KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific

The ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum (ALPF), was successfully hosted on 6 May 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur. Since its establishment, the forum had grown into one of the region’s leading platforms for advancing economic cooperation, inclusive and sustainable development, and regional business collaboration, with previous editions held across major ASEAN cities including Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi, Manila, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Naypyidaw.

The 2026 edition, themed “Navigating ASEAN in a New Geopolitical Era: Keeping Centrality, Securing Prosperity, Empowering People,” convened government leaders, policymakers, parliamentarians, business executives, academics, and think tank leaders to deliberate on ASEAN’s strategic priorities amid growing geopolitical uncertainty. The opening ceremony featured a speech by Tun Dato' Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi Bin Hj Abdul Razak, Former Governor of Penang & Former Secretary-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia, while the luncheon ceremony featured a speech by YB Senator Dato Awang Bemee Bin Awang Ali Basah, President of the Senate, Malaysia.

Through its leadership sessions, roundtables, and closing luncheon, the forum examined strategic resilience in trade and supply chains, ASEAN integration through the digital economy and energy connectivity, sustainable financing, and the leadership needed to strengthen regional resilience, prosperity, and people-centred growth in an increasingly complex global environment.

Our April newsletter is here with a special message from our President!

This edition features our Malaysia Energy, Water & Climate Change Summit and 9th Malaysian Education and Learning Summit, with special addresses by YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation; Puan Sarina Binti Salim, Senior Deputy Director (Science and Technology Policy Cluster), Curriculum Development Division, representing the Minister of Education and a keynote by Tun Zaki Tun Azmi, Chancellor of Multimedia University and MAHSA University, and former Chief Justice of Malaysia.

Subscribe to more by going to our website : https://kasi.asia

The future of Malaysia’s property and construction landscape takes centre stage at the Malaysia Building & Property Summit 2026 (MBPS 2026)

Join industry leaders, policymakers, developers, and investors for a high-level forum exploring smart, sustainable development in a rapidly evolving geoeconomic era—featuring an Opening Keynote by Deputy Minister of Economy, YB Datuk Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah.

📍 The Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
📅 19 May 2026

From ESG and sustainability to AI, PropTech, and market trends, the Summit brings together key voices to shape the future of the building and property industry.

For more information please visit: https://lnkd.in/gD2CTPDd or contact [email protected]

Awang Bemee: Asean Parliaments Crucial In Maintaining Regional Centrality, Governance ASEAN, Awang Bemee, ASEAN centrality, ASEAN Lead

The Forum concluded with a Luncheon Programme featuring welcome remarks by Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, Chairman of the ASEAN Economic Club and President of KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific.

The Luncheon Address was delivered by YB Senator Dato Awang Bemee Bin Awang Ali Basah, President of the Senate of Malaysia, who spoke on “The Role of ASEAN Parliaments in Strengthening ASEAN Governance, Centrality and Connectivity.”

The ASEAN Leadership & Partnership Forum 2026 featured the Presentation of Excellence Awards, recognising outstanding contributions to regional development and cooperation, followed by a networking luncheon that further strengthened ties among participants. Congratulations to all the recipients!

The organizers also expressed its sincere appreciation to the event Strategic Partner – Kuok Brothers and Corporate Sponsor – Easybook for their strong support in enabling the successful ex*****on of the forum.

Session 2 explored the “Future of Digital Economy and Green Energy Transition,” highlighting ASEAN’s dual priorities of technological advancement and sustainability.

Moderated by Datuk Seri Mohd Iqbal Rawther, the session featured prominent voices from business, finance, and sustainability sectors. Speakers examined opportunities in digital transformation, climate finance, and sustainable business practices, while also addressing the challenges of balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.

Moderator:
Datuk Seri Mohd Iqbal Rawther
Deputy Chairman, KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, Malaysia
Chairman, Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur (ECKL)

Speakers:
Dato’ Seri Dr. Vaseehar Hassan Abdul Razack
Executive Vice Chairman, KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, Malaysia
Director, Bank Rakyat

Dr. (HC) Noni Sri Ayati Purnomo
President Commissioner, Bluebird Group Holding, Indonesia
Deputy President Commissioner, PT Blue Bird Tbk

Ms. Josephine Romero
Senior Adviser to the ASEAN BAC PH Chair and Adviser for Go Negosyo Angat Lahat Sa Digital, Philippines

Mr. Matthew Chen
Chief Executive Officer, OneConnect Financial Technology (International)

Mr. Shazali Sulaiman
Founder & Partner, Shazali & Partners, Brunei Darussalam
Co-Chairman, ASEAN Economic Club (AEC)

Mr. JJ Samuel A. Soriano
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Soriano Trust Co. Ltd, Philippines

Ms. Arina Kok
Asia-Pacific Climate Change Advisory Leader; Asean Climate Change and Sustainability Services Co-Leader; Malaysia Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Leader; and Partner, Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn Bhd

Ms. Rossana A. Fajardo
Country Managing Partner, SGV (EY Philippines)

Session 1 of the Forum focused on “Strategic Resilience: Navigating the Global Economic and Energy Crisis and Supply Chain Landscape.” Moderated by Tan Sri Dr. Munir Majid, the session brought together senior policymakers and industry experts from across the region.

Speakers, including H.E. Dr. Kirida Bhaopichitr, Vice Minister for Commerce of Thailand, and Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, shared insights on strengthening ASEAN’s economic resilience in the face of global disruptions.

Moderator:
Tan Sri Dr. Munir Majid
Chairman, CARI ASEAN Research and Advocacy
President, ASEAN Business Club
Chairman, International Advisory Board, KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, Malaysia

Speakers:
H.E. Dr. Kirida Bhaopichitr
Vice Minister for Commerce of Thailand

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh
Executive Vice Chairman, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) / Executive Chairman, Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD) / Chairman, ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Viet Nam.

Dato' Ramesh Kodammal
Chairman, ASEAN India Economic Council (AIEC)
Founder / Chairman, Goldtex Group, Malaysia

Mr. Chris Humphrey
Executive Director, EU-ASEAN Business Council, Singapore

Mr. William Lee
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Easybook

Mr. Alan Tan
Chief Economist, Affin Group, Malaysia

Mr. Mohd Sedek Jantan
Director, Investment Strategist and Country Economist, IPPFA

The ASEAN Leadership & Partnership Forum 2026 commenced with an Opening Ceremony featuring welcome remarks by Mr. Jose Ma. A. Concepcion III, Chairman of ASEAN-BAC Philippines, and Tan Sri Dr. Munir Majid, Chairman of CARI ASEAN Research and Advocacy and President of the ASEAN Business Club.

A Special Address was delivered by Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Haji Abdul Razak, former Governor of Penang, who highlighted the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation within ASEAN.