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Focus Malaysia
16-07-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
ASEAN Change Management Conference 2025 returns with stronger regional voice
BUILDING on the success of its impactful debut last year, the ASEAN Change Management Conference 2025 (ACMC) is returning to Kuala Lumpur on Oct 1-2 with the quest to unite leaders and practitioners across Southeast Asia for bold leadership and a people-first focus. With the theme Advancing Results, Change Done Right!, ACMC 2025 which will be staged at Wyndham Grand Bangsar promises deeper regional engagement, stronger collaboration and practical insights that go beyond theory into real-world transformation. Organised by K-Pintar Sdn Bhd, a leader in corporate learning and transformation for over 20 years, this year's conference looks to position change not merely as a necessity but as a skill to be honed. 'ACMC 2025 is about equipping leaders and change practitioners to implement change with precision and long-term impact,' envisages the event's chairman and K-Pintar's CEO R.A. Thiagaraja. 'In a region as diverse and dynamic as ASEAN, change cannot be imported, it must be interpreted. And this year, we're moving from awareness to action.' Harnessing resilience What sets 2025 apart is renewed emphasis on ASEAN-rooted strategies, candid conversations and practical applications of change leadership, especially in sectors undergoing rapid transformation. 'We're bringing together global experts and regional practitioners (from England, Poland, Africa, India, Singapore and Malaysia.) to co-create solutions that can work here – not in theory – but in the trenches of actual transformation,' enthused Thiagaraja. 'If we want resilient organisations and empowered communities, we must stop treating change as a checkbox and start treating it as a core discipline.' The two-day conference centres on five topics: (i) Trends & Innovation; (ii) Organisational Culture; (iii) Psychology & Neuroscience; (iv) Change Leadership & Fundamentals; and (v) Digital Transformation. These subjects will be explored through masterclasses, interactive workshops, leadership dialogues and design sprints, thus offering participants practical tools they can apply in real-world settings. Suited for decision-makers, change advocates INTAN (the National Institute of Public Administration) has come on board as a strategic collaboration partner for ACMC 2025 by bringing the perspective of Malaysia's public sector. This partnership reflects the government's continued efforts to drive innovation and build a more forward-looking public service. It is in line with the values of Malaysia Madani which supports new ideas and changes that benefit the people. Very broadly, this year's ACMC is expected to play a role in fostering the development of a long-term, ASEAN-based community of change practitioners. The conference which is in collaboration with the PMI Malaysia Chapter, Institut Koperasi Malaysia (IKMA), PIKOM, GBS, Prosci (US) and other international organisations aims to support the establishment of a sustainable regional ecosystem focused on advancing the profession of change management. As organisations across ASEAN face increasing complexity, speed of change and digital disruption, ACMC 2025 invites leaders, change practitioners and decision-makers to step forward and shape a future that is bold, inclusive and rooted in action. ACMC 2025 is expected to attract 500 participants from across the region. The conference is now open for registration at – July 16, 2025
New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Organiser tries to save Malaysia Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: This year's Malaysia Cup squash may not be cancelled as feared. Its organiser, ACE Sports and Management, has met the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) in a bid to keep the PSA Tour Bronze-level event going. The first two Malaysia Cups were held in Seremban in 2023 and at the Curve Mall in Damansara last year. For this year, the organiser has not been able to raise RM1.5 million needed to stage the Malaysia Cup, which originally was scheduled for Aug 17-23. Ace Sports and Management director R.A. Thiagaraja said they met with KBS secretary general Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu last week regarding the matter of organising the Malaysia Cup. "It was a positive meeting with Dr Nagulendran and his team. We presented our case that we lack the funds to organise the event. We need funds from the government to help us host the event. "We were told that we need to apply for the grant, it must be done through the national body (SRAM) by Aug 15." But Thiagaraja said there is a snag. If the grant is approved, it must be used for the Malaysia Cup by the end of October. But the new dates scheduled by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) for the tournament is the last week of November. "So, there is another challenge for us unless the Sports Ministry gives special approval to SRAM to use the grant for the Malaysia Cup in November. "We hope they will approve it as we are doing all we can to have the Malaysia Cup which will benefit the upcoming players, and fans can watch their national stars perform in Malaysia." Thiagaraja said they are still looking for sponsorship from corporations to help them organise the Malaysia Cup. "The prize money itself is RM650,000. The other costs are accommodations, glass court, marketing, Squash TV, PSA officials, referees, transportation and food." Squash is one of Malaysia's core sports, and with world No. 8 S. Sivasangari and world No. 12 Eain Yow expected to qualify for the 2028 Olympics, the difficulty in getting sponsorship has raised eyebrows. The Malaysia Cup is the only major squash event in the country. How is Malaysia going to produce more talent if it can't even host the Malaysia Cup? In the past, the Malaysia Opens have produced eight-time world champion Datuk Nicol David and world top-10 players Low Wee Wern, Ong Beng Hee, Azlan Iskandar, Sivasangari and Eain Yow.
New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia Cup faces axe as organisers struggle for sponsorship
KUALA LUMPUR: While more countries are ramping up efforts to host squash tournaments ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Malaysia are sadly struggling to raise funds to stage competitions. This comes as a surprise for a nation that has produced an eight-time world champion in Datuk Nicol David, along with several top-10 players including S. Sivasangari, Low Wee Wern, Ong Beng Hee, Azlan Iskandar and Ng Eain Yow. Timesport has learnt that the Malaysia Cup, a PSA Tour Bronze-level event scheduled to take place in Damansara from Aug 17-23, may be scrapped this year unless organisers ACE Sports and Management can secure sponsorship. Squash is one of Malaysia's core sports, and with world No. 9 Sivasangari and world No. 12 Eain Yow expected to qualify for LA 28, the lack of support has raised eyebrows. Formerly known as the Malaysia Open, the Malaysia Cup was first held in 1975. ACE Sports and Management director R.A. Thiagaraja said the tournament is the season opening event for the new PSA Tour season. "We approached private companies, banks and even the government for funding, but sadly, none are keen," he said. "The Curve (venue at Mutiara Damansara) aren't charging us a cent, but passion alone is not enough to sustain sport." Thiagaraja revealed that they need RM1.5 million to run the tournament. "In 2023, we spent RM1.5 million on the event. The government only gave us RM300,000 and that was for all squash tournaments. Last year alone, it cost us RM3 million — RM1.5 million to organise and another RM1.5 million for the glass court. We didn't receive a single sen from the government." He added that over the past two years, ACE has spent RM4.5 million, not including costs for organising Satellite circuits and the World Championships Asian Qualifier. "This year, we spent RM550,000 on eight men's and women's Satellite circuits to help juniors. The Asian Qualifier alone cost nearly RM200,000. "We went through SRAM (Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia) to approach the government, but no help came." Thiagaraja stressed the importance of the Malaysia Cup in providing exposure for players such as Eain Yow, Sivasangari, Rachel Arnold, sisters Aira and Aifa Azman, Ainaa Amani, Sanjay Jeeva, C. Ameeshenraj and Yasshmita Jadish Kumar. "It inspires fans and up-and-coming players to watch their idols live. Last year, the event attracted 3.3 million TV viewers from 56 countries. "When we held the Malaysia Cup in 2023, Malaysia had 29 professionals. Today, we have over 100 pro players — a promising sign. But without a local tournament, our players lose a vital opportunity to compete at home — a major blow ahead of LA 28." He added: "Many countries have started hosting tournaments after squash was included in the Olympics. "PSA COO Tommy Berden said it would be a shame if the Malaysia Cup doesn't happen. The PSA has given us until the end of July to secure funding." In a stinging comparison, Thiagaraja noted that Singapore — despite not having world-class squash players — will stage the Singapore Open on Aug 12-16.
