head of Bappenas in the administration of President Prabowo Subianto
Dato' Jonathan Chai Voon Tok
President of Sarawak Business Federation (SBF)
Dato Jonathan Chai Voon Tok, LL.B., Barrister and Solicitor (NZ), is President of the Sarawak Business Federation (SBF), Secretary-General of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sarawak (ACCCIS) and the Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCGCCI). He is also a founding partner and Principal of Messrs Mutang, Bojeng & Chai, Advocates & Solicitors. A graduate of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, he was admitted to the High Court of New Zealand in 1991 and as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Courts of Sabah and Sarawak in 1992. Dato Chai also serves as a National Council Member of ACCCIM and holds leadership positions in several educational and community organisations. He was awarded the P.B.K. in 2012 and the P.S.B.S., carrying the title “Dato,” in 2021.
Dato' Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto bin Osman
CEO of Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC)
Dato’ Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto bin Osman leads Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), driving the state’s digital transformation and connectivity agenda. He has translated digital policies into initiatives including the world’s first six-way 4G Multi-Operator Core Network, Digital Innovation Hubs across Sarawak, and the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network. In recognition of his leadership in the digital economy, he was honoured as a ‘Movers & Shakers’ recipient at the Asia HRD Awards 2025. Prior to joining SDEC, Dato' Sudarnoto served as Chief Executive Officer of SACOFA Sdn. Bhd., following his appointment by the Sarawak Government in 2013. During his tenure, he led significant organisational transformation and expanded the company’s regional and international footprint.
Dato' Charon Wardini Mokhzani
Chairman of ASEAN-BAC Malaysia
Dato' Charon Wardini Mokhzani is Chairman of ASEAN-BAC Malaysia and a veteran Malaysian banker and corporate leader whose career spans law, investment banking, and development finance. He served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Corporate and Investment Banking at CIMB Group and Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Investment Bank Berhad, before becoming an Executive Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad and founding Managing Director of the Khazanah Research Institute. He later served as Group Managing Director of Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF) and currently chairs the Export-Import Bank of Malaysia (EXIM Bank). Earlier in his career, he was Managing Partner of Zaid Ibrahim & Co., then Malaysia's largest law firm. He is a Chartered Banker and a Fellow of the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers, and read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Balliol College, University of Oxford, and Law at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
Datuk Haji Mohd Hasnol Datuk Ayub
President of the Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce (SBCC)
Datuk Haji Mohd Hasnol Datuk Ayub is President of the Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce (SBCC). His professional experience spans business leadership, corporate governance and economic development in Sabah. He served as Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of the Institute for Development Studies (Sabah) from 2009 to 2019, overseeing the institute’s operations, policy-related research and development consultancy work. His project portfolio included the Sabah Development Corridor Blueprint and studies covering rural development, human capital, oil and gas, tourism and the creative industries. His previous board appointments include Suria Capital Berhad, Sabah Port Sdn Bhd, Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation and the Employees Provident Fund. He holds an MBA from the University of Wales (Cardiff). He brings a combined business and public-policy perspective to discussions on industrial development, investment and regional economic cooperation.
Ar. Teo Ah Khing
Chairman of Imasa Dinasti Sdn. Bhd.
Ar. Teo Ah Khing is an award-winning architect, entrepreneur, and master planner with extensive experience in architecture, urban development, and international investment. Chairman of Imasa Dinasti Sdn. Bhd. and TAK Group of Companies, he has led more than 200 projects across Asia and international markets. A graduate of the University of New South Wales and Harvard University, he established his own practice in 1993 and later led the master planning of Putrajaya. His portfolio includes the Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse in Dubai and Miri City Fan in Sarawak. In Sarawak, he has also spearheaded the Miri Waterfront City Development Master Plan and initiated the 548-acre Kenyalang Smart City project. His contributions to the property and development sector include the SHEDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
Daniel Leong
Acting CEO of Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB)
Daniel Leong is appointed the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) in July 2022, overseeing investment facilitation, industrial site development, and local enterprise growth. He previously served as Head of Industrial Site Management at Darussalam Enterprise (DARe), where he managed industrial parks and supported companies in implementing industrialisation projects, before becoming DARe’s Acting CEO in April 2022. Earlier, Daniel served as Assistant CEO for Innovation and New Initiatives at BEDB, focusing on startups and industrial R&D collaboration. He also held senior management, marketing, product, and sales roles with Standard Chartered and DBS in Brunei and Shanghai. Daniel holds an MBA from City University, London, and a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering from the University of Brighton.
