SHAH ALAM, Jan 16 — More than 400 senior leaders from government, industry and academia gathered at the CEO Series 2026 conference, organised by the REHDA Institute, to discuss economic prospects, investment priorities, and workforce challenges facing Malaysia and ASEAN.
The annual conference serves as an early-year policy dialogue and industry engagement platform, focusing on economic direction, policy clarity and national competitiveness amid a rapidly evolving global and regional landscape.
Among the leaders participating were Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, and Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man.
REHDA Institute chairman Dato’ Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip said the conference was established as a neutral platform to encourage substantive dialogue between policymakers and industry leaders.
“It is designed to facilitate constructive discussions on economic realities and long-term priorities.
“This engagement helps shape policy coherence, deepen understanding across industries, and inform investment decisions,” he said in a statement yesterday.
CEO Series 2026 also featured international economists, researchers and industry leaders from ASEAN, Australia and Europe, further strengthening Malaysia’s engagement with regional and global stakeholders.
According to Ng, continued participation by international experts and investors reflects confidence in Malaysia’s economic fundamentals and its regional role.
“It also provides space to realistically benchmark Malaysia’s performance against its regional peers,” he added.
Discussions also touched on cross-border economic integration opportunities, including Johor–Singapore cooperation and the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone, spanning manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure and urban development.
The potential of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 was also highlighted, particularly in tourism development, hospitality and experience-based real estate, as well as the private sector’s role in supporting a sustainable, high-income tourism agenda.
At the same conference, the REHDA Institute Youth Initiative (RIYI) was launched as a national human capital development initiative aimed at bridging the gap between higher education institutions and industry.
Launched by the transport minister, the programme involves more than 13 local universities alongside corporate and industry leaders, with an emphasis on structured mentorship, early industry exposure and career guidance.
“Economic resilience depends not only on investment and policy, but also on credible human capital.
“RIYI reflects REHDA Institute’s belief that industry stakeholders must play a more active role in preparing Malaysia’s youth to enter the workforce with practical skills and realistic expectations,” he said.
Ng added that RIYI forms part of REHDA Institute’s ongoing commitment to national human capital development.
“As an independent think tank, we look beyond immediate sectoral needs. Investing in youth and human capital is a long-term responsibility,” he said.
