Key leaders for the upcoming REHDA Institute CEO Series 2026.
The REHDA Institute CEO Series 2026 is set for 15 January 2026 at Le Méridien Petaling Jaya. Supported by over 18 associations and officiated by Minister of Finance II, Amir Hamzah Azizan, the flagship conference arrives as Malaysia navigates shifting global dynamics and ASEAN capital flows. The event will serve as a strategic platform for leaders in banking, manufacturing, and real estate to analyze economic signals and structural shifts.
Discussions will focus on attracting patient capital, transitioning to recurring income, and exploring alternative assets like wellness-driven and experience-led real estate ahead of Visit Malaysia Year.
Dato’ Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip, Chairman of REHDA Institute, emphasized that Malaysia’s economic strength must be viewed holistically across mutually reinforcing sectors. He said, “Beyond individual sector contributions to Malaysia’s GDP, the nation’s economic vitality and job creation are rooted in its dynamic, interdependent industrial ecosystem, including manufacturing, services, technology, infrastructure, construction, and real estate. Crucially, the strength, innovation, and future potential of this intricate value web are fundamentally powered by the continuous cultivation and strategic deployment of our talent and human capital.”
(From left to right) Tan Sri Datuk Eddy Chen, Trustee, REHDA Institute / Group Managing Director, MKH Berhad, Dato’ Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip, Chairman of REHDA Institute, Datuk Ir Ho Hon Sang, President of REHDA Malaysia.
Datuk Ho Hon Sang, President of REHDA Malaysia, highlighted the need for strategic reinvestment as market dynamics evolve. He said, “As capital becomes prudent and global demand shifts, our ecosystem’s competitiveness and adaptability require strategic investment. This includes infrastructure, technology, and robust human capital development (training and lifelong learning), crucial for long-term alignment and resilience against market trends.”
A significant portion of the series will examine the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JSSEZ) and its impact on trade and urban development. Commenting on this, Dato’ Jeffrey Ng noted that the issues extend well beyond geography, saying, “Cross-border integration is no longer just about geography or infrastructure, so it requires closer coordination between planning, policy, and investment to ensure that economic spillovers translate into sustainable growth and long-term value creation.”
The conference will also mark the official launch of the REHDA Institute Youth Initiative (RIYI), a corporate mentorship program officiated by Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke Siew Fook. Supported by organizations like Avaland Berhad, the program aims to provide university students with early exposure to real-world decision-making.
Apollo Bello Tanco, CEO of Avaland Berhad, said, “We are pleased to partner with Rehda Institute on the RIYI Programme at this timely moment, empowering youth with essential skills while reinforcing our CSR commitment to community wellbeing. As we expand our third-year health screening initiatives, we remain dedicated to uplifting communities and improving lives.”
Dato’ Jeffrey Ng added, “Effective talent development must begin proactively, upstream in the educational continuum. To merely address workforce challenges at the point of employment is to confront an already vast and often unmanageable skills gap. Therefore, embedding early industry immersion and structured mentorship, commencing at the university level, is not just beneficial but absolutely critical for cultivating a workforce capable of thriving in an increasingly complex, capital-intensive, and regionally competitive landscape.”
By linking macroeconomic strategy with talent development, the CEO Series 2026 aims to secure Malaysia’s long-term resilience and economic trajectory.
For more details, visit www.rehdainstitute.com.