Sofyan A. Djalil
CEO of Indonesian Business Council (IBC)
Sofyan A. Djalil is CEO of the Indonesia Business Council (IBC) and a veteran Indonesian economic policymaker who served as Cabinet Minister for thirteen years across two presidential administrations. Under President Joko Widodo, he served as Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning and Head of the National Land Agency (2016–2022), Minister of National Development Planning/Bappenas (2015–2016), and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (2014–2015); earlier, under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, he held the posts of Minister of Communication and Information Technology (2004–2007) and Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (2007–2009).
Said Zaidansyah
Regional Head of Regional Cooperation and Integration at the Asian Development Bank’s Southeast Asia Regional Department (SERD) in Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Said Zaidansyah is Regional Head of Regional Cooperation and Integration at the Asian Development Bank’s Southeast Asia Regional Department (SERD) in Asian Development Bank (ADB), where he leads regional cooperation initiatives across Southeast Asia and oversees ADB’s operations in Malaysia and engagement with Brunei. He previously served as ADB Country Director for Papua New Guinea and Deputy Country Director for Indonesia. He joined ADB in 2002 through its Young Professionals Program after practicing law at Baker & McKenzie in Jakarta. Mr. Zaidansyah holds an LLB from the University of Indonesia and an LLM from Queen Mary University of London, completed under a British Chevening scholarship. He has also served as President of the Indonesia Diaspora Network Global and sits on the boards of IDN Global and Save the Children Indonesia.
Nobel Pang Paul Gen
Chair of BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) Malaysia Sarawak
Nobel Pang Paul Gen is a business and regional economic cooperation leader with extensive experience in trade, investment, logistics, and business development in Sarawak and the wider BIMP-EAGA sub-region. He currently serves as President of the BIMP-EAGA Sarawak Association (BESA), where he works to strengthen private-sector participation and promote greater economic cooperation across Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. He also serves as a Chair of the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) representing Sarawak, with a focus on advancing trade and investment within the sub-region. Nobel Pang is also Managing Director of SM Inland Port Sdn Bhd and has been actively involved in the Sarawak business community, including through the Sarawak Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Sade Bimantara
Director of ASEAN External Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia
Ida Bagus Made “Sade” Bimantara is a senior Indonesian diplomat and currently serves as Director for ASEAN External Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. In this role, he leads Indonesia’s engagement with ASEAN’s external partners and works on strategic, economic, and geopolitical cooperation across regions. Previously, he served as Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C., where he oversaw political, economic, and cross-sector engagement with the United States. He also served as Counsellor and spokesperson at the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra and as Assistant to the Special Staff for International Affairs of the President of Indonesia. Bimantara holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Money and Finance and a Master’s degree in Communications from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
Arya Rizqi Darsono
Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) of West Kalimantan
Arya Rizqi Darsono is the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) of West Kalimantan, serving for the 2024–2029 term. He was previously appointed Acting Chairman, during which he worked to expand KADIN's presence across districts and cities in West Kalimantan. Under his leadership, KADIN Kalbar has focused on strengthening coordination between businesses and government, improving the business environment, supporting MSMEs, and advancing regional economic development. He has emphasized KADIN's role as a strategic partner of government in strengthening the competitiveness of West Kalimantan's business sector and promoting trade, industry, and services.
Zurinah Datuk Hanafiah
CEO of CTS Horizon Sdn Bhd
Zurinah Binti Datuk Hanafiah is CEO of CTS Horizon Sdn. Bhd., bringing nearly 30 years of telecommunications experience spanning network engineering, commercial leadership and governance. Since joining Celcom Axiata Berhad in 1996, she has held senior roles across network operations, sales, marketing and customer management. Formerly Chief Technical Officer, she led fibre transmission expansion and FTTx operations before becoming CEO in March 2024. She now steers CTS Horizon’s strategy, performance and stakeholder partnerships, advancing connectivity infrastructure and digital solutions across Sabah and Labuan. Her vision is to strengthen CTS Horizon’s regional presence and harness connectivity and digital solutions to support Sabah’s economic growth and digital future.
