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Daily Express
10 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
CEO Masterclass Sabah 2025: Right mindset needed for economic growth: Masidi
Published on: Monday, July 14, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 14, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Masidi and the organisers posing in a photo with invited panels and Sabah business leaders. Kota Kinabalu: State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the government is committed to creating a business-friendly State and driving economic growth through collaboration with local private companies and stakeholders. 'The government will continue to find ways to assist you,' he told local business leaders at the CEO Masterclass Sabah 2025: Scale Beyond Limits held at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, Thursday. 'The most important thing is having the right mindset and creating an ecosystem that is business friendly and comfortable for people to do business and grow their business. 'The business of the government is not to compete with the private sector but rather to facilitate the innovation of privately owned companies to make more money,' he said. The event was co-organised by the Sabah Young Business and Industry Leaders (Sybil) and the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) in support of the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore with Daily Express as the media partner. While acknowledging infrastructure issues in Sabah, Masidi said the government's support goes beyond just solving infrastructure problems but also creating the right environment for businesses to thrive. 'We are continuing to try to improve, and I know it is a huge challenge, but I am sure one day we can say that we can tackle the problem and solve the problem together,' he said. He also pointed out the important need for unity among all stakeholders for moving forward. 'We should be united. I know that we have friends from all generations, but until we unite, help each other and look at the needs while complementing each other's biggest assets, it will be difficult for us to go forward,' Masidi said. Additionally, he pointed out the importance of collaboration over competition, saying that success comes from working together rather than from individual efforts. 'If you talk about scaling the boundaries, it is about networking and creating something that we can do together. Instead of just me or you. It should be us,' he said. He also spoke about the importance of adaptability in today's fast-changing business environment. 'Adaptability means being able to weather a storm because you are adaptable to changing circumstances. Things can change overnight. So, we need to be ready. 'We need to have good collaborations and networking because we need adaptability. We must work together and be more adaptable to changing circumstances. 'I sincerely believe that Sabahans have full potential, a lot of potential to grow. With the right mindset and collaborative approach, the State can overcome its challenges and unlock its full economic potential,' he said. Meanwhile, MICCI Vice President Datuk Lee Swi Heng said the event captures the collective vision to empower each other towards unlocking potential and pursuing sustainable growth far beyond conventional boundaries. 'We hope that the CEO Masterclass 2025 has not only offered valuable perspectives but has also ignited within each participant the courage to dream bigger, act bolder and confidently tackle the exciting challenges of scaling your businesses,' he said. A unique feature of this year's masterclass was the inclusion of 'Human Books', comprising successful entrepreneurs who shared their personal journeys and practical business insights with participants. The format provided attendees with direct access to real-world experiences and actionable advice. 'As the nation's oldest chamber, MICCI remains dedicated to empowering businesses to grow and scale beyond boundaries. We achieve this by facilitating strategic networking opportunities and nurturing a dynamic, supportive ecosystem for passionate entrepreneurs,' Lee said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
12 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
CEO Masterclass 2025: Transformation of Mindset and Attitude Essential for Sabahans to scale beyond limits
Published on: Monday, July 14, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 14, 2025 By: Azwin Zawawi Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: The much-anticipated CEO Masterclass 2025 marked its successful return with the participation of nearly 400 industry leaders and professionals at the Sabah International Convention Centre on Thursday. The event, co-organized by the Sabah Young Business and Industry Leaders (SYBIL) and the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Sabah, reaffirmed the strength of their collaboration in delivering one of the state's most esteemed platforms for leadership and networking. In his welcoming speech, SYBIL Founding President and Group General Manager of SEDCO, Datuk Ar. James Wong Kein Peng mentioned, 'In Sabah, it is not that we entrepreneurs are any less capable than our international counterparts - but it is due to a lack of exposure. Our industry friends from Singapore and KL scaling 30 outlets per year, have unlocked their imagination of what is possible - and we need to bring that confidence to scale up and think big to Sabah.' The greatest impact to Sabah's economy happens when local businesses learn to unlock their potential, scale up their organizations and manage to attract and retain the best local talent to work in Sabah. James accentuated that SYBIL is dedicated to continue organizing events that bring value to the Sabah Business Community. 