PETALING JAYA, 15 January 2026 — The REHDA Institute convened its flagship CEO Series 2026 on Thursday, bringing together more than 400 senior decision-makers from government, finance, industry, academia and the international business community to deliberate 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, with discussions focused on economic direction, policy clarity and competitiveness amid evolving global and regional conditions.
Reflecting its relevance to national development priorities, CEO Series 2026 featured ministerial participation from Amir Hamzah Azizan, Anthony Loke Siew Fook and Chiew Choon Man, underscoring close alignment between policymakers and the private sector at the start of 2026.
Organised through a joint secretariat with multiple supporting industry bodies and associations, the conference examined Malaysia’s economic trajectory within ASEAN against a backdrop of global uncertainty, shifting capital flows and intensified competition for foreign direct investment. Core themes included innovation-led growth, investment readiness, recurring-income assets and cross-border integration, with a strong emphasis on regional competitiveness and policy coherence.
Chairman Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip said the CEO Series was designed to facilitate substantive dialogue on economic realities and long-term priorities, providing a neutral platform for policymakers and senior leaders across industries to exchange insights that inform policy direction and investment decisions.
The conference also featured international economists, researchers and industry leaders from ASEAN, Australia and Europe, including representatives from the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) and Moody’s Analytics, reinforcing Malaysia’s continued engagement with regional and global stakeholders. Participants travelled from Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia and Singapore, offering comparative perspectives on investment flows, capital markets and regional development trends.
Discussions also addressed regional integration initiatives such as Johor–Singapore collaboration and the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone, highlighting cross-border synergies in manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure and urban development. In parallel, the conference explored opportunities linked to Visit Malaysia Year 2026, particularly tourism-led development, hospitality and experience-driven real estate, and the role of private sector capital in supporting national tourism objectives while delivering sustainable 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 to strengthen Malaysia’s future talent pipeline. RIYI was launched by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, underscoring its alignment with national workforce development priorities.
The initiative brings together more than 13 universities nationwide alongside corporate leaders and industry practitioners, focusing on structured mentorship, early industry exposure and career guidance for high-potential students. According to Ng, RIYI reflects the Institute’s belief that industry stakeholders must play a more active role in preparing young Malaysians with practical skills and realistic expectations as they enter the workforce.
“As an independent think tank, we look beyond immediate sectoral needs. Investing in youth and human capital is a long-term national responsibility,” Ng said, adding that RIYI forms part of REHDA Institute’s broader social enterprise commitment to Malaysia’s human capital development.
As Malaysia enters 2026 amid global uncertainty and regional transition, CEO Series 2026 served as a platform for alignment, reflection and forward planning, reinforcing the importance of coordinated policy, investment confidence and talent development in sustaining long-term economic resilience.