Yap Kwong Weng
CEO of Vietnam SuperPort; Head of Group Strategy, Sustainability, and Communication, YCH Group
Dr. Yap Kwong Weng is the CEO of Vietnam SuperPort, a joint venture between YCH Group and Vietnam’s T&T Group, and leads Strategy, Sustainability, and Communications at YCH Group. He previously served as Head of Transformation at Sembcorp Industries, where he focused on industrial park strategy and sustainable development. Earlier, he held senior consulting roles at KPMG and Ernst & Young and helped establish the KPMG–A*STAR joint laboratory. Dr Yap has also held management roles across Southeast Asia and contributed to strategic port and technology ventures. A former commando officer, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and received the Rotary Peace Fellowship. He serves on several boards and committees in Singapore and holds a PhD from the University of Glasgow, alongside master’s degrees from Cambridge, Manchester, and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
Chin Kah Yi
CEO of Sabah Net Sdn Bhd
Chin Kah Yi is the Chief Executive Officer of Sabah Net Sdn. Bhd., with over 25 years of experience in IT solutions, enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, strategic consultancy, and digital infrastructure. He holds a Master of Science in Distributed Systems from the University of Kent and is certified as a CISSP, ISSMP, and CCSP. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles overseeing large-scale ICT projects, secure data centre solutions, and digital transformation initiatives across government, private, and educational institutions. At Sabah Net, he leads efforts to strengthen Sabah’s digital infrastructure, foster innovation, expand digital inclusion, and develop strategic partnerships. He also serves as Sabah’s focal point in the BIMP-EAGA Digital Alliance, supporting cross-border cooperation in digital connectivity, ecosystem development, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
Manish Chiddarwar
Senior Director, Corporate Finance, Danantara Investment Management (DIM)
Manish Chiddarwar is a senior finance and investment executive with two decades of experience across leading global financial institutions, private investment platforms, and operating companies. His career spans investment banking, private equity, principal investing, structured debt, M&A advisory, infrastructure, and data centers, across Southeast Asia and global markets. Prior to Danantara, he was SVP – Mergers & Acquisitions at BDx Data Centers, Managing Director at Lynx Asia Partners, and previously held roles at Standard Bank, Symphony Asia Holdings, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, working on leveraged finance, private equity investments, M&A, IPOs, and structured financing transactions. His experience across advisory, lending, investing, and operating roles gives him a distinctive perspective on capital allocation, transaction execution, governance, and value creation. He holds a Post Graduate Programme in Management from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering from Mumbai University.
Naoto Okura
Director General for Research and Policy Design, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Naoto Okura is Director General for Research and Policy Design at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). He brings extensive experience in economic policy, international cooperation, and public-sector management, having served in Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His work has focused on economic cooperation, strategic policy planning, and engagement with governments and stakeholders across ASEAN and East Asia. He holds a Master of Public Diplomacy from the University of Southern California and a Master of Engineering from Waseda University.
David An
Director of ZTE CTO Group
David An leads ZTE CTO Group in Asia Pacific and brings over 20 years of experience in the ICT industry. He has helped drive technology and business innovation in areas such as 5G, AI and autonomous networks. As an industry thought leader, David has represented ZTE as a keynote speaker at major global ICT events, including forums organized by the ITU, GSMA and other leading industry bodies.
Goh Jing Rui
Director of VentureSEA Consulting
Goh Jing Rui is Director of VentureSEA Consulting, where he helps international businesses navigate market entry and expansion across Southeast Asia, working with companies seeking to establish operations, build partnerships, and scale within the region's diverse markets. His entrepreneurial background includes founding and running ventures spanning international market-entry consulting, enterprise data transformation, and AI-driven business solutions, giving him a cross-disciplinary perspective on the operational and strategic challenges facing companies entering Southeast Asia.
Leslie Chai
Vice President for Commercial, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB)
Leslie Chai Kim Pau is the Vice President for Commercial at Sarawak Energy. An electrical
engineer by profession, he is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (FIEM), a
registered Professional Engineer (PE) with the Board of Engineers Malaysia and a Certified
Electrical Engineer (CEE) with the Electrical Inspectorate, Sarawak. He holds a Bachelor of
Engineering (Hons) from the University of Bath and a Master of Science with Distinction
from Warwick University, United Kingdom. With over 30 years of experience at Sarawak Energy, Leslie has held various technical and leadership roles across power system planning, distribution operation and maintenance, renewable energy and rural electrification, interconnection and commercial functions. He has played a key role in advancing several strategic renewable energy and interconnection initiatives, including the Sarawak-West Kalimantan Interconnection Project (2016), Southeast Asia’s first integrated hydrogen production plant and refuelling station (2019), the Battery Energy Storage project (2024) and Sarawak–Sabah Interconnection (2025).
Foo Kee Khoon
Business Development Director, Aster Chemicals & Energy Pte Ltd
Kee Khoon Foo the Business Development Director at Aster Chemicals & Energy Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based integrated refining and petrochemicals company operating on Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island, jointly owned by Chandra Asri and Glencore. A techno-commercial energy downstream leader with more than 20 years of experience, he focuses on building partnerships that bring next-generation, lower-carbon fuels, such as energy solutions that power the needs of society for tomorrow. Before Aster, he held a range of technical, operations, trading and commercial roles at Shell. His expertise spans strategic planning, project development, supply chain optimisation, asset management and trading. He holds a Master of Engineering from Imperial College, London and a Master of Business Administration from Manchester Business School.
