S. RAJARATNAM ENDOWMENT DIALOGUE @ REGIONAL OUTLOOK FORUM 2024
With Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry
11 January 2024, 11.00 AM to 2.00 PM
Begonia Junior Ballroom, Sands Expo & Convention Centre
This dialogue will draw on Tengku Zafrul’s continuing leadership at the apex of Malaysia’s economic policymaking and his perspectives from within the complex but stabilized multi-coalition government. The closed-door setting will facilitate candid sharing of perspectives on Malaysia’s aspirations and action plans to advance its economy, attract investments and establish its international presence, amidst continuing geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty. The discussion will unpack the challenges and opportunities facing open economies like Malaysia and her Southeast Asian neighbours, including efforts to move up the value chain, boost trade amidst a gloomy global growth outlook, and foster linkages within ASEAN and synergies across borders. Zafrul will also share his insights on Malaysia’s political dynamics, tapping into his Cabinet experience in the current Unity government coalition and the preceding Perikatan Nasional administration, as well as UMNO.
PROGRAMME
10.15AM-11.00AM
Arrival and registration
11.00AM-1.00PM
Fireside chat moderated by
Mr Choi Shing Kwok
Director and CEO, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute
1.00PM-2.00PM
Networking lunch
About the Speaker
Tengku Zafrul Aziz is Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry and a Senator in the Upper House. He was previously Minister of Finance (March 2020 – October 2022), and instrumental in engineering various financing packages to steer the country safely and systematically towards the recovery phase, while ensuring capacity was maintained for an economic rebound post-pandemic. Within UMNO, he is an elected Supreme Council member; as well as Treasurer of UMNO Selangor, and the Head for UMNO Kota Raja Division in Selangor. Prior to entering politics, he was Group CEO of CIMB, President Commissioner of PT Bank CIMB Niaga Tbk, and CEO of Maybank Kim Eng. Zafrul also has experience as an entrepreneur by setting up Tune Money, Asia’s first “no-frills” online financial service provider, and was a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), representing Malaysia in promoting intra-trade and collaboration within Asia Pacific.