REHDA Institute today convened its flagship CEO Series 2026, bringing together more than 400 senior decision-makers from government, finance, industry, academia and the international business community to discuss Malaysia and ASEAN’s economic outlook, investment priorities and human capital challenges for the year ahead.

Held at Le Méridien Petaling Jaya, the annual conference set the tone for early-year policy and industry engagement, as leaders examined economic direction, policy clarity and competitiveness amid evolving global and regional conditions.

Reflecting the conference’s relevance to national economic and development priorities, CEO Series 2026 featured ministerial participation from YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance II; YB Tuan Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport; and YB Tuan Chiew Choon Man, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Organised as part of a joint secretariat involving multiple supporting industry bodies and associations, CEO Series 2026 focused on Malaysia’s economic trajectory within ASEAN at the start of 2026, amid global uncertainty, shifting capital flows and heightened competition for foreign direct investment.

Discussions centred on innovation-led growth, investment readiness, recurring-income assets and cross-border integration, with particular attention given to regional competitiveness and policy coherence.

Dato’ Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip, Chairman of REHDA Institute, said “The CEO Series was designed to facilitate substantive dialogue and provides a neutral platform where policymakers and senior leaders from a diverse range of industries can engage constructively on economic realities and long-term priorities. This engagement helps align policy direction, gather market insights from the various industries and investment decisions.”

CEO Series 2026 also featured international economists, researchers and industry leaders from ASEAN, Australia and Europe, reinforcing Malaysia’s continued engagement with regional and global stakeholders.

Speakers included Dr Koh Wee Chian from the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), Denise Cheok from Moody’s Analytics, as well as senior industry representatives with experience across global markets.

Participants travelled from countries including Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia and Singapore, contributing comparative perspectives on investment flows, capital markets and regional development trends.

Dato Jeffrey Ng added that continued participation by international experts and investors signals confidence in Malaysia’s fundamentals and its role within the region and allowed Malaysia to benchmark itself realistically against regional peers.

In line with national priorities, the conference addressed regional integration, including Johor–Singapore collaboration and the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone, examining cross-border synergies in manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure and urban development.

The conference also explored opportunities linked to Visit Malaysia Year 2026, particularly tourism-led development, hospitality and experience-driven real estate, and the role of private sector investment in supporting national tourism objectives while delivering sustainable economic returns.

A key outcome of CEO Series 2026 was the launch of the REHDA Institute Youth Initiative (RIYI), a national human capital development programme aimed at bridging academia and industry and strengthening Malaysia’s future talent pipeline.

RIYI was launched during the conference by YB Tuan Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport, underscoring its alignment with national workforce development priorities.

The initiative brought together more than 13 universities nationwide alongside corporate leaders and industry practitioners, with a focus on structured mentorship, early industry exposure and career guidance for high-potential students.

Ng said, “Economic resilience depends not only on investment and policy, but also on talent. RIYI reflects REHDA Institute’s belief that industry stakeholders must play a more active role in preparing young Malaysians to enter the workforce with practical skills and realistic expectations.”

He added that RIYI formed part of REHDA Institute’s broader commitment to Malaysia’s human capital development as a social enterprise.

“As an independent think tank, we look beyond immediate sectoral needs. Investing in youth and human capital is a long-term national responsibility”, he said.

As Malaysia enters 2026 amid global uncertainty and regional transition, CEO Series 2026 provided a platform for alignment, reflection and forward planning.

A newly proposed commercial development in Farlim, located off Lorong Semara Api 2 and adjacent to the Casa Idaman housing scheme. The site is within a short driving distance of established amenities, including Sunshine Central, which is approximately five minutes away, and lies about 1km from the Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass that is currently under construction. The development area presently contains a single-storey clubhouse, which is proposed to be demolished to make way for the new building.

This development will see the construction of a 21-storey commercial block, comprises 143 office units along with four retail shop units at the ground and mezzanine levels. Supporting components include 7 levels of car parking podium and community facilities on Level 8.

The project is still in its planning stage and more details will be available upon official launch.

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Farlim
Property Type : Commercial development
Tenure: (to be confirmed)
Land Area: 1.59 acres
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units : 143
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer : (Follow us to find out more)

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider, or party in question.

About Eden at Botanica CT

Eden at Botanica CT is Penang’s First Integrated Senior Living Resort, situated near the town centre of Balik Pulau, which is at the Southwest of Penang Island and located 17 km away from the Penang International Airport.