Faizah Mustapa
Chief Business Officer of Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of Malaysia
Faizah Mustapa is the Chief Business Officer of Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank), where she oversees the bank’s business functions supporting trade, investment, and cross-border ventures. EXIM Bank is a government-owned development financial institution mandated to support Malaysian exports, imports, and overseas investment. In her role, Faizah contributes to the bank’s efforts to facilitate international business and strengthen trade and investment partnerships.
Azwan Othman
Project Lead, Adinin Group of Companies
Azwan Othman is a Project Lead with the Adinin Group of Companies, a Brunei based diversified group with operations and investments across multiple sectors and international markets. He has 8 years of experience in banking with expertise in financing operations, business development, compliance and stakeholder management. He also has academic experience having previously served as an adjunct lecturer at university level, teaching Business Risk and Investment. In his current role, Azwan is involved in business development, project implementation, financial management, and cross-functional initiatives across the Group’s diversified business interests with a focus on regional collaboration and investment.
Qian Shihong
Strategy Officer, Huawei Indonesia
Qian Shihong is Strategy Officer at Huawei Indonesia, where he focuses on strategy development, industry trends, and the company’s engagement with Indonesia’s digital technology ecosystem. He has experience in strategy management, strategic planning, industry development, and technology-driven business transformation. Qian has represented Huawei in discussions on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and technology development, including efforts to strengthen collaboration between the technology sector and Indonesian stakeholders.
Atul Menon
Private Sector Development Specialist, Southeast Asia Department (SEARD), Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Atul is a Private Sector Development Specialist in ADB's Southeast Asia Department. In addition to being the private sector focal for Malaysia, Atul supports project development and processing across sovereign and private sector financing operations in multiple countries. Across sectors including urban development, tourism, agriculture, and education, Atul has supported projects by strategically incorporating private sector elements relating to the enabling environment, investment promotion, private sector participation in operations and management, and private capital mobilization. In addition, Atul leads strategy work to integrate private sector development into ADB's Country Partnership Strategies. Atul has almost a decade of experience in international development working across the World Bank Group and ADB in Washington, D.C., Singapore, and Manila.
Borneo Economic Forum 2026 Moderators
Allen Lai
Managing Director of Confer Sdn Bhd
Allen Lai is the Founder and Managing Director of Confer Sdn. Bhd., a Brunei-based strategic marketing and communications company specialising in business, trade, and investment policy. Confer curates and delivers business conferences, forums, and roundtables, working closely with trade and business organisations across ASEAN and the APEC region. With extensive experience in ASEAN and APEC affairs, Allen works with businesses and institutions to deepen engagement on regional issues including global trade, sustainability, and digital transformation. He served as a Senior Advisor to the APEC CEO Summit 2024 in Peru and as Programme Consultant to the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and ASEAN Business Awards 2025 in Malaysia. Allen also works closely with the UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) and the UK Government to develop opportunities for UK companies to strengthen their engagement in Southeast Asia.
Timothy Ong Wye Ern
CEO of Invest Sarawak
Timothy Ong is the Chief Executive Officer of Invest Sarawak, Sarawak’s state investment, trade, and talent attraction agency. He has more than 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors, having previously held senior positions at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the National Innovation Agency under the Prime Minister’s Department, and Steinbeis Malaysia Foundation. He has contributed to national initiatives including the National Graphene Action Plan, National Biomass Strategy, and Mid-Tier Company Programme. In his current role, he leads Invest Sarawak’s efforts to attract and facilitate strategic investments and strengthen Sarawak’s economic development.
Jukhee Hong
Executive Advisor of Southeast Asia Future Initiatives Centre (SEAFIC)
Jukhee Hong is Executive Advisor at the Southeast Asia Future Initiatives Centre (SEAFIC), with over 15 years of experience advancing ASEAN economic integration and private-sector engagement. She most recently served as Executive Director of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Malaysia (2023–2026), supporting the private-sector agenda during Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. Her previous leadership roles include Executive Director of the APEC Business Advisory Council (APEC-BAC) Secretariat, Head of the ASEAN Business Club, and leadership of CARI ASEAN Research & Advocacy. She has also led business missions across ASEAN and beyond, engaging senior government and business leaders. Earlier in her career, Jukhee spent over 12 years as a trilingual media practitioner and prime-time news anchor, as well as a media advisor to three cabinet ministers. She is currently pursuing a PhD at Xi’an Jiaotong University, focusing on digitalisation and climate change.