Diary of Events (April 2026 Issue)
The 5th iDeas Xchange was jointly organised by the Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) and the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) and with Kolaxus, led by its CEO, Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, Executive Committee Member of MAJECA & MASSA on 28 January 2026 at STEG Hotel Kuala Lumpur with the support of FGV Holdings Berhad and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
Cognisant of the shared, and rising sentiment for corporate-startup convergence & partnership, for innovation, growth, collaboration, and exchange, the iDeas Xchange Series aims to facilitate and encourage networking, interactions, tie-ups and catalytic partnerships between corporate Malaysia and the Malaysian startup ecosystem.
A total of 100 participants comprising members of MASSA & MAJECA, the corporate business community, Government agencies, academia and the members of the startup ecosystem were present.
Mr Emes Mukhris bin Mohd Mokhtar, Officer-in-Charge,
Group Chief Strategy Officer, FGV Holdings Berhad delivered the Welcome Remarks.
Ts. Navin Sinnathamby, Head of Department, Digital Agriculture Technology (AgTech) Department, Digital Adoption Division, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) delivered the Opening Remarks.
Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, CEO, Kolaxus and Executive Committee Member, Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) &
Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA)
delivered the kick-off remarks and moderated the Startup Sharing Session.
The following four speakers, identified by MDEC under the theme of Agriculture Innovation, shared on their respective businesses moderated by Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, CEO, Kolaxus and Executive Committee Member of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) & Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA):
Mr Tan Han Wei, Managing Director, Sustainable Hrvest Sdn Bhd
Mr Sreeram Bolisetti, Chief Technology Offier, Idealogic Technologies Sdn Bhd
Mr Whan Mugilan, Chief Executive Officer, Vessel Pro Sdn Bhd
Mr Azaini Azat Abdul Jalil, Chief Executive Officer, Flow Studios Sdn Bhd
Ir. Ts. Dr. Gideon Tan Xiang Yee, Head of Group Transformation,
FGV Holdings Berhad delivered a Presentation.
Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Vice-President, MASSA
delivered the Closing Remarks.
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On behalf of the organisers, MASSA thanks FGV for hosting the 5th iDeas Xchange at STEG Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
The South African High Commission in Malaysia, in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), South Africa invited MASSA and its members to attend a South Africa – Malaysia Trade, Investment Seminar and Business Matching Session, held on 5 February 2026 at Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur.
This Seminar was in conjunction with a South Africa Trade Mission to Malaysia. The delegation comprising 22 companies was led by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), South Africa. The delegation comprise food and beverage, cosmetics and wellness, wines, defence, and military equipment sectors.
This Trade Mission follows the State Visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to Malaysia during the ASEAN Summit last year, during which both countries reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations and deepen economic cooperation.
South Africa’s highlighted industry sectors include agroprocessing (juices, nuts), beverage, winemaking, lifestyle, advanced manufacturing – defence and cosmetics & personal care. It was noted that South Africa can provide counterseasonal advantage to Malaysia for agriculture supply, and that South Africa has a regime for Kosher & Halal friendly products. It was further noted the shared alignment between Malaysia and South Africa, especially under NAM, South-South Cooperation and Dialogues. South Africa is also positioning itself as a platform for Southern African Development Community (SADC) region [comprising: Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe] and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).
Ms Alleta Maseko, First Secretary (Political), Charge d’ Affaires a.i, High Commission of the Republic of South Africa delivered the Opening Remarks.
Mr Naim Abdul Rahman, Director – Central, West, South Asia & Africa Section, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) delivered a presentation titled “Doing Business in Malaysia: Trade between Malaysia-South Africa and Africa Region”
Mr Nazuki Abdullah, Director – Cross Border Investment Division, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), delivered a Joint Presentation titled “Investment Opportunities & Malaysia as a Business Hub in ASEAN”.
Mr Ahmad Asfiya Salehudin, Assistant Director – Cross Border Investment Division, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), delivered a Joint Presentation titled “Investment Opportunities & Malaysia as a Business Hub in ASEAN”.
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MASSA thanks the High Commission of the Republic of South Africa for the kind invitation to attend this Seminar.