Nestled within the 300-acre Botanica.CT garden township which already features terrace homes, semi-detached homes, bungalows, Botanica CT Centre, and the award-winning Prince of Wales Island International School. Eden at Botanica CT is set to enhance the township’s vision of a self-sustaining, vibrant community. Future developments, including Selgate Specialist Hospital Pulau Pinang and a Wetland Park, will further enrich the living experience. Eden at Botanica CT is set to enhance the township’s vision of a self-sustaining, vibrant community. Upcoming developments, including private healthcare-Selgate Specialist Hospital Pulau Pinang, a Wetland Park will further enrich the community.

Eden at Botanica CT is an Integrated Senior Living Resort that comprises of two components that complement each other – the Active Living Resort and the MOH  Licensed Care Residence providing professional licensed nursing care services. The Active Living Resort consists of two blocks of 350 residential units. Current progress, the piling works have been successfully completed and  foundation works are currently in progress on-site.

For further enquiries, please contact Eden at Botanica CT at 

017-311 2699 or 04-866 2399

Visit the Show Gallery at:
Eden at Botanica CT Show Gallery 
No.32-32A, Jalan Sungai Air Putih,
11000, Balik Pulau, Penang.

Contractors involved in the Penang Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project have been instructed to implement continuous traffic mitigation measures to prevent severe congestion around construction sites as works intensify across the island.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the directive comes amid rapid escalation of construction activities, including near the Penang International Airport, where heavy machinery movement is expected to slow the flow of traffic.

“The ministry has directed contractors to work closely with local authorities and the state government to minimise disruption to road users,” he told reporters after inspecting new diesel buses for Rapid Penang outside City Hall on Monday.

“These mitigation plans are already being implemented, and we expect contractors to keep improving them as construction progresses,” he added.

The Mutiara Line LRT is a 29.5km rail alignment linking 21 stations across the island, supported by park-and-ride facilities, feeder bus services and two main depots.

Once completed, the line will serve key locations including the Penang International Airport, Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, George Town’s city centre and Penang Sentral, as well as police stations at Jalan Tengah, Bayan Baru, Sungai Nibong and Jelutong.

Loke noted that more construction sites are expected to open over the course of the year, which could further affect traffic, especially for commuters.

“For large-scale infrastructure projects like the LRT, traffic disruption is unavoidable.

“Roads may become narrower, vehicles will need to slow down, and congestion could worsen compared to current conditions,” he added.

He urged the public to remain patient, stressing that the short-term inconvenience is necessary to deliver a mass public transport system that will provide long-term benefits to Penang residents.

Penang’s historic seafront stretching from Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) to Tanjung City Marina (TCM) is set to undergo a major transformation under a long-term plan to create a commercial waterfront promenade, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said.

Speaking after the launch of the Penang Port Commission’s 70th anniversary at the E&O Hotel, Loke said the redevelopment aims to revitalise run-down areas including TCM, Church Street Pier and old godowns along the waterfront.

Under the vision, cruise passengers arriving at SPCT will be able to walk seamlessly along the seafront to Padang Kota Lama and onwards to TCM. The promenade will feature cafes, al-fresco dining, food and beverage outlets, galleries and other visitor-oriented uses, turning the area into an active public space.

Loke described SPCT as a “crown jewel”, noting that it is the only cruise terminal in Malaysia located within a city centre and heritage zone. He said the government intends to strengthen SPCT’s role as a home port for international cruise liners, while enhancing the surrounding area as a welcoming promenade for both tourists and locals.

The project, however, will require close coordination between multiple stakeholders, including the Penang state government, PPC, the Transport Ministry, Railway Asset Corporation (RAC) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB).

While the state government has already completed the promenade at Padang Kota Lama, Loke said the next step is to extend the walkway to SPCT, and eventually to TCM and the ferry terminal to create a fully walkable waterfront. However, he cautioned that the section linking SPCT to the ferry terminal cannot proceed until the seawall is strengthened to ensure public safety, a process that will require significant capital expenditure.

Given the scale of investment needed, Loke said the federal government will only proceed if the project offers viable commercial returns. To that end, the private sector will be invited to develop the area, although no permanent structures will be allowed as the site must remain within a heritage zone.

Loke also revealed plans to redevelop the former Menara Kastam building opposite TCM, which is owned by RAC, into a boutique hotel. Describing the building as currently rundown, he said approvals have already been signed, with further announcements expected soon.