'With CEO Masterclass, we are creating a powerful network to enable A-list business players to share their experience and enable direct dialogue and learning with our local entrepreneurs.' Engaging panel discussions were the crowd pleasers of the event. The first session 'Overcoming the Business Death Valley' moderated by Ray Chou brought together three distinguished panellists, Kenji Yeo CEO of Amazing Borneo Tours; Geraldyn Low co-founder of Ventamin and Asgari Stephens Director of Intelligent Capital, to discuss the challenges and lessons learnt from their personal entrepreneurship journeys. Datuk Ar. James moderated an esteemed panel of speakers that took participants on a journey to learning from the titans of Sabahan listed companies from their experience of 'Scaling Beyond Sabah' on how they succeeded in listing their companies on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia. Datuk Dr. Gordon Loke, Group Managing Director of KTI Landmark Berhad; Liaw Hen Kong Managing Director of Life Water Berhad and Kang Ket Hung Managing Director of Colform Berhad shared their inspiring stories on growing their respective businesses from small towns in Sabah to becoming public listed companies and stand proudly amongst global giants. Guest of Honour YB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Masidi Manjun emphasized that true progress begins with a shift in mindset. He urged government-linked companies (GLCs) to adopt a business-driven approach and collaborate with the private sector to leverage their expertise and efficiency. 'The government's role is not to compete with businesses but to facilitate their growth,' he noted, adding that public-private partnerships can lead to greater profitability, job creation, and tax revenue. Masidi encouraged GLCs to offer equity to private players and co-manage ventures to achieve shared success. Highlighting the importance of adaptability and cooperation in today's economy, he praised CEO Masterclass as a vital platform to foster these partnerships, reminding all that when Sabahans unite, challenges can be overcome together. A key highlight of the event was the keynote by Professor Inderjit Singh Dhaliwal, a distinguished business entrepreneur from Singapore, in a session moderated by John Cham, Managing Director of Blue Swan Home Care. In his talk, 'Scaling Beyond Limits,' Professor Inderjit shared hard-earned strategies from building multiple successful companies. He emphasized that 'Sabah businesses must be bold to step out of your comfort zones, embrace a strategic mindset, and leverage your unique identity to drive growth.' Collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital, along with a clear long-term vision. He also urged, 'It is crucial for Sabah to tap into its global diaspora talent and bring them back to contribute, to support and truly unlock the state's full potential.' Datuk Lee Swi Heng, Vice President of MICCI Malaysia and Organizing Committee of CEO Masterclass 2025 wrapped-up the event with a heartfelt thanks to all the respected guests, sponsors and attendees. 'We sincerely hope that the CEO Masterclass 2025 has not only offered valuable perspectives but has also ignited within each of you the courage to dream bigger, act bolder, and confidently tackle the exciting challenges of scaling your businesses' he said in his closing speech. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
14 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
At The CEO Masterclass Sabah 2025: Right mindset needed for economic growth: Masidi
Published on: Monday, July 14, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 14, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Masidi and the organisers posing in a photo with invited panels and Sabah business leaders. Kota Kinabalu: State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the government is committed to creating a business-friendly State and driving economic growth through collaboration with local private companies and stakeholders. 'The government will continue to find ways to assist you,' he told local business leaders at the CEO Masterclass Sabah 2025: Scale Beyond Limits held at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, Thursday. 'The most important thing is having the right mindset and creating an ecosystem that is business friendly and comfortable for people to do business and grow their business. 'The business of the government is not to compete with the private sector but rather to facilitate the innovation of privately owned companies to make more money,' he said. The event was co-organised by the Sabah Young Business and Industry Leaders (Sybil) and the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) in support of the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore with Daily Express as the media partner. While acknowledging infrastructure issues in Sabah, Masidi said the government's support goes beyond just solving infrastructure problems but also creating the right environment for businesses to thrive. 'We are continuing to try to improve, and I know it is a huge challenge, but I am sure one day we can say that we can tackle the problem and solve the problem together,' he said. He also pointed out the important need for unity among all stakeholders for moving forward. 'We should be united. I know that we have friends from all generations, but until we unite, help each other and look at the needs while complementing each other's biggest assets, it will be difficult for us to go forward,' Masidi said. Additionally, he pointed out the importance of collaboration over competition, saying that success comes from working together rather than from individual efforts. 'If you talk about scaling the boundaries, it is about networking and creating something that we can do together. Instead of just me or you. It should be us,' he said. He also spoke about the importance of adaptability in today's fast-changing business environment. 'Adaptability means being able to weather a storm because you are adaptable to changing circumstances. Things can change overnight. So, we need to be ready. 'We need to have good collaborations and networking because we need adaptability. We must work together and be more adaptable to changing circumstances. 'I sincerely believe that Sabahans have full potential, a lot of potential to grow. With the right mindset and collaborative approach, the State can overcome its challenges and unlock its full economic potential,' he said. Meanwhile, MICCI Vice President Datuk Lee Swi Heng said the event captures the collective vision to empower each other towards unlocking potential and pursuing sustainable growth far beyond conventional boundaries. 'We hope that the CEO Masterclass 2025 has not only offered valuable perspectives but has also ignited within each participant the courage to dream bigger, act bolder and confidently tackle the exciting challenges of scaling your businesses,' he said. A unique feature of this year's masterclass was the inclusion of 'Human Books', comprising successful entrepreneurs who shared their personal journeys and practical business insights with participants. The format provided attendees with direct access to real-world experiences and actionable advice. 'As the nation's oldest chamber, MICCI remains dedicated to empowering businesses to grow and scale beyond boundaries. We achieve this by facilitating strategic networking opportunities and nurturing a dynamic, supportive ecosystem for passionate entrepreneurs,' Lee said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Leading CEOs, founders to headline CEO Masterclass 2025
Published on: Thursday, May 08, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 08, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Business owners, visionary entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders from across Malaysia are set to converge at one of Sabah's most anticipated leadership events: CEO Masterclass (CEOM) 2025, happening on the 9th and 10th of July 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). Co-organised by The Sabah Young Business and Industry Leaders Network (Sybil) and the Malaysia International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Sabah Chapter, CEOM 2025 returns after two successful editions from 2023 and 2024 with the theme 'Scaling Beyond Limits'. This two-day event promises an immersive experience with strategic keynotes, interactive fireside chats, and VIP networking sessions — all delivered by some of the most respected minds in business, branding, and investment, offering curated opportunities to connect with investors, mentors, and business collaborators. Featured Speakers include: Datuk Dr Gordon Loke Theen Fatt – Managing Director and CEO, KTI Landmark Berhad – Managing Director and CEO, KTI Landmark Berhad Asgari Stephens – Director/Founding Member of Intelligent Capital Sdn Bhd – Director/Founding Member of Intelligent Capital Sdn Bhd Kenji Yeo – Founder and CEO, Amazing Borneo – Founder and CEO, Amazing Borneo Datuk Ar James Wong Kein Peng – Group General Manager, Sedco – Group General Manager, Sedco Geraldyn Low – Founder, Ventamin Sdn. Bhd. – Founder, Ventamin Sdn. Bhd. Liaw Hen Kong – Managing Director, Life Water Berhad – Managing Director, Life Water Berhad Kang Ket Hung – Managing Director, Colform Group Berhad – Managing Director, Colform Group Berhad Ray Chou – Founder of Owner Circle Session Highlights: Session 1: Overcoming the Death Valley – Insights from a startup founder and venture capitalist on surviving the critical early-stage challenges. – Insights from a startup founder and venture capitalist on surviving the critical early-stage challenges. Session 2: Breaking the Barrier – A newly listed company in Sabah shares how they overcame growth barriers to reach new heights. – A newly listed company in Sabah shares how they overcame growth barriers to reach new heights. Session 3: Human Library – A rotating interactive format where entrepreneurs will engage with experienced business leaders in small, focused discussions, rotating every 30 minutes for diverse perspectives and advice. Who Should Attend CEO Masterclass 2025? Business Owners (Directors, Principal, Partners, Associates), CEOs and Equivalents, Entrepreneurs and Startups (Founders and Co-founders), Management Level Employees, Executive Employees being groomed for leadership roles, Government Servants in Leadership Positions, representatives from GLCs (Government-Linked Companies) and any leadership-driven individuals wanting to grow and learn. Why Attend CEO Masterclass 2025? 'CEO Masterclass 2025 is designed for leaders who are ready to break past their current ceiling,' said Precilla Fong, Organising Chairman of the event. 'Whether you're an early-stage founder or leading a growth-stage enterprise, this is where you'll sharpen your strategy, mindset, and connections to lead with greater clarity and impact.' Those interested can find out more and register at or contact Sybil Secretariat (Sharmane) at 012-8802554 or send an email to [email protected] to sign-up or for any inquiries for this upcoming event. The Daily Express is the official media partner for the event. